Teachers...any thoughts?

Question

I teach in Mobile, AL and at the end of

last school year, the school board laid off basically

everyone that wasn't tenured. I'm not talking the usual

pink slips, but told us we no longer had jobs. I taught

for two years. Well, the school board started hiring SOME

teachers back last week, but so far, I have no job, and

school starts in one week. Teachers go back in 3 days.

Here's the clincher...I got married just over a year ago

and turned all of my paperwork into the local school board

to change my name. They never did. Well, they had a very

strict rule about only re-hiring off of the 'non-renewed

list' they sent out; i.e. a list of teachers who had been

let go. Well...I made up 50 or so resumes and sent them

out with my married name on them. No one called to even

schedule an interview. I found out quite by accident that

they still had me listed under my maiden name. No wonder

no one had called!! I called everyone I sent a resume to,

but by then, many had already done all their hiring. I'm

simply going crazy being around the house. I just want to

get back into the classroom so badly! This is so

stressful. Has anyone else had this type of experience?

What are my chances of still getting hired so close to the

beginning of school?

Answer 1

I am still on summer break (we o back in two weeks) and bored...I just went to work in my classroom today.  I am sure summer break is nice if you have kids, but it can be very boring if you don't.

Anyway, I have heard of similar things happening.  Your best chances are to change your name yourself.  Contact your state's Department of Education, chances are you can do it over the phone or on line.  Then send out all the resumes again...The chances are you will not be hired this close to the beginning of school.  You may get lucky and find a school that has had more students register than expected and need a teacher in a pinch.  But your best bet is to either sub, or apply as a paraprofessional.  Most schools are dying for subs, the only down fall to subbing is you probably won't have benefits.  However you probably would becoming a para.  You may also qualify to be a preschool teacher (depending on your state's requirements)....chances are you do.  While this is probably not exactly what you want, it is a job in your field.  If you state is anything like mine (Missouri) you can pretty much walk in and teach at a preschool if you hold a teaching certificate.

Best of Luck

Answer 2

It seems there is some negligence on the part of the district and board.  You formally requested to have your name updated to reflect your marriage.  They failed to honor that request.  As a result, you missed many opportunities for interviews and potential jobs.  It seems pretty clear cut that it's their fault.  There's a flip side to this, though.  It's always safe to operate under the assumption that any place which is bureaucrattic in nature, which includes a school district, can allow such oversights to occur.  To that end, it's always good to take certain measures.  Basically, you want to make yourself a face in their minds and not just a name or piece of paper.  For example, calling the people at the office or, better yet, dropping by to ask a question or explain a situation or concern might help.  Be nice.  Do this a few times.  It helps people remember you and your situation.  I don't know if this would have prevented their oversight.  Don't think for a minute I'm implying you are to blame, by the way.  What's important is that it may not be too late to get your face out there with the right people.  Finding the right people to talk to is key.  They need to understand the situation, appreciate that your concern is legitimate (which it is), and, maybe, find a position for you that might come up.  That would be my approach.  Just one old guy's perspective.  By the way, as The Mrs. says above, keep checking at other schools and districts.  LM Combat... has he right idea, too.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Hi there,

I completely agree with both our colleagues above. It was an oversight by the district and board, but what is done is done now, no sense dwelling on it. No one did it purposely, they just have so many people to go through. You should (as Mrs. said) change your name with the state. Then, keep looking for job announcements in the district, and go to the schools you are interested in and **personally introduce yourself to the principal if possible, briefly explained what happened with your name change, and tell them you are interested in a job. PERSONALLY HAND THEM A RESUME (**forget mailing, you already did that and it didn't work, at this point, it needs to be in their hands) and they will know you are interested and YOUR face will pop in their minds if a position suiting you becomes available they'll think, "Oh yes, that was the young woman who came to see me 3 weeks ago and handed me her resume..."  It is not too late. Once they balance out class sizes, they may have need for more teachers in many schools, so do not despair. In the meantime, consider substitute teaching, yes it's grunt work but gets your foot back in the door and keeps you in the classroom at least.

BEST WISHES, you'll see that everything will eventually turn out ok. I would go this week to principals though, because once teachers go back (before students) it's total chaos.  ;)

Answer 4

Re-do your resume with both names on it

Call and talk to the district personnel officer and explain that your would like to return to the district and feel that there may have been some confusion with your names on the list of "non-renewed" but currently available for re-hire

Call a few principals with the same information

Sign up to do long-term substitute teaching...keeps your face and name in the mix

Keep checking the list of openings

good luck