Tuesday, May 22, 2007

A job, a job....

Well, here's my random thought for today...

I NEED A JOB!!!

Ok...I feel a little better now. Been wanting to tell you all for DAYS, but dumb blogger wouldn't let me in!!!

Story- I decided in February that it was time for me to go back to full-time teaching this fall. Number of reasons- I felt ready after 3 years of part-time; the kids are 13, 10 and almost 8, which means for the most part they are self-sufficient (yes, ladies, it DOES get easier!); but the biggest reason? We're tired of no financial wiggle-room. NONE. Zero. Zip. We have lived on basically one teacher salary for TEN years (since Jacob was born and I wanted to stay home) and it gets harder and harder every year. We also currently have no debt except the house, and I know now WHY people get credit cards when they live paycheck to paycheck. Now don't get me wrong, I've LOVED EVERY MINUTE and wouldn't trade my time with my children for anything- nor do I wish my husband was the lawyer he said he was going to be when I'd already signed up for the long haul (JK!JK!JK! I LOVE that we are teachers together and have OUR WHOLE SUMMER OFF! sorry ya'll). But there are a lot of big things we need to do before we pay for college in FIVE YEARS...ok, I just died.

SOOOO...I have been beating the CCSD streets with NO LUCK, no calls, no interviews. I know it has been 10 years since I taught full-time and taught in public school, but I thought we needed teachers, and by golly, I think I'm pretty good!!! And I just did a "clearance" interview with Berkeley and Dorchester, and they said that that probably IS hurting me, along with the fact that the NCLB Act has taken away my 1st and 6th-8th grade certifications. What that means is that my experience right now is in 6th math/science and K4 K5- BUT I'm not eligible to teach those grades b/c I'm elementary certified, which is 2nd-5th!!! UGH! So it is really affecting my opportunity to get hired.

SOOOO...I knew I needed to take 2 classes at CoC this fall to be early childhood certified...and I thought if I didn't find a job I would sub...AND I was a bit worried about taking classes AND trying to teach AND learning all the new 'ropes" of the public school system...so today I think I may have HIT on an idea- taking a teacher assistant position!!! I would have a job; it would pay twice as much as I make now AND have benefits; and I could take my 2 courses to be certified AND learn the "ropes" at the same time!

My prayer is that I find a job and that it's where GOD wants me...I make the plans, but HE gets to carry them out. And that's the hard part. I've prayed for peace...patience (*cringe*)...a job sooner rather than later so I can get ready over the summer...but I pray most that He puts me where He wants me, b/c I know wherever HE puts me will be an AWESOME JOB! And in the words of my bestest friend, "Hey, girl, your job just isn't available yet!!".

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! And I will keep you posted...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, the teacher assistant thing sounds good. Will they just let you do that without all the certifications and whatever?

The waiting game you're in now (and praying for patience... oh, no!) reminds me of when Tommy and I were waiting and waiting to get married and waiting for me to get a job and all that (I'm sure you remember), and it seemed just so hard to bear at the time, but now that time seems so far away. Not that I would ask to be in a tough situation on purpose, but in some ways I almost think I was stronger spiritually then than I am now because I was having to struggle. I guess relying on God was really real to me then, so, as frustrating as it must be for you to be the one in the situation, I hope that God will take this opportunity to really grow your faith and draw you to Him. So, if it seems like it gets worse before it gets better, you can thank me for praying that God will grow you spiritually through this (in addition to praying for the actual thing you want, of course). :)

BTW, what are you going to do with the kids while you are both at work?

Philip said...

Don't you just love Education beurocracy.

I'm as surprised as you in regards to Dorchester and Berkeley's lack of interest. But it sounds like they're at least mulling over your app and interview.

If all else fails, you can sell overpriced international calling cards to kids on your trip to Italy. (just kidding of course).

Anonymous said...

The teacher assistant DOES sound like a good idea. That would definitely free you up to take those classes and be ready for the job that God has planned for you for NEXT school year. And some teacher sure would be blessed to have you as an assistant!! That would be cool if they paired you with someone brand new so you could help her "learn the ropes" her 1st year. Keep us posted:)

Cryssy said...

I will second everything Becky said. God has a job for you even if it isn't for another year, but He has one...