Your answer sounds very much in line with my situation. You explained it
very well, and I do see the district's point of view regarding this.
On the one hand, I do not need this job; I pursued it only because the
school was in such need. I was perfectly happy being a PTA Mom. But on the
other hand, I LOVE this job. I DO want to keep it for next year. No other
job in any other school, but this one and only position will fit into my
family's life right now. And I would be so sad to walk away from this
position, given that I am so happy to be teaching again.
I looked at the online course offerings available through the university
here, and I could not find any info on whether or not those classes would
provide credit. Aargh. My guess is, then, probably not. But I am confident
that I will be able to find an online option that will get me my credit
quickly enough. It just kills me, though, that I will probably have to
settle for a quickie credit to get the job done than pursue an in-depth
experience of both professional and personal value to me. It just doesn't
seem right! But then again, I should have kept my certificate current. I
knew that, but I just didn't think I would have a need for it! I was
planning to take a course this summer or next year when my youngest will be
in 1st grade. Kindergarten here is only half-day, and kindergarten pick-up
seems to come so early! Next year was going to be the year I finally had
time to devote wholeheartedly to my creative/ educational pursuits!
Ironically, when my first child was a baby, I did take two college classes
(digital graphic design). But I just audited them for fun because I wanted
to have access to the high-end applications I can't seem to convince my
husband that we should invest in! I completed all the coursework, and even
took the tests and quizes. I would've had an "A" in each. Well, I can't
rememebr if I completed the second one's final project, because it was right
before my second baby was due. How I wish I'd taken that first one for
credit! My whole dilemma would simply not exist!
Whether I take the quickie class this spring or not, I still intend to find
a great summer program for my own artistic/professional development.
