The previous being said, I was looking online for other teaching options around the world and cam across this organization called the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) and they have some elementary positions in Germany that need to be filled. I filled out the online application and they replied back asking me to fill out a second round of interview questions. I did this a couple days ago. I got a call back the next day, asking me to call then back when I had a chance to discuss possible positions at the Germany school. I haven't had a chance to call back, but this looks like it might be something that might pan out. I will let you know how the interview goes.
I know Germany seems really out of left field. But, I love Europe and I would be closer to England and I would be out of Eugene. I really hope this works because I think I would have a fantastic time learning a new culture and language and getting the chance to teach. I've also been researching the city a bit and it seems really cool and it seems like I would learn a lot from the school, as well.
Whatever God wants...
23 March 2007
London Applications
I sent off for a million applications and got quite a bit of response and ended up senting back ten or fifteen. I spent way too much on postage. Way too much! And, so far, it seems like I won't get any of the jobs I've applied for. Maybe next year.
22 March 2007
Monroe Lock Down
So, today was my second of three days working at Monroe Middle School. I like working here because most of the kids are pretty well behaved, although it is two days before Spring Break. Yesterday I came down with a Migraine and still have some of the after effects today (mostly I am just tired). I decided during third period that I would leave right after my fifth period (which is the last I teach) and go home to sleep. Then, in the middle of fifth period one of the administrators gets on the intercom to announce that there is a situation unfolding in the neighborhood near monroe and we need to immediately go into lock down mode. My adrenaline immediately shoots through the roof. Flashbacks of Thurston.
I lock the door as a student comes back in from the bathroom totally clueless. I hope the girl headed to the office has actually gotten there and I do my best to get these eleven and twelve year olds to listen to me and shut up. The lights go off and the kids huddle behind the whiteboards in the back of the class, away from the doors and windows. I try to find (in the dark) my substitute handbook and class list so I can figure out if anyone is missing and to see what the routine is for lock downs, since I've never attended a staff meeting. The kids keep talking about how they are going to die and giggling and whatnot (despite my efforts to hush them). Thankfully, whenever they hear the bells that an announcement will be made over the intercom, they are stone silent. After about five or so minutes the administration informs us that we will enter a modified lock down where we are not to leave the classroom, but can get back to business. Ya right. All the kids want to do is to make noise and talk with their friends. So, I institute the "talking stick" where if you don't have the stick, you can't talk. And allow the students to start sharing their stories of other lockdowns and innevitably the Thurston Shooting comes up.
I then share with the students that the reason I was so red once the initial lock down was over was because I was there when the Thurston Shooting happened. They were so interested because they were old enough to know something happened, but not exactly what. They were also concerned about whether or not they would be going to sixth period. I told them not until we get instructions to do so. These instructions came minutes later, to let us know that we were entering another modified lock down where we could move about the building, but not to leave the building.
At this point, I have realized that my plans and hopes of getting a nap had already flown out the window. Especially, because teachers also weren't allowed to leave. I then got to help with the controlled release. This is where students were allowed to leave the building at the end of school, but only when their parents got out of the car and came to the front of the school to get them, or could prove they were walking home opposite of the disturbance, or each bus load was taken out at a time, so that each student was accounted for.
All in all, the day went well, but I was so exhausted after my errands that when I got home at about 6:45 and couldn't wait to get into bed.
I lock the door as a student comes back in from the bathroom totally clueless. I hope the girl headed to the office has actually gotten there and I do my best to get these eleven and twelve year olds to listen to me and shut up. The lights go off and the kids huddle behind the whiteboards in the back of the class, away from the doors and windows. I try to find (in the dark) my substitute handbook and class list so I can figure out if anyone is missing and to see what the routine is for lock downs, since I've never attended a staff meeting. The kids keep talking about how they are going to die and giggling and whatnot (despite my efforts to hush them). Thankfully, whenever they hear the bells that an announcement will be made over the intercom, they are stone silent. After about five or so minutes the administration informs us that we will enter a modified lock down where we are not to leave the classroom, but can get back to business. Ya right. All the kids want to do is to make noise and talk with their friends. So, I institute the "talking stick" where if you don't have the stick, you can't talk. And allow the students to start sharing their stories of other lockdowns and innevitably the Thurston Shooting comes up.
I then share with the students that the reason I was so red once the initial lock down was over was because I was there when the Thurston Shooting happened. They were so interested because they were old enough to know something happened, but not exactly what. They were also concerned about whether or not they would be going to sixth period. I told them not until we get instructions to do so. These instructions came minutes later, to let us know that we were entering another modified lock down where we could move about the building, but not to leave the building.
At this point, I have realized that my plans and hopes of getting a nap had already flown out the window. Especially, because teachers also weren't allowed to leave. I then got to help with the controlled release. This is where students were allowed to leave the building at the end of school, but only when their parents got out of the car and came to the front of the school to get them, or could prove they were walking home opposite of the disturbance, or each bus load was taken out at a time, so that each student was accounted for.
All in all, the day went well, but I was so exhausted after my errands that when I got home at about 6:45 and couldn't wait to get into bed.
04 March 2007
Teaching Agency
So, I heard back from the Teaching Agency in Canada for London and they informed me that they will keep my information on file, but that they have not had success in the last couple years getting a job sponsored visa for elementary positions. With this in mind, they can't help me. So, I have spent the last few weeks looking for teaching jobs and filling out apllications to try and find a job on my own. Please pray that on one of these apllications will catch someone's eye and they will just feel like they have to have me and I will get to move to England. This is because it takes more effort to get me, rather than someone already living in England that has a right to work and I don't actually have the English certification. Also, pray that my passion and personality jumps off the page and that God might allow this adventure I've dreamed of for years. Thank you so much. I will keep you updated.
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