First Job Interview in 5 years! + Medication Update

 AAAAHH I went for it. I went on a job interview. It's went well. I applied at my son's elementary school for a teacher's assistant position.  I did not get the job, I was overqualified. I needed to be enrolled in school. Like, babe, I'm done with school. 

The puzzle of who I am became clear to my son's principal. Turns out she had an inclination I may be a teacher since 2018! It's crazy. She knew of my last principal, whom was killed by her husband. Mrs. S read a post I wrote on a Los Angeles Times article back in October of 2018 regarding Brooke's murder. She saw my name on the post. She asked me today if I knew Brooke. Honestly, it felt good to speak Brooke's name. To say lovely things about my dear friend. 

Medication update - I was getting very heavy. Gaining weight and feeling overall gross. I spoke with my psychiatrist and we adjusted my medication. Dropping one type of medication down by 10mg. I felt a difference soon after lowering my dose. My feelings have been stronger, feelings of depression always come around my period, so every month I get sad, angry, lonely, without fail. No medication will make me feel 100% normal. But it has helped me see myself even when I am angry or sad. I can look at Kathy in the mirror and speak to her and tell her, "Take it easy, you will get through it." And I did. 

I hope you have a wonderful, beautiful day. 

-Kathy 

Listening to myself talk about being a teacher

Does anyone have a tough time listening back to themselves? I do. I cringe. I can be a sarcastic, bitchy person, with a no fucks given attitude. I love and hate that about me. 

So I listened to my rant (RANT) about a situation between myself and a parent, back in like 2010. I was a brand new teacher at the school, and I guess the kid didn't like how I taught. I loved teaching. Me as a teacher was so much more pleasant than me as a regular person. So I was surprised in the mother's tone of voice. I will say I was a strict teacher. That may have played a part in it. Some children are not ready to hit the ground running on day one. They want their home, their families and find it difficult to adjust to rules and schedules. At some point all of that becomes routine, but for some it's not as easy. 

As the mother is telling me that, she also tells me she never wanted her child in my class. Kinda personal! She didn't know me, and I did great during my interview by the way! She proceeds to tell me she requested the other teacher, Mrs. D, instead, and was VERY upset her request was ignored. 

The teacher was out on maternity leave, so WTF did it matter, anyway? 

At this point my face surely shows how annoyed I am by her, I most likely looked her dead in the eyes and said, "Mrs. D was the one that put your child in my class!"

(Gasp) 

(Burrrrn)

It was the truth, honest, I had no connection to any of these people, it was just a roster full of names. Mrs. D  told me she didn't want the student or her mom in the class. Power trip? I looked at Mrs. D dead in the eyes and said. "Do it." 

...

But, back to the mom, I was not justified in speaking to the mother in such a tone. I should of sucked it up and told her I would work with her child, and keep her informed. I should have thanked her for her time. She should not have spoken to me that way, but had I showed her some professionalism & grace I would have taught her how to deal with tough situations without the need to retaliate. 

Reflection is good. Having children of my own & having fought my own battles for my children, I understand us more. Me as a childish, know it all, and her as a mom, challenging another person to listen to her and make right by the promise to reach her child and educate her.

Years later, I can respect that.

But how did it really end???

The mother spoke to the principal. She told her I was rude, and some other stuff. It really pays off for teachers to be friendly outside and to all students. Period. Principals understand parent's and their ways of dealing with frustrations. I think especially with a new teacher. Principals have seen way more drama! She took me into her office and we talked about the situation. The principal decided it was best to switch classes, so I got a new student. That principal was an interim principal, thank goodness, but she was kind and understanding. She knew my professional and classroom teacher side enough to know I was a hard worker and mostly nice. 

I also think the mom was overly bothered by the entire thing. No concrete reasons to be such a hater. Whatevs. We all won. 

-W/love, 

Kathy