Today has been one of those days where I feel like I can't win for losing. Almost four years ago I graduated with my MA in teaching and got my teaching license in CA and KS. In those four years, I have had only a handful of interviews and those were mostly last summer. I was told by the few principals I asked that my interviews were great, but they offered the job to other candidates who didn't cost as much. In other words, someone with a BA and no experience. So, I have been substitute teaching for four years. My license is due to expire in July. To renew it, I will have to: RETAKE two tests that I had to take to get my license in the first place. OR I can pay $800-$1000 to take 8 credits (which I don't need because then I would cost even more to employ), OR pay the same amount to get 120 professional development points.
IN OTHER WORDS: To continue to work as a sub or to get hired, I have to pay $250 to retake tests I have already taken but don't remember the content of so will have to study for weeks to remember. Had I been hired before this, the district would have helped me get the professional development points I needed. I also would have gotten the experience I needed to move from an initial license to a professional license, making much of this a moot point! How do other subs keep current???? Maybe they are all ex-teachers and so it is easier to keep their license current. All I know is that this is crazy! I can't seem to get a job because I "cost too much," but in the long run I am more experienced than many new teachers because of all the sub work, and because I am a mom. And to stay licensed I have to take these dumb tests. To take them, I will have to study, which means not subbing as much.
Yes, I am frustrated and annoyed. I will take the tests and continue to hope that I get hired this summer. If not . . . . I am not sure I even want to think about it.
