Graduate Again

It's not quite real yet. Maybe it's because "graduation" isn't until December. Stupid programs finishing between semesters. Can I just say how thrilled I am to be completely finished. One friend asked, "So, what's next? Ph.D? Doctorate?" I say an emphatic NO! That's not for me. I learn so much more from application that I can't ever see sitting through a series of classes.

Getting through my portfolio was a daunting task to start. There were three of us in my cohort who wanted to push through to finish the week that school got out. This meant that we were taking a class and doing our portfolio at the same time.

I sat down and made a calendar to map out how much I needed to accomplish each day in order to not have to work on it on days that I already had plans and to get done in time to present it to my peers. I started out way behind schedule. Procrastinating as much as possible. Then one meeting at the library with a classmate and I was back on schedule and stayed at the library for much of the day. I finished the bulk of it way early and was even able to keep all of my plans I had made before I realized that I had to do my portfolio.

Tuesday evening I sat, for what will hopefully be the last time, in a high school desk and waited my turn to present my portfolio to my peers. Heidi even texted me to check in while I was siting there. I gave my presentation and handed over my binder. That's it, I'm all done.

Class was followed by an fun dinner out with my cohort and my instructor. It was a great evening, and I know I'll miss my classmates, even if I wont miss class.

It's a great feeling knowing that I'm done. That it's all 100% out of my hands. Let's just add to the fact that this girl is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and that feels great!

The Waiting Game

My docs are in the mail, on their way to Washington D.C. It's now all about waiting. I'm waiting for my security clearance and waiting for my docs to make the rounds in DC. 

So this is me. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. I know this is a short update, but there's not much else going on. It's the start of my summer and the most I have to do is PACK!

paperwork, PAPERwork, PAPERWORK!!

Since I made my decision to sign my contract it's been a never ending process of paperwork. I got a list of all the documents I would have to fill out, scan, authenticate, or acquire. Here is my list of required documents: Security Application/Registration Form (1), Undertaking Letter (3), Passport photos (15+), Color copy of passport (5), authenticated WOU transcripts, authenticated B.S. degree, authenticated Oregon Teaching License, Color copy of said transcripts, degree and license (3), Experience letter from current employer with UAE attestation (2), Personal information form, and a new joiner form. This is only the first list they gave me... the second one was a list of things that had to be scanned to them in PDF format and added my visa application.

If you're thinking, "Whoa, that's a lot of paper!" You'd be completely correct. Most of the forms had to be printed, filled out, scanned and imported to word to be saved as a pdf. It's a little crazy. The filling out the forms came with an instruction book and was a little intimidating, but doable.

I ordered my transcripts and got my BS out of it's pretty folder and made copies and had them notarized. Then had to make the trek down to Salem to the Secretary of State Department. That was much easier than I thought it was... but now I've discovered that they may not have done it correctly and I may have to start over!!! Believe me I will NOT be paying that $40 plus gas all over again. Unfortunately I just discovered this possible problem. Actually thanks to pulling out the document list to blog about it... So THANK YOU friends who are reading this, you could be saving me literally hundreds of dollars. Now I'm waiting for an answer about those very documents to see if they're ok or they need to be redone.

In the mean time I've learned that I will be teaching 2nd grade!!! That is so unbelievably exciting.

I also have all my passport photos done... I found a way to cheat... here's the trick... go to Costco and get your passport photo done there... they'll charge you $4.99 for 4 pictures. You then pay an additional 2.99 to purchase the digital rights to the photo. Go home and pop it in the computer and goggle passport photos. You'll see services to do it online... you just upload the costco version and they make it into a 4x6. Then you pay $0.13 for each additional 4 photos. I ordered 5, 4x6s so I've only ended up paying $0.36 for each of my photos... a grand total of less than $9.00. I think that's great compared to the $25 I would have been paying for the same amount. Imagine if you had to buy them for a whole family to move...

Well it's not too bad....

I'm still feeling a little crazy and hopefully I'll understand more and more as I move along...

A Chance of a Lifetime!

I've been trying to write about this topic since April. I think the problem is that there's just so much stuff swirling around in my head. It seems like with each person I talk about a different aspect of my pending adventure. So I guess I'm just a little all over the place. I'm excited and scared and totally in denial. If I didn't have checklists and a series of steps that need to be completed I don't think I'd have any clue what it is that I'm doing. So I've decided that since I can't eloquently spew my thoughts and feelings about the whole thing right now I'm going to go start at the beginning and see where I go.

On April 16th, with the pep talk from Emily on my mind, I headed out to the 2013 Portland Professional Educator Fair at the Oregon Convention Center. I arrived early and got my booklet, only to be completely overwhelmed. There was an astounding turn out for the fair, not only educators, but also districts.

I watched as other educators sat in groups and mapped out their attack plan for the day and had no idea what to do myself. I found a ledge to sit on and opened the booklet. There were lists and lists inside and I had no idea how to utilize the book. I started out marking all the booths who were looking for K-5 teachers and quickly decided that was a waste of time. At this point they had opened the doors and I was afraid of being left behind. I flipped through the book until I found the section that listed the districts that were looking for K-3 and decided to approach it much like I would the Health Expo or the Women's Show. I started at one end and intended to work my way around.

The first stop was Yupik, Alaska. The women there was very friendly and promptly asked for my resume. I figured this might be an indicator of my luck for the day. I continued down the line, comparing the school/district listed to my book. I talked to the American school in Kuwait, and even got a call from them a couple of weeks later. I talked to a district in Idaho and Alief Independent School District in Texas, where I was asked to come back on Wednesday to interview. After talking with an amazingly nice woman at the Alief I made a stop at an empty table to regroup. This allowed me a minute to look at the table next to me without actually engaging the recruiters at the table. They were from the Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi (GSAD) and weren't listed in my book. I actually was walking past them when something stopped me. I have no idea what it was that prompted me to backpedal and talk with them. After a brief conversation they asked if they could see my resume. After reviewing it they asked if I would be willing to interview later in the day. I agreed and set my alarm so that I could continue making my connections with the other districts.

I talked to multiple districts in Arizona, Washington and Oregon. When 12:30 rolled around I made my way to the room where GSAD was conducting interviews and sat down with Laura. It was a great interview and I walked away thinking, "Wow, this could really happen."

A couple of hours later I received a text message from Laura asking me to stop by the booth at 3:30 to talk with Angela, that they wanted to offer me a contract. To say that I was shocked is a gross understatement. I stopped by and they asked if I could come back the next day, since I had two interviews set up I said it was no problem. I picked up my contract on Wednesday and was told that I needed to have my answer in by Sunday.

On my way home I crunched numbers, and thought about the opportunity. I started thinking about all the possibilities. The fact that this school wanted me enough to offer me a contract within hours of meeting me.

I think I'm taking my cues from Dad right now. He's pretty much in denial, and for me that works. I have so much to do and I want to enjoy my time left here with my friends and family. I guess this is where I should mention that my contract is for three years. I know that this is the right path for me. I know it all the way to my toes! I'll post again about my process and where I'll be... This is just the start of my amazing adventure!

Teacher on the Go!

What an amazing two weeks. I long ago gave up feeling guilty for being happy that I'm working. Yes, it typically means that someone is ill or dealing with personal issues, but it means that I have a purpose. I love the freedom I have with subbing, if only I could get consistent work in elementary schools instead of always waiting for the last second or not getting a job at all for multiple days. I could live a very happy life with three days a week. The problem is that I average way less than that. Since the beginning of the school year I've only worked 34 days.

For the last two weeks I've been working with my favorite group of kids, in my favorite class, in my favorite grade, in a school that just happens to feel like home. Not to mention the way I feel around the staff. It was a great time to be in an elementary school too! Just in time for Dr. Seuss's 109th birthday and Read Across America! Our school celebrated with kicking off a Read-A-Thon and some great theme days and books to go with them!

Friday was Pajama day and featured the book "Happy Birthday to You!" Kids and teachers wore pajamas and slippers, our class watched Horton Hears a Who, had Hot Chocolate, cupcakes, gummy bookworms, and read for a good portion of the day!

Monday was "Green Eggs and Ham" day and we wore green! I even made sure to wear green eyeshadow and earrings!

 "Fox in Socks" day

Wacky Wednesday!

Miss Hill and I both dressed up to the max! I even wore my tap shoes!

 Thursday was "Cat in the Hat" day, I wore a hat for part of the day, and the kids hats were great, but I didn't get any pictures that I can share.

Friday was mustache/thneed day...

We worked hard on our book themed door!

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I stopped writing.
I'm sorry I stopped trying.
I'm sorry I haven't been good enough.

It's been over 3 months since I've written, and in that time I haven't given writing a second thought. It's quite thoughtless really. I don't write for you. I write for me. I could sit here and promise to write more often, but then I'd be writing for you instead of me. I think it comes down to the fact that I like to write when I'm either really happy or really frustrated and lately I've been neither. SO here's the deal I make with myself... I'll try... I'll try to post more often, even if they're short. I think secretly I've missed writing. Even as I sit here I can think of other things I have to say...

Too Much

I'm lost again. Lost in this world where people can't take care of themselves. Where it's MY job to fix their problems. It's not like I haven't done enough to help already. I can't fix my own problems, how in the world can I fix theirs? The stress is making me physically sick. I love her, but I can't do this any more. I feel like the weakest strong person ever. Anyone know a good psychologist, who doesn't charge much? The bottom of a bottle just doesn't appeal to me. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I know my friends are there to listen... and I appreciate that, more than they know, but I really need someone who is completely impartial. Someone who isn't going to judge me or just tell me what I want to hear.

It's my favorite time of year and instead of being all happy and excited like I should be, I'm stressed, down on myself and alone.

Hopefully things will improve.