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May 31, 2005
Board of Education
Nothing beats having EVERY student engrossed in learning math, especially at the end of a long school year. I ordered 20 chessboards for my classroom and set up lessons for chess. I had one slight problem, as I only barely knew how to play chess myself. However, I've read multiple books and used enough online resources to validate the usefulness of chess in math classes and to teach it. I could still lose easily to many players, but I have improved considerably.
Every day I was modeling a new strategy or how to read/write chess notation, but otherwise the students have taught each other. I had five students who originally knew how to play, now I have 80 little chess masters. They all know how to write chess notation, they all can castle, and they don't want to stop playing. I've set up a tournament where the top three players get these cool glass chess sets over the next few days, and then we'll play once a week.
Here's the big Funny. The principal at my new school just called me. I assumed it was for the final interview, but it was actually because she is being fired/transferred to another school. It is still likely that I can get the job, but I have to interview with the new principal. Since I rejected all other offers in favor of this one, I could seriously be screwed. I guess this gives me some serious motivation to ace the interview, right?
Posted by G at May 31, 2005 05:02 PM
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Comments
Wow, that's horrible about the new Principal getting a transfer... Though, where is she going? She could bring you to the new place if there's an opening... ? (And if it's somewhere you would want to go, and if there's an opening there).
But the new incoming Principal will likely want to keep you... The new Principal will be sooooo overwhelmed with stuff, that he/she will be grateful that this decision has already been made.
At least that's the theory...
Meanwhile, Are you going to the UFT rally at Madison Square Garden on Thursday?
Posted by: Mr H.K. at June 1, 2005 06:27 AM
If the new principal isn't inspired to beg you to work at his/her school after telling her this brilliant chess story, he/she would be foolish.
G, where were you when I was stumbling through math in school? (Yeah, I know... not born yet... they couldn't do math with Roman numerals back then... counting dinosaurs takes too long and it's really dangerous... blah blah blah... wah ha ha...)
Posted by: palochi at June 1, 2005 11:02 AM
A second interview for a job you already have? ugh.
I suggest the following approach: "You know, I've already been through this. You probably don't want to be here any more than I do. You've got this new job thing going on, and you're probably pretty busy. So how 'bout we just go for a drink? I'm buying."
Posted by: Alan at June 1, 2005 12:44 PM
go in there with confidence. they already hired you. :)
Posted by: carla at June 1, 2005 03:26 PM
I always wear green underwear to job interviews. Might help. I doubt you need help with this one, though. Yer in like Lara Flynn Boyle.
Posted by: Helen Damnation at June 1, 2005 03:59 PM
that's pretty damned creative with the chess .. i dig that.
hey, sorry about the stresser with the new job. i'm sure you'll do fine with the new principal.
Posted by: myke at June 1, 2005 07:27 PM
What a ridiculous thing for you to have to do - interview for the same job again?!? I'm sure it'll go fine, though. After all, as other people pointed out, you already impressed one principal enough to get the job once, and telling the chess story will certainly demonstrate your creativity as a teacher. Go get 'em!
Posted by: Thom at June 1, 2005 08:55 PM
What a bishop!
PS - I just pieced together why you were searching for "Bobby Fischer" at B&N. Dur. Oh well, your knight to my Ben Kingsly...
Posted by: charles at June 2, 2005 06:57 PM
I went to the Rally. But I didn't see you there among the 20,000 others at Madison Square Garden!
Cheers,
Mr. HK
Postcards from Hell's Kitchen.
Posted by: Mr H.K. at June 3, 2005 05:23 PM