Major Job Dilemma **Update**!(alieliza)

alieliza

Thanks Ottoluv,

This is the general consensus I've come across speaking with my mom, fiance, sister-in-law, etc.

It is just so sad to me because in my mind, I am a teacher. I love it. All I can picture when I think of leaving are the faces of my students and it makes me so sad.

I've got a lot of thinking to do...

I think you may be worried you will not be doing hands on teaching... the close knit type that makes a life time of memories... BUT you need to weigh the value of your ability to formulate a program that will reachout to children Literally ALL over the world!!??!!    Once this ticket has been punched and the ride is over you will have so much more to add to your ability to reach out and connect with each child on a one by one basis. It would have to be frightening, going from faces you know and names you memorize  each with a story you learn to countless children who you may never make eye contact with but OMG what an impact you can have on the World!!

Either way it is a Win Win ... some lucky child will grow and it will be because YOU cared enough to step up and make a difference in this  child's life.

It is an Honor to know you , and no it would not make a difference if you were making the big bucks and had all the perks, your heart is exactly where it should be.

Bonita of Bwana

I do see the benefit of reaching children around the world, only its so hard to get past the idea of going from helping children with something necessary (learning the language and culture of the place they've just found themselves in, to helping children learn a language for leisure. I don't know, maybe Im just being crazy.

I will let you all know what happens in the meantime. The interview is this Friday... we will see....

Somehow I missed your initial posts about your dilemma.  You've been given lots of great points to consider from all the replies, and it's clear you've given it plenty of careful thought, so one thing you can be comfortable with is that you're not making any irrational or short-sighted decisions.  I have to say, you're are truly a blessed person to be in this dilemma.  To have a job you so deeply enjoy and value is rare enough (I've never had such a job, and I don't know a ton of folks who have).  But to also have a wonderful opportunity come your way when you weren't looking for one is even more incredible.  I know it creates huge inner conflict, but as an objective person reading about it, I'm very envious!

I have two friends who are teachers and they both "job-share" with another teacher in their classroom.  They did this after having children of their own so they don't teach full-time.  I'm not sure if all schools have such positions, but maybe there's a way you could do both jobs if you kept your foot in the classroom part-time? 

Another friend taught 3rd grade for 7 years and LOVED it.  She was offered a chance to be a principal out of the blue.  It was a hard decision, but she decided she needed a new challenge.  As it turned out, she didn't enjoy being an administrator at all, so the following year she went back to teaching.  You'd have the same option -- so it's worth a try, especially as it sounds like you're young, without children now, etc.

Good luck with the interview and whatever path lies ahead!

I went to the interview on Friday. I got ready for this thing *all week*. I put together a (pretty rockin' if I do say so myself...) portfolio, and made a copy for everyone at the interview. (Well, actually, I made 5 copies and there were only 2 people a the interview... lol, overprepared??) The interviewer was *really* impressed.

Though.... my love for my job really came through. She said that she would hate for me to leave my job, something so secure (the job at the org. would be a one year contract, and after that they can't guarantee anything), something that Im clearly very good at, just as much as she would hate to not have me working on their project.

They think that I am great at developing lessons and activities, which is a large part of the position. There are, however, very many other parts to the position that are not as creative, such as managerial, research, etc. etc.

They have interviewed others, and not one person has everything they need. (Which is a very long list, I won't bore you with the details).

What I anticipate they will do is offer me a part time position, with the intention that I will continue to teach at my current school. This will benefit them as well, because, in the eyes of publishers interested in the program, they will have a "real live teacher" working on the content to ensure that it works.

Though I may just have lost my mind (as I am working full time, finishing graduate school: ie. masters thesis) and now taking on an additional responsibility (Im not sure in what capacity my work will be, probably a lot from home, as its too far to travel daily) but this is the kind of opportunity you don't just let pass you by!

I think its great, as I don't need to leave my job, I can gain experience with a very well regarded, globally recognized, educational, non-profit org., and may even still have the opportunity to travel, though Im not sure... which is the only thing that stinks, because that was one of the best parts!!!

So.. you may just be talking to the newest employee at *e*ame Work*op (The non-profit org. behind *e*ame *treet -- sorry, left out letters, Im paranoid about sharing info online!)

that sounds awesome!!! I agree...looks like a win-win situation!

THIS rocks -- it's kind of what I suggested to you at the beginning -- because it WILL benefit them to have a "real live teacher" on the payroll and it's prestigious for your school as well!!  I figgered they'd get creative!!  RAH!!

 Fingers crossed!!! That sounds awesome!

E*mo thinks you would be the best thing to happen to that program ever !!! and B8g B8rd agrees !!!

Bonita of Bwana

Remind me to tell you one day how the little red dude touched our lives......