I feel sorry for teachers that have graduated from a teacher training program and can’t find a teaching job. It is such a shame that people who want to teach can’t because there are no jobs out there.  I’ve heard horror stories of people who have gone into tens of thousands of dollars of debt to follow their dream of becoming a teacher and yet they end up working at the local five and dime, because no one is hiring. What are they to do?

I feel sorry for those teachers that are stressed by their working conditions. I understand what you’ve been through. In the 2002-2003 school year I went on stress leave, because of a very poisonous environment that was created by a principal who was more concerned about his career than the well-being of his staff (three teachers from that school went on stress leave that year). I know that you are wondering why should you keep doing what you are doing. There are options; believe me.

I feel sorry for those teachers that are nearing retirement and have come to realize that their pensions aren’t all that they are cracked up to be. What are they to do? Keep teaching and give up on their retirement dreams? Work at a menial job to supplement their pension?

I feel sorry for teachers that complain about their station in life and yet are not wiling to do anything about it. Those of you that are unemployed or underemployed, stressed, or dreading retirement, have you explored all available options? Have you thought about creating online learning materials? Have you thought about teaching online? Do you have a special skill or are you an expert in a particular field of study that people would be willing to pay you money for? Foreign language teachers, have you considered offering lessons online?

The opportunities are limitless for those that are willing to explore that possibilities available through creating online learning experiences.