#transitional kindergarten

I’m sorry I haven’t updated you guys recently, it has definitely been a wild ride! Here are some updates about the last year. Last year when the pandemic hit, I was subbing everyday until we all went into lockdown. It was definitely a hard few months not working and not have any income coming in. One perk of the whole thing, was that I was able to start my master’s program and be able to focus 100% on my classes.

From mid May to mid June 2020, I was applying for teaching jobs. I applied for more than a dozen jobs in that time period. In early June, I had a week that would change everything. I finally heard back from a school and was able to schedule an interview. The next day, I was contacted by another school for an interview. So in 2 day I got 2 interviews. Granted, they were scheduled for the same day, but I was still so excited. The day before my 2 interviews, is the day that truly changed everything. I had found a teaching job that was perfect for me and applied for it immediately. It was to teach Transitional Kindergarten (TK). About 2 hours later HR called me to see if I was still interested and was available for an interview for the next day (which I wasn’t because my two interviews were the next day). I ended up having my interview the next day! About two hours after my interview, HR called my again to tell me that I had gotten the job! So in the span of 5 hours, I went from having no job and applying for a job, to getting hired. I was floored and ecstatic.

Now you might be wondering, what happened to the other 2 interviews? I still did the interviews the next day, because I wanted the experience and I wanted to make sure I had options. The day after my dad and I drove up to Greenfield, CA where I had gotten my job offer, to see if I could envision myself there. The next day, I accepted my job. I can’t explain it, there was just something about the school/district that offered my a job that drew me in and I didn’t want to let it go, so I officially accepted the job and I was so excited.

The next month and a half went quick. I had to fill out all of the new employee paperwork, find a place to live (because I had to move)/and having to pack, I was taking care of my niece for a few weeks, and I was taking a summer class for my Master’s program. Everything got squared away and by the end of July, I moved up to Monterey County into a house where I was renting a room. I then got thrown into being a new teacher in my district. I had 3 days of grade level (TK) meetings. I then had a few days of new teacher training. All of this was also happening while I still had an online class and setting up my classroom, even though we were starting the year virtually (I wanted to have my room semi organized and ready to go, just in case we went to in person).

My 1st year went so quick and one that I will never forget. I went back to in person in November in small groups, so I was teaching half my students in person and half virtually. I was spotlighted in March 2021 as teacher of the month, which was such an honor. By the end of April, more grades were starting to come back and I also got more of my students in person as well. When the school year ended, I definitely had a sense of accomplishment, ultimately because I survived my 1st year, but all of the things that I got to do.

So back in mid June, I had 3 job interviews (over zoom of course) for teaching jobs over the course of two days. The job I ended up accepting was the first job offer that I was given. It was also the fastest job application process that I’ve ever experienced. On June 16th, I was shown a job opening to teach transitional kindergarten (TK) by my mom and I applied at around 1:30. And I kid you not, 2 hours later, HR for the school district called me and asked if I was available to next day to interview. When I said I was not (because I had 2 interviews back to back), she asked if I was free to interview later that afternoon, which I was available. From the moment I hung up the phone to when the interview was scheduled, I had a little less than an hour to get prepped and to make sure I looked interview ready (it is quarantine after all!). Thankfully my mom helped me out and looked on the school and district website and wrote down some key phrases while I quickly put on a nice top, fixed my hair and put on a little make-up and set-up my computer. When my interview finally started, I was so nervous and didn’t know what to expect, since it was my first teacher interview. Considering that it was my first interview, I thought that it went well and I enjoyed talking with the principal and vice principal. About an hour and a a half after my interview ended, I got another call from HR to offer me the job. I was in shock and disbelief. On my end, I felt like it went well, but I didn’t expect to hear back so soon. The next day, I had two more interviews, which I thought went ok, but it could have gone either way. On Thursday, my dad and I drove up to Greenfield, which is where the school and district is, so I could see it in person, and by Friday, I accepted job! I will be teaching TK at Cesar Chavez Elementary School in the Greenfield Union School District. I will actually be starting TK at my new school, meaning this coming school year 2020-2021, will be the first year for TK at my school. 

It all became so much more real today, even though I’ve signed my contract and all of my other paperwork. Today, I officially moved from my home in Southern California to Greenfield, California. At least for now, I’m renting a room from  someone who is also a teacher, so she will be a great resource! Starting tomorrow and over the next week, I will be participating in new teacher training and collaborating with other TK and K to establish what we want our students to do this school year, since they are so young. 

Student #1: Let's pretend we're sisters.

Student #2: And high schoolers.

Student #1: Yes.

Student #2: And that our mom is dead!