First off, I've been
long-term subbing at UNI High School for almost five weeks now. We're currently going to finish up a Financial Planning Program unit which involves completing an entire workbook that the original teacher left behind as sub plans. To make sure things don't get too repititious, I make sure to spend a few days every now and then reading short stories or articles from Upfront or Scope Scholastic magazines and having them write a journal to prepare to class discussions. All this only makes me more frustrated that I still don't have a classroom of my own. No worries though. A mentor of mine told me to keep doing what I'm doing (subbing, tutoring, mentoring), because that shows the passion within me to not go into another profession.
I have a final update with the
THINK Together position of Summer Program Leader where I would be able to teach a classroom of about 30 students using a curriculum that will be provided. In the end, even though I was one of the applicants considered for the job, I was not able to get it due to something I thought was mediocre (but completely understandable and I will explain why). I was not able to get the job because I was not able to attend one of the pre-employment exams (testing us on basic English, math, and writing skills). The reason was because all of the the available dates and times were when I was preoccupied with my long-term substitute position. They were all on weekdays around noon. I contacted them asking if there could be any sort of exception (i.e. please take a look at my resume, I am highly qualified and I don't mind the $11/hour). I even asked if they could set another date, hopefully on Wednesday after 2 pm because UNI High School ends early on Wednesdays. If that doesn't work, I asked if there's a possible chance of a take-home exam. Nope, nothing, no exceptions whatsoever. When I thought about it, I did try my best in obtaining that Summer Program Leader position, but at the same time, I knew they had to be consistent with their employment process. If they made an exception for me, then they would have to make exceptions for everyone else. I wasn't about to give up though. I still wanted to be a part of time, but at the same time, can't be employed by them; therefore, I emailed them to see if I could volunteer as an instructional assistant for free (not working all 4-5 hours though but 2-3 hours per day is good). That way, I get what I wanted all along (to be in a classroom helping students even if it's for free) and they can get a highly-qualified volunteer. Still waiting for their response though.
As for the
EDJOIN.ORG applications, no school has contacted me yet for an interview (I was hoping a few did because in the Letter of Introduction, I kindly asked for a courtesy interview). So far, only a couple Alliance of College Ready Public Schools declined my application. Still waiting on the others. I practically applied to every position I thought possible (i.e. History, Social Science, Social Studies, Humanities, etc). It all came out to be 34 job applications. I'm even one of the annoying ones who applied to job postings that specifically stated "In-District Employees Only" (the Santa Ana Unified School District postings).
Here are all the new teaching positions I applied to on Edjoin.org:
- Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools: Christine O'Donovan Middle Academy - English/Social Science Core Teacher (6th grade)
- Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools: Stern Math and Science School - History Teacher (U.S./AP U.S.)
- Options for Youth - Los Angeles County - Small Group Instructor-English Language Arts (SGI) San Gabriel Center
- New Millennium Secondary School - Social Studies Teacher
- Los Angeles Education Partnership (Formerly Urban Education Partnership) - Social Studies Instructional Coach
- Los Angeles Leadership Academy - 7th - 8th Grade Language Arts
- Los Angeles Leadership Academy - 7th and 8th Grade English Language Arts
- Los Angeles Leadership Academy - 7th - 8th Grade Social Studies
- College Preparatory Middle School - Teacher - Social Science
- Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools: Alliance Teachnology Math Science High School - World History/AP European
- Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools: Alliance Teachnology Math Science High School - US History/AP US History
- Santa Ana Unified: Spurgeon-
In District Employees Only - Social Science 6th - 8th Grade
- Santa Ana Unified: Alternative Education -
In District Employees Only - Social Science
- Santa Ana Unified: Lorin Griset -
In District Employees Only - Social Science
- Santa Ana Unified: Century -
In District Employees Only - Social Science 9th -12th Grade
- Santa Ana Unified: Godinez High School -
In District Employees Only - Science 9th -12th Grade
- Santa Ana Unified: Valley -
In District Employees Only - Social Science 9th -12th Grade
- Rowland Unified (Rowland H.S.) - Social Science Teacher
- Orange County High School of the Arts - Social Science
- New Los Angeles Charter School - Middle School Humanities Teacher
- Patty Gould via Email (Lynwood Unified???) - 7th - 8th Grade Social Studies
- Westerly School - Humanities Position
Wish me luck!
