Here's what I decided

First, thank you all very much for all your input regarding my decision to SpEd aide or to English teacher. I appreciated all the comments and your perspectives. Some points really helped me twist my thoughts and look at this in several ways.

And I decided to go with the SpEd position. The easy and obvious points were I would know how much I am making ($$$ wise) and about the benefits RIGHT NOW. With the English teacher gig, I wouldn't know anything until, possibly, February. I will also have benefits that start now, and do I ever need a trip to the dentist.

I like the idea of possibly having a job next school year, which wasn't even a thought with the maternity leave. I like my supervisor, which is a positive. This lets me be in education. That's a good thing as well.

I can try and see if I like working in special education. So far I do like the kids and my class room teachers. I'm learning lots about special ed. kids, just being there for 2 weeks.

I also have a strategy about getting my degree. A teacher acquaintance told me I should just brow beat the state DOE to death. She said I should write letters and call repeatedly to get an exemption to the licensing rule. She said it's been done by others and if I'm dedicated and persistent, I could get it done. Since we have a State Secretary of Education who is trying to pass legislation that would let anyone with a Bachelor's degree get a teaching certification, then this might be a good time for me to strike with what I want. So while I'm working in SpEd, and not having to grade and do lesson plans, I can make getting my certification a part time job.

So, a new chapter in my educational life begins. I started teaching college, was an Assistant of of Students at a college, taught grades 7-12 at the high school level, and now I'm an aide for middle school special education.

Now, is it fair for me to ask how many days until Christmas vacation?

Maggie

From 0 to 2 in less than 24 hours!

Okay, so now.................................. I have 2 job offers, both are full time until the end of the school year only. So it's full time permanent employment until June 2010.

Apparently, the woman who had all the experience ended up getting a full time job and didn't want the maternity leave, so it's back to me. I can have it it I want it. Remember, it's teaching four periods of 7th grade writing, and 1 period of 7th grade reading. The other job I was offered is as a special education aide, where I assist as certain group of kids during the school day; I move from room to room with them. These are mostly 8th graders, with a handful of 6th and 7th thrown in during a private study hall for special education kids only called "resource."

So what do I do? Feed back would be helpful, if anyone has any insight to provide. I like the way you people think so the scope of your thought process would be appreciated.

I've compiled a PRO and CON list below to help ya'll out. (SpEd will be the special education paraprofessional job and Eng. will be short for the English teacher job)

PROS:
SpEd: I like the kids. I also like my immediate supervisor. I like the challenge. There is no homework to grade, unless I want to make some extra work for myself, but it's not necessary. I would know how much I'm getting paid by the hour and I would have benefits. Everything would go into affect on Monday- pay and benefits, etc. I wouldn't have to apply for an emergency certification at all. There is a chance this position could turn into a job next school year as well; a slight chance but still a chance. I get to "teach" a reading class, even though I wouldn't be the teacher of record I would still get to be the person doing the lessons and actual classroom insturction during 2 periods a day.

Eng: I would have my own classroom and space. I would be the teacher in charge and of record, doing my own thing. I would be teaching! This position pays every other Friday. If I were paid "salaried" the money and benefits are MUCH better than the SpEd position. I like the 7th grade teachers; they're a nice and positive team.

CONS:
SpEd: I wouldn't have my own classroom or space; I move around so there's no space to call my own. I have no background in special education so I'm nervous. I only get paid for days when there is school because it's an hourly position, rather than salary, so if school is canceled for a snow day, I lose a day's pay. They only pay twice a month: the 15th and last day of the month and they run 2 weeks in arrears.

Eng: I would have to see if I qualify for an emergency certification and I woulnd't know the results until around February because it's a convoluted and complicated process. If I didn't get an emergency certificate, I would get paid sub pay with NO benefits for doing all the same work as a full time teacher; so think teaching, lesson plans, meetings, grading all for $65 a day if I DON'T get it. I'm not super impressed with my immediate supervisor (who I had an important meeting with over all this in about 45 seconds as he walked from the the gym to another building and he told me to see someone else if I have questions. Hmmmmm). If I do get an emergency certificate it is good for one school year only so I would fill this temp Eng. job for 5 months and I would no longer be eligible for a emergency certification again since it's a one time thing. There is less than a 1% chance that this could be my job again in the fall- slim to non for job security. And I would not have the opportunity to teach for anyone else since I wouldn't used up my one and only "emergency teaching" certificate.

Okay, there are all the facts that I can think of right now. If I think of anything else, I'll pop it into the comments section. I have to make a decision by Monday.

No matter what I'm psyched that I'll have a job for 5-6 months! Finally a little stress relief! Trust me, I'm happy dancing over that prospect but still nervous about making the right choice since I seem to often make so many wrong ones.... ya know?

Windfall,
Maggie

To apply or not to apply, that is the question

So I heard about a really good sounding job.... but here's the problem.

Everyone I know HATES the woman who runs the office where the opening is located. She is the Dragon Lady, to the point that the reason this job is even open is because it's the 4th program director she's had working for her in 5 years. She's run all of them out. The person who stayed the longest was there for 3 years and she just flat out quit without having anything else to go to, she was that desperate to escape the Dragon Lady's clutches!.

Daddy-O said he would rather I scoop ice cream than work for this woman- he knows her reputation and knows her personally.

I have a feeling I would have a good shot at the job. The money is good. The benefits are okay. The job would be enjoyable, itself and working with older people might be good for me. BUT with this woman's reputation and the warnings I've had from others, I think maybe it would be a HUGE mistake.

I know it would look better on my resume than ice cream and insurance. I know I could use it as a stepping stone. I know I haven't been offered the job so why worry until then? BUT- I'm afraid to apply that I'll be offered and it will be too tempting to turn down. I just don't know if I can work for another Bi-Polar, control freak female on a power trip who micro manages... that's what's she's been called.

Hmmmmmmm, seeing it in print like that makes me think I should just walk away now, and not apply. Or even give it another thought.

I hate job stuff. I want to win the lottery and then not worry about it!

Facing a conundrum,
Mags

Dream a little dream of a B and B

I've been thinking about running a bed and breakfast for some time now. Please note I said run a B and B, not own. Lots of people, though, buy a B&B to run themselves, not to hire out a person to do it for them. And, well, I've never run a B&B so I'm not sure anyone out of the blue would just hire me to take on such an adventure- even though I know it's something I am more than capable of doing.

But lately it's brewing and simmering around in my head. Here in my hometown a beautiful bed and breakfast is for sale. It's been fully restored. It has 5 guest rooms with private baths, along with a living area, a dining room and a private apartment. Not to mention the 2 car garage, the fenced in back yard, the patio and hot tub and other things.

This place is gorgeous. It's in my childhood neighborhood, right next door to the house I grew up in, as a matter of fact. But it's a mightily wonderful house, a warm butter yellow, with white trim, lots of windows, a nice yard... and it would be perfect for me.

I can cook, contrary to the previous posts. I can bake, and I can clean. I could stay in the private apartment as my living quarters. I could do it. I know I could. I've read and read and read all about bed and breakfasts and running. I've looked at books and online. I've spoken to people who own them. I really think it's something I could do. I have ZERO financial ability to buy it myself, but I really think it would be an ideal job for me. I could create in the kitchen and have minimal socialization with others,. I could do this and write. It would be grand, a grand arrangement for me.

And with this particular home, I have two other ideas of things I would like to add to the bed and breakfast. There's a small room with a private entrance that could be a small used bookstores, just one room. I could call it the Book Nook, just a small corner room of the lower level of the home. I could have it open each day and just keep the books contained to the one room.

Another idea I have is to do high tea. Oh, scoff if you want and blame it on me wanting to be British if you must, but really, and guffaw that high tea would never work in a small Midwest town but you would be surprised. I would have high tea Monday thru Friday. I could cater to the ladies who lunch or do birthday parties for little girls. We have lots of rich bored housewives who would make it their new "in" thing to do. Book clubs could meet and have high tea when their featured author is British, the setting is British, or just any damn time they wanted! I could offer it as part of the service for guests, of course, but it could be open to the public for high tea. I would work the backyard into lovely gardens to sit and read or enjoy the quiet.

There are no other bed and breakfasts in my town so I would be the only one- the competition would be 2 chain hotels. I have marketing ideas to promote the shit out of a bed and breakfast. This town has a beautiful performing arts center so I could cater to the performers, business men, and tourists. This town does actually get tourists and visitors because of the historical aspect.

I even have an idea for a name. Since I have a fascination with England and Ireland and the bed and breakfast in question is located on the top pf a hill, well, I would love to call it after the wild English/ Scottish flower called 'Heather on the Hill.' Perfectly reasonable, especially if you know me.

Again, I think I would be the perfect hostess, the perfect proprietress, and it would suit me. I really want, want WANT to do this! I so want to do it. But... If only I had the money... if only... if only...

Sometimes it's all about the if onlys and the dreams,
Maggie

Not just one, but 2... and room for a third!

So I told ya'll I'm doing telemarketing for a local insurance agent? That's about 7-8 hours a week.

The weird guy who asked my age when I dropped off my resume- here's the third part of that odd story. Remember I told you that he and I were playing phone tag and he had wanted to interview me? Well, I finally reached him on the phone and the conversation went something like this:

me: Hi this is Maggie O'Sullivan returning your call.
him: hmmmmmmm.
me: you called me Monday about the clerical position and we've been exchanging phones calls this week?
him: what experience do you have?
me: [Readers, I'll spare you the details but I gave a brief summation of clerical experience here.]
him: hrmuph.
me: *said nothing*
him: Well, I don't really remember calling you at all but if I get back to thinking of hiring someone I'll call you next week.

And then he hung up the phone. I think this one might be a wash... ya think?

And finally, the ice cream parlor finally called and hired me today. It looks like I'll be a "Scoop Girl" about 25 hours a week, noon to 5pm Monday thru Friday. I'm not sure what else I can say about this, other than the hours are ideal and at least I don't have to wear a funny uniform or hat and they won't call me a "Cone Girl."

How many scoops would you like?
Mags

Workin' hard for the money...

Update on the job hunting, and I'm going to keep it positive instead of all the crappy "nos" and rejection letters.

First, a funny. I applied for one work through a temp. agency. I filled out all the paperwork, let a resume and outlined my skills, outside of teaching. The woman at the agency who processed the applications looked mine over, asked one or two questions and then told me she didn't think she would have anything for me because I was over qualified for the work they usually do. She said I should be doing her job or her boss's job. I asked if either of those jobs were available. She was NOT amused. I have a feeling I won't be hearing from her....

Remember the unique place I applied for a position, who need a clerical person? Where the old timer who owned the joint asked my age? He actually called me back for a second interview. We're playing phone tag now, so who knows what will happen? Go figure!

And last but not least, I did get myself a part time job today. This was a case of not what you know, but who you know. My auto insurance agent told me her office wanted to hire an outgoing person who would be good on the phone to make telemarketing style calls to folks. The purpose of the call is to get folks to let the insurance agency quote them an auto policy. This job was not advertised and I was the only one interviewed. My agent is a woman who just rocks and we share many of the same personality traits so her boss, the agency owner, knows me and thinks I would fit in his small office environment. I interviewed and was hired.

I trained tonight and started making called. I'll work 2 evenings a week, and Saturday mornings. I make more than minimum wage and for each quote an agent gets to make from my call, I get a buck bonus. Like I said, it's a job. The people are really nice, I have my own desk, the hours are good, my boss is flexible, the agency is very well known and extremely reputable. These are warm calls, not cold, so that helps. I get paid to talk on the phone- go me! So, if I can manage to snag that other part time job then I'll be working about 20 hours between the two and could at least survive that way. All and all, as things go- they have been worse, so it seems to be looking up.

And I'm still subbing, at least for 4 more weeks (yes, we go into June here because of snow days)

Show me the money,
Mags

Applying for a job... an unusual experience

I've been hunting for a job, as you all know. I've been applying in a large pool in a wide field- casting my net, so to speak.

There was an ad in the local paper last night. A small locally owned company with 1 full time person and one part time person is looking for an office clerk. It said to apply in person at this business during business hours.

So after lunch today I got dressed in nice black trousers, black conservative heels, a white turtleneck and a wool blazer. I was conservative and dressy. I printed my resume on nice thick creamy paper. Make up and jewelry were at the interview recommended minimum. See, I was looking the part and ready to dazzle. (When I did HR if someone came in to get an application and looked like a slob I remembered!)

I arrive at the business right after lunch, thinking a full employer might be a happy employer! I went in the door and... there was merchandise stacked floor to ceiling in boxes. There were replacement parts and used items this office specialized in stacked everywhere, on the floor, counter, desks.... everywhere. And full of dust and dirt. O-kay...

There was an elderly gentleman behind the counter. He said hi. I introduced myself, offered a hand shake and told him I was there to apply for the position. He looked at me, and looked at my resume. Then he asked me how old I was. *WHAT?* Yup, he asked my age. Now, I looked at this old guy and his "office." He wasn't a dirty old man at all, but he was just an old guy, doing his thing, who was obviously utterly clueless in EOE guidelines. This fella was functioning old school. Really old school. So rather than call him on it, I told him. He told me I was just a youngster, thanked me for my resume and said me might just give me a call to have a "go at" his computer.

The computer in question, at least the one I could see, looked like a Tandy 2600...

I have no idea if this man really wants to hire help or not, or if he's just lonely and wants people to stop by to visit and have human contact. This doesn't seem to be the sort of business that is going to have folks in and out or browsing. It's a speciality store and trust, me, you're only going there for ONE thing. And I might be surprised and he might really call me to talk about a real job there. Who knows?

So... with that "successful" venture under my belt, I came home, cleaned the kitchen, and did laundry. Maybe I should hang out my shingle as a laundress...

Thoughts about jobs and careers

I need a job. Substitute teaching just isn't cutting it- not consistent enough AND summer is coming soon, so that small pot of dollars will be drying up too. I applied to work as the counter girl at the local Tastee freeze with a manager who is still in high school- she's going to decide to hire me or not... I'm not a job snob and I'm not too proud, but really? The Tastee Freeze?!?

I really really had a few things I didn't want to do: I don't want to work with kids of any age, I don't want to work with old people, I don't want to sell stuff, I don't want to work with animals. I'm not sure I want to work with people of any kind. I don't want to be in charge and I don't want to be a Wal-Mart greeter. I don't want to work with sick people. I don't want to work for a not-for-profit and earn my own salary. I don't want to work with poor people. I don't want to life heavy stuff, either. In the 1980s movie Say Anything I am totally in touch with what Lloyd Dobbler told Diane Court's dad: "I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."

I also don't have a network. I don't seem to know people who are in the know. I don't know those who are influential. I also don't know anyone who can or will call someone and say, "I'm going to send you my friend Maggie's resume and she is great. I hope you could interview her if you have an opening in your company- she would be a real asset." I just don't KNOW these kinds of people. Okay, wait- I know 2 of these kinds of people. One of them is a past Sam who would let me be is mistress, but I'm not sure what sort of salary comes with that- but I am going to call him! the other is a Former Sam from Alaska- I did talk to him, but we'll get to that later.

Daddy-O and I were brainstorming possible jobs for me tonight:

• Apprehension Agent. I could go after bail jumpers just like Stephanie Plum. But I'm afraid of getting hit or shot or having someone spit bodily fluids at me. And I don't like guns. If I got a gun, I could be so pissed because I would end up shooting a hole in my purse. Can't you just hear that conversation as I'm trying to bring down the bad guy? "OMG, you bastard," I would say to the perpetrator. "I just shot a hole in my best Prado bag- and do you know how much that genuine imitation cost me?" So maybe trying to be the next Dog the Bounty Hunter isn't the best job for me. And I bet that no one is going to give me my own personal Ranger or a Joe Morelli... if they did, I would totally sign up and be the cutest agent... ever!
• FBI Agent. Several problems with this because I just can't run at all so that could be a problem; isn't there some sort of physical training requirement? And I don't think Kevlar comes in Plus Sizes. Furthermore, I think that the simple black windbreaker with the letters FBI on the back is just so plain, so ordinary, so nondescript. Now, if they would let me do some redesigning and I could have the black windbreaker- because black is so flattering and slimming- but I want the FBI to be in pink satin with glitter or sparkly outlining.
• Forest Ranger. This might not be the best job for me because I H*A*T*E nature. And I look terrible in green; green makes me look all washed out and jaundice. I also would get lost in the woods because I have no sense of direction. I couldn't point out Poison Ivy unless there was a HUGE sign that said "POISON IVY GROWING HERE- STAY OUT". I would leave a trail of bread crumbs but my luck is that those little bastards Hansel and Gretel would eat 'em. Though, it would give me an excuse to use my flare gun. Forest Rangers get flare guns, right?
  

The Former Sam of Alaska Fame is about the only networking connection I have; he and I were having a conversation today. He and I were getting along swimmingly so we had a good time with possible job ideas. After telling him what I want to do and not do, and telling him I want to work east of the Mississippi if possible (New Orleans is negotiable), we laughed and joked lots in the brainstorming of possible job opportunities. We crossed hooker off the list though My Former Sam said I had skills that couldn't be put on a resume anywhere else other than in Nevada. He does have a connection with someone who works at a casino doing collections- I could totally help with that! Did you see Grosse Pointe Blank? I could Marcella to this guy's Martin! Another guy he knows is the only doctor in a small town hospital- maybe an administrative position... but that might involve working with sick people-- see above. We thought I could work as a pharmaceutical rep... a legal drug pusher- we couldn't even say that without laughing hysterically.

The other problem with My Former Sam of Alaska is that while he and I have worked through our differences, his friends... might not have decided to like me just because he does. He said I might have to change my name and lie about where I graduated from college. And claim a different state of residence. And don't list that I lived and taught in the Wild West. Then they might not connect the dots between him and me and might actually give me a job... Hmmmmm, it's sort of sad that he's my "big" connection. Oh dear....

I make two job connections to John Cusak movies so maybe there's a future there for me...? So, today if I don't get called to sub and if Tastee Freeze doesn't come through, then I guess I'll apply to wait tables at the local dinette or at the gas station where I could be a Pump Girl.

You want fries with that?,
Maggie

This post has been edited and formatted to fit your screen

So I wrote a post and thought I hit "publish post" but I hit save- last night. The post was about how tired I was last night, and about subbing and blah blah blah... maybe it was a sign from the writing gods that the post was utter and complete shite that it didn't deserve to be read by the human eye. Or I could've been really really tired and hit the wrong button. Could go either way.

But now it's Friday and most of the crap doesn't make sense so to combine what would've been yesterdays post and some thoughts about today....

I subbed the last 2 days and I was in for English teachers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In my former life, I was known to impart knowledge to teens in a classroom setting about writers of the day and from 'back in the day' so this was a real treat. (And since I've subbed for science where I felt stupid, Calculus where I felt stupider and Spanish where I felt stupidest, I was purty darn thrilled to know sum'in' 'bout sump'in). I knew these ladies and made contact with them days in advance and we worked out lesson plans that would be fun for the kids, keep everyone on track and not lose an instructional day and was stuff that I enjoy teaching. I even wrote the activities and lesson plans for one class.

I had 7th grade speech for a day and 8th grade literature for a day. The speech was fun and I did activities with non verbal cues, focusing on non verbal communication. The kids were GREAT and thought it was fun. They were well behaved and seemed to "get" the point or the purpose of the lesson and the activities. Today with Poe we read and discussed "The Tell Tale Heart" aloud and did a story board project- again my idea. Since I wrote a paper on the madness of Poe and his narrators when I was working on my masters, this was right up my alley. I love some good Poe and I love spinning a bullshit web for the kids about Poe's crazy writings and his crazier life.

Both days were good and fun. I had little to no discipline problems- which to me is a sign of an excellent classroom teacher in the first place. Their regular teachers have high standards so they were a joy to have because someone else did all the work that goes into creating a good class atmosphere for me- kudos to Mrs D and B! These were just good teaching days. I felt like I was doing something more than babysitting and was actually giving them knowledge!

What I also learned was that I do not want to make a career out of this- and yes I'll probably eat my words at some point when the only job I can get is another teaching gig. But I was exhausted the last 2 days when I got home. I was thrilled at no homework but pitted the "real" teachers who had to grade the stuff. These were rare red letter days where it all clicked but they are rare. I don't have the energy to battle kids, dealing with them being rude, discipline, the No Child Left Behind (the worst education legislation in history) paperwork, the administrative paperwork, the grading, lesson plans, faculty meetings, staff meetings, team teacher meetings, mentoring meetings, any other meeting is bullshit meetings, pissed off parents, and the lot of it- all the bloody rubbish- that goes with education.

So I did have a good 2 days. But now what the hell am I going to do when I grow up?

Back to Neverneverland,
Maggie