Teaching???

Okay, here is my situation. I have been out of work for three years due to my bipolar disorder. I am on SSI and I want to get off of it. I am being harrassed by the student loan people. I want to pay my student loans off. I do not like being a deadbeat. I was doing a search on the web for practically anything so that I can get a job. I ran across a great oppurtunity. It is called "Teach Greater New Orleans." It is an alternative means of becoming a teacher. I have the academic qualifications for the program. I have much better than the minimum GPA of 2.5. My undergraduate GPA is 3.43

However, I am 36 years old and do not have much of a work history. The main reason for that is that I had my severe psychotic episodes that took me away from substitute teaching and my other part time job. I have been on SSI ever since. I do not know what to tell these people about my lack of work experience. If I tell the truth they may decide to keep me out of the program because I have a mental illness --- you know they might say that we can't allow someone who is mentally ill around children. I could lie and make up a work history and I could even get someone to lie for me and say I worked for them, but that will look bad once the lie catches up to me.

I don't know what to do. Are mentally ill people protected from discrimination in situations like this? Is this even worth the effort to apply? I am lost and need help.

First, teaching is incredibly stressful, inner city schools especially. Is this something you are willing to deal with in order to teach? There is a reason these great offers are made for certain areas. That being said, these areas need good teachers too. Also, do you think your illness hinder you? Once you know the answers to those questions you will know if this is something for you.

Secondly, I wouldn't disclose your illness if possible. If they ask why you were out of work, tell them that you were experiencing medical problems that have since been correct/dealt with, etc. You don't need to go into further details. As long as you can pass the background check there shouldn't be a problem with you working with children (assuming you aren't a danger to yourself or others).

Do not lie. You can be terminated immediately for lying. As far as I know, they cannot terminate you due to mental illness. However, if they really want you gone, they will find a way.

If this is something you want to do, I think you should try it. If you don't try, you'll never know. You sound like you will be very effective.

I have substituted before and loved it. I think teaching would be great for me. I am not concerned with the stress of it at all.

I would strongly suggest against lying. Not only could they find out prior to hiring you it is immediate dismissal should they find out later. I don't think you need to offer your illness. Should they ask why you have a lapse of employment you can always so it was due to personal reasons.

I do agree that teaching is a very stressful job and you need to really think this through. Good luck if you decide it is for you.

I know where i live discrimination against people with mental illness is illegal. To me its just like saying "oh you cant work here cause you have blond hair or something like that".

never lie in a job application - you will be found out, and it will end badly. also it will not help if you need references in future.

as for being able to teach while bipolar - i don't know, i guess it's just something to find out. i've managed to get around this in job apps (not for teaching, but for fairly stressful customer based work) by admitting that i have had to leave a couple of jobs through illness - if they ask further what the illness is, i say it's bipolar but it's controlled etc. if they have a problem they can ask further questions to ascertain your suitability - but if you have been honest - they will be too. there's no need to go into detail unless you are pushed, but don't hide things that may be important, and don't lie. but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to tell the whole truth - you don't need to give gory details of everything, just explain the situation in basic terms and move on.

good luck!!!

Hi Bobby,

I wish you every success. It is illegal to discriminate against persons who are mentally ill. Never lie in a job situation. When you're found out, you can be fired without notice. Even if you're never found out you'll always be worrying if you'll be caught. It's just not worth it.

Inform the student loan people that you have been disabled for three years and I believe they will have to leave you alone. When I became disabled, my student loans were forgiven.

Jan

Teaching was the hardest job I ever had. I have worked in lots of other capacities and found other types of jobs much easier. It's wonderful you can substitute teach. I think it's one of the most stressful occupations.

Hi Bobby,

I want to affirm what others have said, that teaching is stressful, and has made many a healthy person ill.

I admire your courage for wanting to give it a go, to get back into the 'working world', however teaching does feel like the deep end of the pool to me. I was early retired from teaching because of stress - I had a breakdown.

One thing Bobby, I don't think of being unemployed through illness as being a 'deadbeat', far from it. It's a hard place to be for anyone.

Regarding discrimination against mental illness, I know that here in the UK this kind of discrimination is unlawful but I believe that every employer does it - it's rampant.

So, it's a hard call. If I was younger, and in your position, I would try one of two possible routes. One would be to stay outside of the government system and try to work for myself or a small business where the questions about mental health probably wouldn't be asked.

The other would be to get into some kind of training course, being honest about my illness, and build up some references and credibility, before applying for a job. I might try to turn the illness to advantage and work in a caring role with people who have had illnesses themselves.

Whatever you do, I think taking some 3d advice would help, and then move slow and easy. It's only my own feeling though.

Good luck M

I hope Bobby is doing well. Hasn't been here in a while. Is he/she in New Orleans?

I agree with bipolarbear, after even having a therapist tell me, that certain things are personal and do not have to be divulged, and if so, you can fight "discrimination".
You need to feel completely comfortable to divulge to anyone info. on illness or disorders of any type. In your heart you have to feel you are alright to teach, if yoou are under a doctor's care you need to be sure to keep current with that, helping to prevent any oncoming episodes, etc. I'm sure many teachers have or have had some disorder.
I had a professor in college who was bipolar, he evn inform his pupils he was and how he deals with it and meds. Even had a guest speaker come to class to inform people about this disorder, besides the growing population of those suffering with depression.
I wish you luck with this.
Sincerely,
DE