So Thursday, 7/22 was my last day at --- I am so relieved that I don't have to go back there again! The policies were outrageous which is why I was soooo ready to leave. My team gave me a great send off I got some $ for school shopping, a delicious cake from Ganache, and lastly my manager surprised me with an IPod Touch as a going away gift. I couldn't believe it, she and I have always been extremely close but I would have never thought that she or anyone else at that place would have thought enough of me to buy me a gift like that.
As much as I hated the company I am really going to miss some of my colleagues and they know it because when they each said their piece about me they cried and I did too.
Now it's time to plan, plan, plan for this new gig lol! I'm so excited I'm almost nervous... bought a few things today for my room and it makes me feel great that I can say that I'm actually going to have a room. Too bad I can't shop more b/c I'm covered in hives from my tetanus shot! Went to the doc yesterday and I'm taking loads of allergy meds but they aren't cleared up yet. So I'm covered in small bumps and they itch! some weekend oh & not to mention my A/C on the passenger side of my car is out and believe me it makes a big difference!! It will be fixed in the am.
Other than that my weekend has been pretty good...and yes I made it!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Closure...
The day that I've been waiting for is almost here. I can finally say that I am leaving ___ and I don't have to return. I have been working there for almost 4 years and the ONLY thing I will miss are they friends that I made! Even still I won't miss them because if we are friends we will definitely stay in touch!!!
I got an email tonight from my principal and I swear I was shocked in a way and nervous in other ways. I'll let you read it for yourself...
Ms. Barnes.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to send me your resume. Thank you also for coming in for an interview. I am thankful that you decided to take a position with us. We are delighted to have you as a part of ------'s Family. I know you are going to be an asset to our staff and that you will make a huge positive impact in the academic and social lives of our students. I am looking forward to observing some of your creativity in your instructional presentation!
Welcome to -----t and if you should need anything, please let me know
Now on first impressions alone this lady gives the impression that it's her way or the highway...That's cool because she is the principal but it made me kind of nervous. I hate being observed as is but this is like to the 10th power... Well my wish is coming true and there's no turning back now...
I got an email tonight from my principal and I swear I was shocked in a way and nervous in other ways. I'll let you read it for yourself...
Ms. Barnes.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to send me your resume. Thank you also for coming in for an interview. I am thankful that you decided to take a position with us. We are delighted to have you as a part of ------'s Family. I know you are going to be an asset to our staff and that you will make a huge positive impact in the academic and social lives of our students. I am looking forward to observing some of your creativity in your instructional presentation!
Welcome to -----t and if you should need anything, please let me know
Now on first impressions alone this lady gives the impression that it's her way or the highway...That's cool because she is the principal but it made me kind of nervous. I hate being observed as is but this is like to the 10th power... Well my wish is coming true and there's no turning back now...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Back 2 School
Good Morning, while blogging this morning I ran across another blog entitled Have Fun Teaching. The author of this blog recently did a price analysis of school supplies between Wal-mart & Target. I thought this was awesome because I really don't like shopping at Wal-mart but around this time of the year they have the best prices for back to school. Check out the list & the blog below!
Have Fun Teaching
Wal-Mart vs. Target
Have Fun Teaching
Wal-Mart vs. Target
| Item | Price | Store | Outcome |
| 2 Pocket Folder | $0.15 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.15 | Target | Tied | |
| 1 Inch Binder | $1.87 | Wal-Mart | Loser |
| $0.99 | Target | Winner | |
| Calculator | $1.00 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $1.00 | Target | Tied | |
| Highlighters | $1.50 | Wal-Mart | Winner |
| $1.74 | Target | Loser | |
| Trapper Keeper | $10 | Wal-Mart | Loser |
| $9.99 | Target | Winner | |
| 1 Subject Notebook | $0.15 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.15 | Target | Tied | |
| 10 Pack of Pens | $1.00 | Wal-Mart | Loser |
| $0.50 | Target | Winner | |
| 24 Pack of Pencils | $0.94 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.94 | Target | Tied | |
| 6 Large Erasers | $2.00 | Wal-Mart | Winner |
| $2.74 | Target | Loser | |
| Elmers School Glue | $0.25 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.25 | Target | Tied | |
| 2 Elmers Glue Sticks | $0.25 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.25 | Target | Tied | |
| Box of Crayola Crayons | $0.25 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.25 | Target | Tied | |
| Colored Pencils | $1.00 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $1.00 | Target | Tied | |
| Markers | $1.00 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $1.00 | Target | Tied | |
| 100 Index Cards | $0.44 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.44 | Target | Tied | |
| 4 Expo Markers | $3.48 | Wal-Mart | Winner |
| $3.49 | Target | Loser | |
| Scissors | $0.74 | Wal-Mart | Winner |
| $0.79 | Target | Loser | |
| Standard Backpack | $9.00 | Wal-Mart | Loser |
| $8.99 | Target | Winner | |
| Lunchbox | $3.00 | Wal-Mart | Winner |
| $3.79 | Target | Loser | |
| 150 Sheets of Paper | $0.75 | Wal-Mart | Tied |
| $0.75 | Target | Tied |
Back to School Supplies Shopping Calculator
Wal-Mart:
- 5 Wins
- 4 Losses
- 11 Ties
- Total Spent on Back to School Supplies at Wal-Mart = $38.77
Target:
- 4 Wins
- 5 Losses
- 11 Ties
- Total Spent on Back to School Supplies at Target = $39.20
RESULTS:
Wal-Mart is the WINNER!
The winner of the 2010 "Wal-Mart vs. Target Back to School Supplies Compare Prices" contest is Wal-Mart, by only $0.43 Cents!!!
If you want to be the true WINNER for Back to School shopping, and save the most money possible, I would suggest buying some back to school supplies at Wal-Mart and some back to school supplies at Target to get the lowest prices. I also just heard that Staples has back to school supplies for 1 Cent! These sales are on the weekends and each weekend there are different school supplies for One Penny. You may need a teacher rewards card to get this amazing discount.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
It's Official...I am a Teacher!
This week has really been a trying week with my a/c going out, the land lady going out of the country, and the waiting process. I was so nervous that something was going to go wrong with my screening interview that I wasn't going to get the job. It didn't help that I didn't get a phone call back until Thursday...
I always thought I had pretty good patience but I guess not...
They called on Thursday so I could get my health form and I got to see my classroom again. This time I saw it a different way...Before I saw it as a small space that had very little potential now I see it as my own space so I am excited for the things to come.
I've been working on different ideas for my wall decor and I've even ordered a new Cricut cartridge for inspiration. Once I get some of my ideas completed I will post pics to share!
Thanking God for his blessings and this new opportunity I know I will do my absolute best this year as a first year teacher. To all of the people I know who haven't gotten jobs yet keep praying and keep your head up, your time is coming!
I always thought I had pretty good patience but I guess not...
They called on Thursday so I could get my health form and I got to see my classroom again. This time I saw it a different way...Before I saw it as a small space that had very little potential now I see it as my own space so I am excited for the things to come.
I've been working on different ideas for my wall decor and I've even ordered a new Cricut cartridge for inspiration. Once I get some of my ideas completed I will post pics to share!
Thanking God for his blessings and this new opportunity I know I will do my absolute best this year as a first year teacher. To all of the people I know who haven't gotten jobs yet keep praying and keep your head up, your time is coming!
Monday, July 12, 2010
It's finally over...Wait is it really?
So I had the "screening interview" today...whew am I somewhat relieved! I say somewhat because I haven't heard anything from my principal yet. So now I'm anxious to know if I did ok... I'm sure I did considering the principal I did the interview with told me to make sure all of my paperwork was turned in but who's to say that isn't protocol.
Some of the questions I was being asked were not exactly what I expected. The one question that I remember that really tripped me up was how will you incorporate the principles of learning into your daily instruction... I went blank. Principles of Instruction? WTF I have no idea what you're talking about!! So I did what I do best, make those great educated guesses and answer anyway! So I say questioning is the one thing that I will urge my students to do because without appropriate questions once can't learn. The female principal nodded her head in agreement but hey questioning is NOT one of the principles of learning!
Oh well, it's over now. I just ask that you all keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I did fine and that I have a fantastic first year with lots of support!
Blessings All!
Some of the questions I was being asked were not exactly what I expected. The one question that I remember that really tripped me up was how will you incorporate the principles of learning into your daily instruction... I went blank. Principles of Instruction? WTF I have no idea what you're talking about!! So I did what I do best, make those great educated guesses and answer anyway! So I say questioning is the one thing that I will urge my students to do because without appropriate questions once can't learn. The female principal nodded her head in agreement but hey questioning is NOT one of the principles of learning!
Oh well, it's over now. I just ask that you all keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I did fine and that I have a fantastic first year with lots of support!
Blessings All!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Dreams = Anxiety
I had a dream last night that I missed my Screening Interview for my recent teaching job offer. This is the last thing I have to do before I am "official" and the dream seemed all too real.
I somehow was getting dropped off by my boyfriend and then we had car trouble. I walked the rest of the way, strangely enough when I got there one of our friends was there. Keep in mind he has no background in education so I'm really confused. I walked in and the people I was going to be interviewing with were prepping to speak with him. I apologized for my lateness and was asked to have a seat. As I sat I listened to him laugh and joke with the gentleman who had been very serious with me. When the questioning began he froze up...
I'm still confused at this point wondering how he was so excited and relaxed before now he's acting like a different person. He then walked out to the open area began eating a pretzel with pizza sauce and starting rambling. He completely avoided the question but the serious gentleman looked at him and said, "You know you completely bombed this interview but I like you, so I'm going to send your information on so you can begin working on 8/2."
At this point my mouth drops open and I'm thing to myself if he didn't answer the question at all then I should be fine because I went to school for this. When I was called in I apologized again for my late arrival and then the questions began. I breezed through the questions making sure I took my time to think and answer thoughtfully. Then he looked at me and said, "Thank you for your time Ms. Barnes we will let you know."
I woke up out of breath...
My fear for tomorrow is that I'm going to get declined for some reason...I'm so excited about this new career path but like other things something can always go wrong and for that I am scared to death!!!! My new principal said it's all a formality and a friend did also but being that it's new I'm still nervous.
No turning back now...
I somehow was getting dropped off by my boyfriend and then we had car trouble. I walked the rest of the way, strangely enough when I got there one of our friends was there. Keep in mind he has no background in education so I'm really confused. I walked in and the people I was going to be interviewing with were prepping to speak with him. I apologized for my lateness and was asked to have a seat. As I sat I listened to him laugh and joke with the gentleman who had been very serious with me. When the questioning began he froze up...
I'm still confused at this point wondering how he was so excited and relaxed before now he's acting like a different person. He then walked out to the open area began eating a pretzel with pizza sauce and starting rambling. He completely avoided the question but the serious gentleman looked at him and said, "You know you completely bombed this interview but I like you, so I'm going to send your information on so you can begin working on 8/2."
At this point my mouth drops open and I'm thing to myself if he didn't answer the question at all then I should be fine because I went to school for this. When I was called in I apologized again for my late arrival and then the questions began. I breezed through the questions making sure I took my time to think and answer thoughtfully. Then he looked at me and said, "Thank you for your time Ms. Barnes we will let you know."
I woke up out of breath...
My fear for tomorrow is that I'm going to get declined for some reason...I'm so excited about this new career path but like other things something can always go wrong and for that I am scared to death!!!! My new principal said it's all a formality and a friend did also but being that it's new I'm still nervous.
No turning back now...
Saturday, July 10, 2010
My Story...
I'm super nervous about changing professions right about now...
I have been looking forward to leaving my current job which is working in a call center for a certain wireless provider that I shall not name for a while now and I can honestly say I will miss SOME of the people there but I will definitely NOT miss the policies!
I was called for my first interview after feeling like I had chosen the wrong second major because I hadn't received any interview calls or emails. By this time I had sent out 15 resumes via email 5 via regular mail and 14 at an education job fair. Then one Monday morning I got my first interview call and I was so excited...the next afternoon before work I got a call for another interview. (at this time I said to myself, "Self...A'int God Good! )
So I went to my first interview on Thursday which was the second call I received and I was so nervous that I couldn't answer any of the questions she asked me with precision. It was like we were playing a guessing game, she would ask I would stumble over the answer then she would ask again and I would be like Oh, that's what you meant... Needless to say God had it all figured out for me because after an hour of endless interruptions (thanks God for patience) and nervous answers I was offered the job teaching 4th grade in a Title 1 school. I was so happy but then I remembered the other interview for the next day...even though I wanted to call them up and cancel I went on anyway.
For the next interview I was truly cool as a cucumber and I wanted this job something terrible after I took a tour of my soon to be school. I breezed through this interview but had to wait until Wednesday to get any news and I had to tell the first Principal my decision by Monday. After a weekend of praying I called the 2nd interviewer on Monday morning and explained my situation and how I really wanted to work for them I got a call back later that day saying to go with my first choice.
No Lie...I was a little devastated...
Thanking God for the opportunity I accepted my current position and now I simply await the last portion of the "interview" process which takes place on Monday, July,12 @ 11am. I was assured by the principal and friends that have gone through this part of the process that it's simple and the only way to not make it past this part is to really say "I HATE KIDS!" which I will not do!
Stay on the Lookout for Monday's post...
Infinity...aka Ms. Barnes
I have been looking forward to leaving my current job which is working in a call center for a certain wireless provider that I shall not name for a while now and I can honestly say I will miss SOME of the people there but I will definitely NOT miss the policies!
I was called for my first interview after feeling like I had chosen the wrong second major because I hadn't received any interview calls or emails. By this time I had sent out 15 resumes via email 5 via regular mail and 14 at an education job fair. Then one Monday morning I got my first interview call and I was so excited...the next afternoon before work I got a call for another interview. (at this time I said to myself, "Self...A'int God Good! )
So I went to my first interview on Thursday which was the second call I received and I was so nervous that I couldn't answer any of the questions she asked me with precision. It was like we were playing a guessing game, she would ask I would stumble over the answer then she would ask again and I would be like Oh, that's what you meant... Needless to say God had it all figured out for me because after an hour of endless interruptions (thanks God for patience) and nervous answers I was offered the job teaching 4th grade in a Title 1 school. I was so happy but then I remembered the other interview for the next day...even though I wanted to call them up and cancel I went on anyway.
For the next interview I was truly cool as a cucumber and I wanted this job something terrible after I took a tour of my soon to be school. I breezed through this interview but had to wait until Wednesday to get any news and I had to tell the first Principal my decision by Monday. After a weekend of praying I called the 2nd interviewer on Monday morning and explained my situation and how I really wanted to work for them I got a call back later that day saying to go with my first choice.
No Lie...I was a little devastated...
Thanking God for the opportunity I accepted my current position and now I simply await the last portion of the "interview" process which takes place on Monday, July,12 @ 11am. I was assured by the principal and friends that have gone through this part of the process that it's simple and the only way to not make it past this part is to really say "I HATE KIDS!" which I will not do!
Stay on the Lookout for Monday's post...
Infinity...aka Ms. Barnes
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