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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