No Teacher Left Behind

When I entered my Teaching of Social Studies graduate program last summer (2009), I heard whispers in the halls regarding the NYC DOE "hiring freeze." At the time, I had no idea what this meant but I realized that if it continued it might effect me once I graduated and was on the market for a public school job. But everyone I spoke to told me not to worry! They will lift it by the fall! 

The fall came and went. The freeze was still in effect.

Don't worry they said! It might stay in effect for the rest of the year but there are rumors they will lift it in March! Apply to the DOE anyway!

The long, grey days of March crept by. I applied to the DOE, got my application approved. Yet, the freeze remained.

May came. The freeze was still in place. I graduated. And lo and behold, the freeze played a huge role in complicating my job prospects (as well as the 40 odd colleagues of mine who are/were also searching for jobs). Since graduating in May and obtaining my New York State Initial Certification for Social Studies 7-12, I have joined thousands of newly anointed teachers in New York City with few to no job prospects in the public school system.

After becoming increasingly frustrated and angry with the system and the lack of information out there regarding the freeze, I have decided to start this blog that will hopefully shed light on the hiring freeze and the general budget problems currently plaguing NYC public schools. This blog is more of an exploration of these problems and I hope to provide information to others looking for answers to questions regarding the freeze and working in NYC. While I will undoubtably address issues with my own point of view and political leanings, I will make a concerted effort to focus my posts on relevant information and not digress into a rant or rave on education policy. However, I always welcome discussion and points from any readers.