I graduated with BA in elem. ed. I live in FL. I feel like I am being blackballed.Does anyone have any advice?

Question

I have applications with the Duval, St. John's, and Clay County School Systems. I have had a few interviews but no job offers. I am a 52 yr old male. My pre-internships went very well, but my internship wasn't great. I don't think my directing teacher liked me. I graduated with a 3.51 GPA. The reason I believe I am being blackballed is because of the lack of interviews, especially with St. John's and Clay County Schools. This has been a nightmare. When I started to college I was told there was a teacher shortage and I wouldn't have trouble finding a teaching position.

Answer 1

I understand what you are going through, it is this state I am afraid. I am just out of college with my masters in elem ed and special education, and although I am 25 I have applied in three counties (slightly to the southwest) and I am having the same issues. I was told the same thing as you, and I even substituted last year toward the end of last school year. I have had one interview. I was told, by the principal that I had the job, but the school board needed to approve me first. I never heard back from the school board and three weeks later the job was taken down with no response. My point is, it is not you! Don't get discouraged, my impression is that it is hard for anyone coming out school looking to teach in Florida. Other states are different I promise. It requires more funding for schools to take on new teachers because of the new teacher services they have to provide to you for your first year. I know that West Palm Beach county is always in need of teachers, and LOVE new teachers. However, it depends if you can afford to move there ( I couldn't). My point is, dont get too down on yourself....as schools start up they will either need to scale down or add teachers to their team. Just be persistent, and don't take one job loss to the next interview. I have heard they do this to a lot of new teachers, so don't feel alone. I still have hope.

Answer 2

Don't give up the ship so easily. I went back to school at 48 - finished at 51 - to be a special ed teacher -- I have been teaching 5 years -- I am female. The first two jobs I got were given to me three days before school opened. Yes it is difficult to sell yourself sometimes at our age but not impossible. Are you looking in all school districts or just a couple of select ones? When you do an application on-line are you emailing the school principals who made the postings? Have you practiced interviewing with anyone who you trust to critique you? Did you research the schools and know what they were all about before you interviewed? Did you have letters of reference with you? Did you dress professionally? So ..... as the other poster said, substitute if nothing else. In Illinois we hire men faster than anything, especially at the elementary level. So good luck and just don't panic quite yet,,, unless school begins on Monday -- then you still may get something if you're not too picky.

Answer 3

I hate to tell you this but stand back and look at what you have going for you..
1.. Your 52 thats older then most teachers..
2.. .your male if your not a coach it will be hard for you to get a job in any other educ area
3. you have a bad strike against you for some past reason of the other teacher...


This is my adivce try subbing for a while keep your ears open or you can go to a school district and Please NO one take offense, in my area we have three cities that are low educated and they are dangerous flooded with gangs.. They hire any teacher that comes thier way.. This if you can hold out will look good on the resume. I have a friend who havent even passed her cbase and she got hired at one of these schools.(the principal got fired for stripping at a xmas party). Then after a year she got a job at another school closer to home.. she still hasnt passed her test but she had the experiance, good luck

Answer 4

Probably age more than anything else, but you can't prove that.