Was: Job Interview - Now: Am I nuts?

[Scooter's Mom]

Good luck & prayers for you in your job search!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Good luck. I hope you get the job.

[Alysser]

Good luck, hope you hear something back!

[mrspunkysmom]

I haven't heard anything back from this person, other than he had another interview to schedule, so I do not know what the deal is. I''ve not been waiting on him, though.

I've filled out dozens of applications so far, or at least it feels that way I think I may visit the ESC tomorrow to get help finding some work. I'm also going to start cleaning and packing stuff. I need to find a storage unit that's on a hill. Books, knick-knacks, some furniture will be stored there. My clothes, cats, their furniture, and the foods that I can eat will go with me to my brother's. May take electronics too. Sell the piano and guitars and some of the furniture. Selling furniture and stuff will be the last thing I do.

At least if I find a job, my house will be clean and uncluttered.

I had a job interview scheduled for this morning, but I couldn't sleep last night and overslept. I had a huge headache and went back to sleep for 3 more hours I I let her know I wouldn't be coming in. It's a fair trek to this place for a temporary job and I had some concerns about travel safety on the Interstate and other things should I have been offered it.

I'm not upset that much about the possible job loss, but I am upset in general over the lack of jobs.

Faith manages but right now it's taking some heavy blows.

Thanks for listening.

[mrspunkysmom]

So after I had my woe-is-me moments tonight, I retrieved my NC application and updated it. It's been nine years. Amazing but I remembered how to log in. Still had to retrieve the password though. The site went through some changes. NC has plenty of openings. Strange, but SC has been keeping its openings secret. I will apply as a substitute and see if I can't reclaim my reputation.

Tomorrow I might apply over the border in Georgia.

[mrspunkysmom]

SO I am feeling much better.

I got notification today that my certificate is not being renewed. Apparently I didn't submit the paperwork correctly or timely. The website mentions lapse in certification, but this usually refers to educators not acquiring the credits during the period of certification. I had done this, but didn't send in the request for renewal due to stress, job situation, and other worries, such as my health. This is the district being difficult also. I really should have submitted the paperwork before the last day of employment, but it required my bosses signature and I did not trust him to submit it. I didn't want to lose my original copies of coursework completion. Supposedly the Continuing Education Program sponsored by the district does not keep copies, yet I know that is not true.

I left messages the the state dept of education, the district re-certification specialist, and the NEA advocate. I'm keeping positive thoughts.

Please send positive thoughts for this for me.

I have other things to relate, but I'll tell you later. Jane is demanding my attention right now.

[mrspunkysmom]

Update on the certification. It came through. You just have to call the right people. I had to resubmit a form with a certain box checked off and it was recertified. Now I am certified to teach in SC for the next five years.

Now just to find a job.

So let me ask you: Am I crazy? I am finding that not only do I not want to move, I think I'm scared to move. My health is improving although not fantastic; energy levels are returning; brain and body is getting oxygen, etc. I've finally got a good set of doctors and I don't want to look for another set just now and I find that even if friends help me pack, I'm not sure I want to go through the whole finding a place to live again mess. It's very stressful.

I'd rather take my chances here and hope something eventually goes my way. Worse case scenario: waiting until Christmas break to find another position where I have to move; it also gives me time to pack and get stuff in order.

I also feel like picking up and moving every thing at once to the first offer is a knee-jerk reaction. I've have thought about being employed in western NC and getting a small place or room during the week and be home on the weekends. A friend will move in to care for the kitties and keep the house up.

So am I nuts? Or just aware of my limitations?

[Grace]

What about substituting for a couple of months - or don't they need subs down there?

I know several who have started by subbing, then get into a long term sub, which can turn into a permanent position.

[mrspunkysmom]

What about substituting for a couple of months - or don't they need subs down there?

I know several who have started by subbing, then get into a long term sub, which can turn into a permanent position.

They do, but in order to meet budgets, they are using classroom teachers and giving up their planning periods to cover a class. And Certified teachers no longer get regular pay in some districts for long term subbing. All that work and less than minimum wage. Yes, on an hourly basis, certified substitute teachers earn minimum wage unless it's long term. The extra meeting hours make it less than minimum wage. Non-certified earn less than minimum. School districts get around this by removing the lunch period from the total, yet we are required to monitor students during lunch.

I'm working on that right now. Putting sub apps into the districts within reasonable traveling distance. Some districts are not accepting apps, but there are 6 where I can apply. I am considering applying in my old district, but that will probably be ignored.

I am considering looking into Media Specialist. A while back you only had to be in college for the Masters and already a certified teacher to get a job in Library and Information Sciences.

I'll let y'all know how that goes.

[phesina]

The extra meeting hours make it less than minimum wage. Non-certified earn less than minimum. School districts get around this by removing the lunch period from the total, yet we are required to monitor students during lunch.

That's awful. How can that be legal?

[mrspunkysmom]

That's awful. How can that be legal?

No unions. There is a teachers union, but it is more of an expensive insurance policy that is almost useless in the case of abuse.

SC is a right to work state. And the "and other duties" clause in contracts pretty much seals it for the state Also planning periods are not a right. Nothing in stone, it's just something they do.

While I think unions have ruined their reputation themselves by getting greedy on wages and benefits, unions do have their place and are very much needed.

[phesina]

Okay, I get it. You do the job ( including the "and other duties") to get the job done, in whatever time it takes, for a set amount, just like the regular teachers?

So do you also get the benefits that regular teachers get (assuming they get them), like paid vacation and sick time?

Thanks, and good luck, Anne,
Pat

[mrspunkysmom]

Okay, I get it. You do the job ( including the "and other duties") to get the job done, in whatever time it takes, for a set amount, just like the regular teachers?

So do you also get the benefits that regular teachers get (assuming they get them), like paid vacation and sick time?

Thanks, and good luck, Anne,
Pat

Yeah, in a nutshell. Substitutes do not get sick leave or vacation. And you cannot apply for unemployment in the summer.

But regular teachers earn at least 20 per hour and that's for beginning teachers and they get good benefits. Subs earn minimum wage or less. In some districts, long term certified subs earn regular wages but no benefits.

Understand that when a teacher gives up his/her planning to cover an absent teacher's class they do not always get compensation. It depends on the school and district.

I put in an application with all documentation today at a district close to me. The receptionist said she would forward the information to the appropriate person. I may contact that person to set up an interview. I imagine they are doing reference checks and criminal background checks,

Wish me luck.

[phesina]

Good luck, Ann!

Best wishes,
Pat and cats