Found Happiness

"All who joy would win
Must share it -- Happiness was born a twin."
-- George Gordon Byron

I'm sure we can all admit that there is such a joy when spring break finally arrives. I have to admit, I didn't have fun activities planned; however, my break became really interesting as it progressed. I worked all week and finished grading research papers. On Friday, March 15 I had a second interview with a school, and on Monday, March 18 I had my first interview with my top pick school. I surprisingly heard back quickly from both interviews and was offered a job on Wednesday and Thursday. I have to admit that it actually felt nice to be "wanted" (haha!) by two different school districts; however, I knew in my heart that I wanted to come back home to teach. I have accepted my first teaching job at the Hutchinson Public School District, where I will be teaching 8th grade English/Language Arts, or 10th/11th grade High School English. What a relief I must say it is to finally have the security of a job. I'm so excited to hear about my classmates' experiences, and when they all get jobs, too! It's such a nerve-wracking, faith-building, anxiety-filled process to search for a teaching job, interview, receiving calls back. I feel much more motivated to push through these last six weeks of student teaching (YES! 6 weeks is all that is left!! crazy!) and editing and turning in my KPTP. I feel that a heavy burden has been lifted off of me, and I am anxious to progress.

During my interviews I was definitely asked some questions that are pertinent to teaching, but I had never thought about. I was asked if a student can really learn from a teacher they don't like. I was also asked if a teacher can teach a student they don't really like. I was also asked about what my "motto" or a statement that I have learned throughout my teaching experiences. I told them that every student is different, therefore they all learn differently. I was asked about differentiating instruction, and had to give real-life examples. I was also given specific scenarios. For instance, I was asked what hobbies or interests I have - I told them I love reading, and I've been busy wedding planning. They took wedding planning and said, say for instance you're teaching a lesson that involves wedding planning and the students are really enthusiastic and engaged with it. An administrator comes in and says they don't like the lesson plan because it isn't using the workbooks they spent $75,000 on, and want you to change it immediately, what do you? I told them that I would definitely take my lesson(s) and align it with Common Core standards and show the administrator that the students are following the core standards. They proceeded to suggest that the administrator still didn't like it, and wanted it changed, what would you do? I then said, well, I have to respect my administrators and bosses and what they say, and I would transition my lesson plans. They then proceeded to ask how I would tell my students about how we have to change lessons? I told them that I would plainly state that we enjoyed that lesson, but it is now time to transition and switch gears for a new lesson. I'm not sure if these were the specific answers they were looking for, but I tried to think critically and on my feet through the entire interview. One question they even asked was how often should a teacher think quickly about things? I said always. As teachers, we have to be on top of everything, situations/disciplinary issues need to be calmed or stopped immediately, there's no time to sit around and think about how to respond. We've been trained with the knowledge we need to make quick, honest, and right decisions.

Well anyway, that was a little insight into my interview! I am so excited about starting my job, and I'm excited and looking forward to hearing about the job opportunities of my classmates! :) Happiness should always be spread and shared!

Live long and prosper, friends!
-Ms. A