This is my second week of the Greater Madison Writing Project Summer Institute. I anticipated having a lot of things to post on the blog (which I do), but did not anticipate the lack of time to post. I am learning so much here every day and will have so many things to share and think through on this blog in the future. For now, I wanted to share a piece from a multi-genre assignment we are working on. Everyone in the institute was asked to write five separate pieces illustrating five different ways of looking at who we are. [Note: I will be using this assignment in my classes in the near future.] I focused on significant aspects of my life, one of which being teaching and the work I have done. As a genre, I settled on a job application (I don't think I have ever thought of a job application as a genre before, but work with me, people). So, below you will find my application/reflection on being a teacher. If you have read the blog before, some of this may sound familiar. Just goes to show that if you keep what you have written, you can use and re-use as needed. Thanks for reading.
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APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: Orum, Bryn J. Also known as: Ms. Gross, Ms. Orum, Ms. O, Ms. G, Ms. O-G
Home Telephone: Call me when you need to, if you don’t have anyone else, I will come and_ help you.
Address: This one I am not going to tell you. Enough said.
Position Or Type Of Employment Desired: Teacher of English, reading and writing. I desire to be a positive influence in the lives of children. I seek to empower and inspire.
Will Accept:
X Part-Time
X Full-Time
X Temporary
… Is teaching really anything but Full-Time?
Are you able to perform the essential functions of the job you are applying for, with or without reasonable accommodation? Define “reasonable accommodation”. Applicant will require that employer isunderstanding of regular emotional outbreaks of joy as well as crisis of confidence. Applicant has been known to take risks that many would find uncomfortable and be unabashedly herself at all times.
Salary Desired: I know I won’t be paid what I am worth. For that matter, I don’t believe you can put a price on these things. I expect to be paid fairly and respected for what I contribute to our society.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING (high school, college, graduate school, licenses, certifications, registrations, etc.) Check, check, check. What have I learned? What do I know? I know that I am rich with the experiences of my years, the words that I have been lucky enough to learn from, and I am ever curious and full of questions. I know that I am always learning. I believe education is for all.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Employer: Madison Metropolitan School District Position: Substitute Teacher
Lessons Learned: It is a myth that if you sub you will get a job in the school you are hoping to get into. Never take jobs to sub for middle school band classes. Don’t let their cuteness fool you, first graders can make you cry.
Employer: McFarland and Edgerton High School Position: Summer School Teacher
Lessons Learned: It is a myth that teaching summer school will help you get a job in a school district. Don’t teach summer school... ever. Away from the comfort of my cooperating teacher, teaching in my own room can be scary.
Employer: Big Foot Union High School Position: English and Speech Teacher
Lessons Learned: Just when you think no one will hire you, you get a job at the most unfortunately named school you applied to. Working an hour away from home is worth it (tell yourself this every day on your drive to and from work). Don’t underestimate parent entitlement. When a student is absent on every day that a speech is due, they are calling themselves in sick. Not all administrators are on your side. There are people out there willing to give you a shot. You need to have a little experience in order to get hired closer to Madison.
Employer: Middleton Cross Plains Area School District Position: English Teacher
Lessons Learned: Doing good and lasting work is never going to be easy. Do not agree to
provide wake-up calls to students every morning. Be personal, but don’t take things personally. Believe in the process and be patient with yourself and them. Bring chocolate to meetings. Providing education to under-served populations is an act of social justice. Make friends with your librarian, he/she has lots of money to spend. If you give students something good to read and believe in them, they will really read it. Progress is more important than perfection. It is not my job to save them all (believing that it is will be the end of me)._
REFERENCES (or people who have helped me along the way):
Name: Becky Gross Relationship: Mom
I decided to become a teacher because of my mom. My mom has worked as a teacher and school social worker in a variety of settings over the course of her career. When I was little, she would get Christmas cards from former students thanking her for benefiting and sometimes saving their lives. I couldn't figure out exactly what this meant at the time, but I knew that other adults didn't get the same kinds of Christmas cards that my mom did
Name: Chris Laing-Martinez Relationship: advisor to Amnesty International club in high school
Chris taught me that there was injustice in the world, but at the same time showed me how powerful social action could be. He taught me to be a voice for the voiceless, which I didn’t understand completely until I was able to be a voice for him in his time of need. When I started teaching, Chris wrote me a letter; at the end he told me he hoped I was doing well, he knew I would and that it was important to remember that as teachers, our lives are the hidden curriculum. I framed these words and keep it on my desk (and on my mind) always.
Name: Vicki Shaffer Relationship: work-wife and co-English teacher
I had no idea what was coming to me when I was hired at MASH and teamed with Vicki Shaffer as a fellow English teacher. She has organized my life from classroom to relationships and is ever patient with me “great new ideas” for teaching English. Her wisdom balances my newness and her dedication to caring for all students inspires me. Vicki helps me remember that it is not the big, sweeping changes that we need to focus on, but the small everyday kindnesses that add up._
B. Orum 12 July 2011
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