60 Minutes did an episode about Brazil's future good and bad. My whole family watched it tonight! Take a look at my future home.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Brazil on 60 Minutes
Monday, December 6, 2010
I'm moving to Brazil!!!!!!!!!!
It is TRUE! I know to some of you this is not "news" as you have known the whole time, but to most of you, I think you might be reading this with your mouth hanging open. I've accepted a position teaching 6th grade Social Studies and English at the American School of Brasilia (aka Escola Americana de Brasilia, aka EAB). It is an American School, following American curriculum, and for those of you who worry about me, fear not all the instruction is in "Ingles." I will be living in Brasilia, Brazil which is the countries capitol city. I am so excited yet so scared. I made this blog a couple of months ago to keep track of all this craziness, but from here on out I plan to use it to let all of my family and friends keep up with my shenanigans and new life in Brazil.
meus amigos até mais tarde (until later my friends)
Katie
meus amigos até mais tarde (until later my friends)
Katie
Sunday, December 5, 2010
AASSA Fair
So, I just got home from the AASSA fair, where as Im sure you read, I accepted an offer. It was crazy, exciting, frustrating, nerve wracking, and neat. It was basically like sorority rush, on steroids. Here is a quick rundown for those of you who want to read on.
Day One: I got to Atlanta before the Orientation session and that is where it all started. I met several nice people who I was able to keep up with during the fair. It was your basic orientation session but surprisingly made me much more calm about the whole situation.
Day Two: It started off with a sign up session. Basically the whole room is full of schools who have positions listed. You go up to a table and have under a minute to show them your resume, explain who you are, what you've done, and what position you are looking for and then they will either say they will meet with you or turn you down. I was waiting for the soup nazi to pop out and say "No job for you!" Then you attend interviews for the rest of the day. It was long and tiring, but after that brief 30 minute period, I knew who I did and did not want. The weird thing was that at the end of the day one of the schools I met with offered me a job. I was shocked and appalled all at the same time. Who knows someone well enough after 30 minutes to offer them a job. I mean this is a two year commitment. The one thing I didnt realize was that the schools I was interested in wanted to know why I would turn down a job. It was a little uncomfortable. But, I thought my reason was valid.
Day Three: I was asked back by several of the schools, two schools did not ask me back. The two schools I was REALLY interested in did ask me back so I cancelled every meeting but them. Risky I know, but I didn't see the point in meeting with someone I wasn't going to take a job with. I first met with Graded, one of my top schools, and had a great meeting with their headmaster, then I met with the American School of Brasilia and had a great meeting with them as well. It was obvious that they were looking at the same 5 candidates and ironically, the headmasters used to work with one another and are great friends. In the end I accepted the job with American School of Brasilia.
The AASSA fair was great and if you are ever looking for a job in South America, I highly recommend them. I spent two days there, but I met lovely people, cried way too much, and changed my life.
Im really excited about my new school, new boss, new city, and new life. Only time will tell how this all turns out!
Day One: I got to Atlanta before the Orientation session and that is where it all started. I met several nice people who I was able to keep up with during the fair. It was your basic orientation session but surprisingly made me much more calm about the whole situation.
Day Two: It started off with a sign up session. Basically the whole room is full of schools who have positions listed. You go up to a table and have under a minute to show them your resume, explain who you are, what you've done, and what position you are looking for and then they will either say they will meet with you or turn you down. I was waiting for the soup nazi to pop out and say "No job for you!" Then you attend interviews for the rest of the day. It was long and tiring, but after that brief 30 minute period, I knew who I did and did not want. The weird thing was that at the end of the day one of the schools I met with offered me a job. I was shocked and appalled all at the same time. Who knows someone well enough after 30 minutes to offer them a job. I mean this is a two year commitment. The one thing I didnt realize was that the schools I was interested in wanted to know why I would turn down a job. It was a little uncomfortable. But, I thought my reason was valid.
Day Three: I was asked back by several of the schools, two schools did not ask me back. The two schools I was REALLY interested in did ask me back so I cancelled every meeting but them. Risky I know, but I didn't see the point in meeting with someone I wasn't going to take a job with. I first met with Graded, one of my top schools, and had a great meeting with their headmaster, then I met with the American School of Brasilia and had a great meeting with them as well. It was obvious that they were looking at the same 5 candidates and ironically, the headmasters used to work with one another and are great friends. In the end I accepted the job with American School of Brasilia.
The AASSA fair was great and if you are ever looking for a job in South America, I highly recommend them. I spent two days there, but I met lovely people, cried way too much, and changed my life.
Im really excited about my new school, new boss, new city, and new life. Only time will tell how this all turns out!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The bags are packed by the front door with care...
Im packed, Im ready to go (which is different than actually being mentally ready), I've printed directions, I've cleaned the car, My car ride mix is ready, Sopherina is getting picked up in the a.m. by her Nona, and I feel like I could vomit! Im heading out in the morning. Ill try to write while I am there, otherwise, I'll post after I return...
Monday, November 29, 2010
I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve.
I am currently full of so many nerves it is just ridiculous. This weekend is the AASSA fair and I am hoping to walk away with a contract for the next school year. It is unbelievable that this has come so quickly, 3 months ago I never thought it would come. Just the thought of it makes my stomach fill with butterflies. I spent the whole Thanksgiving break working on things for this. I have made a portfolio, emailed schools with my resumes, purchased outfits to wear, and did all the simple things you would never think I would need to do like print head shots of myself to submit with my resume. Don't you know the photo-gal at Target` thought I was the vainest person on planet Earth?
On the whole I am really excited and at the same time, a nervous wreck. Im just trying to not get too excited. I have been on 2 other job interviews over the past 2 years. I didn't get the positions and it was really disappointing. I just can't be let down like that again. So, I am just going to be me...or maybe that is a bad thing. hehe!
Ill try to update from the fair.
On the whole I am really excited and at the same time, a nervous wreck. Im just trying to not get too excited. I have been on 2 other job interviews over the past 2 years. I didn't get the positions and it was really disappointing. I just can't be let down like that again. So, I am just going to be me...or maybe that is a bad thing. hehe!
Ill try to update from the fair.
Monday, October 18, 2010
And so it begins...
Well it has started. I am officially on my way to begin the process of teaching abroad. Here are a couple of the things Ive started:
1. I made a website. I know...right! Even I cant believe that I could do it but it wasn't that bad! I just used my iweb and got mobileme for 1 year. I would let everyone see it but since this blog is public and my website is private I would have to give everyone and their momma the info.
2. I have registered with AASSA, the Association of American Schools in South America. They host the first job fair of the year and since South America is my first choice regionally, it made since for me to try their fair first.
3. I've gotten all but one letter of reference but Wednesday I am going to make sure the last one gets submitted!
4. i signed up with TIE (The International Educator), which is a website that schools use to post job openings. I've already found two openings! Which brings me to number5!
5. I've contacted two schools with openings that meet my credentials. Which meant finishing my resume and cover letter.
The only thing I am lacking are video lessons for my website. I've tried but some of my kiddos this year are less that cooperative, shocker! haha! Overall, I am feeling pretty good. I am kind of riding on the philosophy of whatever will be, will be. Im not trying to overthink it or get too excited. I figure, if this is the path my life needs to take then God will steer me in the right direction.
1. I made a website. I know...right! Even I cant believe that I could do it but it wasn't that bad! I just used my iweb and got mobileme for 1 year. I would let everyone see it but since this blog is public and my website is private I would have to give everyone and their momma the info.
2. I have registered with AASSA, the Association of American Schools in South America. They host the first job fair of the year and since South America is my first choice regionally, it made since for me to try their fair first.
3. I've gotten all but one letter of reference but Wednesday I am going to make sure the last one gets submitted!
4. i signed up with TIE (The International Educator), which is a website that schools use to post job openings. I've already found two openings! Which brings me to number5!
5. I've contacted two schools with openings that meet my credentials. Which meant finishing my resume and cover letter.
The only thing I am lacking are video lessons for my website. I've tried but some of my kiddos this year are less that cooperative, shocker! haha! Overall, I am feeling pretty good. I am kind of riding on the philosophy of whatever will be, will be. Im not trying to overthink it or get too excited. I figure, if this is the path my life needs to take then God will steer me in the right direction.
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