This is Part Two of my incredible story of how I finally landed THE job.
So, I prepare for the interview. I do my homework and read up about their teaching philosophy. I decide to make notes and list all of my teaching experience right up to all of the substitute jobs this past year. I use brain teasers to help me quickly recall past successes in the classroom along with challenging situations. I have all of the paperwork Charter Schools has requested and my resume is updated and freshly printed.
I head out early, giving myself plenty of time to get lost, although I have gone over the Google map numerous times and know the landmarks to look for along with the street names. I pull up and taking a deep breath repeat to myself, "knock 'em dead."
As I enter the room I see twenty people waiting. Holy Cow! I feel like I'm at a Hollywood cattle call. I take a seat and watch the video presentation begin again. Fortunately, I quickly see that the video is outlining the principles tenets of the Charter Schools Learning Model. I'm already familiar with these principles thanks to my research.
One hour goes by before I am called by the interviewer. She takes me to a private office and begins by reviewing my online application and my answers to the three "teacher situational questions."
She asks me if I am interviewing for the ESE position. I am somewhat surprised by the question, but answer truthfully that I was invited to interview for Social Studies. Is the ESE position open as well?
She says yes and would I consider interviewing for it. Once again I tell her I am most interested in SS but I would be willing to consider another position.
She begins with the battery of questions. This goes on for the next 45 minutes. I am prepared, but in a small corner of my mind, I am amazed at how articulate and concise my answers are. I am recalling memories of my classroom experiences from 26 years ago. I am sometimes asking myself, "where did THAT come from?" as I answer some of the questions with ideas and feelings I didn't know I possessed. It all feels somewhat surreal.
The interviewer looks me in the eye at the end and says, "Annette, I really want to recommend you for the ESE job." Good, caring teachers who can work with these kids are hard to find. When you talk about working with specific children that needed extra help, your passion shines through. This is the place for you. Can you feel that?"
I opened my mouth and shut it. I sat there as my eyes began to mist over. I said, "Yes, I do. Right at this moment I feel what I had forgotten so many years ago. When I was in college, my favorite practicum experiences were in the SLD classrooms. I loved working with those students. I wanted to go on working with them after college, but the ESE coordinator with the county told me to go get my experience elsewhere. Well I did, working in those two TItle One schools. I feel confident I can help the students at this school succeed."
She smiled and told me she was going to talk with the principal, Teresa. I went back to the holding room and prepared to wait another hour for my chance to talk to the principal. Some people had been waiting all morning for that chance. As I was wondering how long the wait would be, the principal came in the room, picked up a folder and called my name.
I followed her quickly to her office as we exchanged pleasantries. I liked her immediately. Her first words when I sat down were, " I like honesty and honest answers. So, here's the deal:
I'm not going to interview you. P says you are the person for this job so that is good enough for me. Now, here's the question- can you do this? Can you keep us in compliance? That's your number one job and you answer to me. It's you, me, and the ESOL teacher. We keep this thing rolling. Are you organized? Can you keep up with deadlines and details?" Tell me honestly right now that you are confident that you can do this."
I said I can do this. She smiled and opened my folder to check my qualifications. She saw that I had not taken the ESE certification exam yet. The truth is, I couldn't afford to take that test. I opted for another test last fall and I haven't had the resources to shell out another 200 bucks.
She said, "I can't hire you without the certification. I need you to be highly qualified in this field. "
I answered, "I'll borrow the money and take the test asap. Teresa told me she would not interview anyone else for this position and she wrote my name down under ESE teacher. "Now don't let me down' she said as I left.
Well I went home and signed up for the test. We drove out to a Barnes and Noble across town to get the study book. I sequestered myself for the next five days and studied. And Tuesday morning I went into the testing center and passed the test.
I called and left the HR person and Teresa messages that I had successfully passed the test, but I couldn't wait for them to call me back. I changed clothes and drove out to the office and personally handed the paper to Teresa while I was actually talking on the phone to the HR person down in Miami.
They were as excited as I was, which was so gratifying . The papers were faxed that afternoon and the contract signed.
I had finally, at long last, found a job.
I was not the only presence at that interview. Clearly the Spirit was in control and I knew that when I opened my mouth and the words began to flow. I knew it when my eyes misted over and I suddenly felt the truth stare me in the face. I knew it when the principal gave me the chance to go take that test.
This isn't just a job, it is truly the place I am supposed to be right now. I knew it when I felt the instant comfort and ease with the interviewer and the others I spoke to at the school. I knew it while studying for that test and the way all that information learned over 25 years ago came flooding back with ease.
I knew it when I sat down to take that test and I felt completely confident that I would do very well, and I did.
I knew it when I thought of the position and all it involved and I did not doubt my ability to do this job well.
I had so many close calls and opportunities that didn't pan out that I lost faith in my own instincts. I no longer believed in my abilities. but, the DIvine knew and kept bringing me closer to this outcome. Each interview, each near miss and the part time jobs in between all prepared me for this moment.
When we are in the middle it all, we cannot see the forest for the trees, but when you can finally step back and see the whole and complete picture; when you can gain some perspective, the "ah hah" moment arrives. This is where you were headed all along.
I can't wait to start this new adventure....
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