December 07, 2004

CHANGES

A few weeks ago, I was offered the opportunity to replace an 8th grade English teacher. The catch was that they needed to replace him within two weeks, and I didn't think it was right to quit my current registrar job in such a rush and right before Christmas. So I didn't look into it because I thought that I had a sense of duty to my co-worker. Then my co-worker and I had that massive blowout, and everything changed. I realized that loyalty to a job a monkey could do is pretty silly, especially when DoDDs pays more than three times what I'm making now. Turns out that I'm not qualified for the job they were trying to fill, but I might be qualified for another one that's opening up for next school year. I am going to start the application process, and everyone has told me that the best way to slide into the job is to start out as a sub.

So I'm quitting my job.

I have been saving all of my vacation time since I started working for when my husband comes home, and now that it's not necessary to save it, I'm burnin' it up. Yesterday I went in and announced I am taking the rest of December off, and that was that. I will go back in January and help them register students for the new school term, but I will give my notice and hope to be out of there at the beginning of February. I can then sub at the school and hopefully get in good with the principal.

The thought of teaching middle schoolers more than freaks me out, but the money is definitely right, and I might find that I love them after all. I'm excited to give it a shot, and my dad always says that a human being can do anything for one year. I can teach hormonal kids for a year too: if I like it, I continue; if not, at least I gave it a shot.

So remember those big changes I mentioned? That's that. I have the rest of the month to myself, to concentrate on 1) grading the rest of my papers, 2) getting Christmas presents mailed, 3) the five knitting projects I've started but can't mention because too many people read my blog, and 4) filling out the 60 page teacher application packet. Oh, and blogging. I'd like to devote some more time to it, since I've been rather lame lately.

These last two weeks have been a ride, but I'm glad they happened. The fight with my co-worker opened my eyes to how silly I was being. I needed to move on, so I'm glad that she shocked me into taking the first step. I just wish it didn't have to end on such a nasty note. But that's life, and I need to look out for Sarah.

Posted by Sarah at December 7, 2004 08:29 AM
Comments

Congratulations!

Hope you enjoy the future, I always do.

Posted by: John at December 7, 2004 12:41 PM

Good for you Sarah! I'm sure you'll do great. Kids aren't THAT bad (most of them). Enjoy your month off. You deserve it.

Posted by: Kathleen A at December 7, 2004 01:28 PM

Hooray for Sarah. You're diving in and taking the plunge. Why not take a risk? I'm so glad you did this and regardless of whether you end up doing the middle school thing for more than a year it is always good resume experience. Have fun for the rest of the month.

Posted by: Toni at December 7, 2004 02:02 PM

Congratulations for taking the first step toward a great adventure!

Posted by: Suzy at December 7, 2004 03:05 PM

Good for you!! I actuall enjoyed middle schoolers when I was a sub, they're so funny because they want to be grown up but they're not yet. And all the girls are bigger than the boys and the boys are still picking on the girls when in a year or two they'll be asking those same girls out.

Posted by: Beth at December 8, 2004 05:46 AM

Hmm...middle schoolers; just a writhing mass of hormones in tennis shoes. I've subbed middle school too. Your dad is right; you can stand anything as long as you have a definite end date.

It really isn't all bad. The kids will amaze you sometimes and you can actually have a big influence on them. Good luck and I hope the people you will be working with are better.

Posted by: Pamela at December 15, 2004 10:03 PM