On 9/13/08, OTD wrote:
> On 9/09/08, Annette wrote:
>> I have worked in education for about 20 years. I had to take
>> the past 5 years off because my oldest daughter broke her neck.
>> While she was recovering I've almost completed my Masters of
>> Special Education (finishing my thesis). In the mean time I've
>> have applied for every position that has opened within a 50
>> mile radius of our home town here in Wyoming. Don't feel bad
>> its not just your area! I have not been able to return to work
>> yet either. Now my daughter is married and I am able to return
>> to work full time and am still unable to find a job. Everyone
>> is hiring first year teachers around these parts or the child
>> of someone that works in the building. I'm getting as
>> frustrated as you are!
>> The OTD reference (older than dirt) seems to justify not getting
> hired in elementary positions for a person over 40 (the age on
> which discrimination suits are based). I am trying to get back into
> the teaching field after substituting for the past 10 years or so.
> I am over 50 and still going strong! I love little children and
> know I am a great teacher! I find that the only "hires" seem to be
> teachers under 30 (many are just out of college). I find it
> extremely frustrating that those of us with sound educational
> theories as well as years of crucial "life skills" are being tossed
> away. Young children today need teachers who "know" what is going
> on in education as well as "on the streets". I strongly believe in
> hiring young educators (we were all there once!), but there needs
> to be a balance in our schools of older experienced teachers as
> well as those just starting out. I also believe that districts want
> to keep us older experienced teachers as subs because we know what
> we're doing and are very reliable. Thanks for letting me get this
> out............it is very discouraging not to be in a classroom
> when I have so....much to give to children!
>> Im not able to move due to financial issues so if you can move
>> go for it. And Good Luck! God Bless!
>>
>> On 8/22/08, Unemployed SPED Teacher wrote:
>>> Susan, you're not alone. I've sent out 25 applications since
>>> April throughout California, using the statewide teacher job
>>> board. Of those, I was invited to 5 interviews and so far
>>> have had no job offer. Most schools here start next week.
>>>
>>> As a fully credential Special Ed teacher with 8 years of
>>> experience I've been totally shocked. I too have wondered,
>>> as you said: "Am I too old?" I'm 57 and was hoping to get at
>>> least 5 more years of teaching into the state retirement
>>> system here, especially since I won't be able to dip into my
>>> Social Security because of the teachers retirement fund
>>> regulations. So, subbing is not a good idea for me, as then
>>> NOTHING will be going into my state teacher retirement fund.
>>> Not to mention NO BENEFITS. Since July 1st I have been
>>> continuing my medical and dental insurance through COBRA. Do
>>> you have that option?
>>>
>>> Similar to you, I've also had fellow teachers - a couple who
>>> run departments and often are on a panel to interview - look
>>> at my application packets, resume, cover letter, and
>>> reference letters, and been assured I'm impeccably qualified.
>>>
>>> A colleage suggested to me that I file a complaint with the
>>> state of California Fair Employment for age discrimination,
>>> but I'm afraid to do that since I know a lot of prospective
>>> employers can pull up as much background information on you
>>> as they want and that often includes checks not only into
>>> whether or not you have a My Space or Facebook web page but
>>> also legal complaints you may have filed, including Workers
>>> Compensation cases.
>>>
>>> After all the hard work (4 years of school while teaching
>>> full-time) to get my credential and over $25,000 in tuition
>>> loan debts, it's hard for me to think about leaving the
>>> profession, but if I don't find something soon I will have to
>>> search for anything else I might be able to find, maybe even
>>> just a simple Secretary or Administrative Assistant. At this
>>> point in spite of the obvious pay cut this actually sounds
>>> refreshing since at least then I'd be able to come home after
>>> work every day and not have to continue working on student
>>> papers and reports, lesson plans, evaluation goals and
>>> objectives or chaperoning a dance!
>>>
>>> Obviously, the economy has a lot to do with our mutual
>>> situation, and as I'm sure you've heard, California currently
>>> has NO budget because the Republicans and Democrats in the
>>> state senate can't agree on what cuts and/or taxes to
>>> implement. (Like the children we teach, they need to be
>>> given a DEADLINE by which they complete their assignment or
>>> risk penalties to THEIR wages for each day they are pst the
>>> deadline!!! They just don't seem to get it that the
>>> children - our future citizens and taxpayers - are the ones
>>> who are being most impacted by having to learn in overcrowded
>>> or understafed environments!!!)
>>>
>>> Thanks for letting me rant and good luck. If it's any
>>> consolation, my cousin's wife in Georgia is having similar
>>> problems finding a teaching spot.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 8/15/08, Susan wrote:
>>>> Frustration has set in!!! Since January of this year I
>>>> have sent out over 175 applications for various K - 6
>>>> teaching jobs in the state of MN. Definately it is who you
>>>> know!! I previously taught preschool for 4 years at a
>>>> private school and have had public school officials tell
>>>> me that I can't count that as teaching because I did not
>>>> have to be licensed due to it being a private school (even
>>>> though I had a degree in early childhood ed) Any how, I am
>>>> tierd of substitute teaching in 3 different districts and
>>>> 2 private schools. I have even had the secretaries at
>>>> schools where I have subbed repeatedly state that they did
>>>> not want to see my name on the list for full time because
>>>> I am such a good and reliable substitute.
>>>> FRUSTRATION!!!!!!! I need medical insurance and can't get
>>>> it only being a sub. I have had several people look at my
>>>> resume and said it was perfect but why then am I not
>>>> getting hired? Am I too old? 43 or what?
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