Being an Ontario Certified Teacher in 2014

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a teacher (okay, fine I will be honest there was a 2-4 year period where I wanted to be an actress – specifically a soap opera actress!). But in terms of a realistic career goal, teaching was always it. When I was in my last year of university I eagerly researched application dates and requirements and applied. Around the same time, I found the Event Management program at Niagara College. I can’t even remember how I came across this but I remember when I did I was equally excited. Event Planning was something I loved to do – I was the one who planned all of the functions for my dad’s company as well as family events, and I just loved it. From the booking entertainment, to finding someone to play Santa, to shopping for favors or gifts, planning the food/drinks – I was in my element. The idea that I could do this for a living was suddenly just as appealing as teaching.  

I put together a portfolio and decided to apply but I didn’t think I had any chance of getting in, as they only accepted around 30-35 students each year. But, I was just as passionate about teaching and was loving a volunteer placement I was doing in an grade eight classroom and my time running a local brownie unit, so if I didn’t get in, I knew I would be fine.  

When the acceptance letters started coming in, I was at a crossroads. I ultimately decided to try event management. It was something new and exciting, and involved moving away and living on my own which was something I wanted to try – plus it was in Niagara, an area I had always loved.

That year was incredibly tough – both personally and academically. There is sometimes a stigma about college being easy and all about having fun and partying – that was so not my experience! The event management program was intense! In addition to a full class schedule (with many assignments and projects), we were in teams planning two events (mine was a charity dinner dance and a wedding) and doing hundreds of hours of volunteer placements. At the same time my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer so it meant frequent trips home. Fortunately I was able to find a placement in Toronto, and the drive from Niagara back home could be done in just under two hours.

Teaching was still a passion of mine, and some of my placements reinforced that often. I worked with the Angel Foundation for Learning whose offices are in the TCDSB offices and work closely with Toronto schools to assist students in need and I also spent a week doing an Education trade show. So I decided to again apply for teachers colleges, and see what happened this. Just after I got accepted to the program I wanted (York University’s education program in Whitby) I was in a meeting with one of my event professors. I mentioned my acceptance and she strongly encouraged me to accept. She was very open and candid about the event industry – first off, how there weren’t currently many jobs to be found in it. And secondly, what a demanding career it can be personally. Many people in the industry are either divorced or choose to remain single, because their work hours are primarily weekends and holidays. She encouraged me to really think long and hard about what I wanted in life, while pointing out the incredible opportunity teaching was.

That night I accepted the offer.

I would never say that teaching was settling or giving up on a dream, because honestly I loved them both. Even today, I know I would be happy in either field. In terms of event planning, I would want more of a job within a charity that has more regular hours in addition to the occasional events.

Teachers college was just as intense as the event planning, and I found myself thankful that I was prepared for it. As soon as I started my placements I was in my glory! Yes it was hard work, and some days/lessons/students provided a challenge but it was just as amazing as I had thought it would be. That was almost five years ago.

Since then, I have completed five additional qualifications courses, been a member in good standing of OCT (always paying my dues on time) and even gave up working for 6 months to volunteer at a local school. I am constantly sending in applications to various school boards – ones in and out of the GTA – but have had no luck. I did make it on the TDSB eligible to hire list at one point, but due to new regulations wasn’t able to actually be hired at the school level.

I won’t lie, it’s frustrating. To have wanted something and worked so hard for it, yet have it not happen is hard. Fortunately, I know I am not the only one. Many of the people I went to teachers college with are in the same boat and all the teachers I speak to tell me the same thing – it’s really tough out there. I try not to let it get to me, and I keep on sending resumes in and quite possibly annoying people, but it’s hard to always be positive.

Each year I see more new graduates becoming certified. I hear of experienced teachers moving to Ontario, or being laid off from their board due to school closings. Now there is talk of further changes and lay offs occurring if the election goes a certain way. Adding to this is the fact that many retired teachers are still using their seniority to be on the supply lists – meaning there isn’t much room for teachers like me to get on and gain the experience needed. 

If this wasn’t frustrating enough, each year the cost of an OCT membership increases – and if you aren’t a member in good standing you can’t be hired. So you’re stuck paying it, along with paying for Apply to Education credits which is mandatory to apply to many school boards. When I add up my OCT membership and my Apply to Education credits – it’s over $300.00 just to apply and even be eligible.  Then when you add in additional qualifications which start at about 800.00+, you are over $1000.00. It’s really hard to spend that much, especially when nothing is panning out. But I still try, and try not to focus on the frustrating aspects.

I don’t know what the future holds for me. I no longer only focus on teaching jobs – currently I am looking for anything. I am fortunate to be working for my parents company, but I want to find something else soon. All I can keep doing is applying, and keeping my fingers crossed that I can find something I love! 

But in all honestly to any younger students who mention wanting to be a teacher, it’s not a career choice I can recommend.

I have an online portfolio at: http://chantalschweitzer.webs.com

And have wiki devoted to additional qualification courses I have taken at: http://chantalschweitzeraqs.wikispaces.com

California: Day Fourteen - Traveling Home for St. Patricks Day

Since we flew overnight from the west coast to the east coast, when we arrived in NYC it was 7:00am. I managed to get an hour of sleep on the plane, but spent most of my time reading and listening to music. Originally there had been a mix-up with our tickets having us fly into one NYC airport and then leave out of another. Thankfully American Airlines was able to quickly sort this out for us and change the tickets. Having experienced NYC traffic firsthand, the absolute last thing I would want to be doing is crossing the city at rush hour to get from one airport to another!

We had an hour and a half layover, so just enough time to grab a muffin and coffee. The staff at the airport were horrendous – in the shops, in the cafes, and even at the gate. Our gate had a much later flight listed, and when we asked if this was indeed where we were supposed to be, we were yelled at. Obviously concerned we were at the wrong gate we persisted, and they actually wouldn’t even help answer our question! We double checked the board, and took a chance it was the right gate. Thankfully it was! But LaGuardia airport isn’t a place I look forward to returning to.

Our flight to Toronto was quick – less then an hour and a half, and we had great weather. Everything was working in our favor, because customs/baggage weren’t really busy so that process was also quick and easy! By 11:00am we had our bags and were jumping into my dads truck ready to go home!

One of the things I had made sure of when booking the trip was that I would be back for St. Patrick’s Day. I have a yearly tradition of seeing my grandparents and going out for green beer and it was one I refused to miss.

It all started when I was 19 – my first chance to celebrate St. Patty’s day and finally drink beer that was dyed green. It may seem like such a silly thing, but I was super excited for it. I had plans with a friend, but she bailed on me about an hour beforehand (time ended up proving this to be a character trait of hers). I happened to be at my grandparents house at the time, and noticing my disappointment Pappy grabbed some beer and food coloring. It wasn’t how I had planned to spend the night, but it was such a sweet gesture! So my first St. Patty’s day was in my grandparents living room having green beer with Nanny and Pappy!

The next year we did the same thing, and then the year that after started to go out. A few times we went to the local legion where there is always a huge celebration going on (once we got there too late, and ended up back at their house!). But recently we started going to local pubs. I am not much of a beer drinker, but there is just something special about this tradition. My mom always comes with us, and sometimes my dad/Brian will join as well.

Despite having flown overnight, dealing with a 3hr time change and functioning on an hour of sleep, this tradition was happening! Since my mom had to work at 4:00pm, the second I got home I ran upstairs to get decked out in my St. Pattys day attire and by 12:30 mom and I were meeting Nanny and Pappy at the Bear – a local pub.

I was exhausted and in my mind it was still morning, but it was worth it to spend that time with them and uphold our tradition.

It was a wonderful experience to come home to after an awesome trip! 

California: Day Thirteen - Monterey Aquarium, Santa Cruz, San Francisco Airport

There had been a bit of confusion and changes to our flight home, but ultimately we ended up on the overnight flight leaving San Francisco at 10:45pm. This worked out well, as it gave us another full day to sightsee and make our way back to the bay area.

We had breakfast at the hotel, which was delicious, and checked out by 9:30. We got to the Monteray Aquarium by 10:00, and skipped all the lines having bought our tickets through the hotel. I hadn’t been much of an Aquarium person until I met Brian. He brought me to the Baltimore Aquarium, and then the Atlanta one, both of which I enjoyed. Each time, he always talked about how Monteray was the best, and was no comparison to either. Brian had been here last when he was around 16 years old and things have definitely changed.

Brian remembers it being very informative, with amazing displays of marine life. Now, it is more along the lines of a children’s aquarium, as there are a lot of interactive areas, play areas and very basic wording and descriptions. It was still enjoyable, but Brian and I both agreed the Baltimore one is much better.

There is an option for however you want to open the door 

 This aquarium is also very concerned with social awareness – so entire areas have been redesigned to teach children about problems such as overfishing and water pollution. While I understand the need for this, I don’t think entire sections had to be shut down and replaced.

This made us giggle!

We had a fun time, and got to see a lot of interesting things, but the experience didn’t match the price in my opinion. It was almost $100.00 for both of us to go, and we zipped through all the areas within 2 hours. I also found myself bored at times, not having learned anything new unlike the other two we visited. I would recommend this attraction to people with children, but not adults by themselves.

After leaving the aquarium, Brian and I started the drive back into San Francisco. We made a few stops to space out the day and the drive. Our first one was in a small town for coffee. I took a few minutes to run into the nearby CVS where the salesclerk flirted with me in a very bizarre and inappropriate way. I then made my way over to Peets to meet Brian, where I found him being lectured on sunscreen by some random woman. The strange encounters didn’t end there, as when Brian ordered his coffee, he got another mini lecture on how fair-trade organic coffee is much better for the world. Those three experiences had us happy to leave whatever small town it was!

We stopped for a late lunch in Santa Cruz, a college town a few of Brian’s friends had moved to after High School. The downtown area seemed nice enough, but everywhere else was pretty run down. I was surprised walking along the main street at how many different people and organizations were trying to sell, beg or educate. Just along 2 blocks there were about 6 people – two musicians, 1 beggar, and 3 tents set up for various causes and initiatives.

We had lunch at this small authentic Mexican restaurant that had good reviews. We sat in this little outdoor courtyard in the back of an old hotel, and it was packed. The food was really good – and exactly what it advertised – real Mexican food, not Tex-Mex. It was another spot we would have never found/gone to normally and it turned out to be awesome.

I don't know what I was saying or doing in this photo! 

Or this one… and there wasn't even a margarita involved!

Leaving Santa Cruz, we hit horrible traffic heading back into the city. We mistakenly turned off at the wrong exit, and had to backtrack almost 30 minutes. I found us a different route, which allowed us to skip a bit of it, but we were happy we left so much time to get to the airport. We did detour a bit when we passed through Cupertino, as Brian wanted to drive by the Apple Headquarters and Campus. I couldn’t believe how massive their building is! It has 6 different building entrances, and spans over the entire area of the loop that takes you around it.

After taking a few photos, we got back on the highway and proceeded directly to the airport. Returning the rental car was a breeze, but loading up all our stuff was a challenge. We ended up using two luggage carts! At this point I realized I really must work on my packing skills when it comes to future travels.

I know - this is insane!

Check in and security was simple enough, and soon we were at the gate waiting. We picked up some sandwiches and cheese platters at the Napa Farm Market to take on the plane with us since we knew they weren’t going to be serving anything. We ended up waiting at the gate much longer then planned, as the plane that arrived from NYC needed maintenance done. Our fight ended up being almost 1.5 hours delayed, but was fortunately able to make up some of that time in-air.