The Internet is an amazing thing

Cathedral in the Forest
Originally uploaded by algo

I am amazed at what the Internet does and can do. I've met fantastic people using the tools of the Internet; I've had some great times with people I've met using the tools of the Internet; I've reconnected with friends and colleagues lost through time using the Internet. And today, as I'm discounting even the possibility of teaching this year and gearing up for a busy fall at work and completion of my dissertation, I receive an email with the subject line of "English Teacher."

Hi, I am the Director of Studies at St. Swithins School in Middle of Everywhere, New England. My wife found your blog while doing web searches for our school. Are you still looking for a position?

Okay, I've changed the name to my default St. Swithins, but even so, amazing. Even if nothing comes of this, I'll chalk even the possibility up to the power of the Internet.

And, as I'm still reading the NAIS job board, I guess I am "still looking."

Dissertation Progress

Dissertation Run 4
Originally uploaded by rokou

Forgot to mention... received the following email yesterday:

Peter,

Congratulations! You have an approved Concept Paper. Now it's on to your Proposal. Review the Power Point and the Dissertation Guide on the ARC website before you start. If you have any questions just ask.

Good Luck with your job search.

Take care.

Dr. Regina

For anyone who wants to suffer through my concept paper (which will become Chapter 1 of the final dissertation), you can find the work posted here.

The academic year begins to swing

first teacher meeting of the year
Originally uploaded by dbstrother

August is two-thirds of the way past, and across the US of A, teachers are gearing up to return to the classroom. Anticipation. Excitement. Fear. Hope.

As we all know, I'll not be in a classroom. Yesterday, at a farewell party for a family leaving our church for a new assignment in Bath, Maine, someone asked me about my job search. That I was standing there this late in August spoke more volumes than I could have actually uttered.

Scanning the headlines, I learned that my high school alma mater has new faculty and staff. Not surprising. What did surprise me was the age of the two faculty profiled. I'm getting old. The article profiled the new athletic director and assistant athletic director at the school. The new AD graduated from Yale in 1998; she spent the last five years coaching and teaching at Saint Mark's School in Southborough, MA. The assistant AD graduated from Baylor in 2004. Okay, that makes them something like 32 and 25.

Perhaps I'm too old to be even have considered getting back into the boarding school biz. I remember when I was a college senior looking for a boarding school position, I was told I was too young. I earned a master's degree and landed a job. Now, at the age of 45, I seem to be too old. Some how, I slept through the prime time to land a job.

August spins to a close

the birth of a better Day
Originally uploaded by COWsignal

Well, here we are in the middle of August, and the month is now full-tilt spinning to a close. Pretty much all bets are off for my candidacy to an independent boarding school. I do have one recently submitted application, but in general all is quiet and no options remain open.

I'm at peace with the situation. Very much so.

Certainly, I still have the burning desire, but I am now working on ways that I can quench, if not fulfill, the desire, one component at a time.

This week, I'm teaching at a conference for officer trainees in the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative. It's nice to be helping provide for the success of these young Coasties.

Last week I met several representatives of colleges and universities who serve military members, and they encouraged me to consider adjunct faculty positions. I will, as I think it will help provide me a venue to make a difference in the lives of those around me.

So, at the moment, I'm looking forward to new venues to teach, coach, and counsel.