I tried. I really did. I subbed in our local school system for three years, to the delight of students, teachers, and administrators.
When there were two openings for history teachers, I thought I was a shoo-in for the gig.
I never got a call or an email, nor did anyone come to my house to tell me I had earned an interview.
So, I decided to force the issue (= going for broke), and made an appointment to see the principal, with whom I was on a first name basis, talking sports and some such.
The principal told me my credentials were platinum (and they are), but couldn’t find any evidence in my dossier that I had... wait for it....
coached a sport.
So, I’m outaluck teaching in New Jersey.
That’s OK. I’m back in engineering, and very happy. I still pursue my historical interests, so it’s a +++ all the way around.
Of course, using my real name as a handle at FR might have had something to do with my career change, rather, failure to do so.
No problem. I just thought you’d all like to know.
Pete
“coached a sport.”
If you had a record of that, I’m sure that they would have come up with some other reason to deny you the job.
A Newark, New Jersey High School Diploma of the 1940s-50s often meant the graduate actually knew something, unlike your buddy the principal, whose "Doctorate" is more than likely in "School Administration."
Remember, democracy eventually must become the Tyranny of the Ignorant. In the USA, that's happening faster than anyone ever thought possible.