Bit pissed off. Thought I'd share..
Thanks to that imbecile Michael Gove devolving the School Sport Partnership programme, at the end of this year I'm out of a job. Ordinarily this wouldn't be an issue, but given my 'condition' I don't think anyone will employ me again. A man with metastatic cancer is seen as high risk with regards to dying soon, I suppose. You kind of hope that someone will look past what it means on paper and take a risk; I've no intention of dying just yet, and the doctors are amazed at what's happening, but I don't think that showing you are determined and a fighter means much any more. I'm a pretty good teacher; always worked well with pupils, good exam results, and I'm happy enough to admit if other candidates are better than me, but I'm not sure some are. I know that legally the DDA prevents this sort of thing happening, but honestly; how many of you that are employers, MD's etc, wouldn't be swayed by my history? Honestly?
How am I going to provide for my wife and future family if prospective employers get hung up on the 'incurable cancer' tag? I feel like I'm letting Mrs Bullheart down and that I'm not much of a man.
Bit sad now. 🙁
Sorry? Not much of a man? Didn't you just finish some sort of long cycle event? Aren't you now contemplating another such venture? That makes you better than me.
You're also not a quitter, so DO NOT let this get you down! I mean it. There are other jobs and you can always get the doc to write you a letter explaining things. I did and the Army took me, so there is scope for you.
Chin up man. Keep fighting.
"I feel like I'm letting Mrs Bullheart down and that I'm not much of a man"
You impress and get much respect from everyone on here. You will impress potential new employers too.
Have to agree with willard here..to say that you are not much of a man is rubbish so dont even think it. Your post is still my all time favourite on stw..
Im afraid i cant help with regard to jobs, but as you know how to do: dont give up.
You have alot going for you, and alot of courage (and challenging situations) that would beat most interview questions!
Good luck and keep us updated..
I daresay most of us cannot begin to imagine being in your situation, which makes it difficult to say anything without sounding trite. I don't know you, but I know [b]of[/b] you and think I can safely say that most of us will never be even half the man you are. Whatever happens work wise, your personal qualities are outstanding and that is the true measure of anyone.
Could you be self employed in some way?
Fight on 🙂
Look somewhere else apart from teaching. You've motivated and inspired everyone here so you could do the same to a wider (hopefully) paying audience.
Thanks all. I didn't post for back-slapping, honest. Kind comments though.
Could you be self employed in some way?
I don't want to. Most teachers moan about the job. I love it. It really helps me cope.
Crying like a little girl now. I need to man up.
I don't think there can be anybody who has read your posts that will have failed to be not only touched by your situtaion but also impressed by your attitude and the way you have handled yourself. You said you want to stay in teaching, but have you considered motivational speaking?
Mark you know Mrs Bullheart would never think like that.
You are an amazing man.
Whoever makes the decisions about this is wrong. It's not till the end of the year - I know you will sort something once the shock wares off - coz that's just you!
Any mileage in supply? Loadsa dosh and spare time for riding? Also what cu dubh says.
Hugs
Dawn
how many of you that are employers, MD's etc, wouldn't be swayed by my history? Honestly?
As someone who used to recruit, I'll be honest and say that I'd be [i]very[/i] swayed by your history.
If you were to explain your illness to me and then tell me what you've been up to, I'd probably come to the conclusion that you are an extremely strong & committed individual and it's just the sort of thing that would raise your chances.
Hmm.. seems to me you could both make more money and still give to society by doing something else. Writing a book, or a column for a newspaper; speaking about cancer; general motivational speaking etc. However you may not want to dine out on your position, so to speak - I'm not sure I would.
Oi mark, MTFU!
Have you seriously considered the self employment route?
Might be worth talking to Jedi. You could be a personal coach, motivational speaker, activity group leader, porn star...
Anyway, pull your self together and I hope things sort out a bit better for you. See you at MM as part of Team Bullheart.
What druidh said - try looking for employers who aren't tossers. Anyone with an ounce of sense would hire you.
Perhaps you've spent so long fighting challenge after challenge you're just a bit tired of it and this is yet something else to deal with.
Any chance you can grab some downtime and consider how much of a problem this actually is and look at what you can do about it?
I don't know you so don't want to presume your job/financial position but if you take a break for even just a day, you might come to realise that you have faced, and beaten, bigger problems than this.
Man hug from a stranger over...
Don't get worked up over it, a guy like you wil l always land on his feet.
Don't let it get to you, a lot can happen between now and then. These sort of things can change your life for the better, an opportunity will likely present itself
Mark, you're having a rotten time. My sympathies.
When you say end of this year, do you mean calendar or school year?
Either way, you need to be establishing contacts with all of the other schools near you who could be suitable. Clearly they might be biased, so you need to talk up your fitness etc, as well as letting them know your doctors' views. If you can, get some time with the head teacher to present yourself well, even if there's no job going right now, not all teachers who are going to leave will yet have informed their employers.
Sport clubs etc - if you're self-employed you may need to disclose nothing about your health, though finding work at present may be tricky.
I wish I could help practically, but sadly there's no crossover between your skillset and my business needs.
[i] I feel like I'm letting Mrs Bullheart down and that I'm not much of a man[/i]
It is not how you behave when all is well that shows your character, it is how you behave at times of adversity.
I don't think anyone could question your character or manliness during this particular time of adversity. I am riding MM with you, not to raise money for charity which I will do anyway, but simply to spend the time riding with a bloke who I can genuinely say I admire and respect.
But enough of the open honesty, this is STW so MTFU and get the sponsorship forms sorted, emails sent etc etc etc
Just echo all the other great sentiments on here.
+If they're not will to give you a job, they're not worthy of all your attributes.
Oi mark, MTFU!
Innit though?!?! 🙄
Promised to come for a pint with me.
I'm still waiting. 😐
How about temp teacher type roles? Stand ins for those on short or long term sick? I would assume that for those roles any employer is not looking for history or long term future type stuff - they would most likely want a willing person. For teaching, don't the LEA keep a list of temping teachers or something like that?
Good luck though mate - keep your head up - I am sure Mrs Bullheart's view of you will not be tainted by something as trivial as your employment record.
[i]I am sure Mrs Bullheart's view of you will not be tainted by something as trivial as your employment record[/i]
He is right, she says you are better than me in bed too!
😉
There are often roles in charities, particularly charities for young people such as Prince's Trust or Catch 22, who may be interested in you skills and experience as teacher (and also in your personal achievements of overcoming the odds), which could be another avenue you could explore.
Good luck!