Looking for a way out
I've been having strange, anxiety-filled dreams lately. Dreams where I'm stuck somewhere, looking for a way out, but no exit is presenting itself. The other night I was walking down a long, hotel corridor, searching for a door that would take me outside. Ever door I opened led me to a either another dingy corridor or a twisting stairwell going who knows where. Last night my dreams took me to a parking garage. I knew my car was in there somewhere, but I couldn't find it. I wandered from one dark level to the next, searching for a car that seemed to have disappeared. These dreams have been causing me to wake up in the early hours of the morning, heart pounding.
I know they are a result of my current job stress. Every day it seems we are hearing something different about the future of education in California. We know the cuts are coming, we just don't know how big they will be and what, exactly, is going to be cut. One thing I do know for sure is that I will be getting a pink-slip in March, and that I have less than a 10% chance of getting hired back. Who is rehired will be based purely on seniority - how good of a teacher you are is irrelevant.
It seems that the writing is on the wall, and I need to find a "Plan B." I think that is what I'm searching for in my dreams - another career path that will lead me out of my current state of instability. I just don't quite know where to look.
So here's a challenge for you, Internets. What kind of career can a person with a background in education, theatre, art, and archaeology pursue? I'm taking all suggestions, as long as they don't involve illegal activity. Any ideas?
I know they are a result of my current job stress. Every day it seems we are hearing something different about the future of education in California. We know the cuts are coming, we just don't know how big they will be and what, exactly, is going to be cut. One thing I do know for sure is that I will be getting a pink-slip in March, and that I have less than a 10% chance of getting hired back. Who is rehired will be based purely on seniority - how good of a teacher you are is irrelevant.
It seems that the writing is on the wall, and I need to find a "Plan B." I think that is what I'm searching for in my dreams - another career path that will lead me out of my current state of instability. I just don't quite know where to look.
So here's a challenge for you, Internets. What kind of career can a person with a background in education, theatre, art, and archaeology pursue? I'm taking all suggestions, as long as they don't involve illegal activity. Any ideas?
Write a book. Tutor kids using art and writing. Write articles for parent's magazines, adoption magazines, etc. Develop an after-school program for kids and use your art, theater, writing, drawing skills.
Or have a nice glass of red wine before going to bed and sleep more peacefully!
Teaching online. Homeschooling is booming and a lot of families are doing it via tutors online.
Hoping for sweet dreams for you tonight.
You could totally teach online courses for community colleges. Or yeah, tutoring, like your mom said. On the creative front, what if you taught evening classes in knitting? I'd sign up!
Lovin' all the ideas so far! As a coach, I'll toss out a freebie exercise for you. ('Cuz I love your blog so much) :-)
The first assignment I often give is to make a list of 5 of your personal strengths, and 5 professional ones. Look them over, and then think about the jobs you've had and write down specifically what skills you used. Once you look at these lists, see if any ideas start coming to you...and let friends have a crack at it, too!
VOW that Jeff will have his esl certification and come to Russia. Seriously.
Since kate plugged her location, I want to put in a word for mine! Maryland is such a great place to live and has great schools. Maybe you could come teach out here? :)
I don't know about the job market though. Details for our county are here: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/personnel/employment/teaching.shtm
I certainly empathize with your situation and hope that answers start to come to relax your mind.
"What kind of career can a person with a background in education, theatre, art, and archaeology pursue? I'm taking all suggestions, as long as they don't involve illegal activity. Any ideas?"
Me again. Kirk says that you have all the necessary qualifications to be a classic pulp fiction treasure hunter, a la Rachel Weisz's character in The Mummy. So there's an option that I bet you hadn't thought of! :)
I'm your mom's cousin Cookie,and I will keep you in my prayers Jen,cause you are going through a scary time. Keep your trust in someone much bigger who will put you were you are suppose to be. Keep looking at all the positive things in your life first first.
I would like for you to meet my daughter sometime who lives nearby me,just through blog if you wanted.she has much to offer. thank you .Cookie