My Journey, The Packets

Okay, I think this is part 3 of my journey ... you know, the one where I leave my babies & go back to teaching full time.

I've done much since last posting about this but NOTHING really has transpired.

I've sunk approx 5 hours into this process. And am hoping it pays off big.

For those not real familiar with the getting-hired-to-teach process, you must have a FILE established at each desired district. The file usually consists of your resume, your references (their minimum set amount), at least 3 letters of recommendation (one being from your former principal), your transcripts, & your certificate.

Just getting those things together, making the adequate amount of copies, & mailing those out, THAT'S a job in & of itself.

THEN... (and I did this very first thing), you must have an online application on a site called MOREAP.net (for MO). It's an online database of all teachers looking for employment. Administrators can go there to access & pull off your info, print it out, etc. Also, some districts (seeminly 'belonging' to REAP or who have registered with them) can put a post that they're hiring for a particular position, so I've checked this daily.
To fill out the info questions, the essay questions, your preferred methodology, etc., takes close to an hour.
It would be great if all districts used it & didn't have their own cotton-picking applications.
But they do.

Three of the districts I'm interested in have their own PAPER applications that you must either pick up from their C.O. or print from their website. Each of those took about 30 mins to complete.
Then, about three districts have their own online application with similar questions, that you must fill out.

There's also a gallup "Teacher Insight" test you must take online. It takes over half an hour & three of the districts required I go to their website & complete that.

And all that is just the paper part.
I haven't even begun calling & harrassing people yet.

Since I know several teachers & the inside & how this all works, I'm all too familiar that it's just a crap shoot. You can't just create a teaching job for someone. A district might think I'm the 'cat's pajamas' but unless they have an opening, my file will just sit in their HR dept for the next year.

I hope my timing was perfect though, as my last batch went out yesterday & usually districts require their teachers to return contracts the 2nd week in April.

Then there's the knowledge that I might not be hired 'til the first day of school, like Jeff was. Or the second week of school, like my friend Amy. Both whom are awesome teachers and LOVE their jobs & districts.
So I have to be content & learn patience if that's how things go for me. Not an easy pill to swallow when you're trying to decide on care for your kids or have a garage full of boxes of teaching 'stuff', just screaming to be put back into a class.

I've said this before, I am NOT not not not a laid back person (I wish I was!). I do not, never have, sat back & let life happen. If it doesn't happen or quick enough, I jump in & turn the wheels to speed the process.
This process has no wheels for me to turn. I literally am helpless & have no control. What a lesson for me to learn.

A lesson about not only patience (which I don't have), but trust. Trusting God
Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
& learning to wait.
Psalm 62:5 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him."