Littell's Little Blog

My new future

2008-04-20T13:40:00.005-04:00

Both the interviews went really well. So well as a matter of fact that they both offered me the position at their school! This is great news because I get to choose where I want to go. This is a luxury that not many others graduating have, if they even have a job lined up for next year. So I told them that I will let them know in a week what I've decided. Each school knew that I was interviewing at the other so they were hoping that I would have a great time at their school and not at the other...naturally.

I was impressed with Union Springs for many reason. One reason is the students were very friendly there. As a matter of fact, here's an example. I was playing at rec with them on Wednesday night and then went back to the dorm where I was staying. When I got back to my room, I went in and closed the door. A couple of minutes after I did that, there were three students knocking at my door. So I told them to come in if they wanted to, and they did. We sat and chatted for about 30 minutes in my room, just hanging out. They asked me questions and I asked them some too, it felt like another interview. And it was an interview really. One of the students in a very social person and whenever there is somebody new on campus, he is right there to check them out and see if they're "OK" or not.....I passed his test ;)

Another reason is that it's a boarding school, this is something that I was looking for. Also they are trying out a relatively new idea for teaching: project based learning. I think this is a good idea and I've had some training in this, or at least close to what they're trying to do. The teachers there haven't had training it, formally, so if I were to go there, I would be the resident expert, or so the principal says....yikes, pressure!

Greater Boston Academy had a lot to live up to after this short stay with USA. And come to find out, they can't really live up to that. So after a week of contemplating it, I have decided to go with Union Springs Academy. I will be the science teacher as well as teaching a few math classes. I'm excited about this opportunity and we'll see what will happen. I don't know much about the details of when I'm supposed to be there or anything like that yet, they haven't told me, but I'll find out soon I'm sure.

Interview in the great North East

2008-04-08T15:51:00.003-04:00

I have two interviews this week in the north east. One is at Union Springs, NY for Union Springs Academy and the other is at Boston, MA at Greater Boston Academy. I am flying out in about two hours from Chattanooga. I fly out to Rochester, NY then interview tomorrow with USA around 3:00! I'll be USA until Thursday morning when I fly out for Boston. I interview with them at 6:00 Thursday. Two interviews in two days, wow!

I'll also be spending the weekend in Boston and coming back on Sunday to Chattanooga. The staff at GBA is going to camp Winnekeag for the weekend and they invited me to join them. I have never been to that camp and I think it would be a great experience to join the staff and see how they interact amongst themselves. I'm not exactly sure what they'll be doing, but I'll be doing it too!

So now I'm leavin' on jet plane and not to return until Sunday! Wish me luck and pray that all will work out for the best.

Job Options

2008-03-24T12:34:00.003-04:00

Well I'm looking for a job for next year and have a few opportunities. These opportunities didn't come about by my doing though. I asked my former principal and now Associate Director of Secondary Education of the Southern Union, Jim Ingersoll, to help me out. He said that I should email him my resume with references and he would forward it to all education superintendents of the North American Division! WOW! He's amazing! He just told the whole country that I am looking for a job in one click of a "send email" button. Because of this, I now have options that have come to me and some that I have sent my resume directly to the school. Here's a list of the schools:

Georgia Cumberland Academy
Greater Boston Academy
Union Springs Academy
Midland Academy
Highland View Academy
Gem State Academy

I would like to work at a boarding academy, so GCA and USA are on the top of the list. GCA would be nice because it's close to home. I don't really want to stay in the South, but sometimes you have to take what you're given...

I have already told one school "thanks, but no thanks." Well, it wasn't actually a school, but a conference wanted me to teach at 2 schools. It was the Oklahoma conference. This is out in tornado alley of America. I didn't really want to live there, needless to say. When something else happens I'll let you know.