A thank you letter

Below is a typed version of a handwritten note I found tucked into a recent book I checked out from the library:

Dear Ms. G

Thanks for getting me this far I bet when I grow up I will be reading good and I will get in a good college too!

This letter is plainly printed and unsigned. I hope Ms. G and teachers everywhere know how much impact they can have on their students. I know too that many teachers have not ever received a note like this one, but that does not devalue your work.

Back to school?

So it is almost time for back to school around here. As I mentioned in my previous post, my employment status is still uncertain. I want to believe that I could be fine being at home another year but then there are things that tip me closer to insanity.

The flyer from the teaching supply store.

The emails with deals from the local office supply store

A commercial on the radio about back to school time

Fellow teacher friends setting up their classrooms

....

I guess this means that a part of me misses school. With the exception of the 2010 school year, school is what I have always done. Since I was 5 years old. It has a rhythm to it, a certain feeling that being at home does not. Being at home as its own feelings but those feelings are not quite the same as sticky feet on a freshly waxed floor ( oops), the look of a crisp new bulletin board, the anticipation of that first day, those bright and eager faces, new red folders labeled and stuffed.

Is it time to appreciate new rhythms and let go of the old? What are the rhythms and feelings of your life? How do you shed the rituals and routines acquired over a life time?

Waiting

For the entire 2010-2011 school year, I have had the privilege and the pleasure of being home on maternity leave with my daughter. She just recently turned 1. She amazes, inspires, delights and challenges me each day. Being home with her is by far the most awesome thing that I have done to date. Despite the awesomeness I am still left with a sense of unbalance.

Despite the wonderfulness of it all, something feels amiss. To quell this uneasy feeling, I have convinced myself that I want to go back to work. I have also decided that I want to have a part time position. Its this second part that is proving to be more difficult than not. Apparently, there are very few part time positions in this area that I am qualified for and the competition is incredibly fierce.

I had to interviews last week that I thought went reasonably well. I anticipated hearing from at least one of the school districts at the beginning of this week. I have not heard anything yet. I am waiting, trying not to despair. Still school starts very soon. In fact , if I had my other position, I know that I would have spent the beginning of this week setting up the classroom and putting some plans together.

So in the event that I do not get either of these positions, I guess I need some job- related help. Did I come off too strong or not strong enough in the interview? Am I out of touch? Should I work to make an electronic portfolio? Is there a certain type of professional knowledge that I am lacking? Or I am okay, but other people are better, maybe more connected? Would my job search be so difficult if I wanted to work full time?

Stay tuned for updates.