Supplemental Authorization in English/Language Arts

Since I am having such a difficult time finding a full-time position teaching History/Social Science, I thought I should obtain a supplemental in the mean time. Might as well; maybe that would help open some doors. The supplemental I chose to work towards was English/Language Arts since there are so many ways to teach cross disciplines between both English and History. Instead of taking the CSET examination, I chose to take classes off a checklist offered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

At first, I was not that enthusiastic about it, especially since I was so passionate about teaching History. Once I started taking some Literature courses, Writing courses, etc., my view on English/L.A. has changed. I could definitely see how I would love to teach both History and English in a set Humanities Core class. It is also a great attribute because I really endorse the whole aspect of having literacy within the History classroom.

So for the past year and a half, I've dedicated time to taking online/evening classes at a local community college (Coastline Community College District) and finally completed the minimum amount of units required to add the supplemental onto my credential. :)

I just mailed the package on July 1st, 2011 enclosed with all my official transcripts (University of California, Irvine, Golden West College, and Coastline Community College), $55.00 check, the completed application, and the worksheet stating all the classes I took that would make me fully competent in the subject matter.

Classes completed: [Total of 45 units]

Grammar or Language Structure

·         Subject A Entry Exam (UCI admission): Requirement Satisfied (9/2002)

·         Fundamentals of Composition (CCC – Eng C099): Pass (3 semester units)

·         Freshman Composition (GWC – Eng G100): B (3 semester units)

Advanced Composition

·         Critical Reading and Rhetoric (UCI – Writing 39B) : A- (4 quarter units)

·         Beginning Poetry Writing (UCI – Writing 30): B (4 quarter units)

·         Critical Reasoning (CCC – Eng C102): A (3 semester units)

·         Creative Writing (GWC – Eng G280): B (3 semester units)

Speech

·         Interpersonal Communication (GWC – Comm G100): A (3 semester units)

·         Public Speaking (GWC – Comm G110): C (3 semester units)

·         Essentials of Argumentation (GWC – Comm G220): A (3 semester units)

Drama or Theater

·         Japanese Theater (UCI – Easian 120): A- (4 quarter units)

·         History and Appreciation of Cinema (GWC – Thea G102): A (3 semester units)

Literature

·         Introduction to Literature (CCC – Eng C140): A (3 semester units)

·         Children’s Literature (CCC – Eng C143): A (3 semester units)

·         American Literature: Short Story (CCC – Eng C145): A (3 semester units)

The end with another beginning in sight!

So I finished my long-term sub position at UNI High School in Irvine, CA just last Wednesday. It was an amazing experience getting to know the students better (I've known them for over a year now since I've been subbing at UNI since last year). The last few days were spent having parties, saying my goodbyes and good lucks to all the seniors, grading assignments and entering grades into the system, and cleaning up the classroom/wrapping things up with the school. :)

I have about a month off before my next long-term sub position starts at the end of July at Plaza Vista Elementary in Irvine, CA. Will be quite fun indeed and I can not wait for that experience to come. :)

Rejections and applications...

REJECTED:

• Escondido Charter School District - History Middle School Teacher
  "Hello Diana,
  Your resume has been received for the Middle School History Instructional Aide. We are currently reviewing all applicants and forwarding on to the appropriate director. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
  Thank you,
   Escondido Charter School District"
• Alliance College-Ready Public School (Media Arts and Entertainment High School) - Resource Teacher
  "Good Afternoon Diana Nguyen,
  We would like to thank you for submitting your application for the Resource Teacher position advertised on Edjoin by Media Arts and Entertainment High School, an Alliance College-Ready Public School. We were very fortunate to have various applicants interested in the Resource Teacher vacancy. After reviewing your application, I am sorry to inform you that you have not been selected for the position.
  We thank you again for your interest in interviewing with our organization and wish you the best in your future endeavors.
  Sincerely,
  Celina Esqueda
  Human Resources Coordinator"

APPLIED:

• Santa Ana Unified for the position of Social Science 9th -12th Grade- Valley- In District Employees Only
• Santa Ana Unified for the position of Social Science (6th - 8th Grade)- Spurgeon- In District Employees Only

More application updates...

Recently REJECTED:

• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School
  "Diana Nguyen,
  Thank you for your interest in the open US History teaching position at the Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School. Unfortunately, the position has been filled. I highly encourage you to seek out other open positions in the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools. Good luck in your continued employment search.
  Sincerely,
  Derrick Chau, Ph.D.
  Principal
  Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School"
• Escondido Charter School District - Middle School History Instructional Aide
  "Hello Diana,
  Your resume has been received for the Middle School History Instructional Aide. We are currently reviewing all applicants and forwarding on to the appropriate director. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
  
  Thank you,
  Escondido Charter School District
  1868 East Valley Parkway
  Escondido, CA 92027"

Recently APPLIED:

• Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools
  History Teacher (7th grade) : College-Ready Middle Academy #4

Another rejection --> Apply to more...

So I got another rejection yesterday:

• Soledad Enrichment Action Charter School (English and Social Science Teacher)
  "Good morning,
   This position has been filled."

Still, it's not the end of the world, so I just made sure to keep applying. Here are some more schools I have applied to:

• Santa Ana Unified - Social Science 9th -12th Grade- Godinez High School - In District Employees Only
• Jordan High School (LAUSD) - Social Science/History/Humanities Teacher
• Film and Theatre Arts CHS - Social Studies Instructor/Advisor[Apparently, this is considered a Big Picture School (a special umbrella schooling system of some sort). The school my sister teaches in down in San Diego is also a Big Picture School].
• Escondido Charter School District - Middle School History Instructional Aide
• Army & Navy Academy - Full-time Social Science Teacher

Wish me luck once again.

Jordan High School - Missed Opportunity? NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Awhile back, my friend who teaches Special Education in LAUSD informed me about Jordan High School in LAUSD (http://www.jordanbulldogs.org/) and how it will soon be taken over by the state. As a result, they are going to have to post up teaching positions for every single subject at that school.

March 9th: "Hey Diana, there is a high school, David Starr Jordan Senior High, that is being taken over by the district. The current plan is that there will be new administration, possibly three separate schools/academies, and all of the teachers will have to reapply for positions. Some of the Charter school teachers I know believe that there company may operate one of the academies. Keep it in mind this spring and summer as postings may come up on the LAUSD website and/or Edjoin." - Inside source

March 14: "[All] the administration staff are being replaced after this school year; which means that there will be a lot of disgruntled administrators. Two, the district has not decided how to structure the school for next year (e.g. academy structure, charter, or a hybrid of each)." - Inside source

He told me to wait it out a bit.

The next thing you know, I check http://www.teachinla.com/ and this was posted as an announcement:
"The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is transforming Jordan High School: The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is seeking passionate and dedicated teachers in all content areas to work at Jordan High School for the 2011-2012 school year. Click here for more information."

When was this? When I clicked on the link to apply, a handout came up as a PDF. Apparently, they had recruiting events (5/9, 5/16 with webinars on 5/10, 5/17)!!! AND I MISSED ALL OF THEM!!! :(

Was this a missed opportunity!? I drove by the school awhile back just to check it out and it fit the type of school I woud LOVE to teach in.

Hoping for the best, I still applied with the person and email provided. I emailed them what was required, my cover letter and resume. I really hope there would still be a chance for me to be offered an interview to teach there.

Request for Application Status Updates on Edjoin.org

So I emailed a bunch of people for updates on the applications I applied for on Edjoin.org up to April 29th, 2011.

My email inquiry looked like this (yes, each email was unique in that I inputted specific information according to the subject, school, and person):

"Dear ------------------,
My name is Diana Nguyen and I recently applied for the position of ----------- at -------------- (Application -------) on ---------------.
I would just like to ask about the status of my application and if by any chance I could be offered a courtesy interview.
I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you,
Diana Nguyen"

So far, two schools have emailed me back with rejections:

1. Richard Merkin Middle School (U.S. History Teacher)
   "I am sorry but our positions for next year have been filled."
2. Media Arts and Entertainment High School (U.S. History Teacher)
   "Hi Diana - thank you for your interest.  At the moment we are not interviewing, pending the budget allotment from the governor.  Good luck with your search."

Still keeping my hopes up.
:(