Saturday, April 4, 2009

The Dreaded Surplus

I haven't been writing a lot lately for a couple of reasons:
1) I don't have anything interesting to say.
2) I am annoyed and busy with work.

April is the month where you find out what grade you'll be teaching in September, or in my case, which school I will have to move to.

First, I must say I am lucky to have a job because the outlook for teachers right now is not the best. They are even talking about a possible board surplus this year, which means some teachers in my board could be laid off. So, yes, I know I am fortunate to at least have a full time contract, but this time of the year is plain stressful.

Over the last 4 years of being a teacher I have worked in 7 schools. I have never taught the same grade - although it is kinda fun to be able say that I have taught every grade from JK-6 plus Special Ed, ESL, and Music. I am also quite certain that I will be surplus again this year and will have to find a new school for next year.

Let me tell you, this process of finding a new job is not easy. I have heard there are usually between 100-200 applications for each job posting, and they only interview 5 people for each. Trying to find a grade, job, and location you like - and actually being offered the job - is nearly impossible.

So yes, this is what I have to look forward to in the next month. Okay, I'll stop complaining now. Thanks for listening.

In happier news, I've put together some mean lookin bulletin boards, if I do say so myself!

3 comments:

  1. My wish is for you to find a school and a grade that you love and that is close to where you live!! I love your bulletin boards.... you sure do put a lot of effort into them. You are an amazing teacher, if I do say so myself!! Your students are so lucky to have you for a teacher!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Positive thoughts Jillian!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the bulletin boards Jill!! I look forward to picking your creative brain one day for my own classroom ideas (that is if I ever get a job). Hopefully one day I can come visit your classroom and you can visit mine :D

    ReplyDelete