A year ago November, I receive word that I didn’t pass my National Board certification. I miss it by 0.006 of a point.
6/1,000.
Six-thousandths.
No 12% raise for me. Not for at least a year.
Last March, I redo one section of the test, and a few months ago, I get the news that I passed. Yes! Whew. I live a modest life. I’m no spendthrift. I just want to buy a new chair for my living room.
In December, I consult my payroll secretary, and she informs me that (despite the fact that I was told in the interview that “we keep up with the Durham Public Schools’ salary schedule”) my school doesn’t pay the National Boards supplement.
I’m disappointed, naturally, and let my administration know that I’ll be seeking a position elsewhere for the 2011-2012 school year. Then Violet tears up her knee, and I think, “You know what would help pay for this surgery? Twelve fucking percent.”
I’ve had a difficult year at this school, between writing all the curriculum, planning lessons, making do with fewer resources, and dealing with some really special kids. And I decide, you know what?, I’m done. I look online; I see an open Durham Public Schools (who would pay the 12%) position; I apply; I interview; I get it. I never thought I would be the teacher who left in the middle of the year, but there you have it.
Then the exact same day Human Resources sends me my start date for my new job, I get an email from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards saying, hey, you may want to contact your State Senators and Representatives because they’re trying to cut your supplement from the budget.
I start my new job on Monday.
It’s times like these I try to remember that one day the sun is going to burn out and none of this shit is going to matter.