Huh, I just realized that the purpose of this blog WAS to document our new family and the various things which happened. It has slowly transformed to become my rambling thoughts and complaints on life. Oh well, you are the one reading it so I don't know which one of us to feel more sorry for.
I am substitute teaching today. It is so funny to watch the antics of the students. Sometimes I wish that I had my own classroom and could teach the students. This is my current conundrum. I have been applying for jobs, but honestly I am not so sure that I want one. Sure, I have worked for eight years towards this ultimate goal, but there is so much hesitation. I would prefer to teach History, as this is my strongest area. The problem I have run across however, is that I was not prepared by my university to get a job as a history teacher. They never told me that there is another type of endorsement for History teachers, it is known as a Social Studies Composite. In this endorsement a teacher is allowed to teach multiple subjects; for example: History, World History (the two I am authorized to teach), Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Government, etc... It is the Social Studies Composite that all districts are hiring for, as they make the teacher much more marketable and movable. This means that I will most likely not receive a position as a history teacher, something which I kind of expected.
This is why I prepared myself to teach English. I will graduate next week with an endorsement in both History and English. I have currently applied for over a dozen teaching positions, and have only been contacted or interviewed for one. In all honesty, I'm scared. I do not feel prepared to teach English. The state core is SO VAGUE! I have complete freedom as long as the students learn the concepts. I guess this is a plus, but I am used to teaching History and the methodology that follows it.
Take all of these factors in account in the confusion of deciding my future as well as that of my family and I am in a conundrum. IF I am able to find a teaching job I can make a lot more money (I know thats an oxymoron), saving it for the future purchase of a house. The problem is I feel like I am moving forward or on and leaving my husband behind. He is younger than I, and just beginning his collegiate education. He has not learned all of the lessons of focus or determination to finish. To him it seems as if this is all a game. He is in no rush, he is still young. He has so many desires to learn. He loves learning and wants to vary the subjects he studies. The problem is this costs a lot of money and pushes graduation further and further away. This causes all manner of issues (mainly with me, as he is content to continue truck'n along) as I struggle in limbo, without a focus driving daily life.
How is it with you reader? Am I normal in the fact that I tend to have a driving force, be it education or work, which rules my days and most of my thoughts? I would say that now I am finished with school the next obvious step is to start our family, but I do not feel that would be fair for our future children. I want to be able to care for them in a responsible manner.
I think you can just take the composite praxis and be endorsed in all those subjects if you pass, without having to take the classes. You should go talk to Axel or something, he should know...
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been told you CAN teach government and geography without the composite praxis. My cooperating teacher has taught government before, and she doesn't have her composite. You can also teach financial lit.
And yes, it is normal to have a driving force in your life. You and me are so similar sometimes. :)
Thank you so much Lindzee I really needed feedback on that one. I talked with Axel and he is trying to get in touch with the state people for me.
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