Not exactly the way I planned it...

Hey everybody. I promised myself that I wouldn't take so long between posts this time, so here I am. I was going to wait until my contract is actually signed, but I feel secure enough with my position next year that I will just spit it out. However, instead of just telling the news, I am going to tell the story.
As I told everyone in a previous post, I am working at the American School of Bangkok teaching 6th, 7th, 8th, and two sections of high school social studies. I cannot say enough how much I love every aspect of my job. When I interviewed for this position I was told that if I do well I would be offered a new two-year contract starting in August 2009. Well, since I have been here I have worked my ass off in efforts to be hired on for next year. I have gotten involved, developed a good relationship with the staff as students and done everything I possible could to get that two-year contract. I got this job thanks to someone being bi-polar. The teacher before me was bi-polar and the doctor he was seeing here in Bangkok came up with the BRILLIANT idea he shout be "slowly" taken off his meds. Well, this man eventually had an episode that caused him to leave his apartment otally naked, go to the 7/11, but a Coke and throw 300 baht at the cashier. He was eventually arrested and put into a mental hospital and the school needed to find a quick replacement. I would never wish this mental condition on anybody, but a part of me wants to send a basket of treats to his doctor as a "thank you." However, self-control has gotten the best of me:)
Anyway, about 6 weeks went by and nobody had said anything about whether or not I was going to be hired for next year. I was getting a little nervous when finally the principal came and told me we need to talk. "Jonathan you are doing a great job and are a good teacher, but I wish I had met you before I went to the recruitement fairs." As soon as she said that, I knew the bomb was about to drop. My heart just sank because I knew what was about to be said next. "Unfortunately, I was recruiting when this whole situation happened with the gentleman you replaced. I didn't know what to do, so I paniced and hired someone before I was told that the school had hired a really good replacement. I would love to keep you in the position you are in, but I cannot call up the person I hired and tell him the contract he signed isn't on the table anymore." I told her I understood and I would be interested in teaching anything they needed to be able to stay on board. "If the person you hired for next hear has any questions," I said, "feel free to give him my information and I will be as much of a help as I can." She then gave me a pat on the shoulder and told me she appreciated me and my attitude. Even though it would have done much more harm in the long run for me than good, everyone has been in the situation where they just want to start to cuss. I WAS IN THAT SITUATION. I felt like I was lied to at my interview, I felt like I had been strung along for the last 6 weeks, and felt like I was taken advantage. However, I immediately remembered some words of wisdom that have been given to me over the years; everything happens for a reason. Attitude is everything, so choose a good one. Do not let your heart be troubled.
After telling myself these three things, I felt better an just thought, "If I am supposed to be here, I will be here. If not, it is nice to know I can get another job tomorrow." I kept telling myself that for about the next week until the principal told me she wanted to speak with me again.
"Jonathan," she said, "I have some good news and I have some bad news. I have been trying to figure out a way to keep you here, but I just simply can't, bottom line. I really appreciate your attitude in the last week because I know you want to stay here, have worked very hard to stay here, and the news I gave you last week I am sure was not easy to take. The good news is there is a 4th grade position open on the downtown campus. You would still need to interview for the position, but at least you would have an opportunity to stay. We realize you are not qualified to teach elementary, but when it comes to good teaching qualifications don't mean jack. You either got it, or you don't. Are you interested?" I tried to be funny in my response by saying, "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" She didn't get it and I felt like an idiot, but I told her I am very interested.
The only problem with the interview was that it was the next day. I could help but make myself nervous because I was going to sit in an interview room with a locked door, with three people (the principal who is very good, his wife who has taught 4th grade for about 20 years, and Jen, who teaches 1st grade, but has a stare that rivals that of my mother when she is not a happy camper). I kept asking God for favor because it was all I could think to do. Now, I don't get intimidated by situations much, but in this case, I have no problem saying, I WAS FRIGGIN' INTIMIDATED. I was being throw questions left and right about elementary principles that I have never learned. Thank God for Damon again who educated me with some basics so I knew a little bit of what they were asking. It was the toughest interview I have ever had. The entire interview only took about 30 minutes but I felt like it was three hours. It also didn't help that Martin, the counselor at the downtown campus whom I play basketball with gave me a big confidence booster right before I went in (I hope you are picking up my sarcasm at this point). "Jon, what are you doing here?" he said. "I am actually interviewing for the 4th grade job, so we will see how that goes," I replied. "You are 7-12 certified right?" he asked me. "Yes, and I have never taught 4th before so I am quite nervous for this." I shyly told him. "Hahaha, wow! You aren't qualified to teach the grade AND you have no experience. AND you have huge shoes to fill Good luck man!" he stated with a grin, and a slight roll of the eyes. When I saw him roll his eyes, I heard my father's voice whisper in my ear, "Tell him that if he rolls his eyes again you are going to knock him into next week!" I remember hearing that from my dad ONE time, and believe me when I say I never rolled my eyes again:) So, all in all, Martin's little comments didn't help in the matter. I always make sure to tell him thank you when we see each other.
After the interview was over, I walked out and told myself that I couldn't have done any better. If someone else gets the job I will not blame myself because I just got beat out for the job. I was told that I would find out the next day what their decision was. Well, at about 3pm the next day I got a call from Mr. Simon the principal. He told me that they saw a couple of concern areas in my interview and explained what they were. I told him I understood that I am not educated enough in these areas. "However," he stated, "we feel that this can be solved by doing some research and homework, observing classes, and spending some time with it before August. Also, even though we are have some concerns, we feel you have a great attitude, and my wife really liked how eager you were even though we knew you were shitting your pants. Good teachers are good teachers no matter what level. With this being said, we would like to offer you the job." I think you can figure out by now that I have taken the job. With the job, I get to be on the new salary scale and am signed on for two years. So, we will see how 4th grade treats me.
Well, that is all I have for you this time. Songkran is next week so I am sure I will have some funny stories of being doused with water and then convered in white powerder for three days. It will be pretty fun, and I am looking forward to it. Until next time, attitude is everything so choose a good one (right Gary?!)!