The Interview that Wasn't

Yesterday I was sick. Sunday night, after that last blog post, I got a fever, and couldn't sleep for being so hot. I left the bed and went downstairs to sleep on the couch so that Hubby could rest. I got up Monday morning, started to head into the shower, and realized I was slightly nauseated. Any plans I had of pushing through the day quickly subsided to the realization that I needed to call in sick, no matter how easy a teaching day it would have been.

The real kicker is that I was scheduled to have a job interview at my giant choir school. The head director is leaving to open a new high school in our district, leaving his job open. Already knowing two thirds of the kids, the school in general, and not wanting to continue my split teaching position, I applied as soon as I learned of the opening. That was months ago. Then it came down to the day of the interview and I was sick.

The principal called me at home about the same time as my interview would have ended, probably after talking it over with the committee, I'm guessing, and asked me if I wanted to reschedule my interview or forgo the opportunity. I agreed to let them go ahead and hire who they wanted to hire without taking the time to interview me. I know it's important to my principal that the new hire get to meet the kids before summer. I also know that my one year of teaching middle school doesn't really stack up well against someone with more than that. She did pay me a wonderful compliment, telling me I'm an excellent teacher and that she thinks I'll be ready for my own program in a few years.

I had mixed emotions about it all yesterday. Sadness that the opportunity was gone. Relief that the huge choir program which has eaten the last 3 weeks of my life won't be resting fully on my shoulders. Anxiety of not knowing who was hired, and how well I'd be able to work with him/her...

Through this whole process, I've not been fully sure that I actually wanted the job. My part-time, split job is difficult, but it's good for me. I have more flexibility than I would teaching full time. While I sometimes complain that I work full time for less than full time pay, there are times that I actually do work a little less than full time. Having the freedom to say every now and then (like I did during TAKS testing week), "Well, since I'm not full time..." and having a little bit of leeway to come in late or leave early does come in handy.

I have had success this year with my giant 6th grade choir and my tiny choir. Next year I plan to have even more. And in a few years, after doing this a little longer, maybe my tiny choir will grow, or I'll go somewhere where I can be all at one school. My time will come, even if my interview yesterday didn't.