work – Life of kk

I had a brief encounter with teaching during COVID, when Little Mister begin his elementary school career in remote kindergarten. Four out of five days, his Grandmother did his class with him. She was a retired teacher with the patience of a saint. One day a week, I did my motherly duties and sat with him for 6 hours while five year olds learned how to use the mute button, appeared on camera wearing costumes, and attempted to learn through a computer screen.

The only other “teaching” I’ve done in my career was more mentorship. I’ve lead teams of writers and designers for the last 15 years, helping them grow in their craft, develop strategic thinking skills, and to push push themselves creatively.

With the extra time I have these days, I thought a nice way to keep busy and earn a little extra money (and by “a little”, I mean an incredibly small amount) was to be a substitute teacher in the local school system.

I will start by saying that the process by which you qualify to become a substitute is time consuming and personally invasive, and should put parents’ minds at ease about who is entering the schools. For this particular school system, I worked with the employment service that fills all of the substitute positions across all of the elementary schools, plus the middle school and high school. I felt like I was applying to NASA, not a job that pays just above minimum wage.

The application process consisted of:

An extremely lengthy application process; multiple forms to fill out, rarely saving your progress between sessions resulting in many frustrating re-starts
The sharing of your banking information for payment
Obtaining your college transcripts
4+ hours of training videos (with quizzes to pass)
A background check
Fingerprinting
Persistent “Do this by today” emails from the representative (perhaps the most annoying from this list)

Now I am officially trained to influence the leaders of tomorrow!

Interactive classroom display showing “Mrs. M Hello!” above a shelf with classroom supplies and storage bins

Substitute teachers actually…teach

Think back to when you were in school. Remember that feeling of walking into your classroom and instead of seeing your teacher there was a hopeful, naive stranger standing in the room? You immediately did a mental fist pump. A sub! You sat down smiling, envisioning an easy day, no homework, probably a movie.

Now? There are very detailed lesson plans for teaching for the substitutes. And, because the world is a scary place now, there are also very detailed instructions for emergency situations and lockdowns.

I’m early into my substitute teaching career, but here are a few things I’ve learned:

Third grade is a fun age. Old enough to know the ropes, and young enough to want to please you. No tween angst.
Every minute of the day is accounted for. Long blocks of learning time. Very few breaks.
I have not shown one movie.
The differences in learning abilities – and the levels at which the students currently are – are vast. How does everyone get the attention that they need?
I still get a little thrill when I see the flimsy Scholastic News flyer come out!

One precocious third grader showed me how to use the “white board”, which is basically a touch screen chalk board. He also informed me what three products Apple would be releasing this year. AND, he asked me who my favorite chef was. Apparently, we are both big Ina Garten fans.

Another third grader finished his math homework in about 6 minutes. Honestly, he should probably be in seventh grade.

One of the girls was talking ad nauseam about lululemon. THIRD GRADE.

Edamame for snacks.

Phones in fifth graders hands.

Practicing TikTok dances at recess.

Who are these kids??

I have had to teach MATH. While I’m not a mathematician, I can do third grade math. However, I don’t know “new math”. So when a student asked me how to solve 420-190, I was stuck. I learned subtraction by putting the numbers on top of each other, borrowing tens, and coming up with the answer. That is no longer how they teach. And in an effort to not confuse this student even further with my math-solving skills, I asked my math prodigy who finished his worksheets before I even passed them all out, to show his classmate how to solve the problem.

Hey, I’m encouraging team work!

wfh, work, Job hunting

What Happened During My 1 Year of Job Hunting

November 5, 2026 littleshoeprincess

Last November, I shared that I had been laid off from my job. Here we are, 365+ days later, and here are my takeaways after one really long, tough year.

LinkedIn is like a bad ex-boyfriend.

I should stay away, but it’s like a drug. Here’s why:

The entire platform makes me feel badly about myself. Just when I’m feeling accomplished, LI lets me know I’m not good enough.
It gets my hopes up, then disappoints me. “You’d be a top applicant for this role!” Then: crickets.
It ghosts you. Literally, it’s filled with ghost jobs. Positions that have been open for 5+ months. Or reposted after 769 applications. Fake jobs. Required job posts to satisfy HR when they already have someone they are going to hire.

My favorite LinkedIn story is when the company that laid me off posted the same job I had just done at the company. LinkedIn’s assessment of a job I literally did:

Medium! WTAF?

I developed a severe case of Imposter Syndrome.

I worked in advertising and marketing for 30 years. Started as a writer and worked my way up through promotions. I mentored young writers and led teams. I won awards! Maybe I wasn’t that good at my job after all?

Perhaps I know too much about one specific thing, when I should know a little about a lot? It seems every content writer position reads like 17 jobs all rolled into one (accompanied by one low salary).

I love to write. I completed a Graduate Program in writing at Harvard! I’ve written my whole life. Maybe I’m a shitty writer after all?

I question every life choice I have made up to this point.

Looking back (and forward), should I have chosen a completely different profession? One where there are not literally 10,000 of me searching for employment? Am I unemployable? What am I even good at? Is planning family vacations my only skill? Am I too old to do something new? What do I even want to do?

**I deciphered more of what I don’t want rather than what I DO want.**

Over the last year, my priorities changed. While it was an ego punch to not be working, it was a blessing in disguise, as my family needed me and I was able to be there, at all times of the day, with no commitments getting in the way. For that, I am forever grateful.

Reading through job descriptions and ‘return to work’ mandate articles, I have determined the following:

I want to work remotely.
I enjoy the flexible schedule of freelance work.
If I apply to a role that’s full time (and permanent), I must REALLY want the job.

A real life example of job hunting

Late last year, I found a job that interested me. My experience matched the qualifications. The salary was lower than I was making, but I liked the company enough to look past that. It was remote. It looked good on paper.

To protect all parties involved, we’ll call this company ABC.

Brace yourself, here are the details.

September: I find a job posting for a remote role at ABC that fits my background extremely well. It’s not an agency, it’s on the brand side (score!). I have a friend who works at this company! (double score! this is now the only way you will ever, ever hear about your resume). She gives me her employee referral link, and I apply.

October: Receive an email from the recruiting team asking me to share times that work for my calendar to set up a panel interview with five team members. This feels fast, I haven’t even spoken to the recruiters yet. But it was a referral, so LFG! This is scheduled for the following week.

Interview in late October: Video interview with the team lead and four team members. Great interview, no weird silences, good vibes. Crushed the Q&A.

Next day: I send thank you emails to the team. (Oh, no one sends thank you emails anymore? Call me old fashioned.)

Two weeks later: I receive an email from the recruiting team (same two people, again) in regards to the position for which I just interviewed, with a list of questions to answer.
These questions included:
• Where do I live?
• Have I ever worked at ABC before?
• What are my salary expectations?
• Why do I want to work there?

These all felt like questions I should have received prior to my interview but, whatever. I answer them and hit SEND.

Next day: I receive an email from the recruiting team asking me for my availability for a panel interview with the team. The interview is set up with the exact same five people I had met with two weeks earlier. I let the recruiters know this, and they cancel the interview. (I imagine their internal Slack messages said something like, “Oh shit, this girl already interviewed.”

Two weeks later: I am told that I’m moving to the next round of the interview process and would be meeting with the Director of the department. (Finally!) I schedule the interview for the very next day to accommodate the Director’s travel schedule the following week.

Next day (still November!): I interview with the Director and it goes very well. I walk her through examples in my portfolio. I drop my knowledge about retail and concepting and big ideas. She is impressed.

A week later (December): I send a follow up email to the recruiting team to understand where they are in the process, and what next steps. might be. No response. 🦗

Next day: my friend who works at ABC sends a note to the recruiting team following up about me. 🦗🦗🦗

Two weeks later: I receive a form letter in the middle of the night telling me that I would not be moving forward in the interview process for this position at ABC. No detail, no personalization, just a form email saying to keep my profile updated, and offering me career guidance. (Um, I’d like to offer some career guidance to the Abbott and Costello recruiting team who can’t keep their candidates straight).

Next day: I emailed the recruiters I had been working with to thank them for the opportunity (because you have to sell your soul in order to get a job these days – “thanks for not knowing who I am and being bad at your job!”). I also ask for feedback to help me in my job search. No response yet, but it’s only been 11 months, so there’s still time.

I’m not mad I didn’t get the job, I’m extremely disheartened by the entire process.

First, I was a referral from a current employee, which should count for something. Someone was vouching for me!

Second, the recruiters didn’t realize they were asking a candidate who already interviewed questions so they could set up an interview? Really???

Third, the lack of communication and the poor-taste form rejection email after two rounds of interviews was very disappointing.

If this is what it’s like getting a job these days, I’m not sure I want one!

work

The Job Market in 2025: 0/5 Stars

November 4, 2025November 4, 2025 littleshoeprincess

I was laid off from my job last month.

When it first happened, those four words – I was laid off – were hard to think, let alone write or speak. How could I be laid off? I am a great employee, hard worker, and hell – I was even recruited for the role I was in. But, it happened anyway. My client just didn’t have the money to support keeping me on their business. So I was let go. Ugh, and that term “let go”, like I’m a kite or a piece of rope.

Part of my exit plan was to bestow all of my knowledge of the client and the business onto the remaining team members, as well as the senior team member who was going to take over my role. I showed up every day, gave them my best, and even traveled to manage a TV shoot for four days. Two weeks later, I mailed my laptop back.

In the days that followed my last day of work, I experienced all of the stages of unemployment: shock, anger, fear, grief, and then…a quiet acceptance. I would find a job, the right job, and I would fill my time in other ways. After all, I couldn’t just do nothing. I have always had a job, since I was 15 years old. I don’t know what it feels like to not have a job.

Here, in 2025, it’s easier to find Bigfoot than it is to find a job. Resumes being read by computers. Ghost posts of jobs that don’t even exist. Your application going into a black hole, your hopes and dreams along with it.

This is the actual applicant count for a job to which I applied.

The job market is so broken. 7,000 applicants? Sure, some of them are bots. Others are not qualified. But I have to think at least a few thousand of those 7700 have the chops to do the job. My LinkedIn feed is filled with hundreds of connections all looking for work right now. It’s scary. We’re all of a certain age, experience level, and salary. We’re all vying for the same roles. It’s bananas.

I can honestly say, I’ve been tremendously busy each day in the last month.

Of course I’m spending time networking and job searching for roles that I truly can see myself in. After two days of panic applying to every job in sight, I’ve calmed down. I don’t just want to “work anywhere”. I’m looking to work for a company or brand, not a creative agency again. Titles like “Creative Director, Copy” and “Senior Writer, Brand” excite me. I love to write, and I’m good at it.

I’m also taking care of things that I could never find time for. Organizing. Appointments. Crafting (more on this in another post!). I end each day with a sense of accomplishment; checking items of a to do list or making time for myself.

Lastly, I’m freelancing until the right permanent role comes along. It’s giving me the flexibility I need right now while life is…life-ing.

When I shared the news of my layoff on LinkedIn, I was humbled by how many people from my past life and jobs reached out to me. Some I knew well, others I had managed, and a few were coworkers who were at the same company at the same time, yet we didn’t even work together. But their messages were all alike: “I’m sorry” and “they are crazy to let you go!” and “let me know how I can help”. These messages boosted me up and reminded me that I know a lot of really amazing people.

At the same time, I was disheartened by people I DIDN’T hear from. The ones who I thought for sure would say something (even just a ‘it’s been great working with you! good luck!’ before I was shut off from Teams). In certain situations, people will surprise you. And not always in a good way.

It takes a village to land a job in 2025, and I’m truly grateful to those willing to make a connection, pass on a resume, send a referral link. I certainly didn’t have “Get Laid Off” on my 2025 BINGO card. But I’m ready to play a new game.

NaBloPoMo, Pandemic, school, work

We’ve Entered the Over Sharing Portion of Remote School

November 20, 2020 littleshoeprincess

You owe it to yourself, just once in your lifetime, to sit in on a remote classroom with 20 kindergarteners (all of whom cannot read yet and haven’t learned how to navigate Google classroom).

For the first week of school, about 15 kids sat on the Meet NOT on mute. So we heard 15 households’ conversations. Everything from parents’ arguing in the background to Grandmas telling kids the answers.

Every parent should have gotten this t-shirt with their remote learning kits.

Once everyone got the hang of the computer, the kids got really comfortable really fast with their teacher, sharing all sorts of things. Now, I know this sort of uncensored sharing goes on in schools all the time, however, parents are never privy to what’s said behind the classroom door. Now, we have a front row seat.

And kids share everything, especially when they don’t have a grown up next to them who can jump on that mute button to save face if need be.

Overheard in the kindergarten classroom:

“My parents are always yelling at me. So I scream back.”

“The only thing I like to do is watch Youtube.”

“I’m bored. When is school over?’

“Why is your hair like that? What did you do?” (to the teacher!)

“Can you pause the video? I have to pee!”

“I don’t like this part, can we do something else?”

“HEY! PAY ATTENTION!” (a parent, to their child)

We are on live learning for almost 5 hours each day (with breaks). Kids do not have an attention span for that long. And when their minds start to wander, all of the verbal gold comes out.

Though, I feel as adults we can learn a thing to two from these kids. I have been on more than one video call just this week alone where I wish I could have unmuted myself and asked, “I’m bored. When is this over?”

clothing, NaBloPoMo, shopping, Target, Uncategorized, wfh, work

Your Guide to Your WFH Wardrobe

November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 littleshoeprincess

Let’s be real, the minute we all started working from home, our wardrobe went downhill. If you had previously worked from home pre-pandemic like I did, you likely had already developed comfortable work from home attire. However, it’s possible even your casual WFH clothing started to deteriorate, along with your sanity.

There are 3 stages to the WFH Wardrobe:

Newly Working From Home. At this stage, you are putting in some effort! Possibly jeans or casual dress, a nicer top with statement jewelry for the ladies or a button down for the men. Daily shower. Perfume or cologne.

Working from Home, 3 Months In. You are up and dressed today! Still casual, but leggings have replaced the jeans (buttons? on your waist? this isn’t a prom, people!) Gone are the jewelry and cute/button down tops, replaced with t-shirts and athleisure (I love that this is a term!). Hair is in a ponytail and you likely showered within the last 36 hours.

Working from Home, 6 Months In. Do I have any video meetings today? No? Feejays and a fleece it is! Or possibly your workout gear from the morning, sweat included. Bonus points if you change out of both your pajama tops AND bottoms.

If nothing else, you likely saved some money on your spring/summer/fall wardrobes this year. I know that when I changed over my closet to my summer clothes 80% of them went unworn. Oh, well, there’s always 2022.

If you’re like me, you needed to buy a few key pieces – not because you needed them, but because having new clothes for a new season just makes you feel good. And who couldn’t use a little more “feel good” this year?

I’m very public about my love affair with Target. And this year, when it came to my casual WFH wardrobe, Target didn’t disappoint. With every retailer shifting their summer and fall lines to have more “cozy chic” options (let’s face it, no one is putting on a rayon dress or stilettos right now), Target was on point with their wardrobe staples.

7 Items You Need to Buy From Target Right Now

I love every one of these items and could not recommend them more. I also think I have a slight addiction to camouflage.
(NOTE: camouflage items should NOT be worn together. Ever.)

This camo sweatshirt can be dressed up or down! (Hahahaha, who am I kidding? Who is dressing up a sweatshirt right now?) This literally goes with anything. Your jeans and Uggs need this sweatshirt.

Hey, what do you know, more camo! These joggers are perfect for those days that you don’t have any clean leggings, and you’re feeling like you’re better than pajama bottoms.

When you need a break from camo, this flannel shirt is perfect. I love it with leggings and tall boots. Warning: you might feel you need to hit up a brewery for some outside drinking when you wear this, so plan for a day of no meetings!

A girl can never have too many ponchos, that’s what I always say. Surprisingly, I didn’t have a black one (though I have about 3 cream colored ones), so this black turtleneck poncho was perfect. It goes with jeans, leggings and everything in between.

Bring on the camo footwear! These little slip on sneakers go with anything (except more camo). But, if you’re like me and your entire wardrobe is black and gray, you’re golden!

As much as I detest the phrase coatigan, that’s essential what this little number is. This cardigan is part coat, part cardigan and 100% cozy. It’s the perfect thing to throw on when it’s chilly out and ~~you’re too cheap~~ it’s too early to turn on the heat. If you live in a city and you have to run to corner bodegas or down to get your mail, this is what you would wear.

Universal Thread High Rise Skinny Cropped Jeans

(Please – for all that is holy – pretend this model isn’t wearing these shoes with these pants.) Back to camo! I used to think I hated high wasted jeans and couldn’t wear skinny jeans. Well, these high rise jeans proved me wrong. They are SO comfy and stretchy and fit perfectly. And, these jeans are suitable for those WFH days when you’re feeling a little too fancy for yoga pants.

Each one of these items is in rotation in my WFH wardrobe. Paired with my other wardrobe staples: dark denim, black leggings, high top sneakers, tall boots and gray long sleeved tops, I can mix and match until my heart’s content. Plus, I can be incognito on my video calls wearing my camo!

Category: work

Substitute teaching: I’m shaping America’s youth.