I know, it's no earthshattering revalation. And all things considered, I'm happier about this move to Broomfield, CO than I've ever been about a move in my life. It's amazing, then, how much moving still sucks the life out of me. With a toddler who is constantly at your heels, packing is a trick. I average a box or two a day, if I'm lucky. It's definitely more of a marathon than a sprint, for sure. I feel like we've been moving for two months already. I just can't wait till it's all over.
Then there is the anxiety about leaving UIC, where my PhD and dissertation are still in progress. I have yet to fully assemble my dissertation committee, although my dissertation is nearly half-way done. And I'm theroetically entering the job market this fall, though my opportunities will be severely diminished because of my new location. Yes, there's CU, Naropa, U of Denver, Regis, Metro, and several reputable community colleges in the area, but there are also a lot of highly educated people in the Boulder-Denver area looking for the same jobs I am. I'm contemplating putting my resume in for some High School teaching jobs, just to see what happens. They have a certification program there that's a sort of certify-as-you-go deal, and it wouldn't be all bad, I suppose. I know I'll miss teaching. I miss it already and the summer's not even over!
I haven't written a lick of poetry in weeks. Packing all of my earthly belongings (the ones that weren't stolen!) into boxes not to be seen again for at least a month, puts a damper on my poetic spirit. Usually being disconcerted brings out the best of my poetic personas. Not now. I'm over the edge on this one.
6 comments:
Hey Mackenzie,
Good luck. Don't let it overwhelm you! Good changes! Looking forward to September.
Scott
Speaking as a high school teacher, If I were you, I would do anything to avoid getting sucked into the public schools system.
I don't mean to belittle your desires or abilities, but the public school system is going through some pretty big changes these past few years, ones you may not want to be a part of---even on a temporary basis.
My first year of teaching high school was really difficult, and I don't think I could have concentrated on a dissertation while trying to get my head wrapped around everything high school was demanding from me. Again, I think you can handle it, but it just seems high school would add undue stress upon the situation.
One of the advantages college has always had over high school is the lack of headaches when dealing with parents. Believe me, when you come from your first parent meeting where the parent is convinced you are treating their little darling unfairly, and you know the student is playing the parent, big frustrations set in.
Feel free to ask me anything about a high school teacher's life you are wondering about, and I will be more than willing to try to answer them.
Keep your head up, p! Moving indeed sucks but when it's allll over, you'll have a new, great place to put up your legs and write some more good poetry.
Good luck with the move, Mackenzie!
Did you know that I was conceived in Broomfield? (Almost all of my extended family is in CO; Boulder, Littleton, Centennial, Denver) Good place!
::hugs::
I appreciate your comments so very much.
Justin, your words give me serious food for thought. Perhaps I should just relax and wait to get the position I'm really looking for. I'm just afraid that day may never come, and I feel like a financial drain on the family enough as it is. It would feel nice to be productive again, financially speaking, sometime soon. And I miss teaching so very much. But your words ring with a truth I find unavoidable. Thanks.
There are wonderful alternatives:
Substituting comes to mind. I know it sounds awful, but you can easily work 2-3 days a week as you see fit, and if you are good at picking up instructions on the fly, teachers will get to like your style and actually request you by name.
Schools are in such a desperate need, I bet you could find two or three high schools within a short distance willing to put you into rotation. One hint---whenever a school calls and you don't want to work, say it's because yu are already booked
The job has it's problems, such as not paying as much, or having the student's respect, but then you decide when you want to work, and no headaches of catching up (like the teacher has to when he/she returns). Also, there are plenty of long-term sub jobs (those that go over 10-20 days,depending on how the district defines it) and if you get one of those jobs, they pay through the nose. I know in our district, long term subs get about $150/day.
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