I emailed the lady at my placement school to tell her that I have an interview on Tuesday and I got the feeling from her reply that she has reservations about the school and what the pupils and their behaviour is like.
I know that the school is in a bit of a dodgy area and I can imagine that a lot of the kids are quite ‘colourful’ characters. Furthermore, I’m quite meek and mild so I’m not sure that I’ll be up to the challenge of managing behaviour in a tough school. I get the impression that this teacher is worried for me rather than just trying to put a downer on my good news.
However, this has left me in a tricky situation. The interview is on Tuesday and they offer you the position by the end of the day, so there is a chance that I will need to make a decision straight away. We’re also in full lockdown and I will be doing a Zoom interview so I won’t get to have a look around beforehand.
I’m so unsure what to do! I haven’t even been offered an interview anywhere else so I don’t want to throw away the one that I have been given. Plus, you never know what opportunities might exist at this school. I might flourish and get the chance to rise up in a way I never could in a ‘nice’ school where people stay from thirty years.
I need to make some huge choices in a few days and I don’t have the information needed to make then properly. But then that is life, isn’t it? We sometimes just need to take the leap and hope for the best.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
I can certainly see why you feel torn about this one! I’m glad you’re planning to be at the interview, even though you have some reservations about the school. As you say, you never know, and you don’t want to throw away an opportunity without really knowing everything about it. I hope the people who interview you will give you the information that you need to make an informed decision.
clcouch123
I’m sorry so many things might be compressed into a brief time. At least interviews should go both ways, so you may ask your questions as well. Good luck!
henhouselady
I would go yo the interview. I would also ask a lot of questions.
Greg Dennison
What I would do… since the common sense position is that this school is not a good fit for you, you really have nothing to lose. Go to the interview. It’ll be good practice for what interviews are like. And if they offer you the job, plan on turning it down unless you see something while you’re at the interview that thoroughly changes your mind. (But of course don’t tell them you’re planning to turn it down.)
Greg Dennison
Also, I love that song.
crispina kemp
From what you’re said of your childhood, teens, your past generally, I’d say you could be in a fantastic position to understand these kids and their needs. It’s not so much what you might learn from them, but what you might be able to give to them.
Wish you success with the interview
patientandkindlove
I have found during this training year, that I’m getting most satisfaction from the little gains with the tougher students. So it could be extremely rewarding. I think it’ll be a sink or swim kinda scenario!
crispina kemp
An apt expression for a long distance swimmer!
K.L. Hale
I think by the end of the interview your soul will answer the question about your decision. I left my position (and better money) as an elementary principal to go to a rural middle school principal position. I left as I needed a new challenge. No, I did not expect to get pulled to the ground by a student, bit by a student, and even to call the local police on the drugs brought in. I ended up spending 8 years there. I learned so much about myself and others. I get a lot of satisfaction making a small dent in a ton of heavy metal. But to each their own. I’ll pray the voice you hear after your interview gives you the best answer for just the “now”. And that’s what it is~the now. You have a choice, even if you took the job, to try it and then, after your commitment ends, leave if necessary. Although a challenge is good, you can’t thrive in toxic or unsafe.
patientandkindlove
That’s amazing that you went through all that and still thrived, and it shows that the easiest route isn’t always the most rewarding. I really hope that I feel fulfilled and challenged wherever I go.
K.L. Hale
That’s so kind of you to say. It’s true my tough paths (business, personal, health) have proven much reward. I pray you feel that fulfillment too my friend. ❤️