The World of Teaching-Monday blurbs

I started my 20 hour practicum for classroom management today.  I'm really excited about it and I already think it's going to be a wonderful experience.  I did notice something different about this school however.  I entered and instead of using paper and pencil to sign in as a vistor, I signed in onto a computer in the office that asked why I was there, what college I was from, followed by my name.  Afterwards, there was a web camera that took my picture.  A printer nearby printed off a sticker with my name, reason for being and photo.  I have to do it everytime I go.  Hm...technology.

 I realized last night more than ever I'll need a backup plan once I graduate.  22,000 teachers in our state are planned to be laid off this year, 51 in my county back home and not sure about here (which is where I want to teach).  A lot of teachers are retiring so they can actually get a retirement package and it goes without saying, but they're not hiring teachers this year and next year looks to be the same.

So, backup plans in case I don't get a teaching job...I'm going to be applying at preschools.  They don't pay as much, but a lot are hiring and they're federally funded.  If that happens, I plan on almost doing school parttime while working.  It's so depressing that our schools are getting teachers cut as well as other staff.  In one nearby county they actually FIRED all the custodians and replaced them?  With who?  Convicts!  That way they don't have to pay someone to clean the schools.  Really?  Who thought that WAS a good idea?  If anything, make the kids clean the schools.  They do it in Japan and look, they're the fifth safest country in the world AND get the highest test scores.

In the meantime I'm trusting in God, and I'm subbing still and hoping to get a tutoring job on the side.  I applied at several summer camp and I pray I get it too (well, the main one, I have 8 other camps).

Have there been any cuts in your local schools?