Having a career fall out from underneath me, Fourteen years and a few more with other Companies down the drain. The only thing to show is a hefty check from my former employer and a Town Car ride home.
Recovery.
Finding a new career path ... actually returning to an original path from decades ago.
Trial by Fire.
Substituting for Teachers of Record. Finding that I really enjoy teaching and that I think that I have a knack for it.
Hope of a new start and a career.
Knowledge.
New things to learn and become familiar with in this new career path.
Grasping.
Finding out things aren't what they seem to be.
Disappointment.
The realization that any hope that I have at gaining a position with any school district is rapidly going up in flames.
Interviews are few and very far between when it comes to getting a teaching position. Just last week, I had an interview for a seventh grade spot. The week goes by with me thinking that I have a chance at getting it ... then reality sets in. Having an alternative certification is not going to get me anywhere with the schools in my local area.
I can say that when I ran into the Superintendent and the Board one day earlier this school year and let them know that I would like to get on at this district, he said that he would make sure that I got an interview. True to his word, later on that day I heard from HR and in less than three weeks, I was interviewed.
Granted, it was for a position well outside of my degree field, but the State, through several exams, indicated that I could perform this job to their standards.
Since February 2015, I have substituted at many schools in my local district and have tried to make a name for myself with the Principals and Vice Principals that run them. There were several teachers that called on me first to sub for them before a general request was made. I answered that call whenever I could, which was most of the time.
This putting of myself in the administration sights for very little pay just to make that all important connection still has not paid off.
Good ole' boy networks that desire a credentialed, inexperienced newbie twenty-something fresh out of school ... not someone like me with decades of work experience, knowledge and the willingness to pass on information to students along with a lot of life experience.
Taking an alternative route to certification is not an easy one and I do not think that it is taken seriously by any of the principals that come across my resume. I also think that anyone that is looking to follow this path needs to really take into account that unless the twelve week student teaching portion is done before taking the pedagogy exam you really stand no chance in getting on at many of the Houston area school districts.
But, as my spouse is fond of saying ... I beat my head against the wall just because I think that it is the right thing to do. She is right, but this is a wall that I feel is not going to give easily nor soon.
Perhaps I would be better off staying out of teaching and get back to my old career.
More later.
Ciao,
Darrell
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