I need a new teaching job. You'd think living in an urban setting, surrounded by hundreds of high schools, that wouldn't be such a challenge. You'd think having a master's degree, professional experience, a teaching certificate and a second teaching certificate on its way would at least get me into the door of a decent school, and that they'd be begging for me at the "underprivileged" schools. Well...maybe if I taught math.
But, I teach English, and the number of over-educated English teachers swarming around this city is massive. Everybody and their dogs want to teach English. The competition is cutthroat for the chance to be underpaid and overworked in an oppressive school system. It makes no sense why we put ourselves through this. For the prestige? Ha!
It's hiring time for schools. It starts around March and can go until the minute before school begins in late August. It's obviously preferable to secure a position early, which is why teachers drag themselves out in droves to attend the public school job fairs, commonly known among educators as "cattle drives." The fairs attract hundreds (thousands?), necessitating the use of large sports stadiums and enormous conference centers. Teachers line up neatly outside before the fairs start, each clutching an innocent stack of resumes and often a hard-earned portfolio. The line stretches, oh, a quarter of a mile or so outside the facility.
Once inside, teachers quickly form new lines at each of the tables, shorter lines, 10 or 12 deep at the less popular schools, 20 or so at top-notch ones. The teachers are all ages and all races, newly certified and highly experienced. Newbies bubble with excitement and motivation. Old-timers joke cynically about the whole surreal process. When teachers finally gets a chance to talk to a school rep, they step up to the plate (appropriate analogy considering the location), sell themselves in two minutes or less, drop off their resumes, and then move on to the next 30-minute line. If they get tired, no problem. The stadium location allows for lots of seating. Or teachers can take advantage of the convenient resume drop boxes located at each school's station. You know, just in case none of the people who waited in line are viable candidates and someone actually takes a minute to sort through a hundred resumes.
We're real troopers in this field.
2 comments:
Stephanie - this is Sarah from 20SH. I'm sorry that finding something is harder then you thought it was. My mom was a HS English teacher and had to take a job at a Catholic school eventually which as I'm sure you know, are horribly underpaid. After 10+ years there, she got a job at one of the big Naperville public schools and she absolutely hated it.
Anyway, my entire family is filled with teachers so I understand how tough it can be with all the competition. Honestly, I'm glad I didn't go that route even though I have an English degree.
With your experience and enthusiasm - you will find something. Are you looking in the burbs too?
Ugh - sounds awful! My mom's experience trying to find a job teaching elementary school was pretty similar back when she was starting out in San Diego (a long time ago). I think it has to be only a matter of time ... but what to do in the mean time can be frustrating!! Good luck! (BTW, this is Julia from the 20SH).
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