Baltimore Interview

The Baltimore Interview went very well despite a myriad of issues. I have to admit, I procrastinated preparation as much as possible, planning my lesson and buying the interview clothes the day before. Then Brent locks the rental car keys in the trunk and so we get an extremely late start leaving Pittsburgh while trying to get a locksmith in the middle of the night. I was fifteen minutes away from having to drive my own car to Baltimore, but I made it to the church on time (or as on time as was necessary since they started a little late as well).

My sample lesson didn't have the flow that some of the others did, but I think I displayed some valuable qualities, projecting my voice better than most and asking the 'class' good leading questions. They told us to assume prior knowledge, but I don't think the class had much in regards to the inflationary effects of the OPEC gas price rise of 1973. No matter, the writing sample and discussion group went well, although I felt like I came off as a little idealistic. The personal interview gave me the opportunity to drop a lot of educational psychology knowledge, but my inexperience as far as actual classroom time showed.

The real cool part was when one of the interviewers who is a principal wanted me to come to Baltimore and tour his school; if I'm accepted he wants me to teach there. I liked the guy, and even if I don't do Baltimore the encouragement was a great confidence booster.

And so now we're at the house, and we have so far broken:
The elevator (fixed)
A glass (in an ice cube missile war)
The handle on a little dish (not sure how)
The windshield of a rental car (allegedly in a water balloon fight when someone threw a plastic jug)

I wish someone had a camera and was taking pictures of everything going on, but oh well.