The future is bright....

So a few weeks ago I was still stressing about my job situation.  Then I got calls to go on two interviews, both for .5 gifted/talented positions.  I was really hoping something would pan out because if I didn't find a match for my current .5 GT job (the school that is keeping me next year), the district would probably pull me out and find a full time job for me teaching special ed.

Interview  at school #1 took place in the morning on a Friday (june 1).   There was a panel of teachers and the administrator asking me a ton of really good questions.  I thought I answered the questions really well, but I just didn't get the best vibe from the interview team.  Its hard to explain, but they just didn't show much emotion.  At the end of the interview they were very nice but told me that I was only the first of 6 interviews, so they would call me in a week when a decision had been made. (This is a very good school, with a  GT specialist who is retiring after this year, but the school is pretty far away from my current school.)

Interview at school #2 took place last Tuesday after work (June 5).  I was really sick that day with stomach/headache, but I stuck out the day for the sole purpose of interviewing for this job.  The school is about 2 miles from my current school and one that I was very interested in.  The previous specialist is relocating to northern MN, but has an excellent program established at the school.  The questions that this team asked me were much more vague than the other school, and I felt like I had so much more to tell them at the end of the interview on why I was the person they needed to hire.  This team also told me they had about 6 interviews, but they would give me a call when they made  a decision.  Despite feeling really crappy that day, the interview went very good and I had a very good feeling from the team.

I waited and waited all week, trying not to get my hopes up.  If each school was interviewing 6 people for the position, I wasn't sure I had the best chance of getting an offer.  I didn't even tell anyone I had the interviews!!

BUT THEN...

School #1 called me Friday afternoon and offered me the position!  I told them I was still waiting to hear from another school and asked if I could think about it and let them know Monday at 10am(today).  I tried calling school #2 and also e-mailed the principal to see if they had made a decision yet and to let them know I already had an offer that I needed to have an answer for by Monday morning.

I did not hear from school #2 all weekend, and was really thinking hard about which position I would take if #2 offered me the job (I was confident they would).

I still did not hear from school #2 by 9:45am this morning and became convinced that I had read the interview wrong and that maybe they had already selected someone else.  I didn't want school #1 to recind their offer, so I was thinking I was going to call and accept it.

BUT THEN....

School #2 called and offered me the position!!  The principal asks me "Will you accept?" Nothing like being put on the spot!!!   Think quick, Kristi!  Schools #1 and #2 and both very good schools.  I wouldn't mind teaching at either of them, but not if it means giving up this program that I only just established this year.  Once I make a commitment, I am in it for the long-haul.

So I said yes and accepted the position at school #2 :)

Then I started feeling really bad that I would have to turn down school #1 after making them wait for my answer all weekend.  I sent the principal a nice e-mail letting him know. "Dear Principal, I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to interview and even more for offering me the GT position at school #1. As it turns out, I was offered another position on Friday as well and took the weekend to consider all of my options. As much as I think school #1 is a wonderful school and as tempted as I am to accept your offer, I have decided to go with the other school. I feel terrible that I cannot accept at both schools, but that would mean abandoning the program at my current school that I only just started this year, and once I make a commitment, I am in it for the long-haul.".   He responded and said, "The interview committee was impressed by your wealth of experience and background. And saw wonderful possibilities for our students here at school #1. Your current school is very fortunate to have you. We had a funding change and were able to consider offering you a full-time position at school #1 that would have fit well with your LD background and Gifted Services Background.    Best regards, Principal"

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It feels great to be wanted, although I still feel bad that I had to turn one of them down!

I am relieved to know where I will be next year......a happy start to my summer :)

Comments

[sarah]

congrats kristi!
that's GREAT news!

[Rolana]

Congratulations Kristi! That's wonderful! I knew it would work out for you!

[adrienne]

that is FANTASTIC!!!! Congrats!

[Dana Sterner]

Congrats, Kristi! I am glad everything worked out. What a great feeling to know that your skills are so desired.

[Julie]

CONGRATULATIONS KRISTI!!! =) That is GREAT news!!

[simone]

that's great!!
Huge Congrats.

[Valerie]

Congrats Kristi!! That's awesome!!

[Andrea Haenke]

Congratulations Kristi :) I am so Happy for you. What a huge weight lifted of your shoulders. Lets celebrate soon!!!

[kirsten]

Congratulations!

[Mariaq]

CONGRATS KRISTI!!! This is GREAT news! Thanks for sharing...woo hoo! Now, let's celebrate!

[Jessica]

Congratulations! See, you're such a good teacher, everyone wants you!!! LOL. PS: I'm going to check out that paperbackswap.com!

[christy Kennedy]

CONGRATS!!! That is awesome! You are great at what you do and will be great at this new start too!

ck

[Dana]

Woo Hoo!!!! A HUGE Congratulations. I'm sooo excited for you!

~Sorry I hadn't commented sooner... haven't checked your blog in a while! Sorry :(

xoxo