So, this is my big weekend of interviews. (When it's summertime and you're not working, everyday is the weekend.) I had one this morning, which I was totally prepared for. I practiced interview questions with my mom, who claims she does not interview well, but helped me tons. I am so grateful for her. Speaking of gratitude, I am one lucky girl to have the opportunity to be a long term sub for some awesome art teachers in the district that I want to work in! My mom helped me pick out an outfit, and even helped me with my high school teaching portfolio. So today was the big day. I woke up bight and early, had pasta salad for breakfast and tried to make myself look as old as possible, which never seems to work. (People tend to underestimate my abilities and don't take me seriously because I look like I'm thirteen. 'Where's your hall pass young lady? HA! You're not a teacher, prove it to me.')
Anyways, the interview went well. I told some unintentional jokes that made everyone laugh.
What is RTI?
um...(five seconds of silence)...ummm... (a few more seconds) Oh! (light bulb) Something, something, intervention?
(Polite, genuine chuckles. From the four interviewers.) Yes, RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION. Can you tell us what that means?
Oh crap. 'Well....(more silence I KNOW my mom talked to me about this, I just couldn't remember.) ...is it creating a behavioral plan for students who are having trouble in my class? Could it also be creating an academic plan for a a student who is having trouble with his/her grade?
Yes! Good. This is how it works at our school. Boring explanation of RTI blah blah blah...
What a stupid question. While you're at it, why don't you ask me what all these very important stand for... PLC, IEP, 504, IDEA, NCLB, AYP, DBAE, IAEA, NAEA. I don't know if it is sad that I know what all these stand for, but still, the question was equally stupid.
What would you do if a student you didn't do anything to, just didn't like you?
I don't care if a student doesn't like me. Teenagers seem to hate a lot of people for no good reason. 'Kill them with kindness' was my brilliant response.
All the interviewers laughed a real laugh. I didn't think it was funny and really didn't mean that as a joke. 'That's good. No one around here seems to share the same idea.' The principal said, glaring at one of the art teachers in the room, who forced a smile. I later found out that this particular teacher yells at students and has a bad temper.
After the interview, the art teachers gave me a tour of the room I would be teaching in, with my 40+ art students per class. Yep, 40 freshman! They were really nice and answered all my questions. I was thanking the principal on my way out when he shook my hand and said "I know you have an interview on Monday at the middle school. We all agree that you did really well in your interview here, have you had any other interviews lately?" I was honest and said I'd been interviewing out of state, looking for better offers, then he shocked me by saying, "Don't you want to stay in the area? Wouldn't you like to teach in this district? I'm asking you to please not say yes to anyone before I'm done interviewing a couple of applicants for this position." Whoa. First of all, I will say yes to anyone I dare please, but also, it kind of sounded like he didn't want to lose me to the middle school or anyone else. Oh my gosh, I can't believe it went as well as it did!
The problem: The sad news is that I went into the interview thinking it was a .71 position, later to be informed that it is a .57 position. After some fancy math skills, my mom and I found out that I'd be taking home between $700-$800 a month. I made more than that working... well, pretty much everywhere. I had a paycheck in May that was over $1800, just for subbing. This is obviously depressing. I will only take this job if it's my ONLY offer. Of course, you can't expect two art teachers to have the skills to do this kind of math either, so my mom and I could be wrong about how much I'd be earning. We factored in how much insurance and taxes would be, but we're not pros at this kind of thing.
Positives:
I have two interviews on Monday. One is a phone interview, out of state. I don't really care about this position, but I will interview nonetheless. The other one is a FULL TIME position at a middle school. I am really excited for this opportunity, although I think the competition will be stiffer.
We really do live in a man's world, Tina. When asked if I would be able to coach anything or be a part of a club, I said I wasn't athletic but I'd be willing to start an art club. The principal liked the idea and told me that one of the two art teachers, who are both male, is in charge of the skiing club and the drag racing club, while the other is a football coach.
