encouragement

[Zoe Girl]

I have had some encouraging interactions this week, yeah. But still cautious. I am working running before and after school programming but I also have my masters in elementary education. I had a rough time finding a job and then the worst situation ever (I am feeling for you MamaM, it was toxic). I was able to leave without as large of a black mark because my daughter was very sick but I pretty much threw my career under a bus, had a bit of a breakdown and a horrible couple of years. I still want to be in the classroom, and one reason is the money of course (still more of it is the job I want to do). My exhusband is going to rent out a room in his house which is scary because I am financially dependant on his support, and I get some help from my parents.

So I have had several people this week tell me I need to apply for jobs in our building as a teacher. They are turning the school upside down and into an expeditionary learning school which I would adore!!I was talking to one teacher about a 1st grader we have after school and she has during the day that is struggling and I noticed the experienced teacher was deferring to me on questions of social services calls and meeting with parents. She is also one encouraging me to apply as a teacher.

I am pretty nervous, putting in the on-line application goes into a huge giant data base that it seems no one may see it, approaching people in person may bring up my lack of classroom teaching years and disruption in my career, yet the people in the building I work with seem impressed with what I do.

[MamaM]

Good luck Zoe Girl!!! You will do great!!! I hope you find your happiness and bliss.

[lhamo]

I think you should go for it! If people ask about the past, just say you were going through a very rough time and things have settled down now. Your performance in their school already shows what you are capable of. Just focus on that. Might be challenging, but you never know unless you try!

And network, network, network in the meantime. I work in a system that is pretty big and anonymous, but I can (and will) go out of my way to try to make sure someone I know is a good candidate gets at least to the interview stage.

lhamo

[rodeosweetheart]

+1 to what llhamo said. And my sister-in-law, who was subbing in the schools, just got a job full time at mid year with her own 2nd grade classroom. And one of the greatest advantages to the school was that she was already in the system and could start right away. So don't underestimated how valuable you can be to them!!!

Fingers crossed

[SiouzQ.]

Good luck to you, Zoe Girl!!!!!

[Tradd]

Zoe Girl, that's great to hear! Good luck! Is there any way that you can get someone "in the system" to put in a good word for you?