So, some of you might have heard me complain a little bit lately about my life being unstable. Basically, I graduated from college with certain expectations and a certain plan in mind. Those plans kind of got smitherined, and I've been trying to regroup ever since. Part of that regrouping has been finding work. Mostly that means a job at a local charter high school. I've been talking with People, and its finally all gone through. If you looked up perfect job in the dictionary, there would be a picture of this job.
I'm not going to be full-time or anything like that. Which is totally fine. I'm good starting small. What I'll be doing is team-teaching a creative writing class and doing after school creative writing tutoring. Then maybe subbing for other classes too, as needed. Great way to start, and saying that this charter school is fantastic is sort of a ridiculous understatement.
Jobs have never been an exciting thing to me before. They've basically just been a means to an end, end meaning writing and also being able to buy groceries. But this job has got me completely stoked. It seems like it will be incredibly fulfilling and wonderful. Not always easy, maybe, but wonderful. And despite what I've heard to the contrary, the more I think about it, the more I think this job and writing will be mutually beneficial. Very much so. Words and creative juices will be flowing through my brain, which will keep me fresh for writing, and what I learn doing that writing, I can pass on in the classroom. I'm also excited and relieved to have a job where I will be interacting with people. To me that's an essential balancer for the sometime loneliness of writing.
You teachers out there, and you with classroom experience (meaning anyone who has ever stepped foot in a classroom)...this is not the time to be shy with ideas or advice. What works? What doesn't? I want to hear everything you can think to tell me.
So, basically, my life is stabilizing in what looks like is gonna be a very, very positive way. Getting into more of a schedule will be so nice, both for my sanity and my writing. It's also nice to have things settle in what could very easily be a long-term trajectory, if that makes sense. Details still need to be worked out, but I'm definitely happy dancing here. Let's keep things going the way they're going, okay life?
Sarah Allen
p.s. Check out the latest installment of Dear Muse, this time featuring awesomeness from So You Think You Can Dance, a sketch from my sister of Jimmer Fredette, and a story idea about a gremlin named Kismet.
20 comments:
Congratulations! So glad everything is coming together for you, and I hope the job is everything you hope it will be.
You'll make a great teacher. Happy dances and hugs to you!
Ooh, it DOES sound perfect for you! Congrats!
Congrats! That's awesome! I'm not a teacher myself, but my sister is, and I know that she always says that you have to be firm from the very beginning. You can't be easy-going and then try to discipline the kids later on - it doesn't work that way. O course, she teaches 6th grade, so it might be different for older kids.
Congratulations Sarah!
Congrats! I've taught many a creative writing class, including some with teens. Writing prompts are always good, and using photos to spur them to write about characters and settings (or both) is cool. They respond well to photos. Or pair them up and have them interview each other, and then write a portrait of the person. There are so many fun projects one can cook up with teens and writing. Have fun!
Congratulations to you! Creative writing was easily one of my favorite classes I ever took. Good luck!
Congratulations!! Glad things are coming together for you. I hope the teaching job is everything you expect and more. :)
Well done Sarah, that's great news. I hope it's everything you want it to be.
Teaching creative writing! Way to go. That'll be fun, mingling with other creative types. ;o) Congrats to you in stabilizing your life as well as getting on a brand new schedule!
Wow and congratulations. My mother and sister are teachers, well my mom has been retired a while now but all the same.
I worked for Dell for 8 years and spent a lot of time training new hires as well as well as existing employees for new product and vitality training. I did this all over the world where ever they decided to send me.
Unlike teaching in a classroom where all your students are going to be at the same level as far as age, education and experience goes, mine was all over the chart and every class a mixed group of ages, education levels and experience.
What I found that helped the most, was knowing the material inside and out and having it planned down to the minute. If you plan to talk for 10 minutes and you are done in 6. Everything gets thrown off and by the end of the day, you are done an hour early or worse you don't finish. Eventually you will need to plan/practice less and less with experience, but the worst days by far were the ones where I either had no time to plan or just didn't plan the class.
Also if you are going to use technology like a computer with power point, or a projector etc. Make sure you know how it all works and verify that it does work before you get there and always have a backup. Nothing sucks like getting to a classroom and finding the projector doesn't work, or there is no network access in the room you are trying to teach people how to do a remote install of an operating system. I remember the class I taught that had six twenty minute videos but the room had no speakers...
The best advice I ever got was when I was sent to El Salvador. One of the other trainers was the guy who trained me 3 years earlier. He said "Whatever happens happens. Just remember, you're the one that got off the plane to be here."
This is excellent--good for you! Teaching is one of my fantasy jobs, though I'm not sure I would want to do it full time.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Congratulations! I'm glad things are falling into place for you.
Congrabulations on finally being able to your degree to very good use!
I love teaching and the students are a rich source of inspiration :)
Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers
Yay! I love stories about people who are finding their place in this crazy world. Best of luck to you.
Congratulations! Hope you will find so much joy in this!
Congrats, and as a member of the teaching community for over 20 years, I welcome you. Advice - Fall in love with your students and always search for their unique gifts.
Congratulations!! You're going to be great! :)
I taught for five years before my daughter was born and loved it.
ENJOY your students - if they know you WANT to be there, they'll enjoy being there (most of the time)
Have a FABULOUS time with it!!
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