A New Beginning

So the secret is out...that I am no longer employed as a speech-language pathologist in Somerville. The reasons for my newfound unemployment are perhaps both numerous and utterly complicated. For the record, I will say that I was not happy there and I have been looking to make a change anyway.

I moved to Boston mainly because I needed the change of pace and scenery that a major hub offered, feeling that I am very much a city boy at heart. I also moved as part of an experiment. I wanted to see if working as a speech pathologist within the schools was any different in a different geographic region. I had grown increasingly frustrated with my job back in Connecticut and thought that as long as I was looking for a better job, I might as well make a big move while I was at it. I was hopeful that doing similar work in a different place, specifically somewhere closer to a bigger city, it might be different.

As it turned out, it was not. However, moving to Boston opened up a new door. I may never have considered becoming a science teacher had it not been for my move. In my first year at Somerville, I learned of a grant to which Somerville had some connection, along with a few other surrounding towns and the city of Boston. The grant was aimed at expanding continuing educational opportunities for science teachers and for creating a path that could lead to a Masters in science education. The best part of the deal was that 80% or more of the program would be free. In fact, for some courses, they would pay us to take the class! Even for the courses that were not free, they would be offered for substantially less than your average graduate course. It was very difficult to turn down the chance at a second Masters degree that was almost free. Without thinking twice, I signed up.

A year and a half later, I have now completed five courses, and need about 2-3 more. I am also studying for the MTEL in General Science. That's the Massachusetts teacher licensing exam. If I pass the tests I need to pass, I will be eligible for a preliminary license in General Science for grades 5-8.

I doubt that I can secure a science teaching position prior to this fall, so I will concentrate on obtaining another speech pathologist position for now, even if it is a short-term contracting position. If I do happen to teach science soon, I will not give up my speech-language pathology credentials. I worked hard to get that degree and that certification. I intend to maintain it and to make use of it somehow, even if I do part-time work or work during the summer. I found that my best work as a speech-pathologist was when I worked part-time in the clinical/rehab setting.