Michigan English School - Rejection

I just received a rejection email from Michigan School. They were very courteous to me. It occurred to me that I feel like crying about yet another rejection, but then I don't really want to expend the energy to do that right now. At work.

The last rejection I really cried about was Jet Program, mostly because they were so curt and discourteous. That, and I really thought I would get into Jet, so I didn't have a backup plan per se. The fact that my friend had received an acceptance letter when I didn't kind of stung. Perhaps they should send out rejection/acceptance letters on the same day? I would have still minded, but not as much.

It hurts when you have your heart set on something but everything you are doing doesn't seem to be working to achieve that goal. Right now, Diamond Head is still my number one. I really want this job so badly.

I wonder if in my anxiety to go to Japan and teach, am I losing sight of what I will actually be doing there - teaching? Perhaps it would benefit me to get some tutoring or mentoring experience under my belt while I am in Rochester. I also wanted to learn CPR before I go. I have a spooky feeling that knowing CPR will be very important in my future.

The Scoop on My Latest Prospect

I have a very solid top pick, now that EFY is out of the picture. It's a small school in Shiga prefecture called Diamond Head. The reasons why it is my top pick:

The boss. She seems very honest, open, and sincere, and seems to expect a lot from her employees. The kind of person I want to work for. She seems really cool all around.

The school. I think I would do better in a smaller school setting than a chain school. It would be just the boss and I. I understand that there will be lots of elbow-grease involved, and very difficult work. She told me that it can be stressful. I really think that with her help, I can do it.

The application experience. Incredibly painless, compared to other schools I have heard from. No run-around whatsoever. She's been completely open with me about when she will make her decision and how many other people are in the running.

The accommodations. A one story house (3 rooms plus kitchen and bath) not far from the school, fully furnished and equipped. I also get a bike. It's also not as expensive as others that I've seen.

The area. Shiga is central, closest to Kyoto. Right near lake Biwa. I've been looking at websites for the area, and it looks beautiful.

The classes. 80% little kids, 20% adults. Kids during the day, adults at night.

The hours. 3-9 some days, 6-9 other days. That doesn't include prep time, but yeah... I am not a morning person. I can get up and somewhat function, but for the most part, I don't get much done until 10:30 or 11. So these hours suit me very well.

The job just suits me the best. Enough said. Now I just need to prove to her that I am suitable for the job.

Right now I'm waiting to hear from her about an interview. She said she wanted time to review my references, which she has done (when I hadn't heard from her in a while, I asked Jackie and Melissa, my references, if they had received calls or emails from her - turns out she hired an investigator or something, and they did receive calls from him).

I think I am going to email her today and see what's up. If I botch the interview, I'll be so mad at myself. I want this job really bad, though.

Oh and Bernard offered me a position, but I don't want to take it. The opportunity with Diamond Head is by far superior.

Bad News... Then VERY Good News

in an email from EFY:

Dear Margaret,

Thank you for taking the time to meet us. It was a pleasure speaking with you. We apologize that it took us longer to get back to you than we expected.

At this time, we have a few other candidates who more closely fit our needs.

Again, thank you for your time and we wish you all the best in your job search!

-EFY

Sigh... EFY was my top pick. But that's okay. I got my bootstraps, and I've already picked myself up with them again! Applied to 3 schools yesterday: Bernard English School in Tsukuba, Diamond Head American English School in Higashi Oumi, and New Ways English School in Fukuoka.

Get this folks - not even 24 hours later and I've heard back from 2 of them. Bernard English School is already talking about me sending my documentation to them for my Certificate of Elegibility. I need to sort some things out with them with my accomodations first, but damn. They must've been impressed with my resume or something.

As for Diamond Head, it is a smaller school run by one person. Maybe I would be more suited to that environment. She seems very sincere and concerned that I be suitable. Her email to me was very straightforward.

Regardless, I've emailed them both back, answering their questions - for the Bernard one, I'm not sending them my documents until I find out whether or not Julian can come with me. He said the accomodations are suitable for one person. But does that mean that they are unsuitable for two? I'll wait and see what responses I get from them.

Michigan English School Interview, and the Waiting Game

Michigan English School interview last Saturday went okay. I forgot my standard glass of water, so he asked me a question and I choked up a little, but it went well other than that. Basically, I mentioned that I had been doing some curriculum design with the TESL course I have been taking, and that perked his ears up. I guess Michigan English school is considering a huge change to their own curriculum, developing their own, etc. So my creative writing background comes in handy after all. So there's a feather in my cap.

Still haven't heard from EFY, but I remain hopeful.

I have a couple job reminders from myself in my inbox, but I am holding on those until I hear from EFY. If I don't hear by Friday, I'll start applying to Merry England (currently my second pick, because it seems like a very unique place), among other schools. We shall see!

And now, the wait.