Disappointment.

I didn't get accepted to Teach for America. I got the email about a week ago. They couldn't give feedback about my application, which was frustrating.

I just wish I knew where I was headed in August. I'm trying to prepare for teacher job fairs in the spring. I need to:

• buy a suit.
• have a fully loaded portfolio of awesomeness.
• pass the History MTTC (which is going to require massive amounts of studying)
• save money.
  

I finished and submitted my application for Teach for America. It's an organization that places college graduates in low-income areas and districts and teaches them how to become advocates for social change through teaching. It's one of the many Americorps branches and Obama even mentioned it at one of the inaugural balls.

We were asked to make preferences on where to be placed, and I chose New York City, Chicago, and Phoenix. All three sound like places that I'd like to live. I'm not really picky about where I go, though. We sign a two-year service commitment if we're chosen.

I felt a calling to this because I feel like it would be a place of fostered growth. There is a lot of cooperative work involved--at least it seems--and I work best in a team setting. I feel like it would be a great way to get away from Southeast Michigan/Northwest Ohio for a while, and be doing something in my desired field at the same time.

My resume could still use some fine-tuning, but it's looking pretty good. I want to see someone at Eastern's Career Services office who can give me a professional opinion of it. My next project is my portfolio...

Brief Updates

1. I'm working on the requirements to start substitute teaching. The orientation meeting was packed, naturally.

2. No, I haven't finished my resume, or my portfolio. I'm giving myself a week from today to do so.

3. I've had trouble finding the motivation to do anything in the last three weeks. I've been perfectly content waiting tables and doing not much else in my spare time. I'm going to set some small goals (which I will post here) to start poking away at the bigger picture, which is: finding a teaching job!!!

It's starting to sink in.

Teachers aren't appreciated in this country.

woot!

I'm all done. I made the 10th graders cookies, I got my letters of recommendation, I gave my student teacher a gift and a thank you card, and I got my unit back. All I have to do is pay my leftover fees and I graduate--cum laude!

Now I have to put together my portfolio. I'm giving myself until Jan 31 to have it completed, including having it reviewed and critiqued by EMU's Career Services and colleagues. Anyone have any tips for portfolios/getting hired/etc?