Monday, November 23, 2009

From Somewhere On The Job Hunting Road


The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.

W.E.B. Du Bois

While a teenager, the neighbors across the street hired me to babysit their four boys. Four hours of sheer hell preceded two hours spent getting them to stay in their beds. Pay? A measly 50¢ an hour.

In the next few years, I had other babysitting jobs. Never liked the work. Perhaps all the hours I spent taking care of my own brothers tainted me, but for whatever reason, babysitting was not my thing.

Move forward to today. Guess what I’m doing now? Babysitting. And in today’s dollars, probably for about the same amount of money. In the last few weeks I’ve been an English, World Geography, World History and French teacher. I’ve directed a band and supervised (combat) Handball. I’ve engaged my experience as a mom to use hand signals to get a child back into a seat or to stand in the middle of a crowd with my arms held slightly in the air, gathering attention without raising my voice.

Yup, I’m back in the saddle of substitute teaching. Back on easily, like riding a bike, only not anywhere near as much fun. Thirty years ago in Michigan I did the same thing only that state required an active teaching certificate. Way back then, I looked like I was ten. I rarely had trouble with discipline, however, I now have the ability to look at a trouble-making kid and deliver the “Don’t Mess With Me, Man. I’m the Mother of Three Boys” look.

I’d like to say that my pursuit of midlife job hunting has taken me to new heights. That things I’ve learned over the past 35 years since I graduated from high school have afforded me a plethora of qualifications for many different jobs. Perhaps it has, but so far I haven’t been able to channel that into an actual position.

Last spring, I sat in a virtual prison scoring high school exit level essays – 200 a day. The requirements for that job? A Bachelor’s degree and a pulse. Substitute teaching in my current state requires less than that. A high school degree and this year they’ve added a prerequisite of 60 hours of college. I seem to be going backwards.

The pay? Well, lets just say, I depend on my husband for food, clothing, and shelter.

But I've not done all my homework. Have I spent more than 60 minutes on my resume trying to add up all I’ve accomplished and participated in the past 22 years since my last full-time employment? Not completely.

Is there a reason for that? Yes.

I still have a child home this year that I feel deeply committed to finish raising. I have no desire to lose him in his senior year or miss out on participating in his life. Not as a hovering helicopter mom – he is most independent – but in the small part of his life that is left with me before he embarks on his own.

Now that my defense is established, I can pursue my true passion for a while longer - reading and writing. Gathering my abilities and methods to generate them into a paying position – next year. Meanwhile, I’m in the classroom, working a job where the teachers I sub for don’t seem to have much expectation from me (perhaps due to the meager requirements for the job). For me, I'm in another job I'm good at, but don't enjoy.

I understand the versatility required in this position – walking into a room and with a few moments notice keep 36 kids working and producing something worthwhile for the class length. I need to become more familiar with the teachers so they’ll know to give me something to teach as I do have something to offer more than babysitting. At least I hope so.

37 comments:

  1. I take it you are doing what we in the UK call Supply Teaching - i.e. filling in for teachers who for one reason or another are absent. This is soul destroying. I found teaching such a rewarding career but it did entail getting to know each child and getting to know his or her capabilities, interests, difficulties etc. Only then was it rewarding, so I do feel for you.

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  2. My wife does what you do now, and finds it also a stress-producer, much different than when she actually occupied a classroom on a full-time basis. Somehow I found comfort in your posting, in that it appears that these grueling activities we find ourselves doing are doing something good for our character. Or so I keep telling myself. And now, you. EFH

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  3. Thinking back to how we used to try and make subs' lives a living hell, I am remorseful. I used to teach for a living, but I had the very best situation possible - one-on-one with students who wanted to learn. You have all my sympathy!! If you don't already read Bonnie at Original Art Studio, this post might give you pause when you consider what it is you really want to be doing. http://originalartstudio.blogspot.com/2009/11/do-you-have-to-achieve-and-succeed-to.html

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  4. You're getting "something" out of this (substituting) - maybe not so identifiable; more self character building, perhaps? :)
    Seriously, sacrificing to spend time with (babysit) these kids is a necessity that all parents should appreciate.

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  5. You would probably make more money babysitting. . .for real.

    I know of one mom who insisted on seeing sitters' CPR credentials before leaving them with her precious children. . .

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  6. I think I told you before that I used to have to 'sub' in classes when I was secretary for the school counselor in a middle school many years ago. There was an article in the paper this last weekend that some of our school districts here in north georgia and tennessee are doing the same thing again - having secretaries, bus drivers, etc., who are already on salary - sub in the classes as part of the budget cuts. Though there are still a few districts that are actually increasing their requirements to sub. Go figure.

    Anyway, it is no easy task to go into a class cold, not knowing who is who or what is what! On the plus side, it does build character, it does allow you to finish getting that boy of yours grown up and out of the house, and does allow you an extra year to get that resume spit and polished!

    I laughed at the image of the older you having 'the ability to look at a trouble-making kid and deliver the “Don’t Mess With Me, Man. I’m the Mother of Three Boys” look.' Too funny!

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  7. Subbing is a pretty thankless job, even when people enjoy it. Any chance for a long-term spot where it becomes a bit more than babysitting? And maybe you're not supposed to like it too much - otherwise it might be too easy to cling to it instead of exploring other possibilities next year when you're free to.

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  8. Best of luck to you. Teachers are truly gifts.

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  9. It can feel that way, can't it? But you are rocking the stern looks. Me, I make less now then when I was in grade 12. It's just the way it is. We make choices and live by the results. You're doing great. You're right where you're supposed to be and next year, well, it's just one year away.

    xo
    erin

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  10. Sorry, but I had to chuckle at your descriptions and your stern "don't mess with me" look. Chalk all this up to experience preparing for that special position I know you will find next year......:-) Hugs

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  11. Oh I remember the days of babysitting large familys of kids for .50 an hour. Those were the days. Good luck with the teaching thing!

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  12. I never babysat, when I was younger. For some reason, I just didn't want to, so I got my WSI (water safety instructor) badge and started teaching swimming classes and life-guarding at age 15. At least babysitting gave you a clue about what raising kids is like. I had no idea until I had my own! And I know that there really is a special place in heaven for the mother of THREE BOYS! Hang in there and have a great holiday! Cheers!

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  13. Well, congrats on the paycheck. I know it is meager, and the work doesn't equal the pay, but at least you can feel really good about spending the rest of your time exactly the way you want to - reading and writing. Being a substitute is really tough, and it sounds like the requirements there are lower than here. I'm lucky to have been able to be home with my girls, and lucky I don't have to go take a job cleaning motels, but I really need to get going on that book. I ordered two of the books you suggested on one of your other posts. They look great. Now I just need to read them...

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  14. That is difficult work. I hope something in your interest area becomes available--sounds like you are doing everything right.

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  15. See, the thing is, those kids who think you're a babysitter don't have a clue how fortunate they are to have you. If only they were smart or mature enough to tap into what you have to offer.

    Does that make you feel any better? No? Well, I tried.

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  16. 50 cents an hour, and a dollar if it went past midnight. Those were the days (NOT!). Still chuckling at your "Don't mess with me" look; have found it to be most effective when shot over the top of my glasses...You are right to be doing what you are doing right now; they still need "raising" even after they've left the nest, not that they would ever admit it.
    Hang in there!
    Perhaps what this really means is that you should continue to follow your passions...

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  17. I've never thought about being a supply teacher the same as being a babysitter. Interesting perspective.

    "I can go back to my pursuit of my true passion - reading, writing and editing." Wow. I wish i could have articulated my dreams that succinctly. We share a dream. :)

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  18. I remember one substitute teacher from back in my school days. It was in a math class, and I expected the worst, because math teachers are notoriously bad teachers to begin with, for some reason, and well, it was a sub!

    The sub treated the class as though it were the q&a portion of a conference session rather than just killing time until the regular instructor returned, and we had opportunities to review concepts from someone with a completely different teaching style. It was actually a refreshing break AND a good learning opportunity for us.

    I hope you have a chance to create good memories as a sub, too.

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  19. It looks like thru the years you have accumulated many skills. Experience is everything..I am sure you are a great teacher..

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  20. I've been doing day care for my two toddler grandsons for almost 4 years now. I have no grand plans for when I get my life back to myself. I've had a number of jobs thru the years, mostly part time as my children were growing up. I never went to college...I depended on the School of Life to teach me as I've stumbled and bumbled my way thru life. I've learned a lot. When I finally have 5 minutes to myself and can catch my breath I might have time to sit down and ponder the future, ha! At this point I can't even go to the bathroom alone during the day. 5 years ago I was working outside the home, had hours to read or garden or plunk around on the internet. I never dreamt I'd be doing what I'm doing midlife now. I don't really know where I'm going with this comment outside of saying that whatever Life throws my way I just go with the flow. I find so much more satisfaction in having a part in raising my grandsons than I ever got from punching in numbers all day or answering phones. But in a few more years?? I may be climbing the WALLS to get out of the house!! In 5 years I may not even be here. With some of the health issues I've had in the past 10 years, I really do try to stop and smell the roses and take it a day at a time. Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

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  21. Smashing article. Dont forget, when you cant do all these things, thats it. If you laugh at it all, you must be still well and truly alive!

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  22. I cannot imagine.

    Subbing seems like a very particular kind of hell, to me--all of the downsides and none of the up.

    Question: is a paying position essential? If not, could you become a professional literacy volunteer, where you establish a year-long relationship with the same set of kids, in the same school?

    Your skills and background would be used, in spades. You'd feel gratified. You'd make a difference.

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  23. It has to be so difficult when not allowed the time to get to know each of the kids, or they you. Hang in there. One more year. I fully get wanting that last year with your youngest. They need us more as teens in some ways, don't they?

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  24. A friend of mine subs, and it's amazing how many calls she gets. It seems like there are enough sub openings to warrant a "permanent" sub, floating from school to school.

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  25. I enjoy reading your post. It's my first here. In many ways, i know how they all add up although not everything you will want to put it down in the resume. ;P

    ~Silver
    Reflections

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  26. I don't agree that being a sub is such a nothing job. It is what you make it and I think you can go each day and not realize how much you are bringing these kids that their regular burnt out teacher doesn't-- even for a day. As you talk to them about your ideas and maybe your favorite author it may just inspire someone to write as you write. Perhaps you can give some attention to a kid the teacher neglects even just for that day. KIds love to hear new things presented in new and refreshing ways. And as you continue your sub work in just a few schools and you keep doing it, it is amazing how many kids you get to know and how much influence you find out you really had. News of a good sub go through a school like lightning and your value will increase as time goes by.

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  27. Bernie is so wise and gives good advice...just like a mother would!

    Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

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  28. It's amazing the twists and turns our lives take, isn't it? I hope you begin to get more responsibility in the classrooms so that you can enjoy it more. And may the joy of finishing raising your son be worth all the setbacks career wise through the years.

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  29. FYI, every sub who stood out from the pack, got hired by me. First, though, let everyone know you are looking for a permanent assignment.

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  30. p.s. I agree with The Weaver, the job is soul destroying.

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  31. I never enjoyed babysitting either. It was just a few extra dollars. I knew that I could never be a teacher, and try to keep a rowdy class of 30 or so children under control long enough to teach them something.

    I have oodles of admiration for those that can handle this job, whether it pays well or not. My DIL teaches 2nd graders, and believe it or not, she loves her job and went back for her masters so she can be a principal someday.

    Again, oodles of admiration from me. Esp that you are the sub, and we all know how kids try to pull one over on the sub! :-0

    Have a wonderful turkey day! :)

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  32. I think it is rare for anyone to be 100% happy in their job. Many are making a compromise.

    Supply teaching is the worst because you never make roots, the children know how to exploit a new teacher who will be moving on and you have hundreds of new names to remember & never get to know anybody really well.
    I take my hat off to you!

    Looking after your own children has been the most valuable thing of all. And you don't get paid anything for that. Just love. That means something though.

    Nuts in May

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  33. I can completely understand why you are waiting...I would feel the same...I'm sure you are an excellent substitute teacher!! Probably much in demand!!! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! ~Janine XO

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  34. I feel your pain. I subbed for a year. It was tough but looking back there were some pretty school experiences.

    Hey, what kind of cabbage did you make grading high school exit exams?

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  35. Just stopping in to see what you are up to...Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!!! ~Janine XO

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  36. Whenever we have to face someone difficult, like the service manager of a car dealership that says something isn't covered by warranty, my friend who retired last year after 30 years of teaching says to "put on your teacher face."

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  37. I am late to comment here--I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My Hubs has been a teacher for many years. I have heard teachers who have left the business say they are so glad to sub--to be done with the classroom and the administration and everything at the end of the day.
    My husband will request a sub when he knows he will be out. With teachers having to teach to the test these days, the role is not babysitting--it is staying on task. Last week he had to be out a day and left detailed instructions for the sub, who didn't have the students actually the whole day due to various specials the kids had to be at. He had stuff for her to do. But instead she wanted to hear each child introduce him/herself. It took 20 minutes and she did not get to the handout and lesson. It even seemed odd to his students and they relayed this to him (they are only 11 yrs old). He provided some feedback on her to the office.

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