Today is the last day of classes for the district I sub for, which means I am done for the summer. I used to be an advocate for my job, but over the past few months, life has started to show me more of what I want to do. I have a few things to consider as I carry on in my future endeavors.
Substituting began as a flexible way to earn an income that allowed me to continue pursuing other things while picking up jobs when I could. It was something I was genuinely interested in where I felt some small sense of purpose. Things have changed over the decade though, and while I am not saying I am ready to walk away completely, I am ready to expand my role.
There were several art teaching positions – eight to be exact – and I applied for all of them. I got an interview and was selected for one of them.
I was very excited to have my own classroom, and start earning a bigger paycheck than what I bring in now, or so I thought. After I accepted the position which offered an annual salary larger than what I have ever made before, I thought I was on the right path.
Now, I know when I am being negative, I know I fall off the path of positivity often, but there was no getting around the feeling of being hoodwinked by the universe. Was the universe out to get me, or was it trying to show me something? I wondered. What was I doing wrong?
First, I wanted to ensure I was understanding everything correctly – to me, an annual salary means that you get that much money in a year. Simple. However, that was not the case. In fact, not only would I not get paid over the summer break, I wouldn’t even be guaranteed the position for the next year.
What they offered felt like a bait and switch and far from the reality of what I actually would receive. I went to the district office to gain some understanding and the HR manager who sent the offer out met me in the lobby. He explained that I would be making close to $2000 every 2 weeks, which seemed too good to be true, and I knew something was off.
I probed further, asking him about the summer break and holidays, noting that the position was technically offering me a ‘long-term substitute art teacher’ position. He recommended an expert address my questions and soon a woman came out to greet us.
As he began to explain to her what he was telling me, she stopped him. “They don’t actually pay them like that though,” and then she proceeded to show me how I would only be getting paid a fraction of the salary based on the limited days left in the school year. She showed me the numbers and asked if it made sense.
“No,” I said firmly, “it doesn’t.” The woman was taken aback to which I immediately apologized because I know how sharp my firmness can be. She was obviously doing the best she could and it wasn’t her fault.
I don’t understand why I was offered such a - to me - lucrative salary to find out I am only making a daily rate I explained to them. Why not just offer me the daily rate like every other substitute job I’ve been offered has?
There was some obvious tension and misunderstanding to be sorted out in the department, so she recommended that he come back to her office for what I suppose was a math lesson -using their special formula.
About 10-15 minutes later, he returned not only apologizing for the misunderstanding, but also thanking me for bringing this matter to his attention. As a new HR manager, he would be making changes to how offers are communicated. He then explained that due to the timing of taking on the role, I would make less than if I were to begin at the beginning of the school year. He also explained that it was still temporary in nature, and I would not be guaranteed anything next school year.
So with just over a month of school left, I turned down the position as a full-time art teacher. Jumping into the school year toward the end, after the previous art teacher had to leave unexpectedly and making less than I make as a substitute now, seemed like a hassle. Coming up with lesson plans with what I am sure is limited supplies, then dealing with the grades of all those children and taking care of all the important end of year to-do’s... no thank you.
I thanked the HR manager for his time and told him I would consider some things and send a follow-up. I’ve gotten better about sleeping on decisions, rather than making impulsive ones.
Sometimes the devil dresses up to make you an offer. I couldn’t help but wonder what the truth of it all was though -my mind always wants to make meaning out of everything.
After I left the school board that day, I ran into someone on the street, and we struck up a conversation. He also worked for the school district and I briefly told him my dilemma – I was offered a job that I would love, but it pays less than what I make now.
He told me about his sister who teaches classes for free, and how meaningful it is to teach, and money isn’t everything. I agree. Money isn’t everything. If it was, I would be searching for jobs outside of education altogether.
There has to be something better than this though. Why was it that I am always getting into situations that aren’t right for me? Does the universe ever offer opportunities that aren’t served with a gotchya? I suppose if I’m being honest, I know that it does, but I can’t help but dwell a bit on the imbalance of something genuine with something hiding a larger truth.
I was annoyed by the whole situation. I wasn’t impressed with the district after I realized what was going on. Although I very much liked the people I would be working with, who interviewed me, I could see bigger issues at play. As I looked on the school website, I noticed the large number of staff listed as long-term substitutes. To me, it was evident that placing people in positions and paying them less than what they should make could have been a trend.
Another thing that didn’t jive right with me was that they were requiring me to pay for my own background check. The two districts I was currently under both covered this, so to me, it was another sign that they really weren’t looking out for their employees.
And I may be blowing it all out of proportion in my mind too. After all, there was real potential – and I am not technically a teacher. While I have all the confidence I am well-equipped to teach elementary art education, I lack the degree that says I know how to teach. In this world, you have to have documents to prove things.
Perhaps childhood education is important, and there is a lot I need to know about the development of children. Maybe accepting where I am in this regard is more important than taking on a position I am not qualified and this is just one of the many times life has shown me this.
It doesn’t mean I want to go back to school for my teaching degree either, although I have thought about it. Ultimately it’s not what I want to do forever, and it’s no dream job either. I figured it doesn’t make sense to put so much effort into anything that isn’t a dream job.
It means that I am going to take this summer off from teaching, and enjoy it.
Next year when school is back in session, I’ll see where I’m at.