Zach the Job Hunter

So for the past month I have sent out literally dozens of applications for full-time teaching jobs across the country. My applications stretch as East as Connecticut and as Far East as Singapore.

I will be 24 this summer and although I do not feel ready to calm down and stay in one city for an extended period of time yet, I do need a full-time job for next fall. I need some experience teaching a classroom my way, whether it be general music, instrumental music, or vocal music. No longer can I hypothesize about how I would teach a class...I need to activate my plans. I need to be able to come to an administrator a year from now and say this is what I've DONE as opposed to what I WOULD DO. It's so scary to think about. I love the flexibility of having temp jobs and I love being able to escape into an adventure any time I feel like it. I just hope the next place I end up will have that availability.

I have applied to a few places near Boulder, but nothing has come from them yet. I would love to stay for one more year, but it is looking less and less likely. My long shot is that there was a music teacher placed on administrative leave last week and I am his substitute all this upcoming week. If he gets fired, they will need a long-term sub and I would have a big foot in the door. Also, that means there would be at least one position open in Boulder Valley for fall. I think I'd have a shot, especially if I do a good job in the next few days.

The places that have been most active in hiring me so far have been Judith Gap, Montana and the Ministry of Education in Singapore. Judith Gap has a population of 152 and I would teach EVERY student in town - K-12! That's exciting because in one year of employment, I would gain THREE years of experience as I'd be teaching general, choral, and instrumental. In Singapore, I'd be teaching high school/jr. college students, so ages 12-18ish. Yes, the schools are taught in English. I have always wanted to go to Indonesia and that is like right there, but I'm afraid of being in a HUGE EFFING CITY all by myself for a year. I'm sure they'd have training and support services set up for foreign recruitees. Also, how cool would it be 10 years down the road to say I taught in Singapore for a year? We'll see how it goes I guess.

I usually have no problems with commitment, but I have truly afraid I will commit to a job only to have a better job offered to me. Of course I want the best scenario for myself, but I have a feeling it is going to take some diplomacy. At least I hope so...that means I'm a wanted man.

There is also rumor that good ol' Mayville, WI will be having a music position open. I would love to gain experience as a teacher for dirt cheap, but I would hate to be living at home. I'm sure it wouldn't be horrible, but I'm sure it wouldn't be awesome either.

If I could pick where I go next (supposing I can't pick Boulder), I would continue West to the Seattle area or at least Northern California on up. The New England area sounds cool too. I'm also monitoring Milwaukee and Southern Michigan pretty closely for jobs as it would be really easy to move back there.

South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Iowa, Nebraska, Alaska, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Singapore, Colorado, Arizona, North Dakota, Tennessee, Kentucky, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Maryland. Those are the places I've applied so far. I think. I might be wrong. It's crazy.