While freelancing and collecting unemployment, I started to look into teacher art. I didn't want to teach painting and drawing, I wanted to teach my passion, advertising and design. Knowing I could teach without my certification, I looked into the charter and private schools. I then stumbled upon the ad for the Phila School District for a vocational teacher. I applied, with the promise that I would complete my certification upon getting hired.
Soon after testing and interviewing, I received a letter that stated that I placed first. Then they said that I was on a waiting list. I had tested for a waiting list, not a job, without knowing it. I was getting as much freelancing as I could but it was soon after 9/11, people were still recovering. I had one week of unemployment left and got a letter in the mail. There was an opening and I had it.
I followed all the directives as per the letter and reported where I was supposed and when I was supposed to. I was given my school and told to go introduce myself to the principal and see where I was going to work.
The next day, I called and made an appointment. I drove to the school, parked, walked in and introduced myself. The principal asked where I was coming from and I said, 'I have never taught before.' I could tell she was more than thrilled! LOL! She explained that the teacher I was replacing had passed away suddenly and the students didn't know it yet. She would tell them on the first day of school, upon my introduction. We chatted and I asked where the computer lab was in the building, she laughed and laughed and laughed. It was then that I found out that I was replacing a ceramics teacher. I had enough clay to build a wall of vases. I asked for the curriculum and she laughed once again...
The first day of school approached quickly and I had called every teacher I could think of and asked for advice and suggestions. All I could think of was, what the f#@k did I get myself into. To say that I questioned my change of career, was an understatement. I walked into my class and was introduced by my principal by her telling the students that their teacher passed on and their shop was changing from ceramics to graphic design and that grievance counselors were available for them. What a day!
Well it is six years later, my shop has expanded and my school now has approximately 150 graphic design students. My student's work has been published on catalogs, public transportation and in educational journals. I will never forget that day and I will never regret it either....for I have found my niche!
