Much has happened since I last wrote here. After my epiphany about not pursuing the Peace Corps, I began to apply for teaching jobs. I applied for several jobs in California and several throughout the country in cities I'd be willing to live in.
The first "bite" I had was for a private school job in Bethesda, MD (right outside Washington D.C.). In mid-April, I had two phone interviews and then was flown out for an audition/interview, which went very well. That same week they offered me the position. As of August, I am the new middle school choir and handbells teacher at Norwood School.
This is quite a change from my original plan, I realize, and I have had some struggle reconciling this discrepancy. Teaching private school isn't a bad thing to be sure... just a major departure from "the plan." Perhaps the larger message here is that you can't plan your life too specificically. In the end it will take you where you need to go.
So, I will spent half the summer here in lovely Flagstaff, then move in mid/late July to the East coast.
Last night I watched Waiting for Superman, a documentary about public education in America. GREAT film. If you haven't seen it, I'd highly recommend it.
Public education in this country needs help. I remember how fresh faced and naive I was when I began my teaching career. I taught in a big urban (and very disfunctional) district. Over my four years there, I was continally struck by the challenges. Kids being raised by their older siblings, gang issues, a negative (and creepy) campus climate, kids who speak little or no English... I found a reality I wasn't at all prepared for. Though I found some success, I was never really satisfied with my school, district, or teaching. I always felt like my kids deserved better.... the sad reality is that most of them will never get a better education.
More on this to come.
In the meantime, check out http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/action/
