Here is the email trail surrounding my new position (I have pasted the text only):
My offer:
Hi Merrin,
We would like to offer you posting #76 a 1.0 continuing contract at Maillard Middle teaching Grade 6/7.
Please be advised that in accordance with the collective agreement, you have 48 hours to either accept or decline the offer.
Thank you
My response:
Hello XXXXXX,
I would be happy to accept the grade 6/7 position at Maillard Middle.
This is the first position I have had at a new school in many years, and I am unsure of the next step. Should I contact the principal myself? How will I get more information about this position? Should I wait to be contacted? I realize you are busy but any info would be appreciated.Merrin Sandilands
Sent from my iPad
Then I received this:
Merrin,
Welcome to Maillard! I am pleased to hear you have accepted the 6/7 position at Maillard. I am sure you have many questions and would be more than happy to help you. Perhaps e-mail is the best way to do this now? XXX, our principal and I will be in and out of the building all summer but we will be back to work full time on August 19th. If you would like to meet, we can let you know when we are going to be at the school. Or, I’d be more than happy to touch base with you in Port Moody where I live. I am around all summer but XXX will be away for much of the summer with his family.You mention that you have been at one school for some time. Where were your last teaching assignments? If you’ve never been at middle, it’s a great place to be, lots of high energy and wonderful magical things going on, regularly!I look forward to meeting you and to learning more about you in the months to come! Congratulations on accepting a change as I know it is not always easy to move.
Enjoy the beautiful sunshine and your summer!
So I sent: this take note of the bolded line because that is the reason I have posted this entire thing)
Hello XXX,
Thank you for your welcome! I was very happy to receive your email, as I was busily trying to draft one myself.
I am very happy to be joining Maillard. I have been at Citadel Middle School for the last six years (though in different positions) so this will be my first experience with joining a new school at the beginning of a school year. Most recently I was teaching grade 8 humanities and math, but I have also taught grade six language arts, student services and library. Although I was sad to leave, I am excited to experience a new school, meet new people and try new things. I am very glad to have been given a Middle School Position, and am excited to be get started!
I would welcome a chance to meet, though I will be in Ontario from July 30 until August 20. I am currently working on a diploma in teacher librarianship, and am at UBC completing a course entitled “Media and Technologies in the School Library Program”, and must be on campus during the day until Friday. I live in Vancouver but would be happy to come out to the school at your convenience.
Some initial questions include: what will my specific teaching position be? What are the configurations of teams at Maillard? Are there are any other new staff coming to Maillard? Do you have a new staff orientation? Because of the nature of my coursework I am also very curious about available technology and its use at Maillard. I am sure that there are many more questions as well, but I will start with those few.
I look forward to meeting you, Mr.XXX, and the rest of the staff!
And now I wait…
Congratulations on your new position! I have to give you huge kudos for getting so much information about yourself into a few short emails. You have definitely set yourself as a leader in your new school already. The one thing that I have learned is that in the role of teacher librarian, where in my district hours are at the discretion of the school principal and where he or she wants to allocate budget money, is that you have to constantly advocate for your position. This advocacy is unique a bit to new teachers and non enrolling teachers as year after year, we have to make a case for why we are integral to a school. This technology aspect will be one more way to prove invaluable to your school. All the best for your new position, and now you know that you have a position, have a great rest of your summer!
Thank you very much!