Recession Proof???

A few weeks ago, I started hearing things on the news or in articles about "recession proof careers," and on top of the list of jobs was teacher. Well, let me just say, nothing is recession-proof.

You know that statistic about the high turnover rate of teachers: 30% leave the profession after 2 years, 40% leave after 5 years, 50% leave after 6 years. Well, they don't tell you the real reason: they push them away! Apparently, if the new teacher doesn't compare to the veteran teachers, they don't want you. It has nothing to do with money; the teachers chose this profession because they love kids and want to do something that will make a difference; they will even do it knowing full well the spectrum of bureaucracy and lack of parental support that comes with it; it's the lack of support within the system and the vague and impossible expectations from the powers that be that cause the attrition rate. (Why are mentor teachers allowed to have student teachers at the same time? Who can a teacher go to when they have questions? Who can they trust will not gossip about them or stab them in the back?) Teacher shortage? No such thing. Anyone who's gone to a teacher fair will tell you there are tons more teachers looking for a job than there are vacancies. They say teaching has job security; it's a lie.

Rex now questions whether he chose the right field. Or maybe we chose the wrong place to live. Whatever the case, he is blacklisted. Who will give him a chance now when applications ask if/why their contract was not renewed? He thought his new school was open-minded enough not to judge him on the evaluations of his previous school. But maybe not. Struck down again, Rex may not admit it, but I know he feels he is not fit to be a teacher. How would you feel if you were told you were incompetent at the thing you thought you were best at? Even if they are all wrong and he really IS a good teacher, it doesn't matter because they won't give him a chance.