Anne

Posted on 11/28/13

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Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Yes, I did check with my
retirement system and I am able to work full time in a public
school without any restrictions. I just want to clarify a few
things for one of the posters who responded. I don't necessarily
want to work in a special ed classroom but feel that having the
certification would be another tool in my toolbox. My preference
would be to go back to teaching reading or to work in a resource
room. I retired only because my family needed me at that
particular time. My family has and always will come first. I
should have taken a leave of absence but hindsight is 20-20.
Also, I had a frank discussion with my superintendent regarding
rescinding my retirement and she told me that although I was one
of the districts best teachers she had to weigh the budgetary
needs of the district with my own needs..... I was simply too
expensive. Ironically, the teacher that replaced me left after 2
years, which proves that younger teachers provide no more
guarantee of staying with the district than an older teacher.
Finally, although I have a pension I also have a mortgage and the
same expenses as everyone else. Most people know when they are
going to retire and pay off their mortgage accordingly....as I
said, my decision to retire was sudden and unexpected. I want to
work because I enjoy it but also for financial reasons.

On 11/27/13, well... wrote:

> Being a special education teacher is NOT easy. You'd
have to

> learn all the paperwork, etc. It's a tough job. Personally I

> wouldn't hire an older lady like yourself to take on that job.

> You need a lot of energy to keep up with the dynamics of a

> special ed. classroom and the paperwork. Lots of special ed.

> teachers burn out after a couple years and go to regular

> education. Plus there's the fact that you aren't exactly a

> sure thing. You changed your mind right after you made the

> decision to retire. Who is to say you wouldn't immediately

> leave after stepping foot one day in a special education

> teachers' shoes? No offense, but I would see an older lady

> interviewing and think "I can get someone younger with a

> fresher perspective who is really hungry for this job and

> will have the energy to thrive at this position." You don't

> really need the job (or you wouldn't have retired in the

> first place). You've had your moment in the sun, now
let the

> younger generation have their opportunity. Also, were you

> really well-liked in your last district? I'm guessing "no"

> or they would have rescinded your retirement request

> instantly. They didn't. They really didn't want you back.

> So..think about it...you've had your best years in teaching,

> let it go. You don't have what it takes anymore to be the

> best, and that's what principals want. You're not the bargain

> and bang for the buck you think you are. (No offense, it's

> just that your prime has passed in the teaching world, a
fact

> you yourself acknowledged by retiring in the first place.) Go

> travel! Volunteer! Garden! Join a ladies card club!
Or

> knitting club! Or cooking club! ENJOY your life. On

> 11/24/13, Anne wrote:

>> Any opinions from administrators are much appreciated. I

>> retired and found that I made a huge mistake. I earned

>> additional certification in special education to make

>> myself more marketable to employers. (I already have

>> elementary education and reading certification). Now I'm

>> finding that I'm not even getting responses to my

>> applications...not even rejection letters! I'm a good

>> teacher and any school would be getting more bang for their

>> buck by hiring me. I have experience, knowledge (multiple

>> certifications), wisdom and most of all ...passion for my

>> profession. I'm 65 but by today's standards that is not

>> old, in fact people are working well into their 70's

>> today. As far as salary I would not expect top of the

>> scale pay since I receive a pension. (I considered that my

>> pension may be a reason for not hiring me but what about

>> other applicants who have husbands bringing in an

>> additional income as well? I also considered that employers

>> want an employee who will work for them at least 15-20

>> years....fine, but there's no guarantee that younger

>> employees will work that long....marriage, divorce, moving,

>> pregnancy, raising a family, etc.). I'm energetic and

>> have no physical limitations. Personally I can't understand

>> why a school district would not want to at least interview

>> me. Did I waste my time and money earning this additional

>> certification? Do I have a chance of being hired anywhere?

>> Any input or suggestions are welcomed!

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