Apologies for the delay in posting but, as the title of this post suggests, I wanted to wait until I had something GOOD to share with you all instead of bothering you with details of this relatively stressful "transition period" that is my life ;))
Friends:
It has been surprisingly easy to meet people here thus far. In Minnesota, the majority of my family and friends were engaged or married by 25 and having kids by 29. In LA I have yet to meet a NEW kiddo! Most everyone is single/divorced, newly married or child-less by choice, or JUST starting their families--even though mom and dad are close to 40. It's a very interesting shift but one that I'm liking. My college friend Emily has also introduced me to a few girls from the Junior League of Pasadena and subsequently I've started going through those first stages of new girl-friendships again (i.e. exchanging mobile numbers, friending each other on FB, meeting up for a group drink, scheduling a movie etc.). It's sort of like "dating" in its own right! But less pressure and more fun.
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| New neighbor Emilee @ our back yard BBQ! |
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| Wedding friends! |
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| My Augsburg friend and her 2-year old at Hermosa Beach |
I spent last weekend in Modesto (a 5 hour drive north) visiting my friend's Sella and Nena (aka The Twins). Nena had just given birth to baby Hunter the week before so we took some photos, caught up on general life stuff and just enjoyed each other's company for a few nights.
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| Nena & Hunter (Modesto, CA) |
I'm still dealing with the phantom pains of my "broken heart". I had to stop online dating after the aforementioned "job drama" as I needed to re-focus all of my extra time and energy into finding a full-time job I could be passionate about (priorities!) but when I stopped meeting new men every week it was harder not to think about the one I lost. Sigh. As with all things, time will be necessary. There is no magical cure. It stinks. I don't know how so many of you have lived through it (this is my first go-around) ;) I have been on a couple of dates even AFTER stopping the online site (friends of friends) and it's so much more natural. Still no crazy "sparks" but again, you can't rush these things. Maybe after a few dates and hanging out together with mutual friends something will naturally develop? Who knows. Not me... obviously.
Job Updates: Since the last post (more than 6 weeks ago already. Wow. Time Flies.) I have learned to relax and let things flow at my current job. I do not offer to do more than I am asked. I leave promptly at 5pm every night. I keep my head down (for the most part) and my mouth closed (relatively speaking). There are days when I am busy and there are days (sometimes several in a row) where I sit at my computer with nothing to do. Those are the worst days. As a Type-A, over-acheiver it is not in my DNA to sit around until someone gives me something to do. The saddest part (for me) is that there really ARE things that need to be done in this Department. Yes, they might be a little more than I could handle on my own at this point but if someone were to take me under his/her wing and actually TRAIN me that would be all it would take. What a waste.
All of which leads me to my amazing, life-changing news and the reason I took the time to write today's post...
I got offered a REAL job this past Tuesday! At a private school. Doing what I love. Getting PAID enough money to actually stay in California and start LIVING. For those of you who don't know exactly what it is I LOVE to do, the below job description (which I found online about two weeks ago @ indeed.com) is about as good as it gets. When I read it I didn't quite believe it was real. I have NEVER in all my months and years of searching/working since graduating with my Master's degree in 2006 actually seen a job description that would PAY me to do what I wanted to do. What I'm good at. And then I found this. In a SEA of nothingness that is the internet job search. And the fact that I was CHOSEN from among this sea is nothing short of amazing to me. Miraculous.
The salary is awesome (for what I'm used to), there is full medical/dental (which I haven't really had since becoming a self-employed adult), sick days, vacation days, retirement matching and an UNBELIEVABLE amount of days OFF during the year (like 10-11 WEEKS). This kind of job would be amazing anywhere in the country/world right now but to find it in LA where there are so many millions of people to choose from-- millions of people who are under-employed or un-employed or temporarily-employed? Again. Miraculous.
So yes. The only two slightly worrisome issues that come with this life-changing announcement are:
1) The location: The K-8 school is located near Beverly Hills. And while Beverly Hills is only 19 miles away from my house, it's the exact 19 miles you SHOULD NOT drive in California rush-hour. Heading into work should be fine. I'm estimating about a 40 minute drive. But heading home? I shudder. I've heard horror stories of up to TWO HOURS. We'll have to play it by ear. Moving is always an option but not until next March... and also it's just a general pain in the ass to move.
2) The start date: The position doesn't start until "next" school year (which will be end of July/August 1st for me this first time around). So I am still stuck at my current job for the next 8 weeks (which feels like an eternity) PLUS that means I can't tell anyone around here that I got this "real" job for the same 8 weeks, AND this still assumes that my current "temporary job" will still be AROUND in the next 8 weeks so I can continue to pay my bills. YIKES.
So yes. Still a bit touch-and-go for the next couple of months BUT a million times better off than I was a couple of weeks ago :)
Time to run. Thanks for the love and thanks to those of you who care enough about me to read this and respond with your own life stories. Love to you all!
E
My Amazing New Job Description (as of August 1st):
The Instructional Technology Specialist is a member of the Pressman Academy faculty and reports to the Elementary School Principal and Middle School Principal. The instructional technology specialist provides instruction, training, and resources in order to facilitate the use of technology as a tool for learning in classrooms and across the Elementary and Middle Schools. The instructional technology specialist also acts as the liaison between the faculty, administration and the school's information technology consultants who maintain the school's overall IT system.
As an educational leader at Pressman Academy, the instructional technology specialist is expected to promote and role model professional practices within the context of a Jewish school.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Professional Development with teachers.
- Training on curriculum related software
- Offering technology related courses for faculty and staff to promote life-long learning and develop technology competencies
Training on network operating system, E-mail, school-wide systems (ECC teachers included)
- Investigating new technology systems for faculty related to the curriculum.
- Teaching demonstration lessons with teachers.
- Designing, developing, and maintaining online learning environments.
- Parent and student education related to Internet ethics and use.
- Keeping up with current technology practices both in and out of the classroom.
- Recommendations involving the institution of new hardware, software, and school-wide systems.
- Roll-out of new systems.
- Analysis and evaluation of current and future technology systems including renovations of classroom, computer labs, school website, and database system.
- Development of a technology rich curriculum and support of the 1:1 program.
- Assessment of student progress related to technology.
- Assessment of faculty progress related to technology.
- Chair the school's technology committee.
- Trouble shooting technology problems with faculty and staff.
- Maintaining mobile computer labs/iPad carts.
- Some classroom direct instruction.
Qualifications
- Hold a masters degree in Educational Technology
- Strong background in instructional strategies and teaching
- Superior communication skills
- Experience in schools
- Member of ISTE and other related technology groups
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