Nearly three decades ago, I started my teaching career in a Baltimore City middle school, ready to change the world. My “bright-eyes” are now obscured by readers and my bushy tail has a few more grays but, just like my witticisms, my dedication to equality in education has been honed to a razor-sharp professional point.
 
But now, I find myself in the sweet spot.  Too old to be hired. Too young to retire. At 50 years old, I’m considered outdated, over-educated and nearly obsolete.

For all intents and purposes, I have been unemployed for two years (save for a few part-time contractual jobs). Every day I check my inbox, apply to jobs that fit my skill-set, click “send”, and wait for the “thanks but no-thanks” response. Of course, it’s way more diplomatic than that. Here are two of the recent euphemistic emails:

“We have been very fortunate to have received a large number of very highly qualified candidates, and after reviewing them, we’d like to inform you that we will not be moving you forward to the next stage of the selection process.”

And…

“Although you were not selected as one of the candidates chosen to be moved forward in the recruitment for this position, we would like to thank you for your time and interest.”

 
With each job vacancy, LinkedIn gives me the opportunity to see how I compare to the other 431 applicants. Because of these overwhelming responses, prospective employers choose interview candidates based on an automated data search for specific buzz words or targeted jargon. It takes the guesswork out of finding the best candidate. Except when it doesn’t.
 
I am very good at what I do. I make virtual teaching into an exciting learning experience. I turn students into problem solvers and critical thinkers. I advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. And I teach teachers how to be someone’s favorite memory. My curriculum vitae doesn’t showcase this.
 
It doesn’t explain how I took my middle school students to a homeless shelter to pass out presents during Christmas. It doesn’t explain how I attended a high school graduation party of one of my newly minted teacher graduates. It doesn’t explain how I stay in contact with many of prior students to help them when the pressures of teaching become overwhelming. And it doesn’t explain how I help parents in my community find resources for their children with exceptionalities.
 
So, if you’re looking for an expert with a doctorate in online instructional pedagogical and andragogical design with an extensive background in social emotional intelligence and dedication to serving the needs to exceptional students- look no further while digging just a little deeper because my CV barely scratches the surface of this educator to exceptional children and their teachers, community advocate, and fearless mother of teenage boys.