Well- here we go again! More change. My stint as an administrator is over and I am returning to the classroom...in the Sunshine State of Florida at Fort Pierce Central High School. I won't say I am making this move on a "whim" - that is not quite true, as I have gone back and forth with this idea for the better part of 9 years as some of you know. Whenever I come south to visit my family - I think about moving; when the snow hits New England hard - I think about moving; when I find myself on the job hunt - I think about moving. The last reason being the most recent case, (and let's face it - it wasn't exactly a snow-free winter) as my contract at Central Catholic was not renewed for the upcoming school year, for a host of reasons, the catalyst had once again been put into motion to seek a job.
Having no luck in the Northeast, as I am pretty much priced out of the market and I am competing against my own former students for prime teaching positions & of course they are much more affordable than I am, I decided to try my hand in the south. Two years ago I had applied for and received my Florida teaching license (well, eligibility letter stating I can have one if I can find a job...the process works in reverse down here) and since it was due to expire in May 2014, I decided I may as well get some use of it since it did cost me about $150 at the time.
Hence the application process got moving. It is not a fun thing in this state. We are spoiled with the "one-stop shopping" method of SchoolSpring in Massachusetts - in Florida each county has its own on-line system, each requiring hours of time to input all the appropriate information, upload all the required documentation and or send originals of documents, and in some cases each requiring their own forms for references to respond to and email back...so much for all those advanced letters of recommendation! I apologize to those of you who had to fill out multiple forms for multiple districts, and under the a time crunch to get it all completed. After the online application is completed it must be reviewed and rated in order for the application to "go active" to be interviewed, or in some cases, to even apply for the job. Then there are all the "charter school" jobs that are posted on "Teachers-Teachers.com" which, luckily is similar to SchoolSpring - one stop shopping. This is not exactly something I find fun doing, especially at this stage of my life and my career when most teachers my age are settled into the groove and just working towards retirement. It's not a bad thing, but its not very fun. One thing I do know is that I interview well and there have not been many jobs that I have interviewed for that I did not get, so I am pretty confident with the package I am selling, but it's getting in the door to sell it that's the hard part!
Finding myself in a time crunch - as school begins in Florida the second week of August - once I had filled out the online applications I also emailed each principal of each high school I was able to apply to, or learn of openings, and included my entire application packet of materials - cover letter, resume, philosophy, letters of recommendation, sample lesson plans, transcripts, licensing information, etc. In the end the direct emailing was the key to my success in landing a position.
I have to admit that during the time I was applying to jobs in Florida, I was also applying to jobs just about everywhere in the country through various other websites - National Association of Independent Schools, ASCD, Teachers - Teachers.com, SchoolSpring, Carney & Sandoe placement service... I had resumes just about everywhere... from Massachusetts to Colorado and Texas, to Maryland, DC and North Carolina! Towards the end of June I got my first phone call and email for an interview at a small charter school group in St. Petersburgh, Florida; within ten minutes after hanging up, the principal called to set up an in-person interview for July 9 and so the fire had been lit. Soon I was arranging for a road trip south with Micaela in the co-pilot seat, and trying diligently to make the trip worthwhile and fill my calendar with other interviews. Shortly after arranging for the July 9 interview I received an email from the principal at Fort Pierce Central High School (actually within ten minutes of my emailing him all the above named information) and I had interview number 2 - which so happened to need to take place at the same time I was scheduled to be across the state...so more juggling and I was arranging for a 10 a.m. interview at FPCHS on July 9 - this would be the first interview of my trip, and as it turned out the only interview of my trip.
Prior to my interview I did a "drive-by" of the school and I was pretty impressed with what I saw. It appeared to be a fairly new school, and indeed I learned it is only six years old. FPCHS is not exactly known for its history of safety or being a highly rated school, but I immediately felt at ease when I entered the building and met the principal, Mr. Todd Smith. He was dynamic, friendly, spoke of education innovation and before I left his presence I knew I wanted to work at this school. It is the one thing decision I am confident in, that I chose the right school. In the five years he has been principal the graduation rate has increased from 61% to 85%...that is an impressive feat!
So the journey begins on August 1 when I head south to Jensen Beach -where I will live with my little sister and her family until I can get my feet firmly on the ground and settle myself in.
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