Miscellany Monday

School started again after a nice 2 week fall break. Not sure how I feel about that.

We got a call Friday saying that the budget hadn't passed and school would be cancelled "until further notice"and we would for sure not be having school Monday. We did get paid Friday the 15. Then I got a call Saturday at 4:43pm saying that we would have school Monday. Glad I was on a 10 hour road trip with my father-in-law back to the great state of Tennessee. We had school today, budget was passed this morning, found out my teaching license won't transfer to Oklahoma...ya know, the usual.

So, looks like I'm not going to be teaching. I'll have to do all this crap in Oklahoma, plus take more college classes to get my license there. It's expensive, plus I'm taking a pay cut to teach in Oklahoma. Each state we moved to, I've taken a pay cut. It sucks. I'm not trying to brag, or look for sympathy or anything like that, but I am a damn good teacher. I work my tail off for my students, I love what I do, and I know the kids actually enjoy being in my class. But, with it being so difficult state to state, I think it's a sign.

Let the record show:
Texas: Did everything for my alternative certification (test, training, etc.). Had to have experience to get into a public school. Once in a public school, the first year you're paid just like another first year teacher, but it's considered your "student teaching". So, I taught at a private school to get experience to go to a public school. I moved after teaching the year of private school.

Tennessee: Didn't accept anything from Texas. Started over. Here I had to be hired by a district before I could be admitted to MTSU for alternative certification. That means 15 hours of college credit, and you have to teach 2 out of 3 years on the license. I took 6 hours this summer, was planning on taking at least one class this spring, the rest this summer. I got A's in both classes. I'm almost halfway finished with my 2nd year of teaching. And we're moving.

Oklahoma: Start completely over. Sent in all of the info they requested, a $50 check, then was told they wouldn't take my TN license. But they sure as heck cashed my $50 check. And there are no refunds. Not that it's an issue, but I just paid $50 to be told "no". Do you know how much stuff that could buy for my classroom? And there's a good possibility that we'll move again.

It's so frustrating. I told Nate Dawg that in a few months I'll laugh at this. It's pretty comical. I mean, it really is. I know it will be a lot funnier once everything around here has settled down. But right now, ugh, I'm just not ok with it. I'm doing my best not to be Eeyore and walk around with a rain cloud above my head.

But dadgum, is it a sign? Has all of this stress been worth it? If I could go back to my 19 year old self, I would slap me in the face, tell myself to just major in Education bc you'll waste so much time, money, and effort trying to get certified in 3 different states when you're in your mid 20's.

My mom said as long as I've helped one child, then it was worth it. I suppose that's true, glass half full, yada yada yada.



I've been telling Nate Dawg that this is probably a sign that I just shouldn't work. I should stay at home and take care of him...and Norman of course.

 He's not goin for it.