I know all million of you who read this are dying to know what happened next. Nosey bastards. ;)
The guy, whose name is Graham, with whom I had the interview (major accent - it took me a moment to snap into 'English accent deciphering mode) called me about 5 minutes before I was expecting him to. Which means I jumped out of my skin when the phone rang. I was already a bundle of nerves, but suddenly my breathing was laboured and I was sweaty. My heart was pounding in my chest. I thought it might explode for a moment. I really was terrified.
He was very friendly, introduced himself, then passed the phone to a lady named Claire, who was the Department Head for the Third Year. I had an additional moment of panic when I wondered if it was the same Claire that works with Stephen. Obviously not thinking right, because he doesn't even work at this university. It wouldn't have mattered if she was the same Claire anyway, she wouldn't have known who I am at all. It was just panic, plain and simple.
So he asks me questions. Not many, and simple ones like "Why do you want to come to school here" (blahblahblah its the best university ever..) "What make you want to be a teacher" (I actually told the truth on this one, though I later thought up a better answer. I said that I didn't at first, but that as time came on and I got sucked into it, I realised that I really liked it and that I was good at it.) He asked me why I wanted to teach in England, and I got to throw in my global perspective commentary and managed to avoid stating something like I want the hell out of the US. He asked about my teaching philosophy and about my experience.
I think it safe to say that I blew him away. After each answer I would give he would say something like "Oh, excellent answer, my my,yes, most excellent". He was stunned silent a time or two, and made comments about my seriously hefty amount of experience. I got to talk about critical pedagogy, and mentioned all of the work I have done with inclusion and early childhood.
He told me when it was my turn to ask questions that the only reason that I wasn't in the third year was because they could not give me a degree without my going through the second year. That he thinks some of my classes will still transfer, and that the second year should be pretty easy for me. He said that he was excited to have me, that he looked forward to meeting with me as soon as I could get there.
Here was Stephen's response...
Amy (6/11/2007 7:18:31 AM): He said they are excited about having me.
Stephen (6/11/2007 7:18:58 AM): that's good
Amy (6/11/2007 7:19:03 AM): and that it was a shame that he can't put me in the third year.
Stephen (6/11/2007 7:19:06 AM): i knew they'd love you
Amy (6/11/2007 7:19:16 AM): you /knew/?
Amy (6/11/2007 7:19:21 AM): how did you know that?
Stephen (6/11/2007 7:19:25 AM): well you're amazing
Aww! how sweet!
Anyway, it went very well and I feel emotionally better. I can physically still feel the effects of the nervousness... my back aches. I think I might curl up in bed and rest, work on my study guide for the math test tomorrow, and spend time with me. And maybe Stephen. Or whoever else I happen to talk to.
cheerful
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