Terrific Thursday!

So Thursday morning I get up for my interview at the magnet school. I wander over thinking I doubt I'll take the position. It is sixth graders, the commute is longer (a whole 20 minutes instead of 10. LOL!) I really liked the staff at the Marietta Middle School (MMS). The JASON project is a great program and excellent to add to my skill set and resume.

Then the interview. It is the Principal's second year. He is a technology guy. They have resources out the wahzoo (sp?). The sixth grade magnet program is officially part of the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics (MCAA) but is housed at the Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (MSGA). This is the first year the program is in existence. They have a wing of 11 brand new classrooms at the MSGA. I would be working with a team of sixth grade teachers (one for each subject). All students have a laptop computer for use during school hours. I get a smart board, a tablet/laptop computer, powerpoint projector and a huge budget for additional resources. The students must have a 3.0 GPA and place in the top 75% on standardized tests. The program will expand tot he 7th grade next year (being housed at the middle school) and then to the 8th the following year. I would have the option of moving up with the students if I so choose. I would have the ability to design the curriculum so long as they align with the Georgia state standards. The plan is to teach the 8th grade material at the 6th grade level. The eventual goal is for the 7th or 8th grade students to be taking high school classes for high school credit. These students are basically being groomed for an AP Program at the High School Level.

I was torn, it was an awesome opportunity to take part in a one of a kind program in the state with unprecedented support from parents, staff and administration. I could help develop and groom the program. The 3rd-5th grade program has already earned national recognition and I could help further the program. It would be TONS of work though.

The principal informed me he planned to make a personnel recommendation. I now had a dilemma, 2 offers from the same district for the same salary. I called Jeff and we met for lunch and discussed it. I could hardly believe it. . . I was going to take the 6th grade position.

I am nervous but excited. I can't explain it. Somehow I got the sense I was just supposed to be there.

So I called the HR office and accepted the position. Got an ID badge and I report to new teacher orientation 8 am Monday July 31. We have planning from August 1- August 8 and the students report to school August 9.