Thanks! Now for the story . . .
My first years teaching were a smattering of long-term subbing jobs.
Four years to be exact…in some states, that time would offer me a tenure track position.
Ever heard the saying, Once a bridesmaid, never a bride? (Note– I don’t co-sign this saying, at all).
Well, in my case, I was nearing the same space:
Once a long-term sub, never a teacher.
And my alma mater’s administrators sensed this, I guess.
I applied to the long-term subbing position anyhow, and I got an interview quickly.
I knew I would since I taught there before…
…as a long-term sub.
Six suit-wearing administrators eyed me as they hurled the first question:
“So, Karla, why exactly are you applying for yet another long-term sub job?”
That yet another unspooled my little sense of poise I had left and cued the water works.
I’m not talking a little tear trailing down my face, either.
No.
We are talking convulsive, full body sobs.
Have you ever sobbed in an interview?
So much that you used up an entire tissue box and had to cry-sprint to hyperventilate in the auditorium for solace?
My sh*t could not be put back together, so I returned to the room to apologize and say I couldn’t continue.
Excusing myself, I sheepishly walked out into the pouring rain– a fitting scene to match my mood.
Soaking wet, when I got into my car, I stared in my rearview mirror and did what any sane and logical person would do:
I laughed, hysterically.
And if that wasn’t neurotic enough, I returned to my other school, soaking wet, with body odor matching that of my 7th graders, and had to teach the remainder of the day…
…at my other, long term sub job.
So to recap– the top 3 things NOT to do in an interview:
- Sob uncontrollably.
- Escape to the auditorium to hyperventilate.
- Undervalue your worth.
So I sobbed in an interview for a long-term subbing job — it would have been my 4th time as a long-term sub in 4 years. Admins asked why I bothered applying-implying I could totally be a regular, ‘ole teacher. Instead of taking this as a compliment, I hyperventilated and left the interview.
However, ironically (and gratefully), I received a “do-over” and landed the job. Just goes to show you that teachers are human, and administrators understand the outpouring of oneself that goes into teaching. I got a full time tenure track position after my last “yet another” long term sub job 😀 Toot, toot! 🚂
