This week’s challenge at I Heart Faces is “Back to School”.
The beginning of the school year has been rough. Another year out of the classroom. Not because I choose to stay home, but because there aren’t any teaching jobs. Zip, zero, none.
I loved teaching. I loved my students, the parents, my principal, my colleagues. Every day I walked into my classroom and I was happy to be there. It was hard work, but it was the best work. I miss seeing their proud faces light up when they “get it”. I miss getting my lesson plans ready and thinking of how I can teach something and make it awesome. I miss coming home with stories about my students, whom I loved. Every. Single. One. Most of all I miss my students, who still call me on the phone to tell me about their school day and to ask if I can be their teacher again.
There’s a lot of us. Fresh out of school, eager and excited and happy to be teaching. But we’re home. Not because we aren’t good teachers, but because there aren’t enough jobs. Hopefully things will turn around someday, and I’ll be spending my days in a place that feels like home.
So that’s the inspiration behind my photo. A self portrait of myself, thinking about better days to come. Hoping that someday soon, I’ll be back in the classroom.
For more I Heart Faces pictures, click the link below:
This Little Blog of Mine 
My heart goes out to all of the unemployed teachers. Your photo says it all.
I hope change is on the way. In the mean time, you take lovely photos. very dramatic and emotional shot.
We can see the sadness, beautiful staging and great treatment.
Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your situation, hope things start looking up for you very soon..
Oh WOW! I love the story behind the photo….and yet I HATE the story behind the photo! I hate knowing that there IS a need for teachers (My daughter had 29 in her kindergarten class the first 2 weeks of school) and yet, that’s not the problem. The problem is MONEY! Makes me angry.
Oh I PRAY you are hired SOON!
Your photo just says it all. I can see the frustration in your expression. I can only imagine how hard it is! I hope that something works out for you!
What a perfect picture to express the frustration. Maybe this is just life’s way of saying Little T needs you as his teacher right now? I hope something opens up for you soon!
oh I’m so sorry to hear this! You should put yourself out there to teach for homeschoolers – we do pay if you come to the coops! ALSO – there are a number of homeschoolers who hire private teachers to come to their homes – look into it!!
Hope it all turns around for you soon.
Erika B
There are days I love being in the classroom, and days I leave completely exhausted…I can’t see myself doing anything else.
great capture! Love it! I have a new photo blog hop starting Mondays… love to have you!
http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2011/09/capturing-beauty.html
Traci
I too have lost my job. I’ve taught for 17 years and am 59. My scores were the highest on my department and received a 2,200.00 bonus from district for them! Yet, I was the one forced to resign! Applied for every job posted less than 2 hours away! Not a single call. Nada. Nothing. I’ve been reading from other unemployed teachers that the admin now wants young teachers, but they don’t have the experience! I guess in a market where education budgets are so tight, scores are so much less important! Who would have thought!!!
Becky, that’s awful that you’ve had to resign after 17 years of teaching. I knew so many teachers who had worked for years, and the school did so many things to push them out so they could hire people who could be paid less. It’s such a shame, especially after so many years of your life dedicated to your profession.
Love to hear from others in this situation!
I am 59 and working in a part-time position. I wasn’t even laid off-I just made a decision to resign because I was having to work out of state. My husband had been on his own during the school week for four years because I could not find a job in my entire state! Our home was demolished by a tornado and I said-enough, I am staying home. Now I’m facing a second fall with no classroom. I get interviews, but I don’t get the job. Friends are kind, but my family is getting tired of my sadness. I raised my children and finished my degree at 46. Now I’m 59, and it appears my career is over. A life-long dream lies in ashes because I made a bad decision out of emotions.
Taking a break from my job search today and decided to look for encouragement from others online. Going on year two of unemployment after being pink-slipped. Over it. Nice blog post
It’s so hard, isn’t it? I’m going to cross my fingers for you and hope you find a place to be your second home.
I’m in the same boat as you. Thought I could at least collect unemployment after subbing for 7 months only to find out that I can’t because district offered me assurance to sub in September. No one can offer how I’m supposed tosurvive for the summer months.