So I’m leaving teaching.  I do not like it.  I’m not going to finish up the certification to finish out my Masters in the content (it’s pricey and involves lots of jumping through ridiculous hoops, as NYS is prone to require of it’s working people).  I will not do this job again.  I don’t like it…it’s boring and my brain needs some intellectual stimulation.  And crap.  I feel like I’ve been off half the year.  I thought I had minimal social interaction as a scientist, but there is even less as a teacher.  Unless you count my silly teenage Chemistry students.  Teaching college was fun…this, well I don’t even know what I would categorize this as.

I’m going back to my old job.  I had an “interview” on Monday.  It went remarkably well.  It was to work for two new investigators coming in…on a new system, a parasite that is a tremendous problem for developing countries.  And to be their lab manager for both labs.  It sounded like such a good fit and I even broached the whole possiblity of working part-time status, with 3 ten hour days and it was not dismissed…even stated as a very likely possiblity.  Also, it wouldn’t need me on regular schedule until some point in August, so I could still have this summer off with my girl.  It all sounds so good…the three days a week I work, B will have to get a sitter who can pick her up from school and stay with her for an hour or two.  And she’ll have to get up for school and get dressed, since I’ll leave before she’s up, three days a week.  We talked about it and she’s fine, since I’ll be home two more days a week now.  She’s going to be ten when this all happens and my husband will make sure she’s up and fed for school.  He already drops her at her Daddy’s house so he can bring her to school each day.  Hopefully this all falls into place as nicely as it sounds.  I’m so excited to get back to work.  And very grateful to all the people who are helping to make that happen.

And hopefully, I’ll have lots more time to blog!

Hey there!  How have you guys been?  I miss you, I’ve been thinking of you, but I’ve been overwhelmed with balancing everything.  The relatively new marriage, living together, blended family, new job, and so on.  BUT I did think about all of you often.  And I’m back.  And I’m going to try to post at least weekly from now on…so will you guys come back?  I miss your daily presence.  I loved when my BlackBerry vibrated and it was you guys replying to a post or commenting or emailing.  My virtual friends rock.  And I miss you…wait I said that already right?

Ok, so if you let me back in this special club, here’s what I’ve got for ya.  I’m almost done, three more weeks to go…of my first semester.  My school does semestering.  Meaning my science students have me every day for eighty minutes…160 on the days they have lab.  Physics has turned out to be the class that is “easier” to teach, even though I don’t know it as well.  I’m guessing that it’s because I have been learning more right along with them.  Chemisty is my stronger subject, but I have younger kids in that one and some of them really don’t want to be there.  After teaching college, I have to say discipline and motivating is not something I really was used to having to do.  That’s the part I DON’T like.

I’m excited to say that next semester from February to June I only have Chemistry and the corresponding labs.  Which is sweet and should allow me a bit more time.  Especially since I have all the PowerPoints pretty much done.  This semester I made them as I went for each topic.  Ugh.

On another note, I’m thinking of finishing out this year and heading back to the two hour daily commute (as opposed to this new two minute one) and my old job.  I miss it and the people too much.  As far as how this job has affected my time with Miss B and our lives together, that’s the next post I swear.  It’s been mixed really.  Not as much of a blessing as I’d thought, but a blessing nonetheless.  She’s in on the decision to go back to my old job.  By the way, the girl is FABULOUS.  Kids raised by single mamas are just so thoughful, generous, grateful and most of all KIND.  And beautiful.  Inside and out.  I’m in love with my 9 year old daughter…even when she’s grouchy.  Oh yeah, and we’ve had the SEX talk!  I can’t wait to update you on THAT one.  The girl is just too smart.  Pictures will follow too, I promise.  And by the way, she looks 14.  You won’t believe it.

By the way, who has a BlackBerry?  Email me your PIN ladies please…I’d like to have the instant ability to BB message with you.  It’s faster and so accessible.

I’m going to go browse YOUR blogs now.  And catch up on your lives…gosh what if you guys are all married and blogless now…that will stink…I gotta go find you.  Right away.

So it’s a done deal.  I took the job.  

Thanks to all of you who helped and supported and weighed in on this major decision.  I’m now fully preparing for the upcoming school year teaching Chemistry (which I taught college chem labs for the last five years so I’m not feeling as nervous about that) and Physics (eek, not my normal subject area and it’s been years since I’ve dealt with it, so I’m studying up extra hard).  The first half of the year it’s Chem and Physics every day and the Regents in January.  Then the next half of the year it’s just Chemistry.  The same one I will have taught in the first semester.  So that at least should be easier.  It’s just the first half of the year that will be overwhelming.  But I’m up for it-I’m going to get as much planned ahead as I can.

Any teachers out there?  Any science teachers?  Anyone want to help out?  

How do you all prepare for a  new job, where you don’t know anybody???