Lessons
Learned…
About Setting Yourself Up To Find A
Teaching Job When Teaching Jobs Are Tough To Find
I graduated with a Teaching Degree in December of 1981. The”
December” part alone meant, at best, a long term sub position, any grade and
any subject K-8, in terms of employment in a school. The “1981” part compounded the problem, for
the early eighties were a time when available teaching jobs in the States were
scarce. Anticipating this early on, I
realized my best bet was to gain extensive and diverse experience through
volunteering regularly and faithfully in a wide variety of settings with the
hopes of securing a letter or two or more of recommendation to strengthen my
resume and my understanding. I had time
and passion for people. The organizations and individuals that allowed me to
serve them had great patience and generosity of spirit. The list included:
Being a summer camp counselor at a MDA residential camp, assisting a music therapist
in an adult psychiatric unit, working closely with a blind/deaf university
student during a two year window, rocking babies in the hospital so that
parents could take much needed breaks, and writing kids’ music to enhance
curricular plans in classrooms of teacher friends. As is always the case with
serving others, the one who serves receives abundant blessings. My heart was
warm and full of rich relational gifts and tender experiential compassion. They
all offered kind letters of recommendation.
December of 1981 arrived stirring heart- waves of bittersweetness in the
good-byes. Within three months, two strong, excellent job offers appeared each
requiring a re-location of no more than four hours from home.
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