Update Link: Invisible Strings – Part 22

Oof, it was definitely NOT supposed to be three weeks between updates, but you know, life is weird, and your brain doesn’t always obey you. I was determined not to let my contract status affect me, but then, well, it did. I just really struggled to get through the last three weeks of classes. Putting together nine applications (exhausting), getting through my classes (AND starting my last sixth grade rotation), and just generally wrapping my head around spending the summer interviewing with no health insurance for my chronic health conditions. It took a toll on the creative brain, and I started to feel really burnt out.

But — as you might have seen if you follow me on Twitter — I got some good news recently. Some really great news, actually. I applied for an ELA position in my home district (where I live and worked as a substitute during the pandemic). My sister encouraged me to reach out to the superintendent — he’s a connection through my mother (she was on the Board of Education that hired him, and he went to school with my brother-in-law). Why not capitalize on that? So I did that, and he told me the ELA job would be filled internally, BUT he wanted to meet with me to talk about some current interests because he’s also the high school principal.

Last Friday, I met with him, and he indicated that he wanted to bring French back to the district — there hasn’t been one since my old French teacher retired. My French class was one of the last (and I graduated in 2002). But he had to run it by the board. I found out later that this position doesn’t exist — the board would have to okay creating one. I spent all the last week, trying not to get my hopes up and just focusing on my current students.

On Friday, he officially offered me the job. I found a position in my top choice district without having to do an actual interview, lol. This is mostly because I’ve interviewed in this district before, getting all the way to the final two, and I’ve taught there. So beyond the personal connections, my professional abilities were well-known. Plus, it’s not like French teachers are found under every rock, you know.

Anyway, this is all great news, and I’ve made some really big rebounds in my energy and emotional health. (Unsurprisingly). I started to write again yesterday and here I am, finally finishing this flash fiction.

I need to do a soft reset on most of my thoughts and plans for the summer — just because I’d counted on writing for most of May and then that didn’t happen. However, flash fiction is back, and I’ll be here next weekend with the return of Watch Me Burn.

Thanks for your patience and understanding. I’m really excited about starting this next chapter! Eleven school days left until summer vacation!

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