New Job!!

Everything works out in the end! I went on a job interview yesterday for a junior high school about 200 feet from my apartment. They told me that I interview really well, and they were impressed, but they asked me a ton of questions about my age... They also said they wouldn't be deciding anything until August. I wasn't feeling good about that.

Today, I went on another interview at a junior high school that is also in Astoria/Long Island City area, but not quite as close. The school, the principal, and the math AP seem great though. They half offered me the job, but then said they had received one more resume and have to interview the person. I left, and was about halfway home when they called me to say they had thought about it and didn't want to risk losing me, so they were officially offering me the position. Yay!!!

So... what is a math "coach?" Well... I wouldn't be teaching anymore. Essentially, it is a staff developer. The math coach sort of sets the tone for the department - training teachers, offering advice, a friendly ear... those sorts of things. The coach in no way disciplines anyone or tattles to the principal, so it should be someone that teachers can feel comfortable discussing their difficulties with. This school in particular will have 5 new teachers next year. Initially, they will be my primary responsibility - sitting in their classrooms regularly and offering as much helpful advice as possible.

I think this will be a good move for me. Training teachers is an exciting idea to me. An also interesting thing about this school is that last year, they began the AVID program, which is the same one I worked in for two years in Caldwell. I think that experience really helped me out in getting this position. The school also emphasizes technology a lot, which is a forte of mine. It seems like a good fit all around.

So, now I can leave for Venezuela with peace of mind. Ahhhh....