One Step Closer

I'm moving right along with my substitute teaching gig. It's nice, but I really want something more substantial. In talking with a few veteran teachers at my school I've learned several things: 1. Feedback is almost never given, unless you are being officially observed teaching a lesson. 2. There are subs at my school who have been subbing for 4+ years, waiting for a full time position. 3. Teaching is a funky profession. You really need to gel with a principal and the school's vision to get a job. It's all about how they "like" you. I guess that's true of any job. At this point I can only move forward. Last week I received an email from the NYCDOE about additional job openings. I applied to three positions for English teachers. I was a bit surprised when I got a call for an interview for a high school in Brooklyn. They offered me three dates to come in. I of course chose the earliest one (the following day). The secretary laughed at me and said she liked a woman who knew what she wanted (if it was only all that easy!). I went in last Wednesday to meet the principal and do a mini-lesson on anything I wanted. I went in feeling like I had nothing to lose. I was simply myself. I liked the principal. She was a no nonsense straight shooter. I like the students too. The class was small with several special ed students and one other co-teacher. Before the principal introduced me to the class she spoke to them. She told them she was interviewing new teachers and I was one of the candidates. She told them she wanted their feedback later in the day on how they thought I did. I was blown away! How cool is that? After my mini lesson I thanked the students for letting me into their classroom and went back to speak with the principal. She said she had a few more interviews and wanted to check my references, but she would call me Monday to let me know. She then told me she wanted to put me into the system. Apparently she wanted to start the new hire off as a long term substitute. I could understand that. There are so many teachers out there looking for work. What I didn't know was that in order to sub in NYC one must be nominated by a principal. I told her that was fine. When I left the school, they secretary called me on my cell phone to confirm my email address and get my social security info. A few minutes later another email came through from the DOE. She actually nominated me! Even if she didn't hire me I could sub in NYC which by the way pays more per diem than my suburban sub gig. I received a system generated email from the DOE to complete my application from the nomination. I did that straight away. On Thursday morning I received another email telling me my application was approved and I need to make an appointment to come down to the NYCDOE head office for processing. They allowed me several dates and I picked the first one naturally which is this Wednesday. It looks like I will need to be fingerprinted again and take a few workshops on child abuse and the online system subs use. I can't believe this was actually happening. Now I just need to wait for the phone to ring. Again.