Busydom

So much has been going on lately that I don't know where to begin. Do you want the long or short of it? I'm opting for the short because I don't feel like typing too much tonight.

In a nutshell, my job searching continues. I know what I want, but have yet to get it. Basically, I am looking for a teaching position at either the Elementary level (grades K-6) or in Middle School English (grades 7-9). I am certified in both of those instructional areas. I have had a few job interviews over the last 6-9 months. However, all administrators tell me the same thing..."We have an overwhelming number of applicants." No surprise for me there. Welcome to my world of finding a teaching job in Pennsylvania.

Anyway...I continue to keep my options open to other careers and fields, as I know that I have enough job experience and professional qualities to allow me to succeed in other areas. However, finding that right area is also a challenge I continue to face.

I am currently working for an educational publisher, but it is a temp job so it's definitely not something I would want to do forever. On the bright side, between this temp job and my job as an Asst. Director of a summer camp, I have enough work to keep me busy through August. That will allow me to, at least, make money while I continue my search for a full-time job (with benefits!)

I'm tired of giving my money out-of-pocket for health insurance. It's ridiculous what I pay per month...God forbid you have a herniated disc...you'd think the world was going to end because of it. Nevermind that I exercise on a regular basis and hardly notice the good ol' HD anymore. But, I digress.

Steering back to the main point here...there are some promising leads on the job front, but nothing I'm going to talk about right now. I'm trying not to jinx myself. Plus, I said this was going to be short, but look...it's already gone way past that. I just type way too fast for my own good :o)

This was random, yes, I know...but that's how my head works sometimes!

For The Birds

I hate job hunting. Just when something was looking promising, it turns out I still have to wait...

I went on an interview yesterday for a position in the field of Education, although not teaching. Unfortunately the first training day is also the same day I have a screening interview with a very well-known (and well-paid) school district in the area. I can't miss the screening interview because it's my one shot at getting noticed in this district. So, that means I can't start the new job right away; it is broken down into project periods, so I have to wait for the first project to be finished since I can't train for it. Anyway, I have to wait about 4 weeks to be picked up for the second project. But, this is just my dumb un-luck.

When it rains it pours....It's feast or famine...Boom or bust. I've got a thousand of these lines, but they all fit so perfectly.

In the meantime, I will keep searching out a teaching job, because ultimately that is still what I want to do. This is the hand life has dealt me right now, so I just have to roll with it.

Random Bits

Did anyone see Grey's Anatomy last night? I cried like a baby when George's dad died. Of course, my sister laughed at me...I'll remember that the next time she gets but a tear in her eye.

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Back on December 12th, I talked about Pearl Jam's cover of The Who's "Love, Reign O'er Me." At the time, I only heard a snippet of the song in the trailer for the movie, "Reign Over Me." Well since then, Pearl Jam has put the entire track on their MySpace page and it is awesome...so, go listen to it right now...well, not right now...but, after you're done visiting my blog.

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In my last post, I put up the trailer for Zach Braff's upcoming film, "Fast Track." However, Mr. Braff himself recently reported in his hilarious MySpace blog that there has been a name change. So, if you go looking for the movie and don't find it, you can't blame me for not telling you! It is now called "The Ex" because apparently it had nothing to do with a track. Go read his blog though....it's quite funny...BUT (need I remind you twice?) only when you are finished here.

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I've been crazy busy lately (hence the reason for the lack of updates)...I have taken on three part-time jobs. First, I've been doing freelance writing in Education for a little less than a year and I've been doing many assignments for that recently. Also, I started tutoring back in the fall after my summer job was over. Now, I've just picked subbing back up again, twice a week.

In addition to the jobs, I've been taking steps that will hopefully lead to a permanent teaching position...By "steps," I mean this:

1. I sent in my application materials for New Jersey State Certification, after passing a required Praxis test called Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (they don't use this particular test in PA).
   
2. Plus, last Saturday I took two more tests for certification in Middle School English and Middle School Math to widen my certification area. I should have those results in about a month.
   
3. As if that wasn't enough, I am taking one more test in March, called Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge to prove my "Highly-Qualified Status" as a teacher in PA, due to requirements by No Child Left Behind.
   
4. And, no I haven't gone broke....yet.
   

Wow, I'm exhausted just writing this. I officially release you to listen to Pearl Jam and read Zach Braff's words of wisdom. But, I'll be back...

A No-Work Monday / Decisions on My Plate

I slept in today for the first Monday since starting my summer camp job back in June and it felt good. No, I didn't play hooky today; camp is over for the summer. We all said our goodbyes on Friday. Now, onto the next phase of my life...decision-making time.

Well, I have already decided I will not be a Sub for another year...As a teacher, I want my own space. I don't want to be a guest anymore. When you have a taste of something that is all yours, and then you need to give it up, it is hard to accept. I want to play by my rules again, not by someone else's.

So, what does this mean for me? Well, first and foremost, I will find a job doing something else in the meantime. I have also spent a lot of time thinking about pursuing my Master's Degree. It was always something I planned to do...it was just figuring out the what, where, and when. My Master's Degree will not necessarily be in Education, however. I considered getting my certification in Special Education--which is still a possibility. But, I am also strongly realizing a want to pursue a Master's of Science in Psychology (after all, Psych was my intended major in my Undergraduate studies before deciding on Education).

Right now, I am looking at a program that would ultimately lead to a career working in Psychological research, wherein I would like to specialize in Developmental Psychology. I don't, necessarily, want to be a Clinical Psychologist where I would actually see patients and provide therapy (but who knows?...that could change!) At the present time, I am more interested in the research end of it...so we will see. The program also requires a Master's thesis, which would then prepare me for a Doctorate program, if I so choose. So, yeah, I've got a lot of thinking to do...I wish I could blink my eyes and the decisions would appear before me. Where is Jeannie when you need her?