Spring time and the living is fast

There are some long, hard, busy days at school right now. It’s just that time of the year when so much has to get done as we head quickly for the finish line.  I’ve been working with my seniors on their portfolios and business plans.  The multimedia kids are working on their second video and we will start their portfolios this week, too.  Portfolio Day is a big deal in our department.  It will be here at the end of April.

The yearbook class?  Eh, making me crazy.  The majority are sitting around like we have another year to finish this book.  All we really should have left is spring sports, but even I did  a spread today so we could get those nonsports pages to the printer.  A couple of the kids are scrambling after me, not wanting my wrath to overflow onto them.  Book and ad sales were so bad this year that I can’t make the payment for the book.  Maybe the government will give me a bailout.  After 115 years I would think we are too old and important to let die.  (Ha, ha, it is to laugh).

Tonight I was able to come home and fix a lovely dinner and enjoy it with my very wonderful husband who helps take care of me around here.  What a pleasure to spend some time around the table, just the two of us, having a really tasty meal with no distractions.  Tomorrow I go back to the lion’s den.

More sweet words

Yesterday, after an inservice day (don’t ya just love ’em), I came home to find this lovely email, all the way from Wisconsin:

Hi Mrs. Zody

It’s been so long after high school and can’t believe it but I have three kids already. Trying to be the best mom also working full time job and keeping myself very busy, I miss the days in the Marketing Class listening to Mrs. Zody giving us the instruction on what to do next. 

Right now I’m in the process of help the Asian Community with the interview process. Getting them ready for a interview, which I think that you did a very good job with letting us know how to dress and what to aspect. I still remember when you said “ 4 to 5 years from now your going to call me and thank me for making you do this.” I think what you said was so right. It’s just that we were young and stupid at the time to really think what’s good and what’s not good for us.

But now that I’ve realized please help me so I can serve other better. With you guide for the professional profile and the interview guide that you had for us would be very good resources for me. Once again thank you for your time and hope to hear from you ASAP.

Thank you,

I’m going to send her a copy of our portfolio directions, a list of common interview questions, and the rubric we use to grade professional dress.  I’m beginning to wonder if there is money to be made in the real world with all this stuff I’ve been doing in public education all these years.

Portfolio Day

 

Senior portfolio day is a big deal for our department.  We plan a year in advance for this event, getting the location set and contacting the business people who will be interviewers.  We order substitutes for each teacher in the department so that we will be free from classroom distractions while directing the seniors through the process.  

After doing this for six years ON campus, we had to go off campus due to remodeling one year.  We went to the social hall of a nearby church, and our business partners loved it.  They said it was much better for the students to be OFF campus, out of their comfort zone, so we continue for the fifth year to use the great space offered by the neighborhood church.  It is within walking distance of the school so no buses this time.  

The seniors dress professionally, pick up their portfolio that they have completed and repaired during the past month, put on their name tag, and are ready.  Nervous, but ready.  The first activity is a team process where a group of three to four must solve a local business problem.  This year’s scenario had to do with analyzing and making suggestions for the business environment of a nearby neighborhood that has seen store closures and loss of business in the last couple of years.  The team is graded as a whole on its ability to work together and come to consensus.  A scenario from years past involved the downtown area of Fresno, and one of the suggestions made by the students has come to fruition–the hockey team has relocated back there from a brief hiatus at the local university.  Another suggestion for use of abandoned theaters has also been instituted.

 

Afterwards, the students are excused to wait in a courtyard while the interviewers tally the scores and get ready for part two, the individual interview.  This is where they show off their portfolio and answer typical interview questions.  Since we have a variety of business partners, the students get a different perspective on the work world, depending in their interviewer.  This year we had a California Highway Patrol recruiter.  He was pretty tough on the kids, which we like.  Many of the boys specifically asked to be interviewed by him.  

I’m always nervous about this day and how well the kids will present themselves to the public.  It’s a relief to have the day complete.  The next event is business plan presentations Thursday and Friday.