Waiting for the Call

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun May 17, 2009 5:48 pm

I have had 3 interviews at various schools spread out in the county. I should hear this week if one of them wants me. What will I do if two ask for me? (or maybe none will want me, and the next interview is scheduled for the hardest middle school in the district.....

)

1. Middle School, 4 miles from where I am, closest to home.

Pro: It is a step up.

Con: Kids will be very similar to what I have now, very rough school, lots of discipline problems.

2. Middle School:

Con: 15 miles further from home.

Pro: VP is a nice lady I worked with before. Definite step up in school population.

3. High School:

Con: 20 miles further from home.

Pro: Best high school in the district, with all the ammenities. So very nice, little or no discipline problems, and all the technology I want to teach class.

My fellow teachers all want me to go to the closest one, with money becoming tighter every day. (and another kid laid off of work too today) But is going the distance worth the less stress, probably an added $100 in transportation fees involved? No matter what, I will be at the bottom of the ladder and assigned all the hard duties and extra stuff, that is a given.

I am just interested in your input, I have my mind made up which one I will chose if asked. But I would like to see what those outside the teaching field would select.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:07 pm

Chonsi, if it was me, I think I would pick the furthest away school. The only 'con' I can see is the petrol guzzling distance, and of course the extra travel time. So maybe it's time to purchase that smaller, more economic car. I would enjoy my working day more with the minimum hassle at that school, and of course the better facilities. For me it would be worth the extra travel to gain the more satisfyingly stress-free work environment. Also I would not feel so exhausted (mentally and physically) that I could not really enjoy my home as I should, and of course my family. I do hasten to add that 'if it was for me'.

Although there are serious considerations concerning the 4 mile away school, with regard to travel time and travel expense. But if the school has severe discipline problems, I feel I would be running away to the nearest cliff top to throw myself off, after a few weeks ! There is an awful lot to be said about being happy and comparitively stress-free at work !

:-6

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:08 pm

I voted for the closest one to home but they all sound great. With your husband being close to home would be a plus I would think. :-6

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:18 pm

chonsigirl;1190335 wrote: I have had 3 interviews at various schools spread out in the county. I should hear this week if one of them wants me. What will I do if two ask for me? (or maybe none will want me, and the next interview is scheduled for the hardest middle school in the district.....

)

1. Middle School, 4 miles from where I am, closest to home.

Pro: It is a step up.

Con: Kids will be very similar to what I have now, very rough school, lots of discipline problems.

2. Middle School:

Con: 15 miles further from home.

Pro: VP is a nice lady I worked with before. Definite step up in school population.

3. High School:

Con: 20 miles further from home.

Pro: Best high school in the district, with all the ammenities. So very nice, little or no discipline problems, and all the technology I want to teach class.

My fellow teachers all want me to go to the closest one, with money becoming tighter every day. (and another kid laid off of work too today) But is going the distance worth the less stress, probably an added $100 in transportation fees involved? No matter what, I will be at the bottom of the ladder and assigned all the hard duties and extra stuff, that is a given.

I am just interested in your input, I have my mind made up which one I will chose if asked. But I would like to see what those outside the teaching field would select.

Chonsi, I voted for the middle school. Fifteen miles further away is still extremely close to home, and you are still able to get home fast in case of an emergency, fifteen miles away from home should roughly take you 15 minutes to reach work?

That's easy to do.

Also and a very huge part is you have worked the VP president before...so you already know what she is like and what she expects.

Although its population is larger, you won't be forced to contend with those disciplinary kids anymore...

going a further distance, more gas and stress? -not worth the aggravations.

to me...... your middle school?....huge bonus's all way round for you.:guitarist

best of luck with your interviews!:guitarist:guitarist

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:27 pm

I don't know how much the travel expense and time would be in your area, nor do I know how quickly you need to respond to an emergency at home, so I don't know how much they tip the scale. But without knowing those, I'd choose the high school. Different kinds of stress there, to be sure. You don't get to be the best by accident and all eyes are on the school. But those stressors can usually be shut out during class time ... and you can just teach. :-6

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:29 pm

Accountable;1190348 wrote: I don't know how much the travel expense and time would be in your area, nor do I know how quickly you need to respond to an emergency at home, so I don't know how much they tip the scale. But without knowing those, I'd choose the high school. Different kinds of stress there, to be sure. You don't get to be the best by accident and all eyes are on the school. But those stressors can usually be shut out during class time ... and you can just teach. :-6

your a teacher, chonsi asked for people outside of the teaching field!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:35 pm

Odie;1190350 wrote: your a teacher, chonsi asked for people outside of the teaching field!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
:yh_tongue

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun May 17, 2009 8:43 pm

Whats 15 or 20 miles if those would be priority choices. I wouldnt let a little travel deter you from being where you want to be.

Did you enjoy the challenge of a disciplinary problem type school or was it aggravating ?

Did it prevent you from being the teacher you wanted to be ?

Just some things to ponder.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sun May 17, 2009 8:49 pm

Accountable;1190352 wrote: :yh_tongue

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Post by **spot** » Sun May 17, 2009 8:51 pm

Wherever you can add the most value, Chonsi. You didn't sign up to a career, you have a vocation. Who can you help most? Which bunch of kids will benefit from knowing you? Where's the need? it could be in any of the three, I can't guess but I expect you've a good idea having seen them.

I'm glad you got the interviews, I hope you get the offers, I'm quite sure you're an asset.

birdseed · Post by **birdseed** » Mon May 18, 2009 6:02 am

I know it is a drive--but you "sound" like you would be happest at the farthese school???? With all resourses available to you! I was originally thinking the middle one--but in the end--5 more miles isn't that much for your happiness!

Much luck on an offer you really want! :-6

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:22 am

Don't know if I'm allowed to vote but...oh well, what the heck

........

I was going to vote for the closest, because you're closer to home and hubby if you're needed, but when I read your comments on each school I chose no. 3 instead.

While it's nice that your fellow teachers want you close, in the end you have to do whats best for you and best for hubby.

No. 1 is very rough, lots of discipline problems. I work in a school like that. Sometimes you spend so much time on the ones who are disruptive that the ones who want to learn miss-out! You don't feel you've taught successfully but rather that you've calmed a warzone. Also, you have to think that if you're that close to the school the pupils could easily find out where you live and come calling. Maybe to be helpful; maybe for a chat; maybe to ask for sweets/ candy/ money at halloween or whenever; maybe to be not so nice. Does your husband need that hassle? It sounds mean but a teacher at our school lives around the corner from a now ex pupil. This girl, Jade, came and knocked on her door one night asking if she could use the trampoline in the back garden. The teacher let her (as she appeared to be wandering the streets alone) and then gave her some supper with her own kids. Of course...she came back for more. This girl had a bad home life and step-parents who didn't much care about her. It was a sad story but at our school there are maaannnyy bad stories. The parents were happy to let her visit and be fed - it saved them the hassle! :-5 Then Jade started stealing from the teachers daughters rooms! It was a difficult situation that you don't need imo.

No. 2 & no. 3 sound good and are so close as to make no odds, but in the end it is the vocation that matters and to have a high quality school with all the amenities and technology you could ask for, would be a godsend. They recommend everyone spend some time in a 'hard' school, well I think you've done your time and paid your dues. You'll see your colleagues occasionally, whichever school you work in, but no. 3 sounds like a blessing.

I'd make a list of every pro and every con for each school. Write down every tiny little thing. Seeing things in black and white can make a hard decision seem easier.

Good luck with your interviews and I hope they all choose you.

And ditto to everything Spot said. :-6

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:25 am

Darn it! I thought this was a question of where I should send my daughter to high school. I really want her to go to Prendie which is about a trolley ride away or give/take 10 min from our house. She want's to go to Ohara which if she misses the bus:-5:-5 will take about 45 min to get to traffic wise and guess who will have to drive her?:-5

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:58 am

Chonsi, so which one did you pick?:guitarist:guitarist

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:06 am

You don't say if the travel would be urban or rural but less than thirty miles each way is not too far to travel for the best facilities and disciplined students who, presumably, are prepared to learn.

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:11 am

Bryn Mawr;1190709 wrote: You don't say if the travel would be urban or rural but less than thirty miles each way is not too far to travel for the best facilities and disciplined students who, presumably, are prepared to learn.

In my case, if my daughter misses the bus...I'm effed big time.:-5

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon May 18, 2009 2:07 pm

Odie;1190697 wrote: Chonsi, so which one did you pick?:guitarist:guitarist

I am thinking I would like the high school, just thinking of less discipline problems would be a blessing. I would teach biology and physical sciences, that would be fun.

Bryn-it would be a semi-urban commute, with tolls. About $100 or less more a month for transportation expenses. I could never get another car, Carol. I have a nice 6 year old car and it is in top form, less than 60,000 miles on it.

Carla has a good point, that the distance from home and if an emergency arose, is my main concern.

And spot-the one only 4 miles further would probably be the school I could make the most impact on, as far as interaction with the student population. I seem to have influenced my present school population in many ways-you never notice it until you have to look at it. But every trip to the grocery store, and I am up to date on the behind the scenes of school life. That helps when I work with the kids. And they all know what I do all the time, which is a hoot at times. I could work with the music department as extra curricular activites, and other things I know they would like.

I jiggle a strange budget-it is stretched like everyone else is during these times. The kids can only work part time right now, they are not hiring full time. But I try to never figure out their income into the budget, because one day it will be me figuring it out alone for the two of us. If it wasn't for nursing expenses, it wouldn't be such a concern, that disposes of 1/3 of my take home pay.

No calls today, I am hoping round 1 closes this week before the holiday. I'll let you know if anyone asks for me, I appreciate all your responses. :-4

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon May 18, 2009 3:32 pm

high school does sound so different for you.......let us know!

fingers and toes crossed!:guitarist:guitarist

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:26 pm

Hello Chonsi:-4

I honestly think the High School job would be the best for you. You have to take care of yourself also and feel safe and relaxed in your home school. I know how hard it is to work in an inner city school....I've been there, done that........Puts a lot of wear and tear on your body, mind and soul for sure.

If there's an emergency you can be home in a half hour or so.

Treat yourself to a good school. You deserve it:p;)

Best of luck with your decision:guitarist

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:29 am

CARLA;1190341 wrote: I voted for the closest one to home but they all sound great. With your husband being close to home would be a plus I would think. :-6

that was my thought too