It's official! I'm a certified pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade teacher! The roller coaster I was on for five and a half years is finally over. Unfortunately, I got out of school at an absolutely awful time in the economy. First off, my parish has been under desegregation stuff and apparently at this point are not hiring all races. In a parish over they cut pretty much all teachers who have not had at least 3 years experience because they are suffering from budget cuts. I decided this meant I am meant to leave this town, find a new state, start my life over. I chose North Carolina. I applied several places and found out about a month ago they put a hold on all teaching positions. Where does that leave all new graduates? Substituting.
Honestly, substituting is the most fantastic choice... if you don't need to work because your husband allows you to be a housewife. I love it! I get to see my fantastic 2nd graders quite often without actually having to be there every single day. Also, I have been in several schools, talked with many principals, seen different forms of classroom management routines, and gotten my name out there. When they call and need a substitute I can accept or decline. The problems that occur are: the phone calls at 7 am needing you 20 mins away by 7:45 (but keep in mind the time required to get dressed & pack a lunch) and the fact that one does not get paid much.
Every day is a new day. Every experience gets me one step closer. And starting next Monday I will take over a 4th grade teacher's class while she is out on maternity leave. Wish me luck. It's also part of an interview. With that being said, stay tuned for more stories after next week.
