I did not get the job. :(

So here's how my interview went down.It was a 25 minute interview that should have lasted 30 minutes (not sure if that's bad). They were really enthusiastic about how I would incorporate literacy within the classroom, my thoughts on teacher collaboration especially with Language Arts, etc. I brought each interviewer a portfolio for them to look at filled with a sample lesson plan w/ actual student work, sample syllabus, my teaching philosophy, etc. Sent them a Thank You email. The only disadvantage I have is the lack of actual teaching experience. :(

My "Thank You" email:

"Dear Ms. ***,
I would like to thank you, everyone in the Social Science Department, and Mr. Patrick for taking the time out of your busy schedules to talk to me about the World History position available at Valley High School.

Even though I lack teaching experience, I believe I offer many new, exciting ideas when it comes to incorporating literacy into teaching history. I hope these ideas will contribute in Valley's transition through the "Persistently Low Achieving Schools" (PLAS) program and will eventually benefit the students at Valley High School in the long run.

I look forward to hearing from you once the final decisions are made regarding this position.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,
Diana Nguyen"

----------------------------------------

I then get this email from the Social Science Department Head (July 14th, 2011):

"Diana,

You are an exceptionally gifted and will become an amazing teacher some day. This round of interviews produced some really good candidates and it has been difficult to make a decision, but you have made it into the top group and we are still in the process of selecting. So I hate to keep you waiting on pins and needles, but you will hear from me soon I promise.

****"

My response:

"Dear Ms. ***,
Once again, I am thankful for having the opportunity to still be a candidate for this position. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Sincerely,
Diana Nguyen"

-------------------------------

Finally, on July 16th, 2011, I got this:

"Diana,

We have decided to hire two other candidates, but you were among the few that we were considering. Please do not be deterred. You had an excellent interview and have a great deal to offer any school. I wish you luck and have no doubt you will land a job soon.

****"

I will definitely keep trying.

My First Interview Ever at Valley High School (SAUSD)!!!

Got a phone call last week and was offered an interview (finally). When I got the call and realized who it was, I was in shock! The department head emailed me and asked for a sample lesson plan as well as a sample syllabus, which I sent to her.

The interview is today at 12:30 pm and it is for a World History teaching position at Valley High School in Santa Ana Unified. One of the reasons why I think I got the interview is because the principal at Valley High School was the same principal I had when student teaching. Hopefully, he remembers me.

I've been preparing all weekend asking friends to give me mock interviews, typing up notes, going over educational terminology, rethinking about how I would teach history, how I would discipline students, etc.

In addition, I prepared portfolios for each interview which I will hand out when I see them. The portfolio includes an updated Cover Letter/Resume, the sample syllabus, my Teaching Philosophy (in the form of a cheat-sheet), a sample lesson plan supplemented with sample student work, and copies of my Letters of Recommendation.

Wish me luck, since it is my first interview ever after receiving my credential! *sweatdrop*

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.