Today's word is: Buster

TLC's song "No Scrubs" came on the radio and there is a specific line that goes as following: "A scrub is a guy who thinks he's fine and is also known as a buster". So M@ Kulka and myself have decided that the word of the summer is going to be buster. Anytime we see someone embarrassing themselves unknowingly, they are a buster. You might be asking yourself, "Well Phil, how do i protect myself from being a buster?" Well that is why this post will save you from ever being defined a buster, here are the top 10 ways you can spot a buster:

1. Jean Shorts - Your JNCO jean shorts that come down to your shins are not "cool" they're an eye sore.

2. Non-Situational Bandana Wearing - If you are not mowing or playing tennis...take off the bandana

3. Ear Gauges - The real world called, no one is hiring you with your golf ball sized holes in your ears.

4. Vanity License Plates- Congratulations GETOSAMA, every person who drives behind you knows you are a true blue American and will never question you....buster!

5. Shirt wrapped around your head (Cousin of the Situational Bandana)- Yes you are tan, but your stomach needs covered.

6. Walking your bike up a hill- Your doing it wrong!

7. Riding your bike in general- Get a car!

8. Listening to Country Music- Let me ruin every song you will listen to this summer "America is #1, drinking is good, and hick's love their families"

9. Water- We get it your "healthy", give me a beer, pop, juice, anything but water.

10. Not watching the World Cup- Don't be a buster, enjoy the best sporting event in the world and cheer on the United States.

These 10 hints will help you from your friends whispering the word "buster" behind your back this summer.

SRU Job Fair

Today I had a job fair at Slippery Rock University (I....Rock). There were around 30 schools that attended the job fair and very few of those schools were in the state of Pennsylvania. From 9:00-10:00 we scheduled interviews and handed our resumes to certain school districts (this process could have lasted 15 minutes). Once those were complete, we were to have interviews with the different schools that asked us and signed us up for times. I had two seperate interviews with the Intermediate Unit IV and The Academy Schools in Butler Pennsylvania. I was very interested with the Intermediate Unit and I fel that I made a great first impression. They will be in contact with me at the beginning of June for a second interview.
The Academy School is a delinquent youth school based in Butler, Pennsylvania. I felt very comfortable talking to the people at the desk and during the interview. Depending on pay, I would be interested in also relocating to Butler and becomming a teacher in the area.
Of course the best part of any trip to Slippery Rock is eating at Bob's Subs where I housed a Sr. Roast Beef sub! Overall, it was an excellent experience and it just might have led me into my first professional job. More updates to follow!

Reminisce

In January I started my long 4 month student teaching journey. Through these months I had many peaks, and I had many valleys. Sitting on my couch today on my first "day off" I have decided to reflect on the experience I had at Asbury Elementary.
First, the school district, school building, staff, administration and teachers were nothing less than the absolute bet. They were considerate, flexible with my schedule and always willing to help me as I grew as a professional. My first placement was in a 4th and 5th grade learning support class. My cooperating teacher that I was with was very knowledgeable and gave me a ton of excellent suggestions and really showed me how to balance the hectic schedule of a special educator.
My second placement as in a 4th grade elementary class. Out of any experience I have had, this was probably the most rewarding experience I have had in a classroom. My cooperating teacher gave me full control of the class as soon as I walked in and the relationships I built with every kiddo in that class will never be forgotten. I learned more about myself, my teaching ability, and my personality in the class just by having the full responsibility of a regular education teacher.
For today, I am hoping this experience paid off and I can get a call from one of two school districts that I have already had one interview with. I am very open-minded to any outcome that might result. I am not in control of my life; I will let God lead me to where he wants me to start my life.

Crawford Central

My second interview was today at Crawford Central School district in Crawford County. This school district includes Meadville High school, Meadville Middle School, East End Elementary, West End Elementary, Cochranton Elementary, and Cochranton High School. I was very excited for this opportunity because I knew that location was ideal for me and I could really envision myself in this area.

I was interviewed by two different panels of teachers and principals for about 15 minutes each. Overall I got a very good impression of the school district and hope that I impressed at least one principal on the panel that wants me as a teacher at their school.

Rating of interview 1 9/10
Rating of interview 2 4/10

I felt that one interview was incredible as the other I fumbled over my words a bit and did not get to represent myself accurately as a facilitator of education. But, the panel understands how nerve wrenching it is to sit down in front of a distinguished panel of educators. I will find out at the end of the week if I have a second interview or not with the school district. I will update my readers on any news pertaining to any 2nd interviews!

Mercer Elementary School

One of my goals this summer is to find a teaching job anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania. Yesterday was the first big step in doing so, I had my first interview at Mercer Elementary School where I graduated from in 1999. As soon as i stepped on the property, everything was completely different in the ten year span I had been inside of the building. It was newly renovated and from the outside looked like a completely different school.

As I waited in the office and was reading an automated letter they give to all interviewees, a little girl to be around the age of 4 comes into the office with her mom. She immediately took the seat right next to me and took an immediate interest in me. Before long, she was sitting on the chair beside me as I was going over a flip chart of fractions that I had in my portfolio. In all honesty, I was looking through a large glass window expecting there to be 3 adults with a clipboard taking notes on me as if I was getting interviewed without even knowing.

Overall, the interview I felt was very successful for being my very first one. I answered most questions very well and gave the school district a good idea of what kind of teacher and person they would be hiring if they selected me. Like any interview, there were things I wished I would have explained in more details, but overall it was successful.

I have very mixed feelings about going back to my home town to teach, but I think it is an amazing place to start at. I could see myself teaching here for a very long time if I do acquire the job, but time will tell.