Officially an "Adult"

It's official... I have my first teaching job!  I couldn't be more excited.  I am teaching 5th grade which just happens to be my perfect job.  Here's how it all went...

On August 9, I had an interview at a small school in Des Moines.  I left thinking the interview went ok, but I wasn't that excited for the job.  However, a teaching job was a teaching job after being a substitute for 2 1/2 years.  As I was driving home from this interview, at 4pm, I get a call from my NEW boss asking me to come in the next morning bright and early for an interview. 

On August 10, I went in to interview for this 5th grade job at 8am.  My former High School Math teacher turned me on to this school district.  He was even so wonderful as to put in a good word for me.  It really is WHO YOU KNOW when it comes to getting a teaching job.  So I literally sat around all day on the 10th just waiting waiting waiting.  I couldn't get myself to do anything because I knew I was going to hear back.  I had felt the interview went so well, I was confident.  I was so excited all day.

Well, the day kept ticking by... 2pm.... 3pm.... 4pm.... I was beginning to think he had offered the job to someone else who had more experience and was waiting to hear back from them.  (My biggest frustration in interviewing)  Well the phone rang at 4:21PM and he called to offer me the JOB!  I was seriously jumping up and down.  I immediately accepted of course!  Turns out he was waiting to hear back from my references :)  Best part was I was starting the next day!

August 11-- NEW STAFF ORIENTATION.  So I had to sit through orientation all day, though the whole time I was thinking about what I needed to go buy to make my classroom look like a classroom.  I started with a blank canvas which I think is a good idea if you're hired 3 months before school.  But I was hired 12 days before the first day of school.  It was a high stress situation, but I work better like that.  If I am stressed and know I have to have something done soon, I will get it done fast and it will be done well.

Within those 12 days, I got my classroom put together.  I got the first week planned.  I met the awesome staff I get to work with.  I even had a chance to meet my kids at Back to School Night. 

I am so happy I got this teaching job, it is what I always wanted.  School started a week ago and so far I love my class.  The first week is like the honeymoon phase in a relationship, but I am sure I will always love it because they are my first class.

I can't wait to see what the next year has to offer.  It is so weird to think that I have a full time job FOREVER (as long as I don't screw up).  I don't have to worry about subbing anymore, I know my routine everyday and I know where I will be everyday.  It's the best feeling and it's so nice to feel after 2 1/2 years of having such a crazy work schedule.

Picture of my classroom are coming soon...