I may have just lost a great student

I am a sub. I’ve been subbing at this elementary school all year and have been a sub for a few years. I’m really good at being a sub - the kids behave for me, I make sure everything gets done, I’m on time, I take a lot of notes. I also spent three years as a teacher (US, not Canada), so I know what I’m doing when I’m in the classroom.<br><br>I want to be a teacher again, but I’ve been working really hard to get my certification transferred to this province, where I now live. I did subbing as a way to get my foot in the door, you know, see if any positions open up, and get to know the staff at the school.<br><br>I was subbing today, and the principal was chatting with me in the staff room before school started, and I brought up the job that just opened up (one of the teachers is leaving at the end of the month, and they’re advertising it as a two year contract) and he said “You know, we like to hire from within. We like to post the jobs to all our subs.”<br><br>I laughed and said “Well, here’s hoping they like me then.” <br><br>Fast forward to second period and I had a teacher come up to me in the hallway and said “I heard you’re new around here.”<br><br>Me: “Yes. We just moved from the US.”<br><br>Teacher: “How do you like it here?”<br><br>Me: “I love it so far. It’s beautiful, the people are very nice. It’s definitely different, but I’m happy to be here.”<br><br>Teacher: “Did you transfer your certification yet?”<br><br>Me: “Oh, that’s a piece of work. We’re still in progress.”<br><br>T: “That’s hard. What were you teaching, anyway?” <br><br>M: “English, 7-12.”<br><br>T: “What elementary grade did you teach?”<br><br>M: “I didn’t. I’ve been working really hard to get my certification transferred over and that’s taken up a lot of my time and energy. I’m ready to get back in the classroom.”<br><br>T: “Maybe you should have thought of that before you moved here.”<br><br>I was so shocked that I didn’t even say anything at first. Then I said, “Wow. Well, sometimes people move for different reasons.”<br><br>T: “I guess we’ll see how long you hang in there. If at all.”<br><br>Me: “Maybe I’ll see you at the interview.”<br><br>T: “I doubt it.”<br><br>She turned and walked away.<br><br>I was livid. I was so angry. I’m still fuming when I think about it, and I cried a little bit on my way home. I want to quit so badly, but I know it’s just the anger and hurt talking. <br><br>But man, I am so disappointed. I was sure this school was a good fit. I really like it there (or at least, I did). I’ve been subbing enough that the staff knows me, the kids know me, and I know all the procedures, so I feel confident when I’m in the classroom. <br><br>I can’t tell you what this job means to me, but it would mean the world.<br><br>I may have just lost a great student.