Posted by Kiernan H. Butz on 1/17/09

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I read with great interest the advice given last June to
Julie Ann, new teacher having trouble finding a job here in
Wisconsin. I wholly understand her plight.

I'm a second career teacher with post baccalaureate
certification through Cardinal Stritch University's Master
of Arts in Teaching Program. I applied myself to my studies
like I have never applied myself to anything before and
finished at the top of my graduate cohort. Nonetheless,
since completing my studies in June, 2006, I've applied for
well over 500 teaching jobs across the state -- and still
find myself living a hand-to-mouth existence as an on-call
substitute teacher.

The bitter truth is that most teaching vacancies here in
Badgerland routinely draw 400 to 500 applications -- and
occasionally more -- many from veteran teachers furloughed
by other districts.

Unlike Julie Ann, however, I'm a pragmatist. I have come to
grips with the unpleasant fact that the teaching career for
which I have sacrificed so much probably isn't attainable
in Wisconsin.

Frustratingly, my wife shares Julie Ann's optomism,
believing that "something's going to pop for us" if we just
sit tight and wait.

Last fall I was offered a very lucrative teaching contract
in Glendale, Arizona, but my wife declined to follow me out
there and ultimately convinced me to decline the offer.

I've got to work, and I've given too much of myself to
education to turn my back on a teaching career. I'd knowing
which other state offer teachers better prospects for
employment.

Kiernan H. Butz
Germantown, WI
hb6719@aol.com

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