Just before giving or sending them out I prayed that God would open the principal’s heart and mind to what I could bring to their staff. We prayed as a family that I would find something before school started. Not one phone calls came. I called the county to see if I had something in missing in my file that would keep principals from calling me and was told everything was complete. It would take time for me to be going to school though.
There are too many people for too few jobs,” I was told. ” I have experience. I have taught for over twenty years. Is that keeping me from going to school again as a teacher? No, we are hiring all levels of experience,” they said.
Last week I panicked. I had three jobs I had applied for the week before. I had done all of them at one point another. Each job disappeared within a three hour period on Tuesday. Someone else had been selected. Some other people had been granted interviews.
I haven’t gone on any interviews. By this time seven years ago I had had six and had two school’s wanting to hire me. (The teaching job market is much tougher now.)
Was the fact that I worked one year and then stayed home to raise my son the problem? Well, it might have been. “You have shown that you put your family first,” said a friend. “If someone would hire me, I would stay with them until retirement,” I replied.
The truth is that I can’t make that promise. I don’t know where my husband will get a job. He is going back to school this fall to work on learning newer programs. If he gets a job outside of our town, I woud have to resign again. That would look terrible on my resume.
So I am going to sub this year as often as I can. I will work with every grade I am allowed too. Contributing to my family’s income is vital.
I was hoping I would be going back to school with JDaniel this fall. He as a student and me as teacher. God seems to have other plans. I will demonstrate to teachers that they all want me to be their go to sub. At least I am praying they will.
Oh, oh, oh. I know what a place you’re in with work and family and career issues. Whatever ends up happening, it will all be sorted and it will be the “right” decision. It’s so tough to navigate these waters. I hope that JDaniel has a wonderful time at school and you are able to find happiness, balance, and something that works well for your family 🙂
Oh, I know that is hard. I took the first year after I had Bubby off of teaching – and then interviewed a few places and had two “fighting” over me – but I turned them down b/c I didn’t have peace. Turned out I was unexpectedly pregnant (which with me is high risk), so there was a reason. But then the next year I applied to same schools and others heard nothing back. So I have stayed at home – which is what I have wanted to do at this phase – but we could have also used the extra money. (My husband has returned to school, and although he can also work with his line of work it is not the same as having a regular 40 hour a week job.) I have done different seasons of babysitting, and we look at the year ahead and think, “How, God?” But He is faithful. I am often stressed out 🙂 but He is faithful. Praying for you.
I’m sure you will go in there and rock it!! Best of luck with everything!
How stressful! I hope you find something soon.
I’m so sorry you haven’t found anything. Surely the right opportunity will come your way. ((((((hugs))))) Subbing will be a great way to get to know the schools and principals, and maybe you will be able to step into a long term sub situation for the year.
I feel like the limbo phase of unemployment is simply exhausting. We have been through it a few times since 2008 because of my hubby’s industry, and it never gets easier. Hang in there…I am hoping something will come your way very soon.-Ashley
I subbed for a bit when my oldest was a baby to bring in income. Honestly I think you’d be the best sub ever with your ideas and enthusiasm. I think you’d make a fabulous teacher. Hoping your prayers get answered soon – I know they will!
Uncertainty is SO HARD when the family’s income is at stake! I know! My husband was let go at his job two years ago, and I, too, beefed up my resume.
Well, God had other plans in store for us- he provided him a good job which allowed me to stay at home and continue to homeschool. He also provided children for me to watch in our home to help make ends meet.
I KNOW your subbing will lead to something- you seem like you would be too good of a package to pass up on! OR maybe God has some new adventure in store for y’all- like a move to Knoxville, TN (my town) or another place! Who knows? ;0)
What I DEFINITELY learned during our experience is that though it is scary and frustrating at times, HE is there. He listens. He is BIG enough to take on your anger, hurt, and worries. He IS.
Here is a section of Psalm 89, which I hope will bring you comfort (I recommend reading it all when you get the chance):
The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
I know you will be a wonderful sub. And will quickly be the sub that teachers request when they know they are going to be out. I’m praying that that will lead to something more permanent for you. xo
I bet once you sub in a few schools your work ethic and attitude will pay off. Sometimes it’s easier for a school system to hire someone they “know” (which they will because you will do a SUPER job). Hang in there!
My daughter has run up against the same thing. She is a single mother and it is so hard. Subbing has kept her busy and up to date on the latest philosophies.
Good luck to you.
Oh, I know how hard it is from my own job search. It seems that experience (and age) is not a plus in the current job market despite the lip service made to it. I am hoping that you will have enough work as a substitute and the permanent job will not be too far away. Good luck!
Adorable photo ~ so cute ~ We don’t always know what the future will bring ~ trust that it will all work out as you and your husband are doing all the right things ~ sending lots of prayers and healing hugs to you and I wish for you what you are wishing for yourself ~ carol, xo
ps. 27 yo great nephew served in Vietnam and recently had a stroke ~ Drs contribute it to long travel back home from Afghanastan and prognosis is good ~ asking for prayers for him ~ thanks. My challenge ~ and also sometimes wishing for a ‘companion’ ~ besides my little doggie ~ yet , think the ‘little doggies is winning’ ~ and it’s okay.
What a cute photo!! You might actually be thankful for the subbing job to have the flexiblity that comes with it during this time. I wish you lots of luck on your job search! It is challenging but you sound like you’ve got the right attitude!
My sister got her first job after returning to teaching once her kids were in school from subbing. They liked her so much, they hired her!
=)
Sorry you haven’t been able to find a job. I must say, as a nineteen-year veteran teacher, I couldn’t recommend going into the profession anymore because it’s too much about politics. Subbing might be the best way to do it for this year.
If they get to know you, they will realize what you offer. There is no-one more competent and loving than you! Sending prayers and having faith that your goodness will prevail!
I’m sorry you haven’t got any calls yet. I know God knows what He’s doing…There must be a good reason. (Though it’s hard to see that right now) I’ll pray you’re able to get in and sub OFTEN this year!
I think sub-ing is a good way, especially if there is a long term subsitution position available. My school hired an awesome back to work teacher that way who also lived in my community. It gives everyone a chance to get to know you and how you work. The issue at my school (Newton, MA) is that experienced teachers are more expensive so the principal tends to hire a newer one. Also, teachers now need a Master’s Degree in Teaching to be “highly quallified”. This is a newer requirement.
Sending you well wishes and good karma that it will all work out!! Mia (PragmaticMom)
Oh I am so sorry…it is frustrating! I am sure they are going to love you subbing, and hopefully that will help! Last year I was working for a start up when the investor pulled out, and I (along with everyone else) was laid off. I decided to start my own business…and blog. It’s been a lot of work, but I feel like I am on my way. Good luck! I am thinking of you!!
PS. I would love it if you would link this post up with our Back to School Ladies Only Blog Share tomorrow – we’ll go live tonight.
Also, I’m not sure what kind of training your husband is seeking but my company is offerering this training as a free MOOK:
Free online course: Coding for Designers – “The lessons move at the perfect pace and the assignments are exciting” http://gymnasium.aquent.com/course_catalog
All the best in your job search….You may find a completely different career path than teaching as you consider all possibilities….I never thought I’d end up being a rural carrier, but I love it.. now going on 14 years! My letter M: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/midwest-mania/
Subbing can be a great way to get back into the game after an absence! But have you considered educational consulting or something similar? Widen your search and great things might happen!
You have shared so many wonderful ideas on your blog that I am confident that the many children you reach will be blessed! My sister-in-law subs instead of full-time teaching, and she wouldn’t have it otherwise anymore! God knows the plans He has for you, plans for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
I hope you get calls to be a sub over and over and over. God has a plan for you all though. I know it!
What a hard and disappointing time for you. I am so sorry that you are going through this. I am sure that you will be the most sought after sub and maybe this will lead you to the next open door. Any school would be so lucky to have you!!!!
I can empathize. My hubby was out of work for almost a year and it was tough. He works in the steel industry so this is not unusual. God always has a way of giving us what we need during those times though.
Will keep you all in my prayers.
I know that God has a plan for you… You might not know it yet… but you will soon. I tell you what, I would LOVE to have you for Broxton’s teacher… the kids that you work with will be so lucky!!!
praying for you. That is so hard!
I’m sure that teachers will be falling over themselves to have you sub. You’re amazing!
In our county, sub-ing has always been the way to get your foot in the door. I taught part-time at the university for years, 2 days a week – and getting a full-time job doing anything was a challenge. I finally got one – one that is teaching me to bloom where I am planted. Trusting that God’s got a reason and a plan that sometimes is hard when it seems to jumble up your insides:) praying for both of you:)
Praying for the right exact path to come into your life. I have been out of the work force for 15yrs this summer. It’s hard to have a gap that big.
🙁 I left my job I had for 10 years in May (because I felt like God told me to leave my position)… it was an amazing summer, but we are seriously in the hole financially. I applied mid-summer to become a substitute and was waiting to hear back. School started, and I didn’t hear, I was told to wait until last Friday, and I didn’t hear. I prayed and God told me to wait on Him and His timing. PRAISE GOD I got the call today! I was encouraged by this today as a reminder of His faithfulness!
I’m sorry you haven’t found anything. I think you’d make a great teacher.
oh sweet mama. my heart feels for you. sending prayers of faith that God will lead you down the path He has paved for you. xx
Oh girl I am so sorry! If they were smart they would hire you, you are amazing. I hope you are able to get lots of chances to sub and hopefully even a permeant position. And really, if a job is over looking you because you decided to put your family first for a few years, than do you really want to work for them anyway?
Perhaps you’ll be able to cover someone’s maternity leave or an extended absence like that…you never know what other things might come along. I’m sorry that everything is up in the air but I am certain that God has a plan in all of this for your family.
I have no doubt that your dedication will win through. Just from your educational resource posts on your blog, it’s obvious you have a talent. It might be a tough market, but that will be recognised, sooner or later. Meanwhile I hope you can find plenty of substitute work 🙂
I bet you find lots of subbing work and maybe it will lead you down a path you would have never gone down. I hate when people say everything happens for a reason – when you’re the one it’s happening to. But really, somehow, someway things do work out. It’s just the anxiety, worry and fear that’s the problem… Hang in there – you clearly have lots of good thoughts and prayers coming your way.
Wishing you wonderful, abundant subbing opportunities – which hopefully lead to great new opportunities!
Visiting from SITS!
I can totally relate! I’ve stayed home for the last four or so years and I my son went to full day kindergarten this year. So I started applying and it was so hard to get a call back!
You know, if you make any kind of money at all from your blog, that’s considered employment. So put Blogger/Writer on your resume and you no longer have a gap in your employment!
Also, maybe try looking for online consulting jobs. I’ve seen a few tutor and teaching consultant jobs online that are legit.
Praying something perfect will come along for you!
http://www.MommaCandy.com
Praise God you got your foot in the door! That’s all you needed to show off your teaching skills! 🙂 Praying that God gives you not only His favor, but favor with man as well! It’s so good to know that He’s got our best interest at heart! Have a wonderful weekend!
What a difficult situation.
I will pray that the best situation for you and your family will come to pass.
Jdaniel4smom -look how many comments you have here! Not everyone can do that or knows where to start to build an audience. Maybe you could look for jobs in social media marketing – it is a hot field now. Just an idea … <3 <3
Here is an idea that might help you. When my son was young and in daycare, a lady used to come around to the daycare once a week and teach a dance class. There were about 10 kids in the class and the charge was $30 a month per kid for an hour long lesson. She had 5 different daycares that she would visit, so that was $300 a month for each one. The daycare was delighted because it took 10 kids off their hands for an hour and gave them something to give their daycare an edge over the competition. The parents were delighted because they didn’t have to take time out of their work day to take their kids to a dance class. Plus they had the joy of watching the kids in their quarterly recital. And the kids loved it, of course. I thought it was totally brilliant! Maybe you don’t teach dance, but you could offer some kind of math tutoring, or early reading interventions, etc.
I can’t pretend to know the mind of God for you, but I DO trust that His plan will be better for you in the end than you can even imagine right now! You are so talented, and I am sure He has a wonderful way to use that! But I know the waiting is hard… 🙁 I pray you’ll have overwhelming peace while you wait!
Show off those skills Deirdre! You are such a talented person with very creative ideas {you did put your blog on your resume, right :)} Hoping you’ll have lots of subbing gigs this year and yes, always look for the window that opens right after the last door shuts.
You always have such a fun way of teaching JDaniel and I know you would be my first choice for a teacher…
Keep the faith and continue moving forward and everything will work out magnificently for you!
Marvelous post for the letter “M”…
Thanks for linking.
A+