Hello April. Thank you so much for this letter from the heart. I have considered teaching. I do feel, like you, that we have to put our faith in young people, and trying to help them become better, more well-rounded human beings is honorable. You certainly make a compelling case for it. Just taking the time to write this tells me a lot about who you are, and you have the trait I value most in people -- kindness.
I'm pretty sure Steve is near Washington, DC, in Virginia I think from his post. I'm in PA and yes, they are desperate. But I'm pretty picky about where I will work after what I've seen and been through. I only work at three charters now.
Definitely. I said I’d never go back but now I’ve found a few really good places. There are still huge challenges to be sure but people are trying. At the places I work the administrators are on the floors all the time. Teacher coaching is real and supportive not punitive. It’s so weird !
For real. If you can become a building sub--which means you only serve in one school, not all over a district--it's choice. You get to know the kids, they get to know you and classrooms run better.
It ain't easy: kids will push you and act out, but when they get to know you it gets less crazy. You need to have patience like you never thought you had.
But: the money ain't bad, and it can lead to a FT career w/union protections and a pension.
I was a FT musician, working as a stage hand for a day job. I don't like teaching anywhere near as much as I liked my old life, but it is way more stable (and I still play out regularly).
Building sub is a good gig. I'm practically a building sub now because I'll only go to three schools. Most days one of them needs me, but there is the odd day like today when I don't get a shift, which is annoying as it's a big chunk out of my income. But I definitely like being a fixture at the places where I go. The kids know me, the staff knows me, and they are fun. Kids know what to expect with me: I will enforce the rules. They, their parents, and the rest of the staff deserve that consistency.
Hello April. Thank you so much for this letter from the heart. I have considered teaching. I do feel, like you, that we have to put our faith in young people, and trying to help them become better, more well-rounded human beings is honorable. You certainly make a compelling case for it. Just taking the time to write this tells me a lot about who you are, and you have the trait I value most in people -- kindness.
Thanks Steve! Let me know if I can help in any way!
It takes a very special kind of person to teach and even more special to have the ability to love it.
This was an article I needed to read this afternoon. While I felt April's challenges in life- She left me hopeful. School kids need options.
Thank you so much!
This is so thoughful and inspiring!
Great article! Very persuasive and spot on!!!
PS: If you live in PA, they are DESPERATE for teachers.
I'm pretty sure Steve is near Washington, DC, in Virginia I think from his post. I'm in PA and yes, they are desperate. But I'm pretty picky about where I will work after what I've seen and been through. I only work at three charters now.
Oh, same here. I was in the SDP for 3 years, and finally had enough and went somewhere sane.
But what you say applies everywhere: keep your eyes open, take notes on the schools where you work, and be picky when you can.
Definitely. I said I’d never go back but now I’ve found a few really good places. There are still huge challenges to be sure but people are trying. At the places I work the administrators are on the floors all the time. Teacher coaching is real and supportive not punitive. It’s so weird !
For real. If you can become a building sub--which means you only serve in one school, not all over a district--it's choice. You get to know the kids, they get to know you and classrooms run better.
It ain't easy: kids will push you and act out, but when they get to know you it gets less crazy. You need to have patience like you never thought you had.
But: the money ain't bad, and it can lead to a FT career w/union protections and a pension.
I was a FT musician, working as a stage hand for a day job. I don't like teaching anywhere near as much as I liked my old life, but it is way more stable (and I still play out regularly).
Building sub is a good gig. I'm practically a building sub now because I'll only go to three schools. Most days one of them needs me, but there is the odd day like today when I don't get a shift, which is annoying as it's a big chunk out of my income. But I definitely like being a fixture at the places where I go. The kids know me, the staff knows me, and they are fun. Kids know what to expect with me: I will enforce the rules. They, their parents, and the rest of the staff deserve that consistency.
"In solidarity" -- spoken like a true union member/leader.