Sunday, March 10, 2024

Time gets away

 Wow,

Sometimes it feels like time is moving like a snail and others it feels like it is flying! I cannot believe how long it has been since my last post. Almost TWO MONTHS?  WOW!

That is how long it has been since I have avoided doing my school work and chose this route to avoid it rather than read. HA! Lets see- since my last post. My daughter has had a birthday and is now 8. My daughter has had oral surgery to get some toofer work done. I found out my job is eliminated for next year.

:Record scratch sound:

Someone on a local parent page for our county posted a list of potential new school start times for next year. The screenshot they posted cut off our school name so I went to digging.  I found the original document in the school board's agenda for the next meeting. I also found a document about school staffing levels for 2024-2025 school year. In this I could see that a lot more special needs paraprofessionals were added and one position was eliminated. Mine- Classroom substitute in all grade levels. I brought it to the secretary's attention that afternoon and she was unaware. She had actually just learned about the time change possibility from her husband that works at a middle school. Later that week she told me that the principal said I would have one more year. While that is nice, I know that I am on the chopping block. I have every faith that there will be a position I can move to so I have not worried about that. 

However, knowing that your position is gone technically after this year is not cool. I do know there is someone retiring in the front office this summer so that spot will be open so that is my fall back. The problem with that is I will never be able to interact with the kiddos on campus. I have developed a relationship with quite a few and would miss seeing them. I really have no desire to go back into being a paraprofessional. Once you leave that world and basically become your own boss you do not want to go back to being under someone. Having to watch what you say and not step on anyone's toes. 

Now, to change direction and circle back to my post details from Jan. I have been working on getting myself back into my old college and it is now finally settled. I had to jump through hoops to get a conditional admission. They don't want to full admit me till they get the transcripts from UWF for the two classes I am in. I just wanted to be admitted enough so that I could choose my classes in the time frame I qualify for. Seeing as I have 40+ credits my choice window is first. I didn't want to wait and then have to choose from the leftovers in May when they got my transcript. 

I went and met my advisor which is the same one I had the last year of my AA and everything was supposed to be cleared for me to choose my own classes on Monday 3/4 when it opened. I was not able to- I emailed him with a list of the classes I wanted hoping he could put me in them. He emailed me back two days later asked me to fill out a form. I did and then sent to him.  He then said it wasn't clear to resend- So I did it a different way and resent. In the meantime one of the classes I wanted filled up. I am not thrilled about that.  I do still have the class but now it is a physical night class. Bleh!  

He also was not thrilled with me trying to sign up for 6 classes.  I had to explain to him that A. I always done that & B. I have taken 6 classes and worked previously as well so I can do it. I like to look at the syllabus on the first day and then decide if I want to keep the class. He also recommended if I am going to take 6 that I change the timing of one which I find to be totally bizarre. My plan was 5 C classes (12 weeks long) and 1 B class (6 weeks long). He recommended I change it to 4- C and 2-B. Why in the world would I short myself time? Short summer classes are brutal and you have like 2+ things due a week whereas the C would be more like one thing a week.  Normal terms are 16 weeks and the short version is 8.  So summer classes are more intense no matter what. I also reminded him for the umpteenth time that I do not work during the summer. That school work becomes my job at that point. 

Speaking of jobs.....    

Mine= eliminated.

However....

When I started on my AA I had a specific job in mind that required an AA.  The position is officially open and I applied for it last week.  Fingers crossed because it sounds like competition is going to be fierce. It is for a career specialist- Someone on campus that works with kids to help them get into college and prep for success in the future. It is a 40 hours position and is listed in the staffing plan as one being on campus in each HS. It would be rewarding and still have me interact with students. After helping people get into debt for so many years this would be a job to actually help people in a positive manor. The position helps with finding scholarships and invites colleges out to speak to students. The position is also a test proctor which I have actually done multiple times the last month so I am fully aware of what that entails. Emergency sub which I know all about subbing. It would also be a 10k pay bump from what I am making now which is always needed. This job would put me back at what I was making with my old job. The position posting closes 3/14 but we are on Spring Break currently anyway. I assume interviews will start the week afterwards. 

The potential problem is a coworker that is thinking about applying as well.  I have talked about this position for TWO YEARS off and on. About a month ago she mentioned that she should look into it. If she applies I fear she would get it. Because she has been at the school for like 7 years and is an amazing paraprofessional in my husband's unit. She is the only one that truly does the job well. Last I knew she was going to talk to her husband first to weigh the pros and cons. She did promise to tell me if she applies though.  Better to know than not to know is my line of thinking.


Ok I have stopped writing and went and filled in our tax info I have been dreading. Thankfully we are getting a refund. I was a little stressed about that because they have taken nothing out of my checks for federal this year.


I REALLY need to go start this assignment!

Till Next time!