Interview Season

For most of us, school has ended and interview season has begun. I wrapped up my school year as a first grade "short" term sub (it was an 8 and a half week assignment). It definitely felt a lot longer than two months. Getting a class towards the end of the year can be a challenge. Procedures and routines are in effect but the kids start to get a bit coo-coo for cocoa puffs as they get closer to summer. Now that it is over it is time to get ready for interviews. I have already started interviewing and have made it to the second round in the district. It was a challenge to get my head into the interviewing game. I have a folder at home that helps me get back into the swing of things and refresh myself with questions and answers that may be asked.

On the left side of the folder I have written out how I would answer common interview questions. You can see those questions here. On the index cards I have written out strengths I have with examples of how I exemplify them on the back.

On the right side of the folder I have information on schools I have prepared to interview for and information on school curricula. It takes some discipline but I also try to go back in after an interview and make a list of the questions that were asked.

After the interview, I take some time to sit down and write out a thank you note to my interviewer. I try to incorporate things we discussed and reiterate why I would be a good fit for the position. I think sending a tangible card is more personal than sending an email.

The most important piece of advice I can give is BE YOURSELF. It is said all the time but really is true. If you say what you THINK your interviewers want to hear you then it wont come across as the genuine you. Plus, you want to be at a school that is the right fit for you.
 

I felt like a genius today

Dilemma: I've run out of clipboards during a math activity.

Solution: Whiteboards + Binder clips 

Preparing for your LTS position

Can you believe that we are already half way through April? My spring break here (or what is left of it because of the snow) was this week. When we return from spring break, I will be leaving my building sub position to be a long term substitute in a first grade classroom for the remainder of the school year! It is very exciting news and reassuring that my hard work is paying off and not going unnoticed.

As someone who likes to be prepared, I began searching for information on how to prepare for a smooth transition into a long term sub position. I found a lot of great resources for teachers preparing to leave their classroom to a long term sub but nothing for someone like me! I have been going through the process of preparing for my assignment and have compiled a sort of "to-do list" to accomplish before your start date.


Get in as much face time
The school I will be starting my assignment is also one of the schools where I am a building sub. I am lucky that I have exposure to that classroom. If you are not as lucky and have to opportunity to, try to come in and visit the classroom as much as you can. It's a good idea to observe the class before your start date. There are of course extreme circumstances where assignments are very last minute but if it's an ideal situation, get in that classroom. It's important to watch the routines and class behavior. From my observations, I was able to see what I liked about how the classroom was run and decide what things I wanted to tweak.

Figure out what you'll need
Computer access? Printing capabilities? Access to student records? 

Meet grade partners
I am very fortunate that I will be working with some fantastic first grade teachers during my assignment. It is a good idea to set up a little meeting with the grade partners if you can. Find out how much the grade team plans and works together. You may find that the like my situation, the grade level team does most or all of their planning together. In that case, you want to be careful not to step on any toes yet come prepared with lesson and activity suggestions. In other cases, grade level teams do their planning separately. Try to get a feel for how that grade level runs.  

How will lesson planning go?
Like I said above, you should figure out if your grade team preps for lessons together or separately. Get a good look at the curriculum. Some lend themselves better than others at easily figuring out the scope of a unit. Ask the teacher you are filling in for how they lesson plan. See if you can take a look at their plan book from the past few weeks.

Will you need to partake in major assessments
With my assignment being in first grade from April until the end of the year, there will be some district wide assessing that needs to be done. Find this out what and who would be best to get you up to speed on procedures and protocols where testing is concerned.

Conferences? 
Depending on your start and stop date you may need to participate in parent-teacher conferences. I will be in my classroom only 3 weeks before having to do conferences. I wont be in the classroom with the students very long before conferences start so I asked the teacher I am replacing if she could help me out and give me some notes on each child so I have more than my 3 weeks of observations to discuss with parents. I think the parents will appreciate that.

Informing Parents?
How will parents be informed that there child's teacher is gone and you are going to be their teacher now? See if there is protocol in your school for this. You should definitely ask your principal if it is acceptable for you to send a letter home introducing yourself and have the principal look it over. It will probably be your first introduction to the parents so you want to start with your best foot forward.

Enjoy it!
This is what you love to do. Take this opportunity to shine!

6 Apartment Hunting Tips

1. Visit the locations
Apartment websites will put their prettiest pictures taken with wide lenses from their best units. You won't be able to get a good grasp of what everything looks like until you go and see it with your own eyes.

2. See More Than Just The Sample Unit
If the apartment complex you are visiting has a sample unit that's great. It allows you to see how furniture would look and fit rather than looking at an empty unit. That being said, you should still push to see an empty unit, preferably the one you would be moving in to. Leasing companies are going to make sure their sample unit is in tip top shape and probably with the best and newest upgrades.

3. Hidden Costs?
Try to find apartments that include some of the utilities (sewer, free hot water, heat etc...) in the rent. If nothing is covered in your rent, remember that when budgeting!

4. Don't Cross Them Off Your List Just Yet!
Some apartments will be out of your budget but I don't think that necessarily means you need to walk away. Visit those apartments and keep an eye on any specials they may run. The apartment I live in now was an apartment originally that I could not afford but they ran a great summer special that fit in my budget!

5. Check for Outlets
Pay attention to how many outlets are in each room, bathroom, and kitchen. A room with a good amount of outlets has at least one outlet on each wall. This is especially important if there is no overhead lighting. I saw an apartment with no outlets in the kitchen. Where will my toaster go?!

6. Check for Cell Phone Reception 
If you are visiting apartments check your phone to see if you have enough bars!

What's In My Gym Bag?

When I am not snowed in, I do go to the gym. I have found that when I pack a bag in the morning and put it in my car, my chances of going to the gym that day after work double. Packing the right items can help with your gym-going success. I think we all know what it's like the moment we arrive to the gym WITHOUT our headphones!!!! Ahh the horror! Here is a complete list of what I consider my gym bag essentials:

1. Gym Clothes

My gym uniform consists of athletic leggings, a loose fitted tank or a Hanes v-neck white undershirt, sports bra, socks, and sneakers.

My favorite places to buy inexpensive and long lasting gym attire:

Old Navy : They run 40% off sales on all active-wear a few times a year. That is definitely your chance to strike
Target : I love Target sports bras. At the end of season sales, look for their sports bras. You can easily find them on sale for $6-$7.
Marshalls & Tj Maxx : You can name brand active-wear at really affordable prices

My favorite go-to socks:

Is is weird to have a favorite brand of socks? Hanes No Show Socks are it for me.

Goody Stay Put Head Bands 

 I love to wear these headbands at the gym. They don't slip, they don't squeeze my head, and they don't crease my hair. That's a quality headband! A pack of 4 is only about five dollars. Affordable too!

***I found tiny travel containers at target to hold my jewelry so it doesn't get lost or tangled at the bottom of my gym bag. 

2. Music
Of course, I bring my iphone and that has my music on it. I use basic, inexpensive ear-bud headphones.

 

JVC Gummy Earphones

I recently started using an armband to place my iPhone in. I was given it as a gift and while I understood the concept, I thought it would be really annoying and I would fiddle with it. However, I really like the Nathan armband I have. It is super stretchy and is very comfortable. You can still manipulate the iPhone screen behind whatever that plastic shield is made out of.

 Nathan Armband

  3. Water Bottle
Find one that will fit in a cup holder. If it fits in a cup holder, it will fit in most gym equipment.

4. Reading material, sometimes.
If I am doing weights, I won't bring something to read. If I am doing cardio, like the elliptical or stair master, then I might bring a book. Especially with all of the reading that goes a long with a grad class, I like to kill two birds and get my reading assignments and fitness done at the same time!