Thursday, August 25, 2005
The curse has been broken!
Finally, something is starting to go right for me!
The interview that I had on Wednesday was pretty much just a formality. I got there about 20 minutes early (I am my mother's daughter, after all!) and did paperwork - just things like those stupid income tax forms you have to sign and direct deposit forms and stuff like that. Then I went in for my interview. All they said was, "Describe yourself" and "Tell me a bit about your teaching experiences." They politely flipped through my portfolio and then said, "You're approved!" I guess they have several hundred people on the sub list though... so I guess I'll be subbing in middle-years classrooms too, just so I can get work.
Another nice thing is that since the school divisions are amalgamating after Christmas, I only had to do one of these screening interviews. Coincidentally, the other division, Sask Valley, that I applied in for subbing is amalgamating with this one, Stoon East,, so the only thing I had to do with this other one is their own paperwork that deals with stuff before Christmas. They have to do their own screening in collaboration with Stoon East but that won't be until the end of September. Soooooo I won't be getting any calls from them until October.
Which brings me to my new dilemma... I'm wondering if I should get an evenings/weekends job for at least September, just in case I don't get much subbing. I'm thinking maybe Sobey's or Walmart *shudder*... Walmart especially goes through employees like crazy, plus I've worked there before, so I think that would help. I guess I'll see... I just know that I'll be a little bored within a few weeks of moving because there won't be a lot for me to do. I guess we'll see!
The interview that I had on Wednesday was pretty much just a formality. I got there about 20 minutes early (I am my mother's daughter, after all!) and did paperwork - just things like those stupid income tax forms you have to sign and direct deposit forms and stuff like that. Then I went in for my interview. All they said was, "Describe yourself" and "Tell me a bit about your teaching experiences." They politely flipped through my portfolio and then said, "You're approved!" I guess they have several hundred people on the sub list though... so I guess I'll be subbing in middle-years classrooms too, just so I can get work.
Another nice thing is that since the school divisions are amalgamating after Christmas, I only had to do one of these screening interviews. Coincidentally, the other division, Sask Valley, that I applied in for subbing is amalgamating with this one, Stoon East,, so the only thing I had to do with this other one is their own paperwork that deals with stuff before Christmas. They have to do their own screening in collaboration with Stoon East but that won't be until the end of September. Soooooo I won't be getting any calls from them until October.
Which brings me to my new dilemma... I'm wondering if I should get an evenings/weekends job for at least September, just in case I don't get much subbing. I'm thinking maybe Sobey's or Walmart *shudder*... Walmart especially goes through employees like crazy, plus I've worked there before, so I think that would help. I guess I'll see... I just know that I'll be a little bored within a few weeks of moving because there won't be a lot for me to do. I guess we'll see!
Monday, August 22, 2005
Holy moley!!
I heard from 2 school divisions today!!! I have an interview for a subbing position with Saskatoon East on Wednesday morning, and Saskatchewan Valley School Division said they just do reference checks and that more than likely I would get on as a sub. I was SO pumped when I heard from them!! But now I'm kind of freaking out.
I can't believe that the school year is coming up so fast. I also can't believe that I will actually be subbing... the only teacher in the room... with a bunch of kids. Oh dear, I do hope that I only sub for the really young ones... and really good kids too. I hope I can do this!!
I know that Brea and Kass both gave me feedback as to what they think a good sub is like. Yes, it's definitely important to be fun, but I really hope that I can be "tough" with the kids so they don't walk all over me. I can just see myself being driven to crying halfway through the first hour. (Not really, but you never know.) I was talking to a teacher from Outlook here and she said that when she was a sub, she had activities for "just in case" and then if she became familiar with a class and knew that she would be subbing, the teacher would let her plan the day. I think that would be really cool.
I also think it would be neat to have "brain breaks" if the kids are well-behaved. Brain breaks are where you do activities to take a break from whatever you're working on. It sounds counter-productive at first, actually, because you'd think the kids would get distracted and never be able to settle down. But if you give them frequent breaks they'll be less restless and then work better. (So they say, anyway. I'll give it a shot.)
Wow, I actually posted about something important. This wasn't even an entry where I whine about nothing being new and then marvel at how I actually posted. Life is starting to get exciting! And things seem to be going my way, so maybe this 10-month-long curse of mine is lifting!
I can't believe that the school year is coming up so fast. I also can't believe that I will actually be subbing... the only teacher in the room... with a bunch of kids. Oh dear, I do hope that I only sub for the really young ones... and really good kids too. I hope I can do this!!
I know that Brea and Kass both gave me feedback as to what they think a good sub is like. Yes, it's definitely important to be fun, but I really hope that I can be "tough" with the kids so they don't walk all over me. I can just see myself being driven to crying halfway through the first hour. (Not really, but you never know.) I was talking to a teacher from Outlook here and she said that when she was a sub, she had activities for "just in case" and then if she became familiar with a class and knew that she would be subbing, the teacher would let her plan the day. I think that would be really cool.
I also think it would be neat to have "brain breaks" if the kids are well-behaved. Brain breaks are where you do activities to take a break from whatever you're working on. It sounds counter-productive at first, actually, because you'd think the kids would get distracted and never be able to settle down. But if you give them frequent breaks they'll be less restless and then work better. (So they say, anyway. I'll give it a shot.)
Wow, I actually posted about something important. This wasn't even an entry where I whine about nothing being new and then marvel at how I actually posted. Life is starting to get exciting! And things seem to be going my way, so maybe this 10-month-long curse of mine is lifting!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
A good weekend
Wow, I actually have something to update about!
Last night Kass and I went to Folkfest. A Folkfest virgin, I had never gone before, and I was SO excited to finally see what all the hoopla was all about. I thought it was really interesting, although I think it's too bad the displays show all the ceremonial aspects of each country and not the everyday lives there. The Romanian pavillion had money and stamps, which I thought was really cool, but that was about it. I guess I've never really gone out of Canada before (other than a 2-hour jaunt through Montana) so maybe it is like that, but most people I've talked to say that it's mostly ceremonial stuff. But it was still interesting though.
This morning Kass and I went to church. It was the first time I had been to church for a few years *blush*. I love churches that have bands; it's much more interesting than an organ.
I guess that wasn't really much to update about. The main thing that's been on my mind lately is that a week from today I will officially be living in Stoon. I can't wait!! I was supposed to be done on Friday but Royce scheduled me for Saturday, which is actually ok. This way I'll get 40 hours in this week and then I'll be done. So then Sunday morning it's off to Stoon to unpack and grocery shop and get settled in. Then on Tuesday I'm going to Cudworth to help Mom and Dad unpack. It will be a busy, crazy few weeks for me, yes it will!
Last night Kass and I went to Folkfest. A Folkfest virgin, I had never gone before, and I was SO excited to finally see what all the hoopla was all about. I thought it was really interesting, although I think it's too bad the displays show all the ceremonial aspects of each country and not the everyday lives there. The Romanian pavillion had money and stamps, which I thought was really cool, but that was about it. I guess I've never really gone out of Canada before (other than a 2-hour jaunt through Montana) so maybe it is like that, but most people I've talked to say that it's mostly ceremonial stuff. But it was still interesting though.
This morning Kass and I went to church. It was the first time I had been to church for a few years *blush*. I love churches that have bands; it's much more interesting than an organ.
I guess that wasn't really much to update about. The main thing that's been on my mind lately is that a week from today I will officially be living in Stoon. I can't wait!! I was supposed to be done on Friday but Royce scheduled me for Saturday, which is actually ok. This way I'll get 40 hours in this week and then I'll be done. So then Sunday morning it's off to Stoon to unpack and grocery shop and get settled in. Then on Tuesday I'm going to Cudworth to help Mom and Dad unpack. It will be a busy, crazy few weeks for me, yes it will!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Whoop-de-doo, twice in one month!!!
So what shall I use this post for? Well, I think today is a day for venting so you, the poor reader, has to read about my llllllllllllllloooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg day. (Well actually, you don't... but be my guest if you're bored.)
Today was just a long day in general. These last few weeks have been dragging by because I know that I'm moving to Stoon in less than 2 weeks. Today was extra long, though, because Jeff and I had to make burgers. Sounds like a fairly easy task right? Well, it took us 3 hours to make 1500 burgers. It's a complicated process, actually. You grind up the ground beef, put in this protein vegetable stuff (which you have to measure out first), beat eggs, add milk, barbeque sauce and an assortment of spices, put it all in the tumbler, mix it up really good, chill it, then use the patty press which I affectionately refer to as "Old Faithful". It looks like it's about 110 years old and it was squeaking today... really loudly... We tried putting canola oil in some of the joints but it didn't help. I was left with a headache, caked-on hamburger up to my elbows and a cynical mood to boot. Then I took 2 1/2 hours cleaning the whole room.
THEN my stupid grouchy boss grouched at us because we were closing up early. I didn't tell him that it was actually LATER than when we usually started closing. He's been really moody because 80% of the staff is leaving at the end of August.
I've also been working on math centres for myself and Celine, Stacey, Tasha and Tara. It involves a lot of photocopying and editing.. so my back is sore.
Holy, can I whine any more?! Sorry about that...
So on an exciting note, I think I'm going to Folkfest on Saturday night with Kassidy! Sheltered little me has never been to such a cultural event before, so I'm thrilled. I really can't wait to move to Stoon... it'll be really different trying to meet people without going to school but I'm sure my martial arts classes, curling and church will give me a pretty good start.
Speaking of which, I'm planning on going church-hopping for few weeks when I get there. 1) Does anyone wanna come with me, and 2) Can anyone recommend any good churches? I'm baptized and confirmed into the United Church but I've attended Baptist and Alliance. A church-hopping partner would be grrreat!
Hey, I managed to end on a positive note! Atta me!
Today was just a long day in general. These last few weeks have been dragging by because I know that I'm moving to Stoon in less than 2 weeks. Today was extra long, though, because Jeff and I had to make burgers. Sounds like a fairly easy task right? Well, it took us 3 hours to make 1500 burgers. It's a complicated process, actually. You grind up the ground beef, put in this protein vegetable stuff (which you have to measure out first), beat eggs, add milk, barbeque sauce and an assortment of spices, put it all in the tumbler, mix it up really good, chill it, then use the patty press which I affectionately refer to as "Old Faithful". It looks like it's about 110 years old and it was squeaking today... really loudly... We tried putting canola oil in some of the joints but it didn't help. I was left with a headache, caked-on hamburger up to my elbows and a cynical mood to boot. Then I took 2 1/2 hours cleaning the whole room.
THEN my stupid grouchy boss grouched at us because we were closing up early. I didn't tell him that it was actually LATER than when we usually started closing. He's been really moody because 80% of the staff is leaving at the end of August.
I've also been working on math centres for myself and Celine, Stacey, Tasha and Tara. It involves a lot of photocopying and editing.. so my back is sore.
Holy, can I whine any more?! Sorry about that...
So on an exciting note, I think I'm going to Folkfest on Saturday night with Kassidy! Sheltered little me has never been to such a cultural event before, so I'm thrilled. I really can't wait to move to Stoon... it'll be really different trying to meet people without going to school but I'm sure my martial arts classes, curling and church will give me a pretty good start.
Speaking of which, I'm planning on going church-hopping for few weeks when I get there. 1) Does anyone wanna come with me, and 2) Can anyone recommend any good churches? I'm baptized and confirmed into the United Church but I've attended Baptist and Alliance. A church-hopping partner would be grrreat!
Hey, I managed to end on a positive note! Atta me!
Monday, August 08, 2005
Okay, OKAY!!!
Yeah, I'm updating again. Believe me, the lack of updates is not because I'm too lazy... well maybe partially. But mostly it's because I'm impatient! It sucks updating on dial-up... But I'll try my best to start again, and I DEFINITELY will once I move to Stoon at the end of August.
The biggest thing that has happened is that one of my very favourite cousins, Stefan, was killed in a car accident last week. This was devastating to me because over the past year or so we had become really close. We played board games a lot and talked on the phone every once in awhile. It still hasn't really felt like reality to me yet but I know it will soon. The funeral was on Saturday (short and sweet except for the student minister who did it) and I'm glad it's over with. Poor guy...
Let's see, what else... well like I said, I'm moving to Stoon in less than a month. We've moved some stuff in and hopefully we'll be finished moving in a week or so because Mom and Dad are moving at the end of the month too. The faster we get our stuff out of there, the easier it will be for them to go through their stuff and pack. The only problem is that now that I've been spending more time at my new place, I can't wait to get there!!! I don't want to go back to work tomorrow... while the summer has flown by, I think this month will drag on. I think I'll be keeping fairly busy though, because my friend Megan wants me to come visit sometime this month and Kass and I have made plans to go to Folkfest and do a bunch of stuff. Stacey wants me to come to Regina for another visit, Robbie will be leaving in a month and I want to see him one last time before he leaves, and Jess wants to come to Stoon/Outlook for a visit. And I'm only half-done those math centres that I planned on doing over the summer. No more napping in the evenings for me!
I still don't have a job for the fall yet. It's pretty disheartening but at the same time I can't say that I haven't tried. I've put out a ton of resumes and only heard back from that Eston-Elrose one. The tentative plan now is to sub in and around Saskamatoon. I faxed my app away to Stoon today but there's a lot I have to do for the other divisions that are just outside it. I applied at Sylvan Learning too. I think that would be a good job!! I bet it would be similar to my ERDG class where I had to tutor that little boy in reading. And if all else fails, I could work at Superstore as a meat cutter - my Uncle Mel is the head honcho there so hopefully that would give me an "in". As Dad put it, if this whole meat cutting thing works out, I could always fall back on my teaching degree. ;)
Hey I read something cool today: "If the dinosaurs could share with us their secrets to life, would we still make gummy candies in their image?" (The Sheaf, Thursday, March 17, 2005) So smart-ass, yet so profound!
In light of this subbing venture, I was wondering if y'all could do me a favour. ANYONE who reads this, would you please either comment here or email me at meganalarson@yahoo.ca and tell me what you think makes a good substitute teacher AND a bad substitute teacher. I need to brainstorm ideas so that I don't look like a complete incompetent fool when I start subbing. Spank you very much!!!
The biggest thing that has happened is that one of my very favourite cousins, Stefan, was killed in a car accident last week. This was devastating to me because over the past year or so we had become really close. We played board games a lot and talked on the phone every once in awhile. It still hasn't really felt like reality to me yet but I know it will soon. The funeral was on Saturday (short and sweet except for the student minister who did it) and I'm glad it's over with. Poor guy...
Let's see, what else... well like I said, I'm moving to Stoon in less than a month. We've moved some stuff in and hopefully we'll be finished moving in a week or so because Mom and Dad are moving at the end of the month too. The faster we get our stuff out of there, the easier it will be for them to go through their stuff and pack. The only problem is that now that I've been spending more time at my new place, I can't wait to get there!!! I don't want to go back to work tomorrow... while the summer has flown by, I think this month will drag on. I think I'll be keeping fairly busy though, because my friend Megan wants me to come visit sometime this month and Kass and I have made plans to go to Folkfest and do a bunch of stuff. Stacey wants me to come to Regina for another visit, Robbie will be leaving in a month and I want to see him one last time before he leaves, and Jess wants to come to Stoon/Outlook for a visit. And I'm only half-done those math centres that I planned on doing over the summer. No more napping in the evenings for me!
I still don't have a job for the fall yet. It's pretty disheartening but at the same time I can't say that I haven't tried. I've put out a ton of resumes and only heard back from that Eston-Elrose one. The tentative plan now is to sub in and around Saskamatoon. I faxed my app away to Stoon today but there's a lot I have to do for the other divisions that are just outside it. I applied at Sylvan Learning too. I think that would be a good job!! I bet it would be similar to my ERDG class where I had to tutor that little boy in reading. And if all else fails, I could work at Superstore as a meat cutter - my Uncle Mel is the head honcho there so hopefully that would give me an "in". As Dad put it, if this whole meat cutting thing works out, I could always fall back on my teaching degree. ;)
Hey I read something cool today: "If the dinosaurs could share with us their secrets to life, would we still make gummy candies in their image?" (The Sheaf, Thursday, March 17, 2005) So smart-ass, yet so profound!
In light of this subbing venture, I was wondering if y'all could do me a favour. ANYONE who reads this, would you please either comment here or email me at meganalarson@yahoo.ca and tell me what you think makes a good substitute teacher AND a bad substitute teacher. I need to brainstorm ideas so that I don't look like a complete incompetent fool when I start subbing. Spank you very much!!!
