Teacher Work Days......As a Teacher

OK so I am very far behind in my blog posts and I refuse to condense all that I have to say into one quick post. So I will start where I left off and post a little at a time. When I last left you I was in the process the organization of my classroom. And then my first work week began and I attended my very first Teacher Workday as a certified member of a staff. I again had to pinch myself. The staff and I mean ALL the staff are upbeat, positive, excited about seeing each other and the upcoming year. I watched in amazement as teachers and admin staff hugged, talked about the workshops they had attended over the summer and collaborated on how they were going to get the information to their co-workers. I was welcomed with open arms with many "I have heard about you" comments. I met my IA, instructional Assistants as they are called which is soooo much more appropriate, Mrs Salazar who is a wonder! Because she is Hispanic my year will be even easier. She is a lovely person who works her tail off..But I am getting ahead of myself.
The next two days were for my CMS New Teacher Orientation!! I won't say they were boring or tedious because I was so happy to be there! I sat near the front an nodded my head and took so many notes that I was recognized and given a Parent University bag full of goodies HAHAHA. I finally was able to get a handle on the curriculum and begin to understand how and what I was going to teach my little Pandas. And I am Stoked!!! I came home with so much rolling around in my brain (and my heart) that I can hardly sleep at night.
Sedgefield has some wonderful community support (due to the principals actions). One church gave each teacher a $50.00 gift card to Staples! This same church donated thousands of dollars worth of supplies to the school for students and teachers. The will also supply every Pre-K student with a complete uniform near Christmas time. Can you believe it!!!!
Anyway on the Saturday after the work week had begun Jay, Nicole, and I hit Staples, Walmart, and Lowes to pick up some supplies that I needed and then spent the entire day getting my room together. What a wonderful supportive family I have been blessed with. They cut, hammered, pasted, copied, moved furniture, and anything else that needed to be done so that I and my classroom will ready for Open house on Monday.
At about 5:00 that afternoon I again turned off the lights, breathed a sigh of exhaustion and elation and closed the door as another wonder step in my journey was complete; My classroom and I am ready for my students.

Making it My Classroom

Well the organization of the classroom has begun!! It will be the Panda Bear Classroom as I once had at Central Church of God where the teaching fire was rekindled many years ago. I was greeted at the door of my classroom by my name on the nameplate next to the door. "MRS. JOHNSTON" I almost wept with joy (and probably would have except the janitor was standing there ready to unlock the door for me). As I walked into the classroom I had to just stand for a moment and let it actually soak in...This is MY classroom! I have worked so hard for this and it is here MY CLASSROOM.. a place where I can teach young children, touch lives and use the talents God gave me. I stood there for a few minutes and then realized that MY classroom was a MESS! Tables turned on their sides and pushed to one side of the room along with cabinets shelves and you name it. It was clean but a mess. So I began..It only took about an hour to realize I was getting no where fast. I sat down to take stock of the furniture itself and began again. I sketched out the room and then put specific centers on paper and then moved the furniture around once again. Mrs. Thomas the grade level chair stopped in and helped with some very important tips. She has already been an amazing support and is just a wonderful lady, as it seems are all of the Pre-K team!
After a couple of hours all was moved into their rightful place and I again looked at my classroom. I imagined children in each center. Would they be happy there? Will they be comfortable? Do they have room to move about but not enough to run? Will they learn there? Is my room child friendly? Is it an environment where ALL children can learn and feel as if it is THEIR classroom? If I were a child would I want to be here? If it were MY child who was to be in this classroom would I want them here?
When I was satisfied with the structure of the classroom I then began to look at the walls and knew I was no where near finished. I had much to do. But bone tired I reluctantly gathered my materials, took another satisfied look around, switched off the lights and closed the door on MY Panda Bear Classroom.

I am a Teacher....With a classroom!!

Well I have waited for a very long time to say this....I am the new Pre-K teacher at Sedgefield Elementary School!!!! Yesterday (July 28, 2010) Jay and I left the beach for a day trip back to Charlotte for a call back interview with Sedgefield Elementary. I was very excited and actually not nervous at all. I really enjoyed speaking with the principal last week and was looking forward to meeting the Pre-k team. I felt the interview went very well and I enjoyed every minute of it! I left feeling great thinking I would know something in a day or 2. I got maybe a mile down the road when my phone rang from a CMS number. It was Mrs. Lowe asking me to come back and see my new classroom!! I cannot tell you how very excited I was. I called Jay and was screaming and squealing "I got the Job I got the Job"! I was greeted by 4 of my new team members and taken to see my new classroom. People it is huge!!!! I almost burst into tears with excitement! I have decided that I am going to meet with some of them on the other teachers on Aug. 9th to begin working on my room. I AM A PRE-K TEACHER! I love to say that. It has such a wonderful sound doesn't it? I have already received a wonderful email from Mrs. Thomas the grade level chair welcoming me to Sedgefield. Yes I will miss my Idlewild family but I am so excited to grow as a teacher and to see what the future holds.

Time for the CMS Interviews!

Well a lot has transpired since my last post. To begin with CMS has posted quite a few jobs, over 300 total however only a few are for Pre-K or Kindergarten teachers. I knew I was limiting myself by only getting a B-K license though. First I applied for any of the Pre-K and Kindergarten positions. I also applied for all of the K-3 positions just in case. Next I sent each of these schools and/or centers a cover letter and my resume. The cover letter was personalized and by this I mean each letter was addressed to the principal, the address and the phone number was added to the top of the letter, and the school and specific job posted was entered into the body of the letter itself. Therefore putting a personal touch to the letter also by sending these to each school I applied for I showed them that I was very interested in their position.
I was excited to receive many responses to these. Of course all of the K-3 positions were not Kindergarten so I marked those off my list. But received emails from 3 places promising an interview. So here is where it got sticky and I became very anxious after talking to a friend.
Ok So last Thursday I received a phone call from Mrs. Collins asking for an interview on Monday the 26th at 9:00. Now this is where I hope to be teaching next year as I have been there for 11 years as a TA. With that interview set I was on top of the world. I got so excited my stomach did a flip and I couldn't eat my lunch!!!! A couple of hours later I received a call from Starmount Pre-K. Now the funny thing about this was this was less than 24 hours after I applied and sent them my resume. Also this job is still posted on the website! This interview is set for the Wednesday before my Idlewild interview and here in lies the problem. A person must take the FIRST job offered from a CMS school. I did find out however that they have to actually speak to you to offer. So now the waiting begins but I know that all will work out and that God has a plan and a place for me! Keep following and my search for a job turns into my first year of teaching!!!!!

And the Search Continues

I have not heard anything from Union County Schools so I am assuming that the position has been filled. Which is fine that means that position was not for me. And besides what a great opportunity the interviews it self was. It was my first time to interview for a job and it was fun. It also took care of the jitters I had for the unknown. Now when I interview for the CMS I will feel more comfortable and will be more relaxed!

So in the past week I have applied for over 20 positions in CMS!One of these is for Idlewild Elementary School!! Of course my hope and prayer is to obtain That one as I know and love the staff and the children there! I know this is my comfort zone and maybe God is trying to move me out of there I don't know. But I will be happy no matter where I am placed as long as I have a classroom full of children to teach. I am so ready to teach. I feel I have so much to give a classroom and I know that there are children out there who need me....Mrs. Johnston.....to be there for them.
I have also applied for some positions in Pre-K as well as kindergarten. The schools are scattered all over Charlotte with no preferences. I am willing and equipped to work anywhere God places me! The positions I applied for in CMS will close on July 11th and hopefully next week I will get some calls for interviews! Well we shall see won't we?
I hope my next post will include dates and times for interviews!!

The Next Phase

Well today I had my first interview. It was a great experience. I met with three people from Union County Schools who handle the Federal programs which include the More at Four Pre K classes. I believe it went very well. I felt very comfortable and thanks to my experience and my wonderful instructors at CPCC and UNCC I was well versed in what happens in a pre-k classroom. I left there feeling good but thought whatever happens happens if I get a call back to interview with the principal then great if not it won't be because I blew the interview it will be because it was not meant to be.
Less than 3 hours later....A phone call asking me to interview with the principal of one of the schools!!!! OMG you could have heard me squeal in South Carolina!! When I called I was asked if I could come in this afternoon!! I said yes of course.
A very different interview a little more laid back and more about myself and my experience than what I knew about a Pre k classroom. Again I feel it went well. I felt very comfortable and believe I presented myself as a confident, well educated, experienced candidate. One that will be an asset to their program.
Anyway it still stands that if I am fortunate to be offered a position then it is meant to be, if not then I know this was not the place where I am suppose to be. I have been on a high for the day and it felt wonderful! I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

The search continues!

Well I have my first interview next week! It is with Union County Schools! Of course my preference would be to stay with CMS and even better would be with Idlewild but right now.....I will be lucky to get a teaching job anywhere. Besides God may have plans for me elsewhere. It might be good for me to move out of my comfort zone and move forward. If that means a new school or school system then I am game! And to be totally honest I have been really thinking about a pre-k position as a new adventure! So I am researching info on More at Four classrooms as this is an area I am most unfamiliar with and need to know more about.
My "supply room" AKA spare room is organized and looks fabulous! I am amazed at the stuff I have! As I said before I can set up an entire classroom at least for kindergarten and have to purchase little to nothing! It was so much fun to go through everything. I found books I forgot I had, teacher supplies galore, and file after file of activities. I am proud of myself for keeping a copy of every thing I liked or enjoyed over the years. Jay is proud of the fact that I threw so much away! lol.
Ok got to get back to my research Thanks Hillary for the website!

The search for a teaching position

Well Summer is here and I have completed my college journey...for now. My degree is in Child and Family Development with my license to teach being Birth to Kindergarten. I also have a minor in psychology which I would love to pursue further.

The search for a teaching position has begun in full force. It looks as if CMS is still putting displaced teachers and Teach for America teachers in any available slots. But I know that God has a position out there for me. Whether it is this school year or not is of course unknown nor is the school or even the district but I have placed that in His hands ... reluctantly lol. I have sent in one resume so far for a More at Four position in Union County will find out this week if I am granted an interview.

For now I have a lot to do including getting my teaching materials organized and boy there are a lot of them. Thanks to Tanya Little, Jen White, Traci Smith and of course Christy Dunson. I am amazed at how much I have accumulated over the years. I believe I could set up an entire classroom right now and have little if anything to purchase!

I am lucky in that I have a job. No matter what happens I have my position as a teachers assistant at Idlewild Elementary School where I have been for the past 11 years. I thank God everyday for that job for it is not only an income but a stepping stone to a teaching position. If I had not followed that calling 11 years ago I would not have fulfilled my lifelong goal to go to college and become a teacher. I am lucky also in that my 11 years as a TA will advance me 5 years experience as a teacher!