I graduated with a bachelors in History in 2006 — took a non-education job (that I hated) and wound up getting my teaching license (massachusetts) in August 2008. Here’s my problem, all through High School and College I ALWAYS worked 1 or 2 retail or food service jobs to pay for school. Working so much also had a pretty strong impact on my grades — my final GPA of 2.67 is nothing fantastic. Because of my GPA I did not get into grad school and now I’ve been out of school so long I no longer can get into contact with the professors I did well with to get reference letters.

I essentially have no teaching experience aside from substitute teaching which I have done since october of 2008. My professional references are from the restaurant I have been working in for the past 2.25 years. Unfortunately I have yet to get a long-term sub job or work in one school long enough to really get to know anyone.

Every time I go to fill out an application or send in a resume I get really down on myself because I know that the job market is really competitive right now. My room mate has much better grades and a masters and she dosen’t have a full-time job either… Do I have any business trying to be a teacher?

I’m also finding that I am a bit of a push-over and not all that great with dicipline, I don’t want to do the students a diservice, but I really **** yelling… someone please tell me there is a way to get students motivated and doing what they are suposed to without being a screaming banshee?

The positive side is that I am dedicated, love helping people, and I am generally well liked by people. Long hours don’t bother me, and I love History and Japanese (my subjects).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Also what would be some good ideas for summer work (paid or otherwise) that would help me build my resume?