Black Ruffly Suit Jacket

I can't wait to take this suit jacket off. It's not uncomfortable, it's just not really me. It was a spur-of-the-moment and probably a rather impractical purchase, an $8 investment that was 80% off and too cute to pass up. Standing at the cash register, I had no idea when I'd wear it. Too dressy for school, it would be an unnatural shift from my usual cardigan-and-slacks routine. Too business-like for a night out and, let's be honest, how often do I have those anyway? Alas, Black Ruffly Suit Jacket has sat untouched in my closet for months.

Until today.

Today, Black Ruffly Suit Jacket made her debut for an occasion that I never thought would come this soon: a job interview.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't heard yet, or this post wasn't enough to make you infer such a thing - I'm looking for other jobs.

Let me be clear. "Looking for other jobs" is not the same as "leaving my job". Obviously I'm considering it, but my mind is not made up, even after an incredible visit to a school that left me in awe, adoration, and maybe even a little jealous.

In the middle of updating my resume, filling out applications, interviewing, sample teaching and teaching my own babies, I'm trying to do something I've never been really great at. I'm trying to listen for God.

Ultimately, my goal is to do what God calls me to do. Do I know what that is right now? Absolutely, it's teaching right where I am. I have felt sure of that every day for almost the past two years. Do I know what He'll be calling me to do in 3 months? Nope, haven't a clue. Doors are opening that i never even knew existed, or never cared to explore. It's not a coincidence that these opportunities are arising, although I'm not convinced that all signs point to leave. Maybe this is just an opportunity to learn from some really great schools and bring those lessons back to my school. Maybe its an opportunity to grow professionally, or light a fire under my butt for MY kids and their community. Or maybe it is my time to leave...I dont know yet. The hardest parts are listening and waiting, especially when the world puts deadlines on you. Don't they know that I'm waiting on the Official Thumbs Up? How rude.

More on the job interview to come. I can't wait to gush about the amazing school I visited, but it's late and i have to be prepared for my crazy children tomorrow.

Good news...

Our field trip was approved!

We leave next Friday at 8:00 from the school to visit NCCU and UNC Chapel Hill. We've got some exciting things on the agenda, including a campus tour of both schools, a panel with alum of NCCU/UNC, a visit to the UNC dining hall for lunch (imagine how much our children will FREAK OUT when they see all their options), a show at the Planetarium, and a potential visit to the Carolina Basketball Museum. I am so excited I can't stand it.

Still a lot of planning to do, but it will be so worth it. I've created some math problems for the students to complete that relate to the field trip, and we'll have them develop some questions for the panel as well. Can't wait to see the excitement on their faces as we pull up to and explore the college campuses.

"Bad" Teacher

I'm not a special education teacher, but I can relate to much of this teacher's story.

That's pretty much what it's felt like this past year and a half. In my case, it's positive feedback from my principal, instructional coach, and TFA advisor, and then hear from my superintendent and everyone else in Central Office that nothing productive is happening at our school. That our students aren't learning. That we aren't doing enough.

I also saw this picture on facebook today:



Preach it, sister.

Alright, I'll get off my high horse now.