New Job!!!

I feel like things are finally far enough along in the process that I can announce that I got the music job at Bow High School for next year!! I am very excited about the job and so thankful everything worked out. They had me come to school last Monday to conduct a couple of rehearsals and meet with the kids and some teachers. It was a great day and the rehearsals went really well. The kids seemed to like me a lot and according to the principal, they gave me glowing reviews when they spoke to him at the end of the day. When I met with the principal before I left, he told me he wanted to offer me the job, he just needed to check my references. He called back the next day to say that everything had turned out great and I then had a meeting scheduled with the superintendent. I met with him, thinking he was the last step to having things be "official", but apparently not. My meeting with him was fine and he said everything looked good, but he just had to go through the proper channels, which involved emailing the school board and having them come in and look at my file. I finally got an email from the superintendent's office yesterday telling me that my contract and hiring packet were in the mail to me, so I figured that it was finally "official" enough to be able to announce to everyone.

Bow is a great school and I think it is going to be a really good match for me (the website isn't anything spectacular, but here it is if you want to check it out: Bow High School). I guess there was a reason why none of the other jobs I've applied for this year have worked out - this job in Bow was just waiting for me! I'll be teaching only high school (hooray, no more middle school or elementary beginning band!) and am responsible for the marching band, concert band, string orchestra, chorus, select chorus, percussion ensemble, any other performing ensembles, and I'll be teaching an integration class with an art teacher and a social studies teacher. It is definitely going to keep me busy, but I can't wait!! I'm a little nervous about marching band (it's been 5 years since I've even though about it and even then Mike was the one who really took charge of the marching band at West), but I know I can do it. The kids seem really great and really excited about having a new teacher. And I'm happy because Bow seems like a place I can really stay at for a while - maybe I've actually found the place I'm suppose to be at for the next whoever knows how many years!

In addition to being a great job, and paying incredibly well, the other advantage of the job in Bow is that I get to move back to Concord. I loved living in Concord when I taught in Manchester and always said that if I had to choose anywhere in NH to live, it would be Concord. I've found an apartment already (yes, I move quickly, especially when I'm excited about something - you know me!) and I'm signing the lease on it this afternoon. It is a 2 bedroom apartment right off of South State Street and it is beautiful - hardwood floors, huge bathroom, great kitchen (not that I really use it), big living room, and washer and dryer included (finally!!!). The owner runs his environmental consulting firm in the downstairs of the building then there is just this one apartment upstairs that takes up the whole second floor. The minute I saw it, I loved it and I told him I wanted to take it. He is even giving me a good deal - he is lowering the rent by almost $100 because I am willing to sign a 3 year lease. Very exciting!! I'll be able to start moving in June 1 and I need to be out of my apartment in Sunapee by July 1, so I'll have the month to make the transition. I'll post some photos as soon as I get into the new place. And with 2 bedrooms there is plenty of space for visitors, so please come see me in Concord!

Life is good!!!