Job Search: Over!

If you haven't noticed, I've been slacking on my Summer Reading posts lately.  I've been doing some fun-reading when I get the chance but the last couple of weeks have been devoted to drafting and revising resumes and cover letters and conducting job searches.  I think it's an understatement to say that it's not the best time to be looking for a job, and it certainly doesn't help when the political campaign and the news in general seems to remind us everyday.

Pretty funny, and sadly, still pretty true for the Class of 2012 (Source).

I've pretty much nearly driven myself crazy (just ask my husband, family, and best friends) applying for jobs, but I'm excited to report the search is over!  Last week I accepted a position at a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) middle/high school just down the street from where we live.  I'll be teaching three classes of 11th and 12th grade technical reading and writing, and serving as the school's yearbook advisor.  Not only is the school conveniently located a few blocks from our apartment, it seems like it's going to be a perfect fit for me - I love the faculty and staff I've met so far, the school stands for an ethics of creativity and craftsmanship, and I'll be getting paid to do what I love: teaching students how to read and write and guiding them to make a yearbook.  This job couldn't have been a better fit if I had planned it myself, but I know that wasn't the case.  I've been praying and praying for a job and this one pretty much landed in my lap.

Although I've enjoyed teaching Composition and Developmental Reading and Writing at the college level as a Teaching Assistant, I'm excited to get back in the high school environment, especially being a part of this unique school.  Over the past two years I drove by the STEM school as I went to classes everyday.  I watched excitedly as an old Value City department store transformed into an innovative, colorful school.  From the large glass windows in front I could see artwork, models, and sculptures in display cabinets and a colorful mural painted on the wall.  I saw students outside playing or conducting research, and as I watched the school grow and change I never could have imagined being a part of it, and now here I am.  I feel so blessed!

This weekend, I was so excited about getting back in the high school classroom with my own desk that I just had to browse the 'school supplies' aisles in Target (and refrain from buying everything!).  I was giddy looking at expandable file folders, white board markers in unique colors, and notebooks with owls on them.  I don't want the last weeks of summer to fly by, but I'm very excited for Back to School!

The next couple of weeks will be devoted to revising, creating, and planning a new curriculum for this Technical Reading and Writing course, guiding students toward an understanding in writing business letters, using other kinds of business communication, composing resumes and cover letters, creating user manuals and instructions, and writing with different types of technology.  I'm so excited to get started and more than anything, I'm excited that my job search is over.  I am a part of a school and a learning community and boy, does it feel great!