Monday, March 26, 2012

holy busy.

I've been SO bad at blogging. Looking through my day planner I can sorta see why this hasn't been top priority. I've been trying to figure out summer work, school, housing, etc. I've finished my first placement in the third grade and was so upset. I feel in love with those kids and miss them everyday. I have recently been placed in a fifth grade class in Times Square. It's amazing and the class is incredibly gifted and mostly at or above grade level. I'm already teaching at least two lessons a day. New kids comes with new germs. I'm already suffering from a sore throat. Ouch.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Short film for your weekend

I am leaving town for the weekend and wanted to leave you with a short video. I hope you like it, it's one of my favorites. What we can learn from children amazes me.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Post Grad Life- possibilities are endless

I don't think I have ever been so unsure about so many things in my life as I am right now. Just a few things on my mind.

a. Substitute Teaching License
   i. to then get hired at the school I am currently student teaching at

b. Spanish 102 Online Course

c. Weekend Nanny Position
   i. with a different job during the week to make enough to get my own apartment in NYC for the summer

d. Full- Time Live-In Nanny Position
   i. and put off getting a teaching position for at least a year to live with a family that frequents the Hamptons.

e. Utah
   i. try to get a teaching job in PC or SLC
   ii. get a job teaching at an online school like my step sis-in-law Crystal who would be my "in"
   iii. get a job teaching at a montessori school in SLC that I may have an "in" with

Let me explain:
a. I have recently handed in my resume to my Principal and Vice Principal at the school I am currently student teaching at. My host teacher, principal, and vice principal all suggested I get my substitute teaching license. The reason they suggested this is because then if there is any problem with my New York State Teaching Certificate coming in (and being dated) in time for the first day of school, I could still teach as a "sub". This means I would be hired for a job, but if conflict occurs with dates and certificates I could still be paid on the books but be called a "sub" until all the paperwork clears, even though it may be late September or October or whatever. This is a great sign that my host teacher and administration are highly recommending me do this, because that shows me they are or want to seriously considerate me a candidate for an opening. The thing is to get a sub license the principal has to nominate you online by writing a letter to the NYC Department of Education who will then write me a letter telling me of my nomination and the steps necessary to proceed. I would then have to take another written test, pay some more money, and then get my picture taken for my sub card. This is something I need to make happen in the next hmm 2 weeks probably.

b. Ok, Spanish 102. I may want to just charge Rosetta Stone to my credit card and get this over with. I have been putting off Spanish 102 for all of my college career. I took Spanish 101 fall semester of freshman year, which was 5 years ago. I only need 101 and 102 of a foreign language to graduate and for some reason I just haven't gotten this done. I am looking at BYU online courses because I've heard they are cheap and effective. The problem with this one class is that I won't get my diploma until August, although I will be able to walk in May. This may push back my teaching certificate even farther. sigh.

c. Weekend nanny position. So, I have joined a couple online nanny position websites that you pay $15-20 to get a background check and search for jobs. About a week ago now I set aside a day and applied to about 40 positions ranging anywhere from live in nanny position full time to live out nanny position part time. I had my first interview last Thursday with an amazing family.  Yep, they are twins, oh and did I mention they are 7 months old? They told me out of over 200 applications they narrowed it down to 4 girls. Out of those 4, they chose me. This means I will be watching these girls on the weekend. This is amazing for right now since I am student teaching Monday- Friday, but after I graduate in May I would like to work more so I could potentially pay for an apartment in the city.

d. This leads to my next point. The delima of choosing a live in or live out full time or part time nanny position. I have a lead right now with a nice man who wants to meet with my tomorrow. This man works for the family. He expressed interest in me working with this family and their 3 girls. (ahhh! adorable!)  I still have other conversations going with other families that are interested in live-in nanny positions so if this family doesn't fit for me then I will hopefully find one that will.

e. Utah. Oh Utah. Every Sunday I get really sad and homesick for this place. I feel like I could apply for teaching jobs in Utah and would not have that difficult of a time finding a position considering my experience in NYS and NYC to be specific. So, I could apply for elementary schools in PC and SLC area all summer and strive for a position there. Also, my step-sis-in-law is currently teaching at an online elementary school where she works from home and teaches kids online. Since I know her well I could potentially be let in the know when an opening happens at that school. Also, my dad knows a girl who started her own montessori elementary school in SLC that has been so successful she is currently opening a second, which she is looking for hire. This would be another great career opportunity for me back in SLC.

I have been so overwhelmed with everything going on lately I apologize for the lack of blogging. I am hoping in the next week or two I will have a better understanding of what road I should take. For now, I see so many possibilities. I'm confused why so many people after graduation move into their parents basement. Um, hello.. opportunity is out there. Just go get it. It's a little overwhelming.