If It Sounds Too Good To Be True...

I was presented with an opportunity today I had to turn down. I didn't get offered anything, I turned it down before that. Wow, that sounds very important of me. Lets try this again.

Today, I was notified of a teaching opportunity which if had been offered, I would turn down. A colleague of mine stopped by my classroom to tell me he turned it down but wanted to tell me about it in case I am looking for a new place next year. The setting is PERFECT, the students--HIGHLY MOTIVATED, teaching assignment--EASY ENOUGH, and the school-- CHRISTIAN. What more can one ask for? In my colleague's case, more money, in mine--less time away from home as this position is full time. This opening is for an ESL teacher at a private Christian school here in Portland. One would be teaching a group of exchange students from Asia whose parents paid 20k for them to come and study English here. Motivation? Natural. Classroom management would be a breeze too. The teacher will teach for two classes and advise and tutor for the other two. Easy prep? Sure is. Another cool thing is that this school only has about 200 students and the curriculum is Bible based.

If there would be such a thing as a teacher heaven, this place would be it. Except for one teeny tiny detail. The pay is miserly. My colleague was offered $24k for a yearly salary. He has two master degrees and five years of teaching experience.

In case you missed it, I'll repeat. TWO MASTER degree person got offered $24k a year, no retirement plan, and weak health benefits. Such are private school rates. Who in their right mind would want to teach for $11/hour? Christian teachermoms of school aged children do. This is because their kids get free tuition which is typically $10k per year.

So, I am holding myself back to send the HR staff my resume and a letter that will read:

Dear people who hire teachers,
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE hire me four years from today.

Sincerely,
Teachermom of three.