I had an interview today at a new elementary school in my neighborhood! I could walk to work if I wanted to. the school has been opened one year and only has pre-k, kindergarten and first graders. it will mainly have pre-k students in the fall. NYC has a new program called universal pre-k and more of these program are being opened this year, so this school is housing many pre-k-ers until other school programs open up. about 330 students are registered for the fall and it would be a full time job. the job itself would mainly be pre-k music and i would be a push in teacher (meaning i wouldnt have my own classroom).
the interview went well. i thought i spoke well and answered her questions thoroughly. i asked some good questions about her school and ideas about what she wants the program to look like. i felt i “sold” myself well. it was quick, but very friendly. she liked that i have had a few years experience with pre-k students (5 years total!) i was able to talk about gymboree and ETM and how i create my curriculum. she liked that i try my best to collaborate with other teachers and tie my curriculum into what students are learning in their general education classroom. she said final decisions will be made by the end of the months.
i wanted to write out some pros and cons.
pros:
1. school is in my neighborhood. i wouldnt have to pay $200/month on easy pass to go over the bridge twice a day anymore. i would also save money on gas…
2. it would be a full time, full salaried job through the DOE.
3. i could start my own program from scratch and cater it directly to these students. i will know exactly what they know and what they dont know and have the program grow with them. possibility to get my own classroom and create the music program of my dreams.
4. there is a lot of community support and parent involvement (i also really talked up how i brought out my choir to volunteer during the holidays and held many assemblies, concerts and PTA meetings to bring about community involvement).
5. school is in my neighborhood with lots of day care facilities around and close to my father in law, so possibility of having someone take care of the baby without fear of being home too late.
6. currently, no orchestra, so i would be home sooner.
7. i can sleep in a little later and possibly be able to practice my instruments and workout more…just having more time to myself and my family!
8. less lesson prep since there are less grades to prepare for.
cons:
1. i would not have my own classroom and would be pushing into someone else’s space.
2. i might loose my partnership with ETM (must talk to my boss!)
3. i would have to start over at a new school with new colleagues, new administration and new students.
4. no orchestra :(
5. problems coordinating maternity leave and the first year of this program.
honestly…the pros outweigh the cons. but the cons are kinda big! so i have some thinking to do. im also still going to apply other places. there might be something even better out there that would fit my needs even more! we’ll see. fingers crossed that something great turns up soon!
later.
~mana~
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