Friday I took the day off work to go interview for a job. In this tough California job market, I figured I couldn't say no to any offer. I remember three years ago when I had that "practice" interview in Palm Springs - never intending to take the job - only to not have another job offer given to me for almost six months. This time I will not make the same mistake.

So despite the fact that this interview was in Temecula - almost two hours away from Glendale in a town that is like Irvine but less "classy", a town known only for vineyards and air balloons - I put on my best game face and made the trip down. I got there early and found an interesting situation - this is a charter school, which I knew, but it runs on a rather unique model. Teachers start with students in 9th grade, and follow them for 4 years until graduation. That means a teacher has to revise lessons year after year, for a new grade level and a new subject (in social studies) every year. It would be a tough assignment. On the plus side, I'd only have 40 students per year. On the negative side, I'd be wholly responsible for those 40 students as a mentor until they graduate - getting involved with families, community internships, everything necessary to make sure the students succeed.

After the 45 minute long interview, I found out this was the preliminary screening. If they liked me, I'll have to come back for a second interview, during which time I will have to present a "dynamic and engaging" lesson plan combining language arts and social studies content. Wow. I should hear from them by Friday if it's a go... and then I will have to make it work.