Introducing Señorita Peaches...for reals

I haven't written much about my job search for two reasons: 1) It was totally depressing and 2) I didn't want to jinx any positive vibes.  However, last week was one hell of a week for your Señorita.

On Monday, I was offered a contract at a charter school.  If you are as lazy as I'm am, I'll go ahead and tell you that a charter school is a public school (funded completely or mostly by taxes) that literally writes its own rules.  It is not subject to many of the state laws on education and doesn't have to meet the same standards.  There are good- even necessary- charter schools.  They exist.  But, at least in my view, for the most part they are doing a disservice to students and tax-paying citizens alike.

My contract was not at one of the good charter schools.  It came with 6 personal/sick days, 60% paid medical insurance, a mandatory nine-hour workday, a shared classroom, and traveling between two different schools.  For $30K.

Gulp.

I asked for some time "to crunch some numbers," and waited and waited and waited for more schools to get back to me.  But they didn't.  I called and was told positions were filled, or I was ignored completely.  I got desperate.

On Thursday, as my Friday deadline quickly approached, I contacted my local City Schools...again.  I first interviewed with them in March and have called and emailed at least eight times since, but I knew if I didn't call nothing would happen.  Better to call and be told to never call back than have to seriously consider taking this crappy job without exploring all of my options.

I was told there were two available Spanish positions, both at middle schools, and that my information would be "forwarded to the principals."  I was brushed off, and I had to really begin to consider signing with the charter.

Then Friday came.  On Friday, the HR director called me and said,

"Honey, I got with the principal of one of those middle schools.

He told me if I liked you to go ahead and hire you, honey.

So I'm calling to ask you if you want the job."

Do I want the job?

DO I WANT THE JOB??

And today I met my principal, toured my school, and nearly cried in my classroom.  Afterwards, I signed a contract.  I have my own classroom (#108), a mandatory seven-hour workday, a mentor program for first year teachers, $60/month for medical and dental, free vision, and $42,333.

Much improved.  My orientation is August 16- the same day as Mr. Peaches's law school orientation.  Perfection.