France?

So, in case you haven't figured out, this blog is dedicated to my upcoming year in France. I guess I figured it was the best way to keep everyone who cared to know abreast of what was/is going on with the situation, as well as a written verbal outlet and sounding board for my related experiences and thoughts.

I found out about 10 days ago of my acceptance and so by now I've had a little bit of time to adjust. Right now, I think I need to take advantage of the sounding board aspect of this web based thing....

My B.A. degree is in French Language & Literature. I loved what I chose to study, but I also spent most of the time doing it with a constant feeling of inferiority to those around me. I had begun studying the language at a fairly young age and had a decent knack for it--as well as a growing passion, but the great majority of the students around me had spent at least some length of time overseas, immersed in the language. Not having had that experience is a an notable disadvantage in the study of any language and I felt it particularly my senior year....Reader's digest conclusion: I did OK in college, but I've wanted to go overseas and do this thing for about 5-6 years--ever since the day it was first introduced in one of my grammar classes. And even though I have a piece of paper certifying my university work as "completed", I've still always felt that I've only had 1/2 a degree.

I applied last year to this same program and was rejected. :( After a lot of thinking I decided to remain in Alaska after my last summer here to substitute teach and get my feet wet in public education. I had some experience teaching in a private school and a lot of experience tutoring--but honestly, I have learned more than I could have thought going from my homeschooled background to working as "sub" this year in AK. I actually had the fortune to end up as a full-time reading teacher to struggling kids at a Title 1 school in a low income, high needs school in Anchorage. What an amazing school year.

This said, in the last year since I, I'm in awe at how much my "heart" has changed about so many things, but here are a couple:

1. I have fallen in love with Alaska. I never would have thought that I would feel that my home is now in this (literal) corner of the US and that this is the place I want to come back to. My life is hear now, and I'm actually really sad to leave it.

2. I would never have thought that I would love teaching elementary school so much. The job I have been working is tough for so many reasons, but I have loved it. I have been drained from it and tired, but have never become tired of children. Though I had an inkling of it before, it is solidified: I love kids.

AND, as a side note, I am so much better prepared to navigate the public school system in another country having now gained some sort of a grasp of the education system in my own nation. I'm so thankful for that.

I feel like I'm finally going to be able to "complete" my B.A. degree. And I'm so glad that I'm going, but I'm at a complete turn around from the way I felt last year as well. Last year at this juncture, I was totally devastated to learn that I wasn't going to be overseas, but this time I would have been fine if I'd gotten turned down again. A much better place to be emotionally, I think. :)

I'm really going to miss Alaska--I actually look forward to when I can come back. Hopefully the Anchorage School District or somewhere up here will be looking for a French teacher in a couple of years. :) Needless to say, I'm glad I'm going this year and not last year, I'm in a much better position (geographically, personally and professionally) to embark on this adventure, and now I have a "home" to come back to, I hope.

And, like I said (disclaimer), this blog is intended for informational updates for those who care, but also as an outlet for my thoughts on the matter. So there they are!
I've got what seems like many busy months ahead of me before I head across the pond, but here's to the initial process(ing)!

Cheers!

Accepted!

In the afternoon of April 6, 2010 I received the e-mail stating my acceptance into the program that I'd applied for two years in a row. The first time around I did not get in the program--which resulted in my present location in Alaska and lot of wonderful experience and experiences under my belt....
Here's the news-- :-)

Dear Future Teaching Assistant,

Congratulations! We are very pleased to inform you of your acceptance to the Teaching Assistant Program in France for the 2010-2011 academic year, sponsored by the French Ministry of Education.

You have been placed in the Académie de Créteil. You will be assigned to one or more schools in the region, however, please note that your school(s) will not necessarily be located in the city of “Créteil.” The Académie of Créteil covers a large region and has many postings in smaller cities and towns. Do not assume that you will be placed close to Paris. The Académie will make specific city and school assignments this summer and will send you more details regarding your placement at that time. For now, please be patient and keep an open mind! In the meantime, you can find out more information about your Académie at: http://www.ac-creteil.fr/

Your placement in this region is FINAL; we will not grant requests to change academies, nor will we place you on a waiting list for other regions.

Please confirm by e-mail whether you will accept the offered position as a Teaching Assistant in France. If your plans have changed and you are no longer able to participate in this year’s program, we ask that you let us know immediately so that we can offer the post to a candidate on the waiting list. Should you withdraw from this year’s program, we cannot guarantee your future acceptance into the program as deferment is not an option. You must send us an e-mail either confirming your acceptance or withdrawing from the program by the end of the day on Sunday, April 18. If you do not respond by April 18, we will not be able to hold your spot.

If you confirm your acceptance of the offered position, we will send you more information about your next steps after April 18.

We look forward to hearing from you and félicitations!

Carolyn COLLINS
Educational Affairs Program Officer
Teaching Assistant Program in France
Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road
Washington, D.C. 20007