Anger, Disgust, Towel Thrown In

I've had it with Missoula. Totally. Had it. There are not NEARLY enough redeeming qualities to justify the Bizarro World we've been living in for nearly a year now. The arrogance. The completely incredulous behavior. The highs have been scarce, and the lows have been just ridiculous. Come June, with luck (ha!), we'll get the fuck out of here. I'm so angry right now I can hardly breathe.

As previously mentioned, Beau has been subbing for local high schools, one in particular who seemed to take a real liking to him. He was chummy with the Science staff, who constantly requested him personally. When a half-time teaching job became available at the sudden departure of a Biology teacher, the Science staff was quick to shepherd Beau in to take it over temporarily and rallied for him to apply and take it permanently. Half-time isn't ideal, but hell, we were thrilled to finally get our foot in the door! FINALLY!

Of course, he would have to interview for it, and the first month would be considered "temping" before it actually became a salary job (erm, okay, whatever). He began temping the very next day. A few weeks later, they had him interview. All seemed well. Throughout this time, Beau was inundated with compliments. Apparently, the previous teacher had had a LOT of trouble with her students, and Beau's fluid classroom management had made such a remarkable change, that other teachers were commenting happily, and even stated they saw an improvement in their OWN classrooms with the same students. Good signs!

Then, after time had gone on and nothing was heard, an administration person made a comment to Beau that "it's down to the two of you - they're just doing background checks." The two of you?? Immediately, a red flag went up for both of us. Usually, a comment like that wouldn't phase me, but knowing how things here never turn out the way they NORMALLY would, I was somewhat nervous. Obviously they could (and should) interview other qualified candidates, but Beau pretty much thought he'd had it in the bag. How many kudos and how much staff support can you get and NOT think so?

Then the principal called him last night and asked him to come in early today. We knew what that meant, we just hoped it was a POSITIVE thing. It had to be, right?? Beau called me a few minutes before he was to start teaching class to tell me that the principal had informed him that they were going with the other candidate, and as of tomorrow, Beau was out on his ass. Just like that. The principal stated that Beau had "done nothing wrong" during his time teaching these classes, but the other teacher had "more of a Chemistry background" (Note: it's 3 classes of Biology). Then the principal said the job would have to go up again in the Fall, and that he should feel free to apply. *snort* Yeah, right.

I feel so devastated for Beau (who is taking it as stoically as he always does) and so fucking pissed off at what seems to be our Year of Utter Shit, our Year of No Luck, our Year of Menial Jobs and Professional Demoralization. I feel like we really haven't done anything wrong -- that we've been our usual selves -- get a job(s), work hard, do well -- and yet, all we've experienced is disappointment and backsliding. No one could ever accuse us of not trying hard and putting in an honest effort, again and again.

And it's not over yet -- I still have not heard back about MY job, which I should any day now, and which could ALSO go from me being a 9 month temp to unemployed. Ho ho ho. I'm to the point now where I just want to get some totally mindless, anonymous job, like doing 8 hours a day of pure data entry in a small cubicle where no one talks to me, no one looks at me, no one gives me any fucking shit, and I can just become a work zombie. No more ambition, no more desire to have a good middle management job where I can make decisions, and do some good. I haven't totally given up.....yet (a job I applied for in Missouri has currently gone from the HR person to the hiring manager - a very good sign), but I am so sick and tired of this place and it's stupefying outcomes. I'm ready to leave. Now.