It's just that you guys are kind of my best friends. That seems really super lame. I promise I have real life friends too...
Just went to the interview. I think it went OK. They were concerned about my chemistry knowledge and I was very upfront about how although I know chemistry, it is something I would have to review. They showed me the book and it was all very basic stuff. I said I was comfortable with it and the guy says "I'm going to put you on the spot- if you had to teach salts and alkali metals tomorrow what would you do?" I said "I'd have to review it first." I explained I knew what salts and alkali metals are, but I would need to go back over to be able to teach it. So I guess we'll see
I don't know, sometimes I get the idea that maybe I'm not smart enough to teach at certain schools. Like maybe it's just because these guys have been teachers for so long and have taught all sciences that they know everything so well. But I really feel stupid sometimes. In my current job, I'm the highest level of science so it's like I'm the one who knows the most about that subject. But in this new school they know so much more than me. I also think that sometimes maybe my university wasn't the best. I loved college and I learned a lot, but there were a lot of classes where I just didn't learn anything. Like cell physiology, that professor was so damn crazy... I couldn't tell you one productive thing we did in that class. At the time, I couldn't care less, but now I sort of feel like it's biting me in the ass.
Also, salary wise- I'd get paid $27,000/year. I make about $18,000 now, so it'd be about $1000 more per month. I don't know if it's worth it. I don't want to seem high and mighty, but the truth is we are very frugal and getting by just fine right now. With enough extras to go on fun trips and drink plenty of booze. They're supposed to let me know something by tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I'll go have a chat with one of the directors (who I like and who is awesome and supportive and great and available) and just tell her how I'm feeling and how I applied to this new school and blah blah. Maybe she can help me out.
I'd almost rather the school just tell me "no" and take one more decision away from me.
Also- CUBA! We're going to buy our tickets tonight! Woo! We're going to stay at an all inclusive for two nights in one beach. Turns out it's around $150/night, but my SO can easily drink $90/day by himself, so I think it's worth it.
I'm sort of thinking about upgrading to a room that's $200/night that gets you a better view, or just in a different hotel that's pricier. I'm not sure it's worth it though. I guess we'll see, gotta talk to the SO about it.Visa news- got the email that our application has been received! Yippee! Also, my mom just told me that she got the hard copy in the mail. Which is super weird since I didn't list her address anywhere in the application. I'll call tomorrow and see what's up with that. I want to use our address abroad because it is normally faster when the USC is living abroad with the foreigner. By like 3 or 4 months, which is quite significant.
Well you're tired of reading my boring ass blogs. I gotta quit posting so many. Seriously. *get a life*
It's finally raining!!! Thank goodness! It's been sooooooo dry. My grass and plants are happy.
I wish I could help but I think this decision you have to make yourself. List all the pros and cons and see what it looks like. Also, if you're leaving in 9 months... Well that's almost a year so plenty of time to teach in the new school and get experience. Wouldn't it help in the States to have teaching chemistry in your CV? Then again if you leave in 6 I'm not sure its a good idea. I mean the new school probably are looking for a permanent teacher? So quitting so soon wouldn't earn any recommendations from them I think!
How soon do you have to let them know?
We are planning on leaving in December/January. We have to wait until that time (even if the visa comes earlier) for my SO to finish his university classes and his braces. It would only be until the end of this year, which would piss off this new school. In the email they said "... and make a commitment to teach chemistry for the next couple years".
I posted about this on my teacher forum and EVERYONE said I should take the job. They did make me feel better about asking for a raise saying that no boss should ever get offended when you ask for a raise or state that you're looking at a new position that pays more. Which is true. I shouldn't feel bad about that.
I'm going to draft up an email basically saying that she shouldn't take this personally, I'm just trying to do the best for my family. I might even throw in how at my SO's job they're firing a lot of people (which is true!) I'll also mention how I didn't go looking for a new job, they found me.
I don't expect her to give me the full $1000 more, I want like $500 more. Which I know for a fact another teacher makes at my school (who has taught there for LESS time).
As for the other job.... honestly, I wouldn't take it in your circumstances. You're leaving in less than a year and the new job requires a commitment. But that's just me. Hope you'll be able to make a decision.