Today I attended a hiring fair for Prince George’s County (MD) Public Schools. Several months ago they had tendered me an advanced contract which guaranteed me at least one job offer by June 30 but did not commit me to accepting a position. While I had talked with a number of schools, I had not received an offer, and thus had continued to explore other possibilities.
Those of us invited to this event were allowed to interview with up to three schools. Principals could make offers on the spot, in which case one would go through several items of processing — I-9 to prove eligibility to work, fingerprinting/background checking, getting ID picture taken, checking transcripts and work experience to determine salary level, orientation on benefits, and more.
Before I signed up for any interviews, I walked through to see all the schools with Social Studies openings before deciding for which three I wanted to interview.
Crossland High School, in Temple Hills, had a position posted that wanted someone with AP/IB training. I told the woman at the table (who turned out to be the 11th grade Assistant Principal), that I had AP training and some familiarity with IB although I had not been trained in it. She signed me up to interview at 10 AM for 20 minutes.
Once we began the interview, I was asked a number of questions on which she took detailed notes. These included how I would handle certain academic and disciplinary situations, what I would do with respect to parental communication and building relationships with students. I answered honestly, which probably clearly demonstrated that I have thought long and deeply about these issues, and that I am constantly reflecting on what I am doing. She then asked if I were willing to be trained for IB (International Baccalaureate) and I said I would.
She then said that she wanted me to come into the school tomorrow to meet with the principal. I explained that as there are only 2 days left with my seniors, I could not take either day off and the next day I could take off would be Monday. But I pointed out that I had two more interviews scheduled at the fair we were at, I had an interview at an independent school in the afternoon, and there was a job fair for DC schools on Saturday and because I wanted to know where I would be teaching I would accept the first job offer in a school where I thought I could be effective. She then asked to me to wait while she called her principal. About three minutes later she came back, stuck out her hand, and said “Congratulations.” That was at about 10:22 this morning.
I did not finally finish all of the paperwork and related until almost 5:30, and there are still a couple of documents that I must submit verifying my work experience since I retired in 2012 before I can receive the salary level to which I am by education and experience entitled, but I have until August to get that done.
About 80% of the students are African-American, with almost all the rest being Latino, many English Language Learners. It is a school where as I understand the vast majority of students receive free/reduced meals.
If all/most of my classes will be Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate, I will in all likelihood be teaching students who are serious about their academics.
It will be a challenge. I am looking forward to it.
I told the man who was my principal when I retired (and who did not have an opening for me this year) and he told me of his high regard for my new principal, whom I will meet next week.
So I have a job.
It will be the highest salary I have ever received.
I will be back in the school system where I spent most of my career and where I had a long and successful track record in two different schools.
My wife and I had a quiet and low-keyed celebratory supper tonight.
And sometime next week I will visit my new school and meet my principal and the administrators I have not yet met.
I consider myself very lucky.