Basically there were three interviews. This story gets crazy so stay until the end.
1) I met with the high school school director. He was initially apprehensive, but I really prepared for the interview and I think he was pretty open to me by the end. Just talked about Montesorri school and why the traditional system is too restricting.
2) Met with the two math teachers. Both were pretty friendly and asked me again about why I believed in Montesorri schools and actually showed me teaching their classes. It's pretty interesting...the kids just take a quiz based on the lesson and can't move on until they get a certain grade on the quiz. I liked it and the kids seemed pretty content being there.
3) Spoke with the guy who runs the whole school...this is where things get interesting. He was fairly friendly as well initially, asking me why I thought i would be a good fit for Montesorri and about my personal and work history.
THIS IS WHERE STUFF GETS INTERESTING!! PAY ATTENTION AFTER THIS!!
Basically, the next week, they send me an offer saying I got the job. Both the Head of school and the School Director call me asking if I have any questions. They also ask when I can get the contract in. I tell them I want to make sure the resignation from my last job goes through so I tell them by Friday, if not by the next week. BOTH OF THEM CONFIRMED THAT WAS OK. The head guy was also going out of the town the next week so I figured it was not an urgent matter.
So next week... I get the contract in, resign from my old job.
The next Monday after THAT, I get an email from the head of school saying
"I returned to Houston today and read your email. When I did not hear from you by the 10th, as I'd asked, I instructed (high school director) to move on with our search and we have done so.
In asking you to get back to me by the 10th, I also said, "If this time frame does not work for you, please let me know." You did not do so.
We will be considering other candidates for the position. I do thank you for taking the time to meet with us, and for considering Post Oak."
This was pretty surprising because I had discussed with BOTH OF THEM about getting it in the next week, which i did.
Being upset, I 1) emailed him back telling him about the phone conversations 2) when to both the regular and high school hoping to meet with either the high school director or head of school to discuss the situation. Neither was there but I left a message saying I had stopped by. 3) Called the school director at the number spoken to.
They didn't get back to me until late the next day with a message saying
"I reviewed your response with High School Director *name here*. We will continue interviewing for the position. We both wish you well in your own search. Thanks again for your interest in Post Oak."
So, to sum up, they basically told me I had the job and then backed out once I didn't meet the "deadline" he had sent in the email, despite having a conversation with both saying I would return the contract the next week. Also, keep in mind I have resigned from my job so I'm left without a job for next school year in the middle of June (much of the hiring happens in April/May).
My advice if you want to teach here: If you get the offer, GET THE CONTRACT IN AS SOON AS SOON AS THEY SEND IT. If you can't, make sure you get in writing that they've agreed to the terms. To be honest, though, I think this was a blessing in disguise. The school looks nice, is in a great location and has that "Post Oak" name attached to it to make it sound good, but this whole situation makes it seem like some fishy stuff goes on. Approach with caution.
