Job interview from Monday

Monday I interviewed for a half-time Arts position at an elementary school in Dorchester.

I was really excited to do so, because at this point that school doesn't have theatre arts. It is reminiscent of my tenure at the Irving because when I applied and interviewed at the Irving they had not had a theatre arts program either.

Regardless, I think it went quite well. But interviewing, much like auditioning for a part, requires practice. I know I talk too much in general, so when someone asks me about something I'm passionate about like teaching Theatre, woo! Watch out!

And while an interview isn't the best place to share a philosophy I've been working on, I have such little opportunity to talk with other drama teachers about ideas and methods I've been working on, so when someone DOES ask me about my philosophies for teaching theatre, I let loose....and sometimes those ideas aren't fully formulated.

Maybe I've said it here before, maybe I haven't, but I think I was born to be a classroom teacher. Many teachers end up in an administrative position or going down to "Court Street" as the admin offices are called here in the BPS, but I don't really like that idea at this point. Of course, I'm a young teacher, finishing my fourth year (YAY!!!!). So with that in mind, I do have a vision of where I'd like to see myself in 5, 10, 15 years. But it all relates to being in the classroom.

So, I'm going to say this, while one day I hope to have a job where, not only am I using the arts to teach, but I am surrounded by teachers who have similar methods. AND we have the time, be it in professional development, content meetings or another setting to discuss and develop ideas.

I get lonely in my basement cave---connecting with other teachers is sometimes the only solace in an otherwise difficult day. But I need something more sometimes. I remember in grad school Bob & Bethany (theatre ed instructors extrodinare) asked us to list everything we could in the "perfect job."

I don't know where that list is...I'm going to take some time to look for it. But before I do, I am going to list NOW what I want in the perfect job.

To be continued...