So I teach in a French elementary school but it isn't the TOP French school in Bamako. I applied to work at the top school last year and didn't even get called in for an interview. Point being- the top school is really exclusive, they favor teachers with French or Malian nationality (which is so ridiculous when you're looking for an English teacher), and it is really hard to get a job there without having some connections. So yeah, didn't even get a call from them. And I'm afraid I might never get the chance to get my foot in the door if I keep applying at the normal hiring periods (Spring time) because the competition is too fierce *roar* .
Well, I found out last night that they didn't hire the correct number of English teachers and they are currently looking for a middle school English teacher. This could be my chance to get my foot in the door with the school. Plus, I know some of the teachers that sit on the hiring committee this year, so it may be easier for me to get in now. So I'm going to put my application in and see what happens. But if I happen to get the job...I am scared to take it.
Why you ask? Let me list it for you:
1. I would feel like such an a-hole leaving my job 2 months into the school year. This is a big cultural difference I guess
because when I talk about with French friends, they are like....who gives a shit? They all say that my school doesn't care about it's employees (true) and that if they didn't want me, they would drop me like a hot potato (true). So everyone says that I should just get over the guilt. But I am already a super guilty-person (I almost cried in high school because I felt guilty about my old CDs that I didn't listen to anymore--totally ridiculous but I'm sadly not joking). On the maybe bright side, I do have a Canadian friend who's been looking for a job so I would totally recommend her for it if I quit. 2. What if I hate teaching middle school and miss my little ones? I really love the elementary students but my SO and I are having a hard time with money and the top school pays way more than my current job. Plus, the other school has better materials, support, reputation, etc.
3. What if I worked at the top school for a year and then they didn't have a place for me next year? Then I would be kinda screwed on the job front.
4. And what about the guilt?!?!??! AHHHHH
So I know I don't have the job yet, but I have to pre-stress about these kinds of situations (that's just how I roll). And I would love y'alls sage advice on this.
I will definitely give only one day notice. By email. Or maybe just a post-it note. Text message? Seriously though, who does that?
And stop feeling guilty! You don't even know if you'll get the job yet so there's no point in stressing about it. You should feel excited, not guilty
And don't like of it like letting your old school down, think of it as doing your mate a favour