Wednesday, June 25, 2008

I'm Unemployed Again...

So, the last day of work was yesterday. I left school and will not return. I don't think it's fully sunk in yet.

Today is the first day of summer vacation. Sort of. I have to mark Grade 5 provincial math exams tomorrow and Friday which I am oh soooo looking forward to. Talk about PAINFUL. I am only keeping to my commitment because I hear that it's a good experience, it looks nice on the resume and for some extra cash before we officially go on unemployment.

It didn't feel difficult leaving the staff and the building. However, on Friday, the last day of school, it was extremely difficult to say good bye to my kids. I had told them on Tuesday that I would not be returning and that I was moving out west so a lot of them became increasingly clingy as the week went on. I had a few moments where I had to choke back tears as each student came up to receive their last home report of the year from me. (I made each of them give me a hug). I will certainly miss some more than others but they will all hold a dear place in my heart, afterall, they are my first class (perhaps last class ever?!)

I met with my principal yesterday to express how I felt about the whole situation (not being recalled and not receiving my "B" contract (permanent contract)). She did tell me that my colleague and I were the last to find out our placements because they were trying all sorts of ways to keep me. I believe she was being sincere in that she really did feel badly that she couldn't keep me on at the school and that she felt I was a valuable teacher, but it doesn't really make it easier to process this whole situation. I have to try to believe that this is all for the best and that I will be able to land a teaching job again soon. I just dread the frustration of not being able to have my own class or not even being considered for jobs.

Our apartment is slowly getting cleaned up but stuff is still everywhere. Accumulation of STUFF is terrible! I think we've downsized a great deal in the last few years and each time you move, you throw out more and more stuff (to avoid bringing it with you), but it still seems like there's a TON! I think the main reason is because we are packing all sorts of everyday items as it's cheaper to ship than to buy it new. At $1.00/lb, shipping over something like a bottle of lotion (~$2) is cheaper than buying a new bottle for $10. But if you think about it, we've now spent $12 on that lotion!! Anyway, I think you get the picture.

I'm looking forward to a new life in Vancouver. The only thing that is holding me back is the job thing. Hopefully CE lands something quickly and that I'll get something for the fall. That would be the IDEAL situation, but who knows! To be able to settle down and put down new roots is the goal now. No more of this moving around for me, thanks very much!

Alright, I'm done blogging for now. I've got to get back to cleaning up and packing (or maybe a nap is in order?? HAHA!)

posted by jaryee @ 7:06 a.m. 0 comments

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

8 Days...

It's been a whirlwind of a few weeks. Lots has changed in a very short period of time. I had been waiting to find out about whether I would get recalled or not to the building but I found out very late in the game that I did not. I was extremely shocked because I put my WHOLE self into this job and from the feedback and the knowledge that others that were of "lesser value" (from the comments from colleagues and even small remarks from administration) were recalled. Anyhow, it turns out that at the very last minute (4:30 on Thursday 2 weeks ago!!) a "B" contract teacher (permanent contract) got transferred into the building therefore bumping me out. I'm still a bit ticked that the whole situation wasn't handled better but I can understand what happened.

Anyhow, all this has made CE and I decide to pack up and leave NB. We are heading out West.. for now, Vancouver. We may end up in Calgary or we may end up somewhere else. Who knows?

SO, along with marking, report cards and general year end stuff, I've been frantically trying to pack, prepare myself for job applications AND try to get our personal stuff organized. OMG it's NUTS! I'm not really stressed out yet, but I'm sure it will come. I must say I've been oddly calm.... bizarre eh?

Back to the whole non-recall thing, quite a lot of teachers approached me to say that they were shocked to hear the news. Some of my colleagues that have become good friends were pretty ticked off. In a twisted way, I was touched to see that they cared so much. I think one of them was more upset than I was! Anyhow, I try not to dwell on it because I'll just get myself all upset. I know that I worked my butt off and that I deserve a teaching position. I usually can't bring myself to state something with 100% certainty, but I can say that with 110% certainty is that I SHOULD be in a teaching position! I was really surprised to hear some of the feedback some of my colleagues had for me.. perhaps they are not genuine, but they seemed sincere.

Anyways, that's my news for now. I'm moving to Vancouver so I won't be around NB any longer. My parents have already head out so the Tan family has officially relocated. Ready or not, here I go!!

JY

ps./ We're leaving at the beginning of July and we're flying out from Toronto on the 10th.

posted by jaryee @ 5:24 p.m. 2 comments