Category: Uncategorized

a marketable history teacher

I am all in my feelings right now, so this post is super emo. Honestly, I just want to teach high school history. Is that so wrong? But when I google, “How to be a marketable history teacher,” all I get is that the path I am on puts me on a long list of applicants with minimal positions available.

People are advocating, “We need good teachers!” But where the jobs at?

When I look for openings in the many districts, I am interested in there is maybe one position open. It is all about the Math and Sciences, Special Education and ESL endorsements. Instead of the History AEPA (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment) exam, I should be taking the Social Science Exam. Instead of getting my masters in Secondary Education, I should have pursued an English degree. Seriously, who wants to hire a teacher with zero years experience and a Masters degree?stress

Is anybody out there?

I am so discouraged.

Have I done all this for nothing?

Should I quit?

p.s. A friend just sent this to me and I’m in tears.

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I want to teach!

In 2006 I graduated from California Baptist University with a bachelor in History. I got the degree, but it was not where I imagined I’d be when I graduated from high school. I attended Hampton University in Virginia my freshman and sophomore year of college. Initially, my major was Business, because that is what my mom wanted. After going to a business class once and looking at the required courses…I was like, NO. AND they wanted us to play chess? So I decided to become a teacher and entered their 5 year Education program where I would get my BA, MA and teaching credential. BET! My mom was not having it, but hey it’s my life. We couldn’t afford it but I’m thinking, this is a deal and I can do my HBCU thing. 3rd year, financial aid did not go through, and I was STUCK in Virginia not knowing what to do. So with the little cash I had to make the initial payment, I caught a plane to Georgia to stay with my Nana until I figured things out.

Fast forward 10 years after college and I’m a married stay at home mom living in the Midwest, homeschooling my 7-year-old daughter while my son’s at the neighborhood school in Kindergarten.

After one Midwest winter homeschooling, I’m like dude, totally not made for this.

I had a crisis and decided both kids are going to PUBLIC SCHOOL. Private school is ridiculously expensive, and I’m not giving them my money (I mean OUR money) to teach them the 3 R’s. So what am I going to do at home with kids in school? I cannot be posted in the crib looking around at my immaculately clean house. I don’t want a desk job doing admin. I don’t want to teach fitness part time. So I decided to do what I never thought I would want to do. Go back to school.

So I’m now almost halfway through this program; Masters in Secondary Education and Teaching Credential. I want to teach high school history. I know you’re like, history is boring. But I love it, and I know I can make it fun. I want to teach jaded teens history.

Am I crazy? Maybe. But I know I’m made for this and much much more.