Job update

I posted a few days ago about my job weirdness. I took the post down because it ended up being a work in progress--no pun intended--and I didn't have the time/energy/mental clarity to fix the post. Here's the shortest version I can muster:

I was offered a job. I have had some very conflicting, confusing feelings about working there. It has nothing to do with the job itself and everything to do with the commute and being so far away and just not feeling like it was a good place for me. I called the director and told her I couldn't do it. We talked for a long time and agreed that I would try it out for a few weeks. At least she really wanted me there. I just finished my first week and have decided that I will stay there but will keep looking and applying for jobs when I can.

It's a private school for kids on the autistic spectrum. They are too severe to really function in a typical classroom. It's a tiny place--there are 4 classrooms with about 6 kids each. Each class has a teacher (me) and an assistant. I LOVE my assistant. We get along so well and I can count on her to be actually helpful--which is the exact opposite of last year's experience. I have all the freedom I want to build a curriculum and teach these kiddos however I see best without having to follow stuffy state guidelines and ridiculous standards. I'm excited on some days and others days it takes tremendous willpower to get myself there on time. Or at all.


I fit in well with the other teachers even though we come from drastically different backgrounds. I'm the only one who is both married and has kids. I'm the only one not from Miami and also the only pasty white girl. Yesterday, me and my assistant (Jessica, who's mixed race) compared forearms to see who had the most veins showing. Skin color and nationality is a common topic around here and people discuss it openly. In such a melting pot of culture and individuals everywhere, people tend to gravitate towards what is familiar and makes them feel included. By default, that means that usually nationalities will live and work around each other. It's building community within a very large, impersonal city. It's very different than in other places I've lived, where if you so much as mention that someone has a different skin color, then you are racist and shame on you. I don't think I've completed my thoughts on this but sounds like it would be better another time. I like it here better, though I'm not naive enough to know I haven't encountered the real racism that gets violent and hurtful and horrible. But when you're in a place where you can openly acknowledge differences, explore them together, and eventually laugh about your veins....it's a good thing.

Also, this inevitable conversation happened:

Coworker: Wait, you're from UTAH??!!!
Me: Yep, we moved there after my dad got a job as a professor in a university.
Coworker: Not...BYU??!!
Me: Yep, BYU. You've heard of it?
Coworker: So you're....MORMON?!?!?!
Me: (exasperated at this point) Yep!
Coworker: No WAY!!! I know all about Mormons. I watch South Park and went to a Catholic high school.
Me: If you ever want some factual information, I'd be happy to tell you anything.

So. That went well.

Anyway.

Here is a preview of what having a preteen around is like:

Leah: Mom, that black bag looks so professional on you.
Me: Thanks, sweetie!
Leah: It wasn't a compliment.

Leah: Mom, you've been so ridiculous since we've moved here. It's great, though. Don't worry.
Me: I forgive you in advance for all the crappy things you'll say to me in a few years.
Leah: That's thoughtful.

(Where did she learn sarcasm?!)

 I'm not going to write more tonight due to illness :(. We've been a sick crew the past month. Leah brought a lovely pneumonia with her from Utah, Jacob contracted some awful phlegm thing at the hospital that all the doctors ended up getting, and I've been fighting a sore throat/fever/snot combo for several days. Instead of getting better, I woke up WAY worse than I have all week and it ruined my plans to go to Dave Barry's book signing. I'm still mad.

Comments

Larri-Lea said…
Oh, Carrie. Your post makes me smile and cry at the same time! You are constantly in our prayers - for the good things, the funny things, and the struggles. I know things will work out. I know Miami was not on the radar, but you have accepted the challenge and are running remarkably well with it. Because you have been prepared and have the skills to do this. Love you all so much!
August 18, 2014 at 9:50 AM
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