Going Home

Yesterday I went on a field-trip with my old work. I worked for a grant funded program in Pomona for two years. I worked with kids in a lower income area and promoted college. The program follows kids from 8th grade to their senior year in high school. I LOVED THAT JOB!

Although students at that grade and in that neighborhood tend to have an attitude and are quick to fight, they are amazing kids. I loved getting to know them. The team I worked with became my family throughout my two years there. I would do anything for them. We worked really well together and got stuff done. It was really funny yesterday because we went to the beach and I was standing next to my boss. A guy tripped and fell on the beach; my boss and I both looked at each other and started dying laughing. My other former coworkers from a different school site looked at us and said "no wonder you two used to work so well together." It really is true, my boss and I made a great team.

Of all the jobs I have had, that is the job where I felt most comfortable with the people I was surrounded by. Everyone in the program is there for the same reason and we all truly care about each other. I was nervous to go on the field-trip because I hadn't seen my coworkers, kids, or boss in about a year but everyone treated me like I had never left.

I feel like substitute teaching is a lonely job sometimes, especially when I work at schools I am not familiar with. I am basically my own boss and I enter a school with teachers I have never met before.

I wanted to work in programs similar to the one in Pomona once I received my degree but then I went into teaching. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching but I also love working with such a close group of friends. Maybe I can still consider working for a program like this? Hopefully something will open up. I would still be a mentor at Gear Up if subbing wasn't better pay.

I loved seeing my kids, my coworkers, and my boss. It felt like coming home for the holidays!

Buzzed

While tutoring an 8 year old...

Me: You can't write "peeps" in your essay instead of "people"
Kid: You're SUCH a buzz-kill!!

Master's Project!

Well, I finally finished my master's project!!! I just have to write a little paper to go with it then I will be all done!!! It feels very unreal.

Once I finish the paper and my educational psychology class, I will have a master's in education in a few weeks!!! PRAISE THE LORD!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE I MADE FOR MY MASTERS PROJECT!

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions please feel free to comment on this website, email me at: cassie.hobbs@laverne.edu, or give me a call. I would appreciate your feedback.

A new outlook

I have decided to stop feeling sorry for myself about finding a real teaching job. Although my ultimate goal isn't to be a substitute teacher for the rest of my life, after reading some of the posts from subbing, I realize how much fun I have at my job. I need to focus on all of the amazing children that I get to work with. One day my time will come. One day I will have my own class and will be able to make a tremendous difference. I just have to keep praying.

Etiwanda goes back to school in less than a month! Thank goodness! I am subbing two boys right now and although I enjoy working with them, I miss the feeling of being in a classroom with students. I know my fellow teacher friends are less than thrilled to get back to work, but I think being bored all summer makes me depressed. I constantly need to be active and working. I would be an awful stay at home mom... being in the house all day gives me cabin fever!

In other news, I am getting hired in Glendora as a sub! woohooo!

Tomorrow I am going to try to finish my website for my master's project! Letty and Kristine were a big help. I am so grateful for them. I cannot wait to be done with my master's degree the 2nd week of August! Praise the lord!!!

Subbing

Well, I figure if I cannot get a real teaching job, I should make sure that I am working 5 days a week subbing next year SO I applied for a sub job in Chino Valley and I have to call next week to try to get on Glendora's sub list. I really would like to be on Alta Loma and Claremont's sub list, but they are NEVER hiring!

I can feel myself being bogged down by this whole job search. I have always been the type of person who needs to be in control of the things that are going on around me. I know that not everything in life goes the way you plan, but for me I am usually pretty good at making sure life goes the way that I plan. I mean, in college my plan was to become an RA, graduate early, get my masters, move out, and finally start my life by getting a job. EVERYTHING has gone according to plan without any bumps in the road until now. My last master's class is killing me and I cannot find a job ANYWHERE. I would like to rewind in time and pick a different major where there are jobs in the field. I think I overestimated myself.

womp womp womp.

Orientation Program Advisor

I applied for an orientation Program Advisor Position at UCR. This job would be sooooooooo fun! Please pray that I get it. I could use some good news on the job front.

Real Estate

I have been thinking about getting my real estate license for a really long time now. I love houses... like it is an obsession. Why not make a little career on the side out of it? I know the housing market is on crack right now, so maybe it isn't even worth it, but it is something to think about. At least the classes and the test will keep me busy until I find a teaching job...

Only people that really know me know that I am one of the most impatient people you will ever meet. Seriously. I am pretty good at hiding it around people I don't know but inside when I become impatient, I can feel my blood going crazy. With that being said, you can only imagine the anxiety I feel while I have such a hard time finding a job and getting life started. I am really thankful that Matt is so patient with my impatience.

I could complain more, but I am tired of being such a cry baby about finding a job. Instead I am going to laugh at the fact that I went to the best (and one of the most expensive) teacher-credential programs in the state and can't find a job. I'll just pray that a bunch of teachers get pregnant and hope to be chosen to long term for them.