As many of you know, I was hired in September to fill a leave for a teacher who was over seas in Iraq. The length of the leave was undetermined. As many of you probably remember, I was over the moon to have a teaching job. I wrote many a blog stating that I was so thankful, and how I would be the best teacher I could be. I praised the education system up and down.
Then I got my schedule....
I was in charge of a chorus of 139, a band of 76, and 75 general music students. This was one hell of a teaching job. I had to create a name for myself. I had to gain and give respect to all of these faces throughout the hallway. I had to learn all of those names!!!! Needless to say, I was a tad overwhelmed. By the end of October, I was ready to throw in the towel. I was ready to go back to school to be a nurse, a nutritionist, a basket weaver...anything!
Then something funny started to happen. The kids began to show their enthusiasm. Slowly but surely things started to click. Students never wanted to leave my class. They wanted to have music the whole entire school day. Instead of going through the motions, we all began to have a good time.
Concert time then rolled around. I was a nervous wreck. The students sensed that, too. We were all just ready to get the show on the road. On concert night, the magic began. They performed like little angels. We even got a standing O!!
Then the fellow who I was replacing came back. My boss said that since I was doing such a wonderful job, she wanted to offer me a part time position. She had mentioned it before, but then she gave me the real assignment. It was only a .3 of a position.
.3. That's a freakin newspaper route here on the Island. That won't even pay my gas bill. I spoke with my boss and laid down the law. We came up with some other projects to get paid for. The money she offered was definatley more than I was making as a leave, but it is no full time job. She then assured me that she was petitioning for a full time job for next year for me. That gave some light at the end of the tunnel.
Then, it happened. Another school district called me wanting an interview for a half year position. It's full time. I would get benefits. .3 does not cover benies.
What's a girl to do? Go for the new job for the money, or stay with my kids??
My kids, all 300plus or minus a few, are wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better group of ladies and gentleman, but they are not going to pay my zillion dollar L.I. bills.
Whats a girl to do??
