I went into teaching because I love the brutal vigor of moody teenagers. I don't know why, but I think it is something to do with their raw emotional reactions and the fact that they still have the possibility of not becoming the uneducated or, quite frankly, stupid masses. There is nothing I HATE more than stupid people. To my students, I explain it like this. One can have a low intelligence level and still be smart in life. I've already told Joe that if I have unkind, stupid children I will DIE. Sorry. I digress.
Today I spent $200 renewing the CT teaching license that I don't use. "Why?" you may ask. I'm renewing it just in case I ever return to the state and, to be honest, it makes me more marketable in the eyes of employers. Things work as such in the world of education. In order to be an educator, you must spend money. First, you need to go through an accredited teaching program, which obviously not an issue, but it's what occurs afterward that drives me nuts. I have literally spent hundreds of dollars for tests, certifications and other related activities. What I don't understand is that schools NEED teachers, meaning that states need teachers as well. Yet, teachers make jack. Yes, the vacation time is great, but do you know what it's like to constantly be plagued 24/7 for 10 months out of the year with thoughts about specific kids. Did Johnny do his homework? What is going on with Caroline? I wonder if she's okay. Maybe it's just a phase. How am I going to pass Rick if he doesn't come to class? I sure am hoping that Suzy will think about her future....
And, so it goes. It's exhausting. However, I love my kids, but I need my vacation. (How conflicted do I sound?) What I don't understand is that you have to spend money, and excessive amounts, in order to maintain a job as a teacher. I don't truly mind the small pay, but I do care that I have to use that money to be able to keep my job. I empathize with others as well. Can you imagine being laid off and having to still pay the state for a certificate to keep the job that you don't have? How is that right?
I don't mind investing further in educational programs, but small things like this hit a sour note with me.
Onto happier thoughts! (A friend finds my cynicism amusing, but I'm trying to work on it.) Summer school starts on Tuesday, and I'm excited to work with little ones for a change. (Little ones being sixth and seventh graders.) PLUS, I've got great ideas for my eleventh British literature classes. I miss school a little, as you can tell, but one needs her rest in order to be effective. In the meantime, David Sedaris is calling me from the end of the coffee table to read WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (Joe noted the darkness of the title and laughed because it is "so" me.) Feel free to share your own frustrating thoughts under "Comments." :)
Linds, OMG. I hear you! Fundraising. Nonprofits need fundraisers and I like doing it. Woohoo! Match! But there is uber pressure to become a certified fund raising exec (CFRE) which rarely is funded by the nonprofit. Same as your teacher situation. And then the other part that is ironic about fundraising is you are encouraged to belong to clubs, like the Junior League, to help you meet people. I like people and sorority for grown ups sounds fun so no problem. But who is going to pay my Junior League dues? Not I says the nonprofit. Yet I'll be using those connections to reach my fundraising goals. Oh the ironies of good deeding professions!
ReplyDeleteI was just laughing at your comment about having stupid kids. I often wonder what I would do if my kids weren't smart. Not like, not academically smart...not life smart, like would-easily-be-scammed-by-those-Nigerian-emails-asking-for-your-money-when-they-are-adults kind of people. It would definitely be interesting.
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