Isn't it funny how marketing and commercials have become a regular part of our language? I doubt the creators of the Duracell commercial several years ago anticipated that their slogan would become a metaphor commonly used to describe being busy! Handy byproduct however, since they get all sorts of advertising out of every day conversation.
I tend to be an Energizer Bunny...I go and go and go...until I crash. Probably not the best or healthiest cycle, but I doubt I'm alone in that cycle either. I've been going and going and going for weeks. This past Friday, if you read my facebook post, you know that I was all over the place. There are times that I feel as though I live out of my car, it's a good thing I have a comfortable car in good working order, because that's precisely what I did this weekend. Friday morning I started out doing breakfast duty at the elementary. I had a testing session to do at the junior high at 8:20, but since duty ends at 8:10 I had just enough time to finish one place and get to the next place. I don't teach at the junior high or high school. I do however, assist with state mandated tests at those sites due to a staff shortage there. It gives me a chance to see some of my former students. I saw one of my students from my first year of teaching that I haven't seen since I had her. It's nice to see the adult that she has become...yes I said adult...I've been here that long!
After my morning testing session, I was supposed to have an afternoon testing session, but a car that hit a telephone pole changed those plans. Power was out for about an hour and we couldn't get things booted fast enough to start the online testing session. I'm sure that will cause re-scheduling difficulties, but hopefully nothing too terribly major.
Friday afternoon I drove to Oklahoma City for an interview with a charter school there. I feel like the interview went very well. I did some research about that school before the interview, but I will need to do more if it becomes a job opportunity. I was asked by the principal what my salary requirement would be. I managed to keep a poker face when I responded with the figure of my current salary. Salary isn't something that's often discussed at school interviews, because generally speaking it's not negotiated. Districts have a set salary schedule that typically you're aware of when you interview for them. In the research I had done, I knew that this school was associated with Oklahoma City Public Schools and I therefore assumed the salary schedule for OKCPS would be the schedule used for this school. Apparently I don't understand charters however, because that's not the case. They pay insurance, but do not pay into teacher retirement. I'll have to do some research and figuring if this is a position that I am offered.
I stayed in the city Friday night and did some shopping on Saturday. I know right...I even bought skirts! Thanks to my mom, my sister and Kallie replying to the various pictures I sent from the dressing room, I think I found some pretty decent outfits. I've told you before I don't like to shop. I'm not good at selecting outfits that match, I'm a little like a guy. I've discovered though that if I'm by myself all I have to do is find a mannequin I like, find those items in my size and if I look halfway decent when I try it on, I buy it. My sister and mom are often with me when I clothes shop. In those instances I usually hang out in the dressing room while they bring me stuff to try on. Saturday it had to be a virtual shopping experience. I decided after stopping at Lakeshore to get a couple of items for my dad, that I would run to Tulsa that afternoon. I could drop off the therapy toys, see my parents and grandparents and pick up my dog. Little did I know that would be as long of a trip as it was...like I said, it's a good thing I like my car!
The trip from Oklahoma City to Tulsa takes anywhere from and hour and a half to two hours depending on what part of each city you're traveling between and how much traffic you encounter. My trip on Saturday took four hours. I got ten miles from the exit I needed and traffic came to a dead stop. There was a wreck on the turnpike that involved multiple cars. I think I must of pulled up on it before emergency crews were on scene, because ambulances, highway patrol and various other emergency vehicles sailed by me on the shoulder. We sat at that stand still for an hour and fifteen minutes. Then all ten miles worth of gridlock were sent to a parallel highway which cause a clog there. It was a long drive to say the least.
I will continue my energizer bunny business this week. I am leaving immediately after work tomorrow to drive to Norman for an interview. I'm interviewing for a third grade teaching job at Truman Elementary at 5:30. It will be a long day, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to interview in the evening. I was contacted again by the Washington, DC district looking for a reading specialist. I am supposed to have a phone interview with them some time this week. Between my schedule and theirs we've had a little difficulty connecting so far. I was also contacted by a principal in McCloud, OK who would like to interview me for a fifth grade position. I have e-mailed him back about my availability to meet, so we'll see when that happens. Today I completed applications for New York City and Casper, Wyoming. I told someone last week that when I established a profile on a teacher recruiting website I had indicated that I was willing to go to any state except Alaska, Hawaii and Texas. I'm re-thinking Alaska! :)
I'm not usually one to want lots of change, but right now I'm on a roll...I'm ready to turn everything upside down!
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