“3 teachers face future with confidence, anxiety”

MARILYN RANDLE, unlike Manfred, does not expect to be called back. Randle has been teaching for 25 years; 11 of those in Richfield.

Her teaching experience includes positions in Springfield, Ill. and Minneapolis. But because she switched school districts, she “obviously doesn’t have 25 years of seniority, otherwise I wouldn’t be cut.”

While blunt in assessing her situation, Randle said she understands the problem faced by the district. “I think we have a wonderful board here and a wonderful district,” she said. “I feel sorry for them. I really do. I don’t like it, but I accept it.”

Surprisingly, Randle’s master’s degree and years of experience have proven to be liabilities in searching not only for new teaching positions, but in securing work of any kind. Other districts looking for new teachers – and those are few – are not looking for the kind of qualifications and experience for which they will have to pay premium salaries.

Employers outside education often view a teacher of long experience and expansive education as “overqualified” for the work they are seeking. Randle commented.

“They’re very reluctant to hire someone who is 47 years old and overqualified. It becomes very tough.” Randle has been placed on unrequested leave five times since joining the Richfield district. This year, for the first time, she said she is not optimistic about returning to the classroom.

Randle is not the lone source of income in her household, but she said she want to do “something” next year. A return to school to further here education is one possibility, she said.

“I wouldn’t mind being a waitress,” Randle said. “I wouldn’t mind being a cashier. Next year I will do something.”