[Paul left this morning for VT to take an interview for the band director spot at Essex HS, and will talk to two other schools about jobs while he is there. Here is his epistle from the field. -Scott]
I left San Jose Wed. about 6 AM. I was able to get online, apply for another position, email the principal that I was going to be in the state and hoped to come visit while I was there, send both messages, close my laptop and be the last person to board the plane. I felt so important, like some high-tech business person that does that every day. :-0 Yes, Scott, thanks to you I knew how do it all!
I sat on the runway for almost 2 hours waiting on the go ahead from Chicago because of ice and snow. Finally got to Chicago 2 hours late, missed my flight to Burlington, but spent the 1 1/2 hours sitting on the Chicago runway using my cell phone to book myself on to the NEXT flight from Chicago to Burlington about 5 PM. (Another techno marvel for the public school teacher). Got to burlington 4+ hours later than expected, BUT on the same day I was supposed to AND with my bags. Luckier than most going through Chicago that day.
Continued...click the link below to read more.
Karan and Steve, the couple that is putting me up for 4 nights are wonderful; intelligent, kind, humourous and pleasant. I have everything I could want at their house except high-speed internet. :o) I spent Thur. morning at a coffee shop w/ internet, researching houses to view and finding them on the map, making pdf files on my desktop so that I could find them (once again, Scott's coaching pays off in a desperate situation). Emailed some application/job stuff and took off in the car to find about 5 houses and the two schools in the area where I would be talking to people.
I'm going to view three houses Friday evening w/ our realtor, two of which are really desirable at this point.
About noon I got a call from Rutland schools, 1 & 1/2 hours south of Burlington, and the Fine Arts director REALLY tried to sell me on their school and their program. He did a good job, too. The distance and type of student are not as desirable but they seem to have created an amazing Grade 3-12 music program w/ 5 full time music people. Sounds impressive. I am driving down Friday morning to meet with him and then get back here for the important interview at Essex High School.
I met w/ the principal of Colchester H.S. this afternoon about a part time, .4, position for choral music. Nice school, great administration, but only part time and no benefits. it has a LOT of potential for growth and I think I could create a lot of things there. But, it would be a year of patchwork jobs there and elsewhere in the HOPES of creating something. There's a part of me that would REALLY like to take something like this on. They have a nice theater, strong drama dept, but the full time instrumental teacher who also teacher the chamber choir (what the...?!), I would need to meet her and see what she would be willing to help me create before I could take the job.
Scott, could we set up the laptops for an interview via camera? They are very willing to do a phone conference interview.
This principal at Colchester for the part-time choral told me that every school would be trying to sell me on their school and offering me a job. With my resume, references and experience I would be the top candidate at almost any (ANY) position I applied for up here. Colchester is the 3rd or 4th largest high school in the state (Essex and S. Burlington) and she said they have been having very few strong music applicants for 4 or 5 years. So, I got a big ego boost for tomorrow's big interview at Essex. At least I know I am seriously being considered.
Basically, I could call her tomorrow and accept that job. I think Rutland (down south where we DON'T want to live) is going to be the same thing.
Wow.
So, Rutland Friday morning, drive back north to here and interview at Essex, go out to eat with one of the gay social groups Friday night, explore and ahve some time Saturday, and meet a couple of guys that Scott has made contact with for dinner Saturday evening. I fly home sunday and hit a full school day Monday. Then leave for Chicago Thursday w/ 50 high school kids. wheeee! Ain't life excitin'!?
More later, gotta run to a coffee date meeting someone involved with the VT Youth Symphony.
Paul's Letter to the Californians
Sold!
Hopefully we're not jinxing it by celebrating, but the we are in contract after only six days. A very solid offer. Contingencies will be up in another week or so. It's so good to have that taken care of!
And even better, Paul just received an invitation to come interview for a full time band director position at Essex High School. He will fly out there for a few days next Wednesday. What a great opportunity this would be!
Charming Spanish Bungalow for Sale
Our place never looked so good! Click the link below for more pictures.
