I got a job!

I almost don't believe it.

Just yesterday I went to a school in midtown Manhattan for an interview.  There are a few positions open at the school and was aiming for the Living Environment position.  I went in and immediately met with an assistant principal who questioned me about my resume a bit.  He then showed me around the school and I observed quite a few classes in action.  I was happy to see how easily and cordially students interacted with teachers and administrators.  I was also thoroughly impressed by the school's facilities.  Sliding white boards, clean and functioning lab equipment, and wifi in each room.  I had no idea that an underperforming city school had such resources.

After observing a few classes, I was a bit stunned how smoothly things were running.  I was able to see a teacher have some trouble with a student acting up and my tour guide very calmly help out in the situation, just as we were passing by a classroom.  Following my tour and observation, the asst. principal asked me what I thought and if I had any questions.  I had a few and all answers were satisfactory by my standards.  I told him I would be thrilled to teach at the school.

Luckily, I was also able to speak with a fellow who currently teaches at the school.  She seemed happy to be working there and told me that I would happy there too.  

We proceeded to the principal's office where he asked me a few pedagogical questions and about my background.  One was a scenario where a student consistently gets 70%s on assignments then a zero on one.  What would I do?

My answer was that the inconsistency indicates some altered circumstance and I would look into it before giving the zero and ruining the student's mathematical average.  Nothing ruins an average like a zero.

His second question was about classroom standards in regard to content.  In effect, he asked, should everyone be held to the same standard or how should students be evaluated based on some standard.

I responded that it is important to asses students knowledge in the beginning.  While students all may not progress to the same endpoint, as long as they have made progress, I have done my job.  He explicitly said that was a perfect answer, which I was obviously glad to hear.

After a few questions about my resume, he said I seemed like a nice guy and that I really wanted to teach and offered me the position.  I wasn't sure if I was understanding the situation right, just because I've been warned about principals offering jobs on the spot.  Usually in situations, I tend to trust my gut feelings as those are the most important.  Based on the visit, I was genuinely impressed by the school and very fortunate to have interacted with a current fellow teaching there.  Given this and my desired to secure  position before training, I accepted his offer.

The asst. principal took me to see the asst. principal of organization to arrange actually getting me on the payroll and such.  He instructed me to create a profile on the DOE website so he can put me in system on his end online.  He also asked me the status of my tests (LAST, CST and ATSW- the last of which I know nothing about, I'll be calling the fellows about that one).  I reminded him that I have a commitment form for someone at the school to sign.  We agreed that I'd create the profile and email him when it is completed.

I am so thrilled to have secured a position and look forward to teaching my new students.  Plus now I'll have August to myself woohoo!