Mike Vigilant

I am viewing February and March as get-ready months, preparing myself for April’s onslaught of teacher contract renewals, non-renewals, and new positions.  With the help of a good friend, I am reviewing my resumé:  updating, adding, deleting, changing, and rearranging.  I am also searching for the courage to go out there this spring and really impress some schools, get my name out there, and hopefully land that teaching position that has been so elusive for so long.  I could use your good thoughts.

If you had told me when I graduated from UGA in December of 2007 that I would be looking for a teaching position two years later, I would have laughed at you.  Sure, I talked to veteran teachers, teachers I had in high school, who all told me it took them longer than expected to break into the profession.  I had advisors, mentors, supervisors, everyone telling me to be patient, and I was.  Last year.  I have worked for years to build what I believe is an impressive and highly respectful list of certifications, and I have a certificate that is more extensive and has more fields than people who have taught their entire life.  I continue to add more fields regularly.

I want this to be my year.  I have worked to build my credentials as a teacher before stepping a foot inside my first classroom; I am ready to take myself to the next level.  I want to get out there and start meeting people, start getting inside schools, and do what I need to do to get myself where I want to go.  I am going to e-mail a few teachers I know an ask about volunteering in their classrooms.  Even if it’s just for one day a month, I figure it will help me get my name out there and give me a little classroom experience.

I am starting to look forward to it.  I know it will be tough; the economic downturn of late has led schools to increase class sizes, lay off teachers, and take other staff-cutting measures.  I know I’m up against a field that may still be crowded with veterans who were laid off or not renewed at their previous positions.  But I think I am lining things up nicely, and I and preparing for the competition that will begin this spring.

Wish me luck.

I just finished Amity Shlaes’s latest book, “The Forgotten Man.”  In it, the author gives a comprehensive review of the history of The Great Depression, which makes this book timely in the light of recent events.  It was very well written and comprehensive in it’s review of the period’s events.

The book is written as an overview of the entire Great Depression, so it doesn’t follow just one person though the stories, which I got used to quickly after some early confusion.  I heard after I read it that there were some questions as to the political neutrality of the author and her perception of the main subjects, especially President Herbert Hoover.  In retrospect, I can see that.  Still, if you aren’t familiar with the Great Depression and are interested in learning about it, I’d recommend it.  It’s out in paperback now.