Exit Strategy

[birdnerd]

I've reached a case of terminal burn-out with my job. The hours are insane, and many of the students and parents I have to deal with are either obnoxious or apathetic.

Switching school districts won't fix this. It's a universal problem.

I'm going to spend part of the summer looking for gainful employment out of education, and I would appreciate your prayers that the search is successful. The job market being what it is, if I don't find anything by the end of June, I'll be locked into my contract and have to slog my way through another year and try again next summer.

[marshwriter]

I'll definitely keep you in my prayers!

I hope you get something else - something fulfilling which will leave some time for writing as well ;D

Just from the horror stories I hear from friends who are teachers gives me gooseflesh! (That's not even mentioning that you can now basically pass with 30% , but I digress.)

I really hope you find something else - and have a bit of a break between jobs to recharge your batteries!

Marsh

[tris]

Birdnerd,
I sympathize...my husband is a school teacher and in the same situation. I will be praying for you. Any chance you could look at employment at a junior college instead?

[morganlbusse]

Being a teacher is definitely hard these days. Will be praying for you Birdnerd...

[birdnerd]

Thanks, y'all.

I'm keeping options open for all but public (insanity rules) and private schools (can't make my bills ... and I'm the only income in my household).

I'll consider ACC (the local junior college), but last time I tried that, an MA or MS was required. I have a BS in ecology with a Post-Bacc certificate. I also have 13 years experience, now, so maybe some of that will transfer...?

Worth a shot. Thanks for the suggestion!

[beckyminor]

Praying for you and your professional decisions. May the right opportunity arise in a timely manner. I can imagine that after a while, you just don't feel like you can make a dent in a situation where you are constantly working against students and (more so) their parents. It's the sad state of a selfish society that has made the education system unworkable.

And I know what you mean about private education sadly not being an option. We pretty much view my husband's work in a private school as a choice to serve in ministry and a means to provide our children with a private education we could never afford otherwise. But alas, that puts me back in the workforce.

You wanna sell sheet music in the suburbs of Philadelphia? I have a feeling my work might have some openings coming up...

[birdnerd]

Thanks. I work the equivalent of 2.5 jobs for the pay of almost 1 job... and word is, we get a pay cut next year because of the state's refusal to fund the school system with money that was supposedly set aside for that purpose. I spend most of my day being referee while trying to teach an increasingly complex curriculum to kids who don't care and parents who are upset when Junior doesn't bring home straight As for little effort.

Philadelphia? *snicker* Uh... I dunno... If I don't find anything local, maybe that'd be an option.

(:

[Teskas]

During the era of the Vietnam conflict, college grads could get a deferment if they agreed to teach in New York [inner] City schools. A friend of mine took up the offer and lasted six months. He decided the army was easier and safer.

Prayer for you, Birdnerd.

[birdnerd]

I've worked in east Austin, which I understand has similar clientele ... I can relate. O.o

Thanks.

[Kristen]

Birdnerd, I pray the Lord will lead you to work that is satisfying and meaningful, and that doors will open for you that no one can close.

[birdnerd]

Thanks. I have confidence that all will work out in God's timing.

Recent speculation includes a theory that some of my health issues (killer food allergies, seizures, headaches) may be exacerbated by job stress.

God will put me where He needs me to go.

[cdeb]

I have been praying and am sorry to hear of the symptoms you seem to be suffering. My body certainly reacts badly to stress by disturbing physical manifestations. It seems like teaching is an extremely valuable but poorly valued vocation, which is really sad.

Maybe, given this forum, what we should be praying for you long-term is that the writing you love enables you to pay the bills sooner than you ever dreamed.

Chris

[newburydave]

Praying for you.

My wife's a teacher and she tells me that what's coming down the pike makes her think about retiring a year early.

Have you looked at the opportunities in freelance writing? Some people claim to make a living at that, writing blogs for businesses, doing technical writing, etc. There are several blogs about it over at Amazon that I subscribed to for a while.

God's blessings on you my sister

SGD
dave

[birdnerd]

Cdeb: Thanks. My 1st novel is due out sometime next month -- waiting on the artist and proofreader at this point. I've been praying that God grant it success and use it to His glory.

Dave: I did tech writing before I got into teaching after that company went out of business. That is on my list of jobs to look into. I'll look into other writing opportunities as well.

(:
Birdnerd

[newburydave]

Bird;

Based on the last blogs I read there's money in becoming the "blog writer" for corporations who want to maintain a blog presence without devoting inside staff to it.

The blog that I subscribed to was "Get Paid to Write Online" it was a kindle blog; here is the web version link www.getpaidtowriteonline.com/

Hope this helps.

SGD
dave