Summer pt. 6

Decisions, decisions.....
Did I make the right one?

Offers from Champaign and Freeport on Monday. Asked for time to make a final decision (Friday).

Last-minute interviews in Rockton (Spanish I & II) and Belvidere (Spanish III and ELL). Rockton, Hononegah HS, was my preference with subject and pay; Belvidere a bit of a stretch with subject, but a nice salary.

Spent Tuesday in Freeport and Wed-Fri in Champaign- revisiting the school and looking for an apartment, my stress level reached close to the max.

Thursday night in Champaign, David and I crunched numbers. As it turned out, neither job was financially viable. After paying to live in the area, school loans, and other financial responsibilities, there was virtually no money- and no one had eaten yet. No calls from Rockton nor Belvidere.
Choice was Freeport, as being the "safer" of the two, even though it paid the least. If need be, I could always commute. Also, I was most comfortable with the position (Spanish I for HS and 8th grade students) and had my own classroom.
Champaign was my personal favorite- more opportunity.l

Friday morning, 830, Rockton called to let me know they went with another candidate.
I went out to buy cigarettes (three days quit on Chantix).
I called Nancy for a bit of guidance and to discuss the Freeport decision. She called back, persuading me to consider Belvidere. My worry is that my Spanish is not proficient enough for III and the work for ELL will be too much, leading to a poor evaluation due to being out of my element.
I called Belvidere, expecting to be out. The principal was on vacation, but he called back right away. He asked to have a bit more time, but I told him that I had to make a decision today. He offered the position on Nancy's recommendation.
Calls to Freeport and Champaign to decline the offers. Sad, really.

I expect a call on Monday from Belvidere to get the ball rolling. I hope to get to the school, meet Spanish and ELL teachers, and begin whatever training/ preparation I will need for the first week very soon.

Nervous, to say the least, but relieved that the financial/ living situation worry is over.

Still, conversation between David and I was opening up a can of worms- something I did not want..... I told him Freeport was a gift; whereas he told me I should take Champaign as it would be better for me.

This could be the final year.