GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

A little more than two years ago I found myself trying to decide between New York City Teaching Fellows and a paralegal position at a law firm specializing in anti-trust law. They both seemed like good, albeit far different, opportunities. My ever-protective mom, a former teacher who got her start in East L.A., advised against (more…)

It has now been six weeks since I found out I was being excessed and two weeks since I found a new job. Throughout the process of my job search I relied entirely on the Open Market Hiring System run through the NYC Schools web site. The fact I was hired relatively quickly and easily (more…)

So, my job search has come to a short, but fruitful end. This week I’ll be signing the documents and I will officially stop worrying about where to report come September 8th (that is the day they finally decided on, right?). Although my search only consisted of three interviews, it was enough to hear a (more…)

Things are looking up and I should have a job locked up by next week! Now the question is: Is it the right job for me?
I’ve spoken to enough teachers to realize that change is a part of any young teacher’s career. Switching classrooms, switching grades or switching schools seems to come with the territory. (more…)

As I sat outside the principal’s office awaiting my interview this afternoon, I was struck by a feeling of absurdity. A little less than two years ago, I was in this exact same position. I had just finished my NYC Teaching Fellows pre-service training and was looking for a teaching job. I felt confident that (more…)

It’s often said that first dates are like interviews, and two years since finding my first teaching job, I can say the comparison goes both ways. The nervousness. The desire to be desired. Fighting the impulse to badmouth your ex.
My first date interview didn’t go so well last week. I’d done as much research as (more…)

For those unfamiliar with the bureaucratic behemoth that is the New York City Department of Education, the term “excessed” is somewhat strange.  Most spell check software (including this one) doesn’t even recognize it as a word.  But, indeed it is. I know because I looked it up two weeks ago, just for kicks.
There it is, (more…)