Well, I think that any hope of getting a job for this school year is moot at this point. I have had one ehhhh interview, one interview that was canceled the day of because they hired from within and one really good interview that I have never heard back from. Applied to pretty much anything with reasonable driving distance that has a counselor opening. I took three years off from teaching to finish graduate school in counseling, and also have finish the 3000 hours to be an LPC in my state--which I had hoped to do concurrently as a school counselor which would be perfect. I don't really want to go back to teaching because I need to finish my LPC hours or else grad school was a waste, basically. I have a chance to work in private practice counseling with one of my professors, which will be fantastic, but I really hoped for something full time in a school. I like schools, and want to be back in one. Oh well. The last time I interviewed for teaching jobs, I applied one place, got interviewed and got a job, in 2006. I will keep looking, of course, but right now I am just very frustrated and sad.
If this is something that you feel positive about, and can financially handle, I really wouldn't worry about getting into the classroom right now.
Financially, a full time job with benefits and regular money (as horrible and mercenary as that sounds) would be much more helpful. I'm a single parent (widowed). And close to 50.
Hang in there, tired.mom. Sometimes the choices we have are between yucky and less yucky. I was at that place this time last year and it stinks. Do what makes the most sense for you and your family. Hugs to you! Sheilah
It is easy to feel discouraged and frustrated. I agree with everyone else when I say that you can never go wrong when you do what you feel is right.*hugs*
There is nothing wrong with calling it a day for now. I took a year off from subbing / searching to work for a software development company (I have some light accounting background). Kept us from bouncing rent checks.
I appreciate all the kind words, from you and others. I will keep looking, but right now I am putting too much of my life on hold to focus on searching for a school job, which makes it hard on my children and home life.
School counseling, not teaching. I have a master's in counseling and really need to do my professional (mental health license) and school counseling hours at the same time if at all possible. If no school stuff opens up, I will work in private practice so I can work on professional licensure, and just keep looking for school counseling spots as they open. Or at least that's the plan right now.