A New Opportunity...

Hello hello again everyone. I am happy to report that life keeps getting better and better. I have been talking quite a bit with one of my co-teachers about applying at an International school. All of them state on their websites that in order to be considered for a position all applicants MUST have teaching experience. Applying at one of these schools is on the top of my "to-do" list but I figured I would need to pay my dues and teach English for a year before I would be hired for a social studies position (in case anyone was not aware, social studies is what I ACTUALLY went to school for). The more we would talk about the subject the more he would stress that even without experience I would be hired by a good school. "There are 75 International schools in Bangkok alone," he said. "If you think that each teaching position is filled by someone with three years of experience and a license you are kidding yourself. You are a native speaker who is young, has blonde hair, blue eyes, and has a teaching degree. That is what these schools are looking for. The only way you would be better is if you were 17 years of age and had a master's degree!" I had to laugh a little at the statement but really took the advice to heart. I will never have a chance if I don't try. Plus, I like the school I am curently teaching at, so if I don't get hired I would be content to stay where I am.
Almost all International schools run on the American/British calendar so I figured that I could start looking now and be able to apply for many opportunities by the time August would come around. However, I have been feeling a little stress because my contract only goes until the end of March and would start again the beginning of May. That means I would have to go through all of April without a solid stream of income.
Each morning I look on a website that has new listings for open teacher position everyday throughout the entire country. I usually look on there for part-time jobs (which there are quite a few) in order to try and suppliment my current income. I sent my information to a few schools, one of which is in Chiang Mai (can't imagine why I would apply for a job up there...hahaha) and got a response from a couple of them. I was happy that at least I would have the opportunity to teach part-time nights and make a little extra coin. Then, this last Tuesday, I was going through my daily job search and came across an opening for a high school/middle school social studies position. I read the posting about five straight times until I heard "someone" come behind me and whisper in my ear, "DUUUUUUUUDE! APPLY FOR THE JOB!" The posting stated that only applicants who have a degree in this field and teaching experience will be considered. I pointed to that line and stated to him, "You see this right here?! Do you know how GOOD this school is considered?" "Alright, I have a deal for you," he replied. "Apply for the job. WHEN you get a call for an interview, go in for the interview, and then get offered the job, a group of us are going out and YOU are responsible for the tab!" Well, I rolled my eyes and chuckled and said it was a deal.
The entire day went by and I didn't get a reply. The entire next day went by and I didn't get a reply. All of Thursday went by and I didn't get a reply. By this time I figured I could say "I told you so" and forget about it. However, at 8:20 am on Friday I got a call from the school administrator asking if I would be interested in coming in for an interview. Of course I accepted and had my time set up for Tuesday at 4:00pm. I was informed that there were five other people applying for the position and I was right in the middle of all the interviews. Well, I knew I had to keep a positive mindset and do everything possible to prepare myself. I reviewed my education philosophy, my classroom management philosophy, studied questions that might be asked, wrote down good questions to ask them if they gave me the opportunity, did my homework on the school and its philosophies and picked the brain of a very good teacher and principal who helped me tremendously.
I was very nervous (naturally) leading up to the interview but was given a blessing in disguise in the form of my taxi driver. My interview was at 4pm but I got in the cab at 2:20 because the least I was going to do is be on time. I knew how to get there and even had a map for the driver to go by so there wouldn't be any problems...or so I thought. First, he was going the wrong way and we couldn't understand each other due to the language barrier. I tried calling Til four consecutive times and he did not answer. By that time I seriously felt like taking a stick and shoving it in my eye. A couple minutes later Til called me back and I told him where I needed to go and to explain it to "Jimmy Mapquest." He explained the directions for about a good four minutes and said the driver understood...or so he thought. The guy goes the wrong way again and now my blood really boiling under my calm demeanor. I once again called Til and said, "I need you to explain to this gentleman the importance of this interview. If I am late, I am going to be in third-world jail due to the murdering of a cab driver!" He explains the directions again and finally got me to the destination at 3:40pm. The reason I say it was a blessing in disguise is because with the stress of just getting there I had totally forgotten about actually having an interview. I felt like I was already the big winner just because I made it on time.
During the interview process I didn't break a sweat. I actually overprepared by about 100 times because they didn't ask any of the questions I thought they would. However, they said they loved me and I was exactly what they were looking for; young, athletic (don't laugh please), and energetic. They said they had to interiew two other people the next day but hoped to be able to call me later in the week with good news. I finally got the call Thursday morning and I start on Monday. I was in the hallway of the school when I got the call and I think that a few of my students feel I am a little "left of center" because after I got off the phone I said in a fairly loud voice, "That's right baby!! GETTIN' PAID, GETTIN' PAID!" However, I was so excited I didn't care. I achieved my goal much sooner than anticipated. If any of you would like to see where I teach, feel free to go to the American School of Bangkok website: www.asb.th.edu and click on 'Campuses' and choose the Bangna campus.
Before I wrap this up I need to send out a very special thanks to Damon Lisowski. Damon is the teacher and principal I referred to earlier in this post. He is my former baseball and basketball coach is now someone I can proudly call a friend. I know he won't take credit for getting me the job, but he wrote a recommendation letter for me that almost put tears in my eyes the first time I read it. I was specifially told by the two men who interviewed me that the main reason they decided to give me a chance was because of that letter. Without that letter I would have never even been invited for an interview. There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am to have an individual like him in my corner. He is someone I look up to, admire, and respect more than he could imagine.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words, support, during this last week. It means a lot. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a tab that I am looking forward to paying. Until next time, let us not forget to respect our bodies, protect our futures, and roll up a fatty full of fellowship and fun.