What people think September looks like for Occasional Teachers VS. what September actually looks like... Image Credit: http://irishpost.co.uk/number-of-irish-teachers-flocking-to-britain-doubles/ This picture is a representation of the struggle that every Occasional Teacher (OT) faces during the month of September. After a two month holiday, permanent teachers are keen to get back to their classrooms, and get to know their students. This means that no permanent teachers are booking days off for sick leave, professional development etc. In turn, no OTs are called in to work. September is a drought for OT's...but it doesn't have to be.
When I moved to Ottawa at the beginning of 2016 I left an Occasional Teaching position in Toronto where I had made valuable connections, and had experience as a Long Term Teacher. In this profession, switching boards is viewed as professional suicide: you have to re-interview with a new board, your seniority is lost, and there is no guarantee that you will be hired - even with prior experience. Needless to say, many teachers do whatever it takes to avoid this. Teachers choose a school board right out of Teacher's College and devote years to volunteering, making connections, and designing applications for this board. My partner's career means that I will work for many different school boards in my career. It is inevitable that we will travel for his job, and this means that I have to be more creative about how I approach my teaching career. I am learning to broaden my views about how I can work as an educator. Being an educator does not mean that I can only work as an occasional teacher with a school board. I can explore teaching through avenues such as early learning, tutoring, and professional development. This is something that all OTs should consider, especially in the drought month of September. If you have the September OT blues, here are a few suggestions to help you get back to work:
September does not have to be a drought month for OTs. There are many opportunities available that will add to your resume, and can help you to develop your skills as a teacher. If you are contemplating a move to a new area, don't let it scare you! There are many valuable experiences out there for teachers, you just have to be willing to veer a little off of the beaten path.
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