The secretary looked up my file online and asked me to have a seat, she would have someone come talk to me. I explained my situation–a principal asked me to double check things, etc.–and the 2nd lady said, have a seat, you need to talk to someone else. Then, I ended up talking to the Assistant Superintendent and his assistant. It appears there is a minor, very outdated provision in the legislation from the initial enactment of NCLB standards in Louisiana that Out of State Certified Applicants are not considered “Highly Qualified” for teaching at a Title I school. I almost broke down and cried right there. So close to another teaching position, only to have it yanked from under me.

I am disillusioned, to say the least. The Assistant Super looked through my entire file, highlighted my transcripts, even reread the letter HIS office sent me some months ago stating that my “application is complete and [I] am now eligible to contact principals and set up interviews. Good luck in your job search.” No mention of applying to only non-Title I schools. No mention of having to take another Praxis test to be considered “Highly Qualified” to teach at a poor school.

The Assistant Super went on to call me “an ideal candidate” and said he hopes I’ll “take the other Praxis test and stay to teach in Louisiana.” They both apologized and reiterated that the two Praxis tests I passed earlier this year are, indeed, more challenging than the one that Louisiana requires. I pointed out that I could’ve taken this test months ago and already been in a classroom, if I’d only known that I needed to take it. My application was marked complete, so I never knew anything was missing.

I immediately called the principal to tell him of this news, and he was extremely disappointed. He said he would put in a call to the District to see if there was any way around it, and he asked me to keep in touch, and let him know if I’m offered any other positions because he would like a chance to “fit me in” at his school once I am cleared to teach in a Title I school.

I called the Department of Education and spoke to a Certification Specialist who said, yes, it’s old legislation that has not yet been changed, but they are pushing to amend the law.

The test I (apparently) need is offered in mid-November; results returned in mid-December; which means I’d be eligible for a Title I position in January. I am shell-shocked. I just don’t know what to do. I have another interview tomorrow at a non-Title I school, but I’m up against stiff competition.

I also picked up a Reading Center tutoring job today, it’s just a few hours a week, but it will be good experience and there are many current and former teachers there (contacts!).

I’m so sick of being jerked around, I just don’t know what to do anymore.

In the future, if you see me, say to me, “Hey, I am … and I was in your model’s class.” You are three dimensional on-line and many times, I would not know you in person. But in my mind, you are bigger than life. Also, know that you all have exceptional talent – and I hope that you will be able to use this talent to do wonderful things. Whatever, do stay in touch – [redacted] is still the way to keep in touch.

Fondly, Dr. F”

“Noelle, your notes for the preservice teacher are incredible. I must make sure to use your writing a year from now when students ask the age old question, “I don’t seem to understand what you want from the masterpiece lesson assignment?” Not in this class- you all got it – and not only got it – got it beyond my expectations. You are one who really showed me that you value each type of unique student and that it is worth the extra effort to explore why the model of inquiry is a powerful tool to help all students learn.

Sometimes, students stay closely with the textbook in their course. Not you – you really threw out the net and captured the thinking of multiple researchers and practitioners in your analysis. Exceptionally well done.”

If this post makes you uncomfortable, I encourage you to think about why that might be the case.

Christianity and racism (and, on a more general level, hatefulness):
One thing I’ve noticed since returning to Louisiana is that all the racists I know are also self-identified Christians. They say they love Jesus, but also believe that they are superior to fellow brothers and sisters on this Earth.

I have read and heard many emails and jokes that are racist, or in some other way are expressions of hatred based on superficial differences. Since the campaign and subsequent election of our President, there has been a distinct uptick in the number of these emails in circulation. Several of you may have also heard of some of these so-called “jokes,” such as “Barack the Magic Negro,” blanket statements that all black people are robbers, murderers, and bottom-feeders, questions about whether black children can or should be educated, and the cartoons depicting school children with variations of our First Family’s names. These inane “jokes” only reveal the racism of those who conceived them, and of those who laugh at the “jokes.”

With examples like these coming from the mouths of Jesus’ followers, is it any wonder that people have negative attitudes towards Christianity? I posit to you, dear readers, that people are not born with racism in their hearts and spirits; it is taught to them. Many self-identified Christians speak from one side of the mouth of their love for Jesus, and fellowship in the brother- and sisterhood of Christ, while the other side of the mouth spews venomous hatred towards those of a different skin color, culture, or religion. Their hearts are full of bigotry and hatred of those who are “different” or “foreign.”

If your thoughts become words, your words become beliefs, your beliefs become actions, and so on, why would a Christian’s thoughts be on denigrating those of a different skin color, background, or cultural heritage? Doesn’t Paul write in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 12 that the body shall not be divided? Doesn’t the Book of Acts, Chapter 10 talk about God not showing partiality? Should we just toss out Galatians Chapter 3 where it is written that all are one in Jesus Christ? Do some believers think there will be a black section and a white section in heaven? Are blacks, asians, and hispanics less of God’s children than white people? If you believe God made all people, and all people have different skin colors, do you think he is less satisfied with his handiwork regarding the darker skinned people?

Does God see race?

Or is God full of love, and therefore believers, too, should be full of love and live lives of tolerance, compassion, and kindness?

Since returning to the South, I have met many people still steeped in the old ways, seeing only division, feeling only hatred, and embracing only fear. I believe words have power, that thoughts and ideas have power, and that our thoughts become our actions and beliefs. Of course, I’m not advocating that you run right out and marry a person of another race, or adopt a child of another culture (unless you want to do those things, in which case I say, go for it!). What I am simply saying is, it’s time to cut the cancer of racism out of the heart, and especially the Christian heart. It’s easy to be swayed to the side of anger, resentment, and hatred. Let reconciliation, kindness, and compassion be the order of the day–although you may not understand where the other person is coming from, you can at least refrain from hurtful and hateful comments, mean-spirited jokes, and racist propaganda.

As a close friend of mine recently put it, “Can Christianity and the ‘N word’ co-exist gracefully in a home?” My answer is a firm “No.”