Some of you are already familiar with the following. I wanted to wait until things were official before blogging about it, for what I assume are obvious reasons.
Spring 2005: Learn that I have a full course load for the Fall 2005 semester but that it's doubtful that there will be any courses available for me in the Winter 2006 semester.
May 14: Clean up the office, store everything in a seldom-used AV closet across the hall, and come home for the summer.
May 18: On a routine surfing of relevant sites, discover that Vanier College has a last minute posting for positions in the English department.
May 19: Drop off my CV and cover letter at Vanier en route to the usual Friday lunch with Dina et al.
June 3: Get a phone call from the current coordinator of the English department at Vanier, requesting an interview.
June 7: Interview
June 9: Retrieve a phone message from same coordinator, asking me to confirm acceptance of three courses - a full course load - at Vanier for the Fall 2005 semester.
June 9: Accept
June 16: Drive to Lennoxville, say my goodbyes, and pack office into car:
Upshot: Get to live at home with husband and children!
The goodbyes were many and sad - I will miss Champlain so much! I made a lot of good friends there, and I had a great time working there. If the administration had agreed to my frequent suggestion of moving the whole shebang a mere 140 km closer to Montreal, I would still be there. As it stands, I haven't officially quit, since Vanier can't be any more definite about available courses after this coming semester. Realistically, though, I think everyone knows that this is pretty much the end of my Champlain career. Thankfully, everyone there is very supportive and understands why I have to leave.
I'm already scheduled to go back next week - the Rogue Women, a group of... well, women, who get together on a fairly regular basis to celebrate each other's birthdays, and who welcomed me immediately into their ranks when I started at Champlain two years ago, are getting together for my birthday.
Obviously, I am very happy about the new gig at Vanier. I was at Vanier as a student < mumblemumble > years ago, and I consider that time the happiest I ever was as a student. Walking onto the campus feels good. There are teachers and other staff there who were there then, who remember me and are very welcoming! I have interesting courses to teach, and the department people I've met so far are friendly and interesting.
As I've said to a few people, if I can't stay at Champlain forever, then Vanier is the place for me. Granted, there are not that many options when it comes to English Cegeps, but Vanier is at the top of my wish list - and even if there are no courses there in the Winter 2006 semester, my foot is in the door, and it's only a matter of time before I'm there permanently.
Comments (2)
Congrats. Drop me an email when you get settled back in Montreal.
Posted by Wilson Wong | June 19, 2005 10:36 AM
Posted on June 19, 2005 10:36
Hey, I went to Champlain! I won't say when, but it was a while ago. Strangely, even though I was coming from a French high school, I got placed in advanced poetry classes.
Posted by Michel | June 20, 2005 12:17 PM
Posted on June 20, 2005 12:17