My interview was Tuesday. I felt rather confident that this was the job for me and that admin had to be really interested or she wouldn’t have me spend the time and money to come for a face to face. I made it clear that I did not want to come if I was not being strongly considered. I didn’t want to be rude but a 550 mile drive with gas prices hovering near and over $4 is not what I call the best use of my money. If I’m going to drive that far there had better be a beach involved or a life changing opportunity. No beach, but a life changing opportunity there was.
I detailed day one with my post To the Cabin in the Woods. For the truly curious this is where I stayed. The tiny cabin was mine and Wooza-wooza was my sanity friend. Your are five minutes from fast food and a grocery store, but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.
After arriving I took a few minutes to relax then began the short journey to my interview site. Since the school is on a university campus I had to figure out which building. I was impressed by the campus. It was not awe inspiring, but it was classic and historical. I love 19th century buildings and the university campus that maintains its historical look. The entire campus had the feel of a place that was part of history. A very helpful university student was able to show me the school of my future. After exploring for an hour or so I headed back to my cabin. The last thing I wanted to do was try to find my way back in the dark. Besides, getting up way early and driving for what seemed like forever makes for a long day. I was ready for a period of relaxation and sleep.
As I posted before it was difficult for me to sleep and I was up at 4 AM on interview day. After several hours of reading and exploring I get ready and traveled to my interview. I find the administrator organizing her office. It was really good to put a face to the name and voice. It was rather informal. She told me more about the school and asked very few questions. The associate director came in and we chatted about the school and they answered my questions. Mrs. Admin took me on a tour of the building and explained the operation process. It is very college like. No bells. The teacher starts and stops the class. No teacher really has a classroom to call their own, but they do have a workspace. We looked at the textbooks I will be using and again discussed the rigor expected.
Back to the office we asked Mr. AD (associate director) what classes I would be teaching. He asked how I would distinguish in AP and Honors US. I found it to be a difficult question to answer. I have high expectations regardless of the class I am teaching. I would expect more research and analysis out of the AP students. In the end my experience was a factor and I will be teaching AP US and Civics. I did not share that teaching the economic aspect of Civics scares me to death. I have had two economics courses and one of those was Economic History of the US, a history course masking as an economics credit. However, my first teaching placement was Government/Economics and I survived. It will be good for me b/c I need to be stronger in this area. It unnerves me that the students are inquisitive and will be a challenge to teach. I’ll survive.
After chatting for well over an hour Mrs. Admin explained that she had a good idea I was the right candidate before the face to face, but felt it was still better to conduct the in-person interview. She also stroked my ego a little by saying that there were over 50 applicants for this position and my application jumped off the page. I think it is my mock trial experience that really boosted my chances. Either way, I have a job and it is time to move.
After lunch with Mrs. Admin I spent the rest of the day exploring. The next task will be finding a place to live and it will be a difficult one from 550 miles away. I’m finding Craig’s List to be an amazing tool in the process.
I don’t know why but somehow the drive home is always worse than the drive to a place. Maybe it is the excitement hype of starting a new adventure vs. ending it. In my case I think it is the fact that I was away from home for three days, ready to be back with my family, but flat out exhausted after seeing the sunrise each day of my trip. I am not a morning person so being up at 3:30-4:30 AM just does not make for a bright eyed, bushy tailed, camper in my world. Between the stress of what might be and all that goes along with it and being alone in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere, I could not sleep. Up at 3:30 Eastern and on the road by 4:00, there was a long drive ahead. By 5:30 it was time to stop for breakfast. I had to stretch my legs at 7:00 and by 8:45, just outside of Atlanta, it was time for a short nap. 9:15 I was back on the road maneuvering ATL traffic and looking embracing the half-way point. The AL welcome center was a wonderful sight to see. Another quick walk and stretch break and I was back on the road. By Birmingham I was feeling the need for another good rest. Fortunately I had family that was perfectly willing to perk me up for the final two hour stretch. After the day of driving the last stretch felt like nothing.
I didn’t mind the solitude of driving and listening to the newly downloaded AP summer reading (1776, by David McCullough) kept me alert. I know, for some that would be a great snoozer, but I’m a history geek so it was worth the download and beats trying to read through it when I need to be packing.
Now what? We are playing keep or toss, planning a yard sale next week, and searching for a place to live. We have one month. I’ve done it in one week so one month is very doable. The twist is doing it from over 9 hours from the destination.
JP, you gotta get there and be my eyes! 
Long post I know, but thanks for stopping by!
