Today I was "unriffed"

[Catshrink]

My colleague finally submitted his letter of resignation and I got an email from our superintendent telling my they were getting my contract ready.

I knew it was coming but until it was final, I was full of "what ifs."

Good thing -- I despise looking for jobs!

[LWolf]

1. Congratulations!

Looking for a job at this point of the year is stressful. When most schools and districts have decided staffing for September by the end of June at the lastest, it's a tense time.

[Catshrink]

2. Indeed!

I'm relieved. Even though I was fairly certain things would work out, it was hard to keep my cool and be patient with the process. I'll feel even better when I have that contract in my hand!

[LWolf]

3. I remember that stress.

I wasn't "riffed," but 3 years ago I pulled up stakes, sold my house, moved, and bought another house on the promise of a job that did not materialize.

Under normal circumstances, I would have waited for the contract before making the big shift. My mom had a health crisis, though, and needed me there to take care of her. Not a thousand miles away. So I jumped the gun, moved on a promise and a handshake, and the job fell through. I jumped into the round of interviews, etc., and sweated bullets all summer. I had a few interviews, but didn't get picked up. Not until the last minute, when a principle I had contacted about a different opening called me for an interview, and offered me the job on the spot when I showed up. It was the last contract offered by that district that year.

They told me afterwards that there were 60 - 90 applicants on file for every job opening they'd had that spring. If I'd known what the competition was ahead of time, I might never have had the courage.

I'm glad that you will not have to spend the summer under that kind of stress.