TSPC is Teachers’ Standards and Practices. They make sure that we teachers are smart enough to jump hoops. They also make sure we send the checks on time.
I have to renew my teaching license before my birthday next December. In order to do this I either need to substitute half the year (NO THANK YOU!), work at least half time, (and pay HOW much in babysitting?), or take 9 credits of graduate level classes. I need to keep my certification as I fully intend to return to teaching in the next 8 years; if you let your certification lapse, it is a REAL pain to get it back again. With two kids at home and one in school for the not-so-convenient hours of 9am to 3pm, it seems I have little choice but to take the classes. Normally I would not complain much about the classes. I like to learn. It would be fun to jump on the MAX and head downtown for classes in a (probably) air-conditioned classroom. That would be a good use of my summer and probably more fun than washing diapers! But guess what? There are so many teachers who need to take these classes at the same time that the gods of continuing education are offering something called “distance education”. Oh Lordy! Almost all I have to choose from is internet courses!
And guess what? Not only am I going to be stuck at the computer doing 8 credit hours, but they are friggin’ expensive. I am taking Literature Based Writing and World Literature for the classroom and it will only add up to $1470. Couldn’t I go on a cruise with that much money? Hey— maybe I could take my classes ON the cruise?!
I do get to take the only “live” class of the 9 credits I need. It will actually be really cool— I am taking Drawing the Strengthen Literacy at the end of June and I am looking forward to it. Two days of drawing class will be like a vacation for me. I think I will get a pedicure on the way home from THAT class. Would it be distracting if I wear a sunhat and bikini to class?
But that is expensive too. Please tell me that other underpaid professions have to do stuff like this. You do, right? Other people have to take classes every 5 years for the privilege of making less than $40,000 a year, right? Excuse me while I go write a nearly $2000 check to allow me to remain a teacher.
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
TSPC actually didn’t used to be all that bad. When I went to renew I just called and waited until I got the answer I wanted. I was out for nine years and somehow only had to do nine hours to renew. Doug has to get twelve hours every year. Of course, they are pretty loose “hours” in that they seem to relate to “seat hours” that are pre-approved by the State Board of Architectural Examiners. They are always expensive and generally boring. Professions that “police their own” seem to fall into some of those regulatory woes. You might check on the timeline for those nine hours as it would be a shame if they were to say that they were too old when you’re ready to go back. Good luck!
March 16th, 2009
OH! That’s horrible. I’m so sorry! Two days of drawing class does sound like fun, though… I wonder if you could bring wine? Ha ha!
March 16th, 2009
Every 9 years is not often enough to torture us now. I got my initial license in 2001, renewed in 2005 and now need to renew again before December 2009. They’ll get me again in 2013 I am sure.
March 16th, 2009
Hi Ingrid. I love reading your blog. I have just finished my last distance class and am sending for my teaching certificate also. Rory is home sick today. Both the kids have fallen asleep in the playroom. I am enjoying the peaceful afternoon and don’t have to worry about waking Kaitlin up to go get Rory at school.
March 16th, 2009
Oh no, good thing I don’t have a teaching license! Ha, that sounds funny to say, when I consider myself a teacher. I wonder why ESL doesn’t count. Maybe it’s just because no one thinks it is very complex to teach people how to talk.
I like the idea of bringing wine and sun hats to your classes. You should do that when you sit down at the computer too to take your internet classes.
March 17th, 2009
Reply to “TSPC, I hate You.”