The beginning of a teaching career part two

“May I speak to Mr. Poole please?” I ask so politely.

“Who do I tell him is calling?”

“My name is Bridgett Wissinger—I mean Bridgett Blake, and I have an interview with him at ten and—“ click. She must have transferred me.

“Hello?” says a man’s voice.

“Is this Mr. Poole?”

“That it is. How may I help you?”

“My name is Bridgett Blake and I have an interview with you at 10, and I’d like to know—“

“Who?”

“Bridgett Blake. Marilyn Jefferson called to tell me that I have an interview with you at 10 this morning, and—“

“There’s been a mistake, then, because I have a full complement of teachers this year already. None of them first-timers either. So there’s no interview.”

“Should I call Marilyn back then?”

“I guess you should.”

You have reached the administration offices of the St. Louis Public Schools. If you know your party’s extension you may dial it now. Otherwise please choose from our menu of options. If you are a teacher reporting an absence press 2. If you are a substitute reporting duty press 3. To use our automated personnel file check system press 4. If you are calling regarding open positions please press 5. All other calls please hold for the operator.
*5*
Please hold while your call is transferred.

“Personnel.”
“May I speak with Marilyn Jefferson please.”

“Ms. Jefferson is not available at this time. May I direct your call elsewhere?”

“May I leave a message?”

“Go ahead.”

“My name is Bridgett Blake and I was supposed to have an interview at Winchester but Mr. Poole cancelled on me and I’m still looking for a position—“

“What’s your phone number?”

You have reached the administration offices of the St. Louis Public Schools. If you know your party’s extension you may dial it now. Otherwise please choose from our menu of options. If you are a teacher reporting an absence press 2. If you are a substitute reporting duty press 3. To use our automated personnel file check system press 4. If you are calling regarding open positions please press 5. All other calls please hold for the operator.
*5*
Please hold while your call is transferred.

“Personnel.”

“May I speak with Marilyn Jefferson please.”

“Ms. Jefferson is in a meeting. May I direct your call elsewhere?”

“Well, I left a message with her this morning about a job interview, and she never got back to me.”

“She hasn’t been back to her office all day.”

“Is there someone else I can talk to about a job search? I’m already in the system.”

“No, Ms. Jefferson is the person who sets up the appointments. Nobody else does her job, you know.”

“I know. Thanks.”

Later that day I get a call from the special education floater position people. They’d love to give me the job. Duh. I tell them I need a few days to think on it. They tell me that’s not an option. I tell them, skidding towards disaster with every word, that I’m not interested. But like someone in a car crash, I’m not so much panicked as experiencing everything in slow motion as I turn down my only job offer. Gotta keep focus on the city. They’ll figure it out eventually.

You have reached the administration offices of the St. Louis Public Schools. If you know your party’s extension you may dial it now. Otherwise please choose from our menu of options.
*5*
Please hold while your call is transferred.

“Personnel.”

“Is Ms. Jefferson in?”

“No she isn’t. May I direct your call elsewhere?”

“I left a message for her yesterday about a job interview, and she—“

“Is this Bridgett Blake?” My goodness, a spark of interest?
“Yes it is,” I tell her eagerly.

“Ms. Jefferson told me to tell you that you would have to speak with Dr. Berkley about another interview.”

“Can you transfer me to Dr. Berkley?”

“He isn’t in right now. Can I take a message?”

You have reached the
*5*
Please hold while your call is transferred.

“Personnel.”

“May I speak to either Ms. Jefferson or Dr. Berkley?”

“They’re in a meeting right now, may I direct your call elsewhere?”

“No thanks.”