Back in 2010, our beloved twinkie-eating, blowhard of a Governor cut school funding. I had been teaching nearly 30 years, and had to leave my original job, where I spent 19 years, because I filed a complaint with the EEOC (turned into a class-action lawsuit) and I was harassed to the point that I either had to find another job or I would lose my temper and have to strangle a few administrators.
I was all set to get tenure in another job that wasn't too bad for a 50-something teacher, except for the very long commute- when our Union president sold out 30 of us teachers getting the highest salaries (we got laid off and got NO NJEA help) so he could become a Vice-Principal. The Union local fired him when they found out, and he did NOT get the job (the offer was publicly rescinded and given to another applicant!).
This is exactly 2 yrs to the day I lost my job. I have a CV four pages long, heavy with awards and accomplishments. I have a MA+ in Chemistry Education. I have taught on EVERY grade level. I even volunteered at my sons' school as a visiting science teacher. No jobs, no offers. Not even a nibble.
WHY?? I live in southern NJ, the Pine Barrens, how else can I describe it? Halfway between Philly and Atlantic City. There are NO jobs here, even for young people.
I was all set to get tenure in another job that wasn't too bad for a 50-something teacher, except for the very long commute- when our Union president sold out 30 of us teachers getting the highest salaries (we got laid off and got NO NJEA help) so he could become a Vice-Principal. The Union local fired him when they found out, and he did NOT get the job (the offer was publicly rescinded and given to another applicant!).
This is exactly 2 yrs to the day I lost my job. I have a CV four pages long, heavy with awards and accomplishments. I have a MA+ in Chemistry Education. I have taught on EVERY grade level. I even volunteered at my sons' school as a visiting science teacher. No jobs, no offers. Not even a nibble.
WHY?? I live in southern NJ, the Pine Barrens, how else can I describe it? Halfway between Philly and Atlantic City. There are NO jobs here, even for young people.
There are no teaching jobs in southern NJ- part 3
Posted 04-14-2012 at 12:40 PM by trishthegeek
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]6. Substitute. IF they take your application (they are very choosy these days) you get to network and make friends, which may help if you are a new teacher. CALL EVERY DISTRICT's HR DEPT. and ask how to apply to be a sub. You need 60 credits, so this is a good way to see if you REALLY want to teach in a particular district. You will also need to be fingerprinted, and have a background check. Some counties have hired temp agencies to do this for them.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]7. Move to northern NJ (Trenton- north). There are LOTS of jobs there, in Math and Sciences.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]8. Young, with no strings attached? Do what my son did, when he graduated college and could not find a job. Dual majors, a minor, a semester early, WITH HONORS, just 21. He joined the Army. He enters as a Specialist with a 4-yr degree, and was tested into a high-level program, in which he will be stateside. IF he sticks with it, he can retire at 41 with a pension, and get a govt. job. If NOT-- as a VET, he will get first shot at any job he applies for, and will have his grad school paid for. It was very hard for me to see him go, but there is a good paycheck in his bank account every two weeks, and his BA loan balances are going downward.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]9. If you are a new grad, or a recent grad-- ask your alma mater to assist you in job placement. This is part of their job!! [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]10. JUST REMEMBER THIS: just because you are employed today does NOT mean you are going to be employed TOMORROW. NJ school districts are rife with favoritism, and they seek to do away with tenure. So, if you are coming close to the 4-year mark, or if you see a sub in your school that has your major, and the last name of an administrator, and you are NOT tenured--watch your back. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Get the resumes ready, just in case. BE SURE you use up every sick and personal day each school year until you are tenured. DON'T expect the NJEA to do anything but give you lip service if you are untenured, they will say you are an "at-will" employee, and will do NOTHING. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]NEVER sign an observation that is incorrect, and be sure you comment with a formal rebuttal if you disagree with anything written, even if it is the date and time. Call in your Rep to assist; if they won't call the Uniserv for help. Observations always will come back to haunt you.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Good luck- and have faith in yourself. This situation is hopefully temporary[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]7. Move to northern NJ (Trenton- north). There are LOTS of jobs there, in Math and Sciences.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]8. Young, with no strings attached? Do what my son did, when he graduated college and could not find a job. Dual majors, a minor, a semester early, WITH HONORS, just 21. He joined the Army. He enters as a Specialist with a 4-yr degree, and was tested into a high-level program, in which he will be stateside. IF he sticks with it, he can retire at 41 with a pension, and get a govt. job. If NOT-- as a VET, he will get first shot at any job he applies for, and will have his grad school paid for. It was very hard for me to see him go, but there is a good paycheck in his bank account every two weeks, and his BA loan balances are going downward.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]9. If you are a new grad, or a recent grad-- ask your alma mater to assist you in job placement. This is part of their job!! [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]10. JUST REMEMBER THIS: just because you are employed today does NOT mean you are going to be employed TOMORROW. NJ school districts are rife with favoritism, and they seek to do away with tenure. So, if you are coming close to the 4-year mark, or if you see a sub in your school that has your major, and the last name of an administrator, and you are NOT tenured--watch your back. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Get the resumes ready, just in case. BE SURE you use up every sick and personal day each school year until you are tenured. DON'T expect the NJEA to do anything but give you lip service if you are untenured, they will say you are an "at-will" employee, and will do NOTHING. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]NEVER sign an observation that is incorrect, and be sure you comment with a formal rebuttal if you disagree with anything written, even if it is the date and time. Call in your Rep to assist; if they won't call the Uniserv for help. Observations always will come back to haunt you.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Good luck- and have faith in yourself. This situation is hopefully temporary[/FONT][/COLOR]
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