and the story continues.
Some background.
Somehow the school at which I was teaching this year, Crossland High School, had too many Social Studies teachers. As a retired (from this district — Prince George’s County Public Schools)/rehired teacher, I was on a one year contract, with no seniority, so I was the one being released, even though they were more than happy with my teaching. I could accept that — I have a pension and Social Security, so I was not in financial risk as most teachers would be without certainty of employment.
But I was told I could not go to the fair for such involuntary transfers, nor had I been allowed to go to the regular transfer fair. The latter I could understand — I had not been back a year yet, and normally teachers have to be in the system for more than two years to be able to voluntarily transfer. But I was puzzled by the former, so I inquired as to why. I was informed that normally the only way a retired/rehired teacher can obtain a job is by applying to a separate job category, normally in July (although Thursday they changed the rules enough to let people begin doing so on Monday while they still have access to school webmail). I reached out to the head of HR, and pointed out that I had been brought back into the system by signing an advanced contract (guaranteeing me at least one job offer but no requiring me to take it) in March 2017, and signed for the school where I just completed the school year in June. It turns out the previous head of HR, whom I had known for 20 years, apparently bent the rules to get me back into the system. Remember, I had won several teaching awards before I had retired, and had been one of only two teachers on the panel trying to develop a new way of assessing teachers to try to get ahead of the state imposing a system (the state ignored the efforts of its two largest districts, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County). I also had mentored 5 student teachers from the University of Maryland, helped advise candidates for National Board certification, run review session for AP Government students across the county, and helped train teachers for AP Gov. In short, with my track record they wanted very much to bring me back for this year, so the new head of HR decided to bend the rules again and let me go to the hiring fair this past Thursday.
In preparation for the fair, HR sent out a list of schools attending. I noticed those that listed Social Studies openings, and one was the middle school that sent its students to the HS where I taught before I retired. It has a very interesting program for Talented and Gifted Students, and it would be an easy commute. I sent my paperwork to the principal of that school. I did not hear back from him
But I also noted another middle school which did not list openings. One social studies teacher there was my student as a 9th grader, and had tried to get me to apply there before. It now has an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. I reached out to my former student, and she told me they in fact had openings at both 7th and 8th grade for Social Studies. So I sent my paperwork to the principal. He got back to me, told me he was sending my paperwork to his assistant principal, MS Morgan, and she would represent him at the fair. I told my former student that, and she wrote highly of MS Morgan, and apparently also went and spoke to her about me.
Here a brief discursus. I am 72. High school teachers normally teach 3 preps. In Middle School teachers normally only have one prep. It is also usually possible to have a greater impact upon children struggling at the Middle School level, they are far less likely to cut school or classes than high schoolers, and while 8th graders in particular can be very demanding, they are usually easier to manage (behavior) than are some high schoolers. I was already leaning towards returning to middle school, where I started, than continuing in high schools. At the fair we would be allowed to interview with 3 schools. I was pretty sure I would only interview with middle schools, starting with the two I have already mentioned.
When I walked into the room where the school representatives were, I sought out Dwight D Eisenhower Middle School, walked over and introduced myself. And this is where it got very interesting.
MS Morgan had taught at Kettering Middle School, beginning in August of 1995. I came to that school on Dec 8 as a long-term substitute, and by the following Friday (Dec 15) the principal had decided to hire me, although because of a snafu in personnel I did not actually sign my contract as a regular teacher until January 18, 1996. We were on the same team, and of course knew a lot of people.
I had not recognized her name, because she was married, which was a bit embarrassing. We both look different than we did 22 years ago.
We chatted for about 20 minutes and I signed the offer sheet. Which means I have a job.
Technically I have not signed the contract. I was the only current teacher at the fair, and the people there from HR were not sure what procedure to use with me — and how to get it through the computer! I believe the only paperwork I have to sign is a new contract. I am able to hang on to my school computer, even though I am changing areas, from the southern part of the district to the northernmost part. I am probably going to be able to keep me leave, which would be nice, as I have 8 days of leave remaining from this year.
MS Morgan, when she returned to school, raved about me to the principal, who sent me a very nice email, telling me he is looking forward to working with me. I will sometime in next few weeks visit my room, take measurements, and plan for what I want to do with it.
I will be teaching 8th Grade American History. That happens to be what my former student teaches.
So I am going to school where there are people who know me and think highly of me.
I have a good income for another year.
I no longer have to ration every dollar, not knowing if I would have an income after August (we have our 10 months of pay spread out over 12 months). In theory I could now afford to come to NN19. But my wife wants me to explore another alternative. She wants to go to Italy before she dies. Her demise does not seem imminent, but with a currently incurable blood cancer, one never knows, and at this point she can still travel. And I am 72, have had some (relatively minor but requiring surgery) health issues in the past few years. As a musician, I also want to see Italy.
So that is an update on me. I will continue as a teacher.
And once the World Cup is over (I am trying to watch every game I can), I will be back blogging here more frequently, including a stack of books through which I am currently working.
And now, I have already saved 5-10 hours a week of looking for and applying to job opportunities both in and out of education.
It feels good to still be wanted.
Peace.