What is Jen doing in Bloomington? It's a long story...

When we decided we would move to Bloomington Indiana, I immediately needed to figure out my work situation. What was I going to do? I have a Bachelors in Vocal Performance. No teaching credential, yet. So teaching in a public school seemed out of the question. In the bay area, having bachelors in vocal performance actually meant a lot of opportunities for work. I loved music directing for children's musicals, I had my own private music studio, and I had many upcoming job possibilities in private schools. So my degree actually, despite what every article on what degree not to get says, was incredibly useful and profitable. Flash Forward to moving to Bloomington Indiana and my reality shifted.

Music teaching jobs are very extremely hard to get. Matt goes to one of the largest music schools in the country. Many times in music schools it goes like this; amazing strings department, amazing voice department. Now add in the low cost of living, the gorgeous scenery, and the downtown scene-  many people never leave. Which means economically, there are way too many music degrees in Bloomington. So the same job music directing children musicals that I had in San Jose- requires a doctorate in music. When I discovered this, I was terrified.

So I applied to every job that either worked with children, the school district or payed well. I applied to about 100 jobs. no joke. I got an interview for a school age care coordinator for the elementary schools. A few weeks later I was offered the job of music supervisor for school age care. I was ecstatic and surprised, considering it wasn't a job I applied for, or was even up to apply for. So I applied for one job that kind of fit my qualifications and got a job that was exactly what I wanted.

THEN when I started working the job, it turned out that it was not enough hours. So I asked for more hours. So they had me substitute teach at the preschools (they are in the elementary schools here). I loved it. When a job for full time preschool teacher opened up, at the school I loved, I applied. Last friday I was offered the job. So the majority of my day is working as a preschool teacher (singing to them with ukelele once a week) and then I go teach music at school age care.

Leaving behind my studio was another anxious part. I've been teaching privately since I was 16. Then the wonderful idea of online teaching appeared and I went with it. Now I use Google hangouts and Google drive to teach my awesome students in the bay area. But more on that another time.

So what am I doing? a lot. I'm a preschool teacher, the music supervisor for school age care and an online voice teacher.  (: It's a good life.