What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

I heard Kelly Clarkson's song Stronger  on the way to work on Monday.  I was singing at the top of my lungs (the three lines I knew) mustering the courage to go to work.  I won't go into the details as to why it was difficult for me to go to work on Monday but suffice it to say it was one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time.  Hearing that song and singing through my fear made my morning seem marginally manageable.

I haven't made many updates about my job search lately.  I told my mom, one downside of establishing a blog and using it as an accountability piece with my friends and family means not only do I have public success, I have public failure.  If you've followed me on facebook you know that I interviewed for a position in South Ogden, Utah.  After my interview last Tuesday, the principal called me on Friday to tell me they had selected a different candidate.  While I felt that the interview went well I knew there were a couple of specific things they were looking for that I did not possess in my job history.  As my mom pointed out there's likely a statistic about how many interviews a person will complete before being hired, and she's right.  Multiple interviews will likely take place before I find a place and a position that is a good match for me.  That aside, there's always a sting for me when I'm not what someone wants.  It doesn't matter that the logical side of my brain says that I knew after the interview that I didn't have what they need or that perhaps there's another school that would have a better place for me.  In that moment, that 2 minute conversation, what I heard was you're not what we want.  Being several days removed from the conversation I don't consider myself a failure for not securing the job.  The sting is still there, but I am going to "stand a little taller" after my experience.  And hey...I learned how to Skype!

I'm working on the application with the Washington DC school.  I'm also working on gathering some information about the district.  In part of their job description for the reading specialist position, the requirement of two years of urban teaching experience was listed.  I've told them I don't have urban teaching experience and I've been encouraged to apply any way.  I'm doing some research and reaching out to those I know in the area that might can give me more information about the district itself.  The HR recruiter actually called me on Monday and told me that my resume is being passed around and that if I haven't heard from the Reading Specialist coordinator by Friday that I should call back.  The application and interview process is lengthy and involved, but I'm going to go ahead with it and see where it takes me.  Job applications are a big part of my current journey.

I was also contacted on Monday via e-mail and phone by two different schools in the Oklahoma City area who have my application, both are charter schools.  I have supplied the additional documentation to the school that contacted me via e-mail.  I have an interview scheduled for this Friday at 4:30 with the other school.

I've sent my application to more schools this week.  I've applied in Norman, OK, Ft. Lupton, CO, Alexandria, VA and Liberal, KS.  Some of the jobs I've applied for are reading specialist positions, others are classroom positions.  Right now I'm applying for anything that I have the credentials for.  Filling out applications can be a full time job!  They can take a lot of time and every time I think I've collected everything I need for potential employers, I run into something else that I don't have.  I've written a lot of essays lately!  In keeping with my theme for the week however...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone.

This song is actually written about a romantic breakup which obviously isn't my case, but the song still speaks to my circumstance in a lot of ways.  I've said before that music speaks to me in profound ways.  This week it was empowering.