I have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) with my high school principal. I will be showing her the many resources presented from the 23 Things lessons. It will be my hope that by getting her enthused about the possibilities for staff development and growth that we'll be able to persuade the district IT person to loosen the reigns on the internet sites available to the school staff.
Details will follow! Wish me luck!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
New Opportunities - Finale
What a crazy week this has been. Tomorrow (Thursday) was supposed to have been my second interview with the Oscoda Area Schools for the Asst. Principal job for the high school. I've always said that I'd love to finish my career in that part of the state, and here it is, almost available!
Rhonda and I spent many afternoons and evenings discussing why we should go and why we shouldn't go, if offered the job. Regardless of which direction we leaned towards the one major, I mean MAJOR stumbling block was the house. It's not ready to be put on the market, and would take at least two months to get it ready. That would mean maintaining a small apartment for at least 6 months and travelling from Redford to Oscoda to Redford every weekend.
The pay for the Oscoda position is comparable to what I'm making now, so that's not an issue, but we figured that it would cost us between $1200-1500 per month in lodging, food and gas. That's just too big of a financial hit to take for an uncertain amount of time.
Last Monday I called and withdrew my name from consideration for the position. I also called my current administrators, who had already given their recommendations to the principal at Oscoda HS. I was so happy that their responses were of relief that I wouldn't be leaving the RU district, which really helped me realize that I had made a good decision.
Shortly afterward the superintendent from Oscoda called and asked why I had chosen to remove my name from the list of candidates. I explained about the financial situation and that very few job offers would have been any improvement in finances. She completely understood. She then told me that I had been the #1 contender for the position and that I could change my mind, right now, if I wanted to and the job would be mine. I thanked her and politely declined.
So what have I learned from all of this?
1. I am marketable
2. I interview well
3. I am appreciated by my current employer and administrators
4. We really need to whip this house into shape
5. The economy in Michigan is NOT to be taken for granted...it's bad, and could get
worse!
6. My wife and I really do agree on lots of things
7. I enjoy camping and travelling anywhere I want to go
8. Someday, just not this year, I'll make a good administrator
I've slept better than I have for the past two weeks!
Rhonda and I spent many afternoons and evenings discussing why we should go and why we shouldn't go, if offered the job. Regardless of which direction we leaned towards the one major, I mean MAJOR stumbling block was the house. It's not ready to be put on the market, and would take at least two months to get it ready. That would mean maintaining a small apartment for at least 6 months and travelling from Redford to Oscoda to Redford every weekend.
The pay for the Oscoda position is comparable to what I'm making now, so that's not an issue, but we figured that it would cost us between $1200-1500 per month in lodging, food and gas. That's just too big of a financial hit to take for an uncertain amount of time.
Last Monday I called and withdrew my name from consideration for the position. I also called my current administrators, who had already given their recommendations to the principal at Oscoda HS. I was so happy that their responses were of relief that I wouldn't be leaving the RU district, which really helped me realize that I had made a good decision.
Shortly afterward the superintendent from Oscoda called and asked why I had chosen to remove my name from the list of candidates. I explained about the financial situation and that very few job offers would have been any improvement in finances. She completely understood. She then told me that I had been the #1 contender for the position and that I could change my mind, right now, if I wanted to and the job would be mine. I thanked her and politely declined.
So what have I learned from all of this?
1. I am marketable
2. I interview well
3. I am appreciated by my current employer and administrators
4. We really need to whip this house into shape
5. The economy in Michigan is NOT to be taken for granted...it's bad, and could get
worse!
6. My wife and I really do agree on lots of things
7. I enjoy camping and travelling anywhere I want to go
8. Someday, just not this year, I'll make a good administrator
I've slept better than I have for the past two weeks!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Summer Vacation
Well, I need a break from all of the things floating around in my head...maybe that's why I have a slight headache?
Here are some summer pictures from our recent visit to Bowling Green, KY and the Lost River Cave. We had a great underground boat tour. On the day the outside temps were low to mid 90s, so the 56 degree temps inside the cave were welcomed. Unfortunately the pictures inside the cave didn't turn out. They also have a great butterfly house on the site, that's were the flower pictures were taken. I hope you enjoy them!
New Opportunities - Part II
Well the interview happened yesterday. I think it went very well. The atmosphere was relaxed, and I was told that this was a "Chance to get to know you..." type of interview that should last about 20 minutes. Geesh, I traveled nearly 200 miles for a "chat"? Well, it lasted nearly 40 minutes, which is good I guess. There were many direct questions, some admittedly on the "second level interview" type. I could see the superintendent and hs principal writing many notes on their scripts, another good sign I hope.
The next level interviews will take place next week, with a larger panel of 15 to 17 people. I'll hear if I made the callbacks by tomorrow, and then the real hemming and hawing will occur.
Can I afford to take this job? How long will it take to prep and sell the house at home? Where will I/we live in the meantime? What to do with the chinchillas? (After all they don't make a house sell faster because they're so messy.) Can I manage to keep my church job until I can pick up some extra bucks in the new town? Lots to think about, but again perhaps I'm putting the cart before the horse.
My oldest daughter tells me to stop worrying and follow my heart. That's great advice, and I love her for it, but maybe I'm just to pragmatic at this age in my life. The saga will continue, at least until Thursday's "call".
The next level interviews will take place next week, with a larger panel of 15 to 17 people. I'll hear if I made the callbacks by tomorrow, and then the real hemming and hawing will occur.
Can I afford to take this job? How long will it take to prep and sell the house at home? Where will I/we live in the meantime? What to do with the chinchillas? (After all they don't make a house sell faster because they're so messy.) Can I manage to keep my church job until I can pick up some extra bucks in the new town? Lots to think about, but again perhaps I'm putting the cart before the horse.
My oldest daughter tells me to stop worrying and follow my heart. That's great advice, and I love her for it, but maybe I'm just to pragmatic at this age in my life. The saga will continue, at least until Thursday's "call".
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
New Opportunities
Today could possibly be the beginning of a new chapter in my life and that of my wife and son, who's still living at home. I'm going on a job interview.
I have a job, actually two of them. My main job is music teacher at a public high school and middle school in Redford, MI. I've been there quite some time and have enjoyed my stay there. I'm also the minister of music at a local Catholic church in town, and have been there longer than at the schools. Again, I'm happy there, although feeling taken for granted and forgotten at times.
In May of 2007 I completed a MSA in Educational Leadership at Madonna University. I believe I want to be a principal, or at least assistant principal, somewhere. Ideally with only a few years to go before retiring I'd like to find a spot up north, and fade peacefully away into the woods and lakes.
After two summers of looking and sending resumes I have finally landed an interview, and yes, it's up north. I've quickly learned that most school districts hire from within, no surprise, and that they are not usually interested in someone from outside of their own district. So the lack of interviews doesn't sting quite so badly.
The key words that come into play now are: "What if..."
What if I do get the offer: will we be able to sell the house, how much money will I make, will it cover the possible lost income of the church job, where will our son live while he's at college, etc. and the list goes on and on. Usually it goes on about 3am while I'm trying to sleep.
We're supposed to go camping next week. "IF" I get called back for a second or third interview should we cancel the trip, or should I bring a suit along and travel down from the UP to get there?
I'll be leaving for this interview in less than an hour. I feel prepared because I know I can do the job; it's a job that I want to take. Is it the right decision, or am I putting the cart before the horse here?
To be continued....
I have a job, actually two of them. My main job is music teacher at a public high school and middle school in Redford, MI. I've been there quite some time and have enjoyed my stay there. I'm also the minister of music at a local Catholic church in town, and have been there longer than at the schools. Again, I'm happy there, although feeling taken for granted and forgotten at times.
In May of 2007 I completed a MSA in Educational Leadership at Madonna University. I believe I want to be a principal, or at least assistant principal, somewhere. Ideally with only a few years to go before retiring I'd like to find a spot up north, and fade peacefully away into the woods and lakes.
After two summers of looking and sending resumes I have finally landed an interview, and yes, it's up north. I've quickly learned that most school districts hire from within, no surprise, and that they are not usually interested in someone from outside of their own district. So the lack of interviews doesn't sting quite so badly.
The key words that come into play now are: "What if..."
What if I do get the offer: will we be able to sell the house, how much money will I make, will it cover the possible lost income of the church job, where will our son live while he's at college, etc. and the list goes on and on. Usually it goes on about 3am while I'm trying to sleep.
We're supposed to go camping next week. "IF" I get called back for a second or third interview should we cancel the trip, or should I bring a suit along and travel down from the UP to get there?
I'll be leaving for this interview in less than an hour. I feel prepared because I know I can do the job; it's a job that I want to take. Is it the right decision, or am I putting the cart before the horse here?
To be continued....
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