Re: I can't find a teaching job! What happened to the short

JD

Posted on 10/22/09

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On 8/10/09, Frustrated wrote:
> "I am beginning to wonder if I am being discriminated
> against because I am not twenty-something....Who are
getting the jobs?"

Same for me. I am 43, actually have chemical patents, teach
as an adjunct in a local university (I have a M.S. but not a
doctorate so full-time there is unlikely). I have so much
more to offer to students in the field of science than any 22
year-old with no actual experience in "the real world" that I
cannot believe that I have not been snapped up by eight
school districts within driving range of my current home.
(Please recognize this is an expression of frustration rather
than arrogance. The hostility in this reply is also just
venting. I will be over it as soon as I post.)

I admit I am unwilling to move=>My family is here, I have a
farm here, and I have experience in one of the local
districts. I was not renewed because the football coach
resigned the coaching but not his position and my job (since
I was not tenured) had the job description rewritten from
chemistry/physics teacher to biology with chemistry add-on
and statement that coaching experience would receive greater
consideration. I kid you not. The HR manager told me this
explicitly.

Who gets the jobs? Coaches, regardless of subject mastery. I
have seen it at least six times in the past three years.

I have decided to go back into business for myself. I did
this for several years and made good money. I employed
others. I helped start two plants up that employed a total of
seven hundred+ people. I helped three other people start
their own businesses. My customers included the Big Three
Auto Makers, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, and many first
and second tier suppliers. I only regret ever going back to
school to get my teaching license. It will take about two
years to build my business back IF the economy does not sink
it before I get it off the ground.

Good luck. If you are not a coach and really want to teach, I
suggest doing what you need to quality for at least one sport
(volleyball, golf, etc.).

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