So... this is a long story. But I'm dying to tell someone. And I feel like here is the safest place. I shouldn't be talking about it at all, but hell... you guys won't tell! Right?
Today there was this whole thing going on. All of a sudden the English teacher (guy from the USA) left. Then the lady who usually teaches German went to teach English. Then this other woman went to teach German. I got a small explanation of "the ministry of education is coming". So I figured this all got switched because the English teacher didn't have the paperwork to be working.
I don't really have the paperwork either, but I figured since I'm in "tramites" (process) that I was cool.
WELL COME TO FIND OUT. On the way home some teachers were telling me what was really up. The ministry was coming (they didn't in the end, but they'll be by eventually). The German teacher had to "teach" English because she's the only one certified to teach English. The director also doesn't have any titles to have a school running, so they "hired" a "new director" that actually has the titles. The director is now "just an office assistant". The office assistant now "doesn't work" for the school. The music teachers now only give "workshops", not classes. And they are "not graded".
BASICALLY. The whole school is FUBAR. They're putting on this whole ploy to try to fool the ministry of education so they can be accredited.
Now-- why this matters to me. First of all because if they get caught, they lose all "secundaria" which means grades 7-9. The grades I want to teach. And probably lots of families would leave since they wouldn't want their kids going to two different schools.
And secondly because one of the papers I need to get my GODDAM RESIDENCY is a document showing accreditation from the ministry!
Finally, if the school does get caught, and lots of families do leave, who knows if they'll have enough money to keep me on as a teacher.
So look, I just hope I know sooner rather than later what's happened. Because if I need to start looking for a new job, I need to start looking NOW.
I guess I'm in the clear with the ministry since I'm in the process of obtaining my residency and I am certified to teach science. Not to the grades I'm currently teaching, but at least I have a degree in science education.
After the whole explanation in the car on the way home I say "que despiche!" And was congratulated for the good usage of Costa Rican Spanish.
Sooo... here's to hoping I have a job next year!
Ooooh... Costa Rica....
PS- there was this giant hole that just collapsed in a road a few months ago. It took forever to get repaired. In fact, it was not repaired they just built a little bridge to go over it. It basically shut down the entire country because there are really not that many roads here. Well yesterday... that little bridge collapsed. And now the whole country is fucked up again. Or maybe it's always been that way.
*sigh*
But I kind of half assed the application. I amped up my resume, but didn't send a cover letter or write anything particularly intriguing in the email. Because the bottom line is: I don't want to switch. The new position would not just be chemistry, but IB chem. I don't have any IB training, and I don't want to teach to a test. I have my entire life to do that in the USA. Plus, my director has put a ton of money in the worthless good for nothing lawyer handling my residency case. I'd feel like a real piece of shit to just up and leave after only a year.
I think best case scenario would be: my school keeps the upper grades, AND I get the job offer at the new school. That way I can can use it as leverage "I really love this school and I want to stay, BUT I have an offer from a school who will pay more and is much closer. Give me a, b and c and I'll stay"
And really all a, b and c are to have only the upper grades. I don't want to teach primaria anymore. I want to have at least one day I can leave early. I don't think that's too much to ask!
So... we'll see!
I hope you can stay at your school and they give in to your requests.
Well I have an update. I sent in my resume and they told me I don't have the qualifications. I guess last time they were more desperate. I'm actually really disappointed.
To further the FUBAR the director came by and told me I have to teach my classes in Spanish today. The kids don't even know I SPEAK Spanish. Ugh. The ministry person is here right now so I'm hoping she'll leave before my next class- fifth grade. I just had to re write all my plans in Spanish and obviously change them all since I had prepared stuff in English. The kids were all confused "why is everything in Spanish?"