I suppose this is the week I need to make a decision regarding whether or not I return to Las Vegas. As a result, I can feel myself getting more depressed. To an outsider, the decision would be easy: you're depressed, stay home. But, I have a husband who makes not a lot of money. If I were to stay here, we would have enough to pay the bills that are attached to this house, but not enough to pay the added costs that I amassed as a result of my move last year.

I wait to hear from the two jobs I interviewed for last week. There is no guarantee that I got anything and that's the reason I am making arrangements -- though tentative -- to return west. This sucks. And, although the city has lifted its hiring freeze, I have not had positive feelings from the interviews I've had in the city. The bottom line is I can't count those eggs. Last week was the first time I was interviewed by a NYC principal who actually looked me in the eye. Really, things are not rosy here.

So my stomach continues to have butterflies.

It's that time of year when school supplies are flooding the shelves and we need to stock up.

It's also the time of year when I question whether or not I need to purchase everything on the list. To begin, Tyler needs a binder for each of five classes. Five binders??? That is quite a bit to fit into a backpack for homework, isn't it?

I honestly don't know what to do this year. My child lacks the organization needed to juggle and correctly bring home five binders. I feel like this may be a recipe for disaster. On the other hand, am I causing problems for him by NOT getting the necessary materials?

I guess my biggest beef is that when I do purchase the list of supplies, at the end of the year Tyler comes home with unused notebooks and such. Why?

We'll see what happens.

When it rains, it pours.

Yesterday I felt as though there was no way I was going to get a job. Today, I have one albeit in Las Vegas. Further, I have an interview in Monticello, NY on August 9 and am attending a job fair on August 2 for the Bronx. Good news. The Bronx has been given the go-ahead to hire outside the DOE for English positions. Please, please, please let me get a job close to home and in the same time zone.

I am becoming increasingly irritated and bothered by the economic situation in this country. I am tired of hearing about the debt ceiling and the republicans and the democrats. Why can't the two parties just make a list of things they can agree on and work from that? Is it really so difficult? I am not alone here either. The American people are being taken hostage by a group of politicians who don't realize that they are supposed to represent the people, not the lobbyists who pay for their campaigns. (And, as an aside, why is it legal for the republicans to sign a contract saying they won't raise taxes? Don't we need taxes to pay for things like war?)

this same failure to accept ownership of the economic downturn seems to be causing problems in the educational system. We have too many teachers who simply will not do more than they have to do. Some teacher contracts state that they do not need to attend extra-curricular events without pay flies in the face of research. We are supposed to teach the whole child not just the one sitting in the classroom. If teachers are doing nothing over the summer, then they are probably in the wrong field. Reading, traveling and such are pieces of the job. Broadening horizons is what makes us better people and teachers. Many do not bring that extra something into the class room. It's time they did. And those who do not should be looking for employment elsewhere.

Teaching interviews are a joke. Oftentimes I am asked about what technology I would use. The simple truth is this: we are hindered by the limits the school has. If the school has little in the way of access, then it doesn't matter what technology I would use. And, it stands to reason that if the school is tech savvy, so too will the teachers who work there. Knowledge of programs or technology does not make good teachers. Keeping the eyes on the content and doing what is necessary to enable children to learn that content is what is most important. Being asked what I know about differentiating instruction is a laugh: teachers generally don't do it. So, why bother asking what I know if you don't embrace it and demand it from every teacher on staff? There are a lot of new teachers out there willing to apply all this knowledge to the classroom but no spots are available to them because teachers too lazy to create new lessons are using up space.

America needs to get back to what made it great in the first place. We need to work harder and expect superior output. If we continue to allow the status quo to be the yard stick by which all is measured, then we will continue in this downward spiral.

So it continues to rain.

I am applying to jobs like crazy and keep running into the same costly request: the official transcript.

Now, I have no problem providing such information for jobs, but I have an issue with the cost involved. Furthermore, since I am licensed to teach in the states where I am seeking employment, I have already provided the official transcript to the state itself. Transcripts cost about 5 bucks each. I need an official transcript from each school I attended (four in my case). So, to apply for a job it's costing 20 bucks per application. Oftentimes, I hear nothing once I provide said info. Where is there a benefit to me?

I think perhaps it's time to write to Congress (because they have nothing else to do but bicker with each other), and give a piece of my mind. I have applied to some districts more than one time. Each time they request an official transcript. WHAT DID THEY DO WITH THE FIRST SET I PROVIDED? See, it's not cost effective. I think it should be perfectly okay to provide copies of the transcript. If you get far enough along, provide the official.

And, on that note, I have an issue with the letter of recommendation. If you want to know, pick up the phone and ask. One place I provided the letters to asked me to send more because the dates weren't current enough. Really, what am I to do if I haven't gotten a job? Furthermore, should I have to carry around a current letter all the time if I provide an email address and phone number for the contact? More importantly, I have NOT gotten a job based on the quality of the recommendation I received so why all the fuss?? Teaching is a job that requires the applicant to provide fingerprints to determine their innocence. (again, at cost to the applicant)

I have two degrees and still rely on the first degree to make or break me. I do know some people who have done very well throughout school. I was not one of those people. However, I am still being judged by that. I have a virtual 4.0 in grad school but that amounts to nothing because I need the official transcript from every school I took classes from meaning they see the dunce I was in undergraduate school and decide I don't know anything.

Ugh. I hate looking for jobs. It's so demeaning when none materializes.

Job hunting sucks.

I went for one yesterday -- a little leave replacement job -- and received an email today basically saying I didn't make it to the next step. Reason? They are looking for someone with more experiences than I. Really? I have a pretty wide range of experiences. What exactly are they looking for? (Truth be told, I know I got a form letter. Still, it doesn't fit the bill. Imagine if I didn't answer questions that were directed at me but just gave any old answer.)

Having to hear from people in my boat getting jobs also continues to feel as though I've been kicked in the stomach. I really wish I could find an interview coach for my field. I know the right things to say -- I say them. My question is : what do I need to do to get a job?

This evening I applied for two jobs. This afternoon I applied to another job. Tomorrow I am going to start making phone calls to find out what is going on. I enjoy earning money and don't like the feeling of inadequacy I feel when I can't find a job.

Good luck to me.

I have made the decision to not return to Las Vegas. If I had a job, I would possibly consider it. However, I have no job and the future in education here looks mighty bleak. It's time for a change because I need to do something. I enjoy earning money. Fact is, I need to because it's so expensive in NY state.

Perhaps something will come up in NYC. It seems to be the only place interested in hiring teachers with experience. I am continuing to try other states as well. I have FL certification and I am waiting for the certification from Virginia. Still, that doesn't quite do it for me because I need a job -- I really don't need to be spending money.

When I get home I hope I'll be able to be as relaxed as I am here. It is so soothing to be here where I can pay all my bills and still have money left over for a fun time for the weekend. At home, every expense causes me anxiety.

I wish I knew what type of job, outside of teaching, I could get. I want to do something fun and rewarding and close to home. I would like a challenge but flexibility to take time if Tyler is sick or something. If only, if only.

Mean people suck but unprofessional coworkers are the pits.

I had a bad day mostly because I reported missing work from my students who are in a satellite program. So, the English teacher in charge at satellite had some not so nice words to say to me because she got her ass chewed. My fault? No. I've been down this road with this coworker before. She doesn't do her job; I report it.. End of story.

Or not.

I learned several years ago that it's better to "clear the air" rather then let things fester. I went to the coworker afterwards and said she was unprofessional and I didn't appreciate it. She admitted her error in this manner. "I apologize but .... " Look, throwing "but" in negates the apology. Such a dumb girl. The worst part was her saying I was unprofessional because I didn't care about the satellite students. Hmmm. Is she qualified to make that assessment?

Bottom line. I pissed someone off because I reported her failure to do her job. Sadly, she is the same teacher who passes kids by giving them enough extra credit for bringing tissue boxes into class. Nevada is doomed.