A little change of plans, but definitely for the better - I'll be teaching kindergarten at an international school in Frankfurt!
The more research I did about the previous job offer, and the more I talked to teachers who worked there made me realize there were probably other and better jobs/schools out there. Way back in February and March, I had sent out a ton of resumes and letters of interest. I heard back from many, but not all. In June and July, some schools in Germany and Austria (who I had forgotten about) contacted me. Some were schools that I hadn't heard back from, and others were schools that said they would keep my information on file and let me know if anything opened up. It was funny, because I hadn't heard from too many other schools but just within one or two weeks, four schools had contacted me. I figured it didn't hurt to at least have interview practice. Plus, if I'm committing to two years, I better have an amazing gut feeling about everything. It shouldn't seem the least bit "sketchy". I interviewed with a few of these schools and was hoping to get a job offer from a school in Berlin or Frankfurt. The Frankfurt school moved much faster on everything and offered me a kindergarten position.
This school is amazing. They are much more accommodating, welcoming and helpful. I have had a billion questions for them, and they answer every single one as thoroughly as possible. I leave the first week of August. I'm thinking of getting my ticket for the 5th so I can play in one last kickball game on the 4th :) Once I arrive in Frankfurt, they'll pick me up from the airport and put me up in a hotel for 4 weeks right by the school so I don't have to stress about housing right away. They'll help me with Visa stuff, health insurance, bills, finding an apartment...all that stuff. I'll have a few days to check things out around town and then I have a week for getting ready for school. Our itinerary for my first week includes a welcoming, tour of the school, PYP stuff, setting up the classroom, grade level meetings and my favorite...drinks at the local Biergarten for "anyone who fancies it..."
I think I made a good choice. :)
