Not much to say today... The countdown is on, and there's not enough time to do everything! I've been going non-stop, and when I try to settle down and rest, the mind starts racing and I have trouble relaxing. So I'm beat. Pooped. Tired. But I like being busy!
Only four days to go! :o)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
So... Why North Carolina??
Typically, when I tell others about my move, one of the first questions they ask is "Why North Carolina?"
Here's the condensed answer.
I'm working through an organization called the Visiting International Faculty (VIF, for short). It's a cultural exchange program that places international teachers in US schools, with the hopes of exposing American students to nationalities and cultures other than the ones they are most familiar with. The program has been running for over twenty years, and has successfully matched teachers in schools around the southeastern US with positive results. Teachers can stay between one and three years, and they encourage teachers to commit at least two years for the full benefit of the program. For more information (if you're interested), check out their website at http://www.vifprogram.com/.
I had come across advertisements and notations about VIF every now and then for a few months, and each time I lingered a little longer. When I eventually visited the website, I saw that there was an online application form teachers could fill out. Since I was feeling rather restless, I decided to fill it out. That was in November. By the end of the month, I'd already had an interview and was moving forward into the third stage of the application process.
I received confirmation back in February that I had been accepted into the program. However, with the change in the economic status, advisors informed me that the wait to get a placement at a school could take a little longer than usual as school districts reviewed and reworked their tight budgets. The folks I spoke to at VIF were so helpful, reassuring and optimistic that they'd be able to find me something. Science and Math teachers (my two core subjects) are at a premium in the US, and so I had a bit of an upper edge over other candidates.
In April I was contacted for an interview with Clinton High School, in Clinton North Carolina. Out of all the states I am qualified to teach in, North Carolina was my first choice. I can't really explain why. I had a telephone interview one morning, and the next day I had notice that they were offering me the job!
So there you go. It's been a busy, anxious few months since then as I prepare to leave this space for awhile and venture into unchartered territory (well, unchartered for me). I continue to remain optimistic that this opportunity will allow me the change to challenge myself professionally and personally. I'm looking at this as a learning experience, with the chance to grow and explore who I am as a teacher and as a person. Wish me luck!
Here's the condensed answer.
I'm working through an organization called the Visiting International Faculty (VIF, for short). It's a cultural exchange program that places international teachers in US schools, with the hopes of exposing American students to nationalities and cultures other than the ones they are most familiar with. The program has been running for over twenty years, and has successfully matched teachers in schools around the southeastern US with positive results. Teachers can stay between one and three years, and they encourage teachers to commit at least two years for the full benefit of the program. For more information (if you're interested), check out their website at http://www.vifprogram.com/.
I had come across advertisements and notations about VIF every now and then for a few months, and each time I lingered a little longer. When I eventually visited the website, I saw that there was an online application form teachers could fill out. Since I was feeling rather restless, I decided to fill it out. That was in November. By the end of the month, I'd already had an interview and was moving forward into the third stage of the application process.
I received confirmation back in February that I had been accepted into the program. However, with the change in the economic status, advisors informed me that the wait to get a placement at a school could take a little longer than usual as school districts reviewed and reworked their tight budgets. The folks I spoke to at VIF were so helpful, reassuring and optimistic that they'd be able to find me something. Science and Math teachers (my two core subjects) are at a premium in the US, and so I had a bit of an upper edge over other candidates.
In April I was contacted for an interview with Clinton High School, in Clinton North Carolina. Out of all the states I am qualified to teach in, North Carolina was my first choice. I can't really explain why. I had a telephone interview one morning, and the next day I had notice that they were offering me the job!
So there you go. It's been a busy, anxious few months since then as I prepare to leave this space for awhile and venture into unchartered territory (well, unchartered for me). I continue to remain optimistic that this opportunity will allow me the change to challenge myself professionally and personally. I'm looking at this as a learning experience, with the chance to grow and explore who I am as a teacher and as a person. Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
One Week
So I have a touch more than one week left in Winnipeg before the "Big Move". Yup, that's it. Was thrown for a loop a few days ago when I got the message asking if it was possible to move my departure up a week. It seems that there were some scheduling changes, and in order to have me arrive on time for everything, I had to go early. So that pretty much threw me into overdrive.
In a way, it's good. Yeah, it would have been nice to have that extra week, to relax and enjoy the remainder of my summer holidays and my favourite people. But I can already feel the jitters and nerves building, and I'm pretty sure that more time to breathe and think would result in an increase in all of the emotions I'm trying very hard to keep in check here.
Anyway. Welcome. This was just intended to be my initial post, so that when I sent out the link to everyone, there was something on the other side to greet you. I plan to make use of this blog a fair bit over the next year. Hopefully it will be entertaining for you -- but I make no promises!
So. There you are. Post number one is finished. I know, it's not very exciting, yet. Just wait. We're on the edge of something big. Stay tuned.
Oh! One more thing! Share this with anyone you think might enjoy this too. You know. Share the wealth. Thanks!
In a way, it's good. Yeah, it would have been nice to have that extra week, to relax and enjoy the remainder of my summer holidays and my favourite people. But I can already feel the jitters and nerves building, and I'm pretty sure that more time to breathe and think would result in an increase in all of the emotions I'm trying very hard to keep in check here.
Anyway. Welcome. This was just intended to be my initial post, so that when I sent out the link to everyone, there was something on the other side to greet you. I plan to make use of this blog a fair bit over the next year. Hopefully it will be entertaining for you -- but I make no promises!
So. There you are. Post number one is finished. I know, it's not very exciting, yet. Just wait. We're on the edge of something big. Stay tuned.
Oh! One more thing! Share this with anyone you think might enjoy this too. You know. Share the wealth. Thanks!
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