I win!

I am doing the new-job-dance right now.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have interviewed extensively at a few different places in My New City of Awesomeness.

All had something very different to offer-- hardcore science and tech at one, insanely high achievement and collaboration at another, teachers with loads of teaching and travel experience at the international school, and a focus on sustainability and a holistic teaching approach at the green school.

For one school, I not only was interviewed 4 times in one day (the principal, assistant principal, discipline guru, and curriculum specialist separately), but also taught a 50 minute lesson, and watched another teacher so I could talk about their strengths and weaknesses (hello, hot seat). At the end of a grueling and exciting day, the assistant principal told me if I had any other offers, I had to contact them immediately. By Monday, I had a job offer. I had a week to get back to them.

So, then the next wave of interviews started and I found one place that stood out just a TINY bit more than the rest. In talking to one of the principals, I learned that they use the tenants of BRAIN RULES to plan their instruction. OH MY GOD! BRAIN RULES! I have been trying to get teachers to read this book for YEARS. And their WHOLE SCHOOL uses it? And their kids all have laptops? And their high school boosts a 100% admittance to college rate? Holy crap.I got off the phone with her and bounced around the house like a caffeinated cricket. AND they have 85 minute science blocks? AND I only teach three classes? AND there's time built into the day to collaborate with the teacher who teaches the same content as you. WAIT-- there IS A TEACHER WHO TEACHES THE SAME CONTENT AS YOU?

Did I say holy crap?

Incredible. A totally perfect fit.

Then, the next day, the third school called and put me through their first interview. E-mailed me the second day telling me they wanted me to come out, teach, and do that whole rigamarole again, that I was a really strong candidate but blah blah blah. By that time, it didn't matter.

I had already accepted.

So, its settled-- new home, here I come!

I have to say though, that I am very grateful for the experience I've gotten at this school now. While this year has been far from the best, each year I've grown exponentially. The struggles I've faced--from having to create all curriculum totally from scratch, to having kids who speak no English at all (to having kids call me a bitch nearly every day).... all if it has made me the teacher that I am. So-- a big thank you also goes out to the kids, the teachers and the admin that helped me or pushed me along the way.

I always thought if I put in my years, I would get to go wherever I wanted. And now, I know that's true.