So I'm here...

I have been in New Orleans for approximately 20 hours, and I am currently navigating my way through its pothole filled streets to a hiring fair. Teach For America has assured us all jobs, however we still have to interview to get them. No big deal. I love interviews.
What I do not love, is driving lost through a new city. What I also do not love is having a bright red car that attracts more attention as I drive through areas that literally have doors barely hanging on the hinges. New Orleans homes, and seemingly the city in general, has an essence that screams of contradiction. The homes, for example are absolutely regal. They have pillars in the front and grandiose balconies. Those same houses however are covered in dirt, and some are boarded off completely. They seem to scream, “I am here, and I down right now, but I am not gone.” Just like the city seems to scream as well. Here, down at the moment, but not gone. No going anywhere for that matter either.
After being prepped for an hour by TFA on how to interview, I walk boldly into a cafeteria filled with principals who really should decide to hire me. TFA talked to us about how to really own an interview and how to convince potential employers that they should hire us. I have no issue with this. Perhaps I am over confident, but I really do believe I am an asset to schools, and take no issue in telling them why. I also have no issue in asking them when they want to have a second interview.
During my first interview of the day, two mentor teacher from a local elementary school glanced at me, then my resume, then me again and bluntly asked, “You’re interviewing for a sixth grade position. What are your strengths?” After I spoke to them about my strength in classroom management and student engagement, they looked me up and down. One woman, still staring at my resume looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Baby, I see you majored in Christian Theology. You ain’t gonna find much Christianity goin’ on in your classroom.” I stared her in the eyes back and calmly said, “That’s fine, ma’am. I’m a Christian, but I’m tough,” to which both women burst into laughter and said in unison, “You’re gonna have to be. These are sixth graders, and they will make you cry.” What is it with veteran teachers? You would think that they were never young teachers themselves.
We finished out the interview with them giving me an explanation of their reading program that is used at the school. They use a scripted curriculum, which I have mixed feelings about. The interview ends rather abruptly, and they tell me, “If you don’t get an email from the principal, you didn’t get it. Good luck.” Oh. Okay.
48 hours into being a New Orleans resident I receive an email. All it says is “Good morning. Please call me,” and it leaves a number for the principal at Joseph A. Craig Elementary, the school interviewed for. All I can think is, “There is no way I got that job. Those teachers hated me. There is no way.” Wrong. I am officially hired to teach fourth grade. At present, I have no idea what that means. I’m not sure if I am teaching a traditional fourth grade all-subject classroom, or if I am teaching reading and writing only. Either way, I am officially hired. I get to be a teacher. What’s more is that I am teaching babies! They are practically my Zion kids. This I can wrap my brain around. I can visualize my classroom. Just like any new teacher, I’m terrified and excited. But right this second, I’m mostly excited. Now, to find a home…