Hi Everyone,
Well, I have been writing in this echo for a week or two and have
neglected to introduce myself. :( Sorry, put it down to a hectic work
schedule and a bad memory. 
I've been BBSing since the New Year when my sister loaned me her modem
(she upgraded to a 28.8) and got me a free subscription to her BBS - she
was one of the sysops. That BBS closed down a few weeks ago and I joined
this one. When I was selecting my conferences I found Educator and
joined it. So here I am. :)
A little information about me.
I live in Scarborough, which is a suburb of metropolitan Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. I have been here since 1973. I moved to Toronto in 1965
from England.
I wanted to be a teacher since the age of 21. Unfortunately
circumstances forced me to wait until my children were in high school to
achieve my dreams (I've been a single parent since the youngest was a
baby). At that point, requirements had changed and I had to get a
University Degree before I could obtain teacher training. So five years
of University later I graduated - 1992. I took a concurrent B.Ed which
meant my year was taken over a three year period. I am now a qualified
Primary/Junior teacher with additional qualifications in Special Ed.
Unfortunately, politics here has forced the boards to cut back on hiring
- this of course happened the very year I graduated! My friends all
graduated in 1991 - that year they hired over 150 teachers. The year I
graduated they hired 12! :( I was lucky enough to get hired as a
substitute (I say lucky since there is an enormous waiting list now) and
spend a minimum of 3 days a week teaching k-8 classes.
My board of ed. is a big one and I'm happy to say a very good one. We
have lots of resources, teacher development, etc. EVery summer I take
courses with them - free. The regular teachers have sessions in the day
and after school as well but these are too hard for me to get to. I
either have to give up a days assignment or can't make it in time to the
later ones. :( (I don't drive - we have a good public transportation
system.)
I have been put on the "approved for hiring" list so hope things will
eventually work out. Unfortunately, those that are getting hired are the
new "wet behind the ears" graduates or those lucky enough to be in long
term assignments. :(  So wish me luck!
BTW I love teaching kindergarten, and grade 1/2. Primary and Special
Education is where I would like to be. :)
Any questions feel free to ask.
Ruth
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 þ QMPro 1.53 þ ...Always willing to share my ignorance...
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