I wasn’t supposed to be a teacher

Most people have some plan to their career. Teachers attend college to become teachers, business people study for a job, engineers take coursework to be able to design and implement projects.

I am not most people. I tend to back into activities. I don’t follow a plan to complete something, I adjust as opportunities arise. I take shortcuts and not just the travel route kind (although I often do that too). Serendipity rules my decision making.

When I started college, I didn’t have a career in mind. There was a terrific shortage of teachers, so county superintendents were giving State of Illinois tuition scholarships to any student who would take education coursework. Needing every nickel I could find, I signed up and received an education scholarship. I also got a federal loan under the National Defense Act which was to fund science education to help defeat the Russians in technology.

I chose a major because I liked the subject (Physics). That major required a minor in mathematics and a year each of two additional sciences. The additional science courses were freshman and sophomore level. I also took a couple entry level education classes to keep my scholarship.

 I was a science nerd, so did well. Math was hit or miss depending as much on the instructor as anything. Unfortunately as I advanced in physics, there was an expectation that I was mastering advanced mathematics. I wasn’t. I also was not completing junior level or higher coursework because of all of the math and science.

By the spring of my junior year, it was apparent I could not take more advanced physics. I had the hours in math, but not the skill. I realized I wasn’t going to graduate unless I changed majors. I also wasn’t close to the junior level and above courses required for graduation.

Serendipity. A new program called Agriculture Engineering-Mechanization was just starting. Ag Mechanization already existed, but this new program was to be more engineering. It required science and mathematics courses. The new courses would blend the existing with a strong emphasis on calculation instead of building things. The new courses were junior level and higher. The instructor leading the drive was seeking students with a science and math background. I fit the bill. Graduation became a possibility. I got recruited. I gave up my education scholarship.

One sophomore level course, Surveying, was up-graded to junior level. With that class., and the other required courses, I would reach the exact minimum of junior or higher courses if I attended one summer session. This was  provided I took over eighteen hours each grading period. I had no room in my schedule for the required freshman course in government. This course included the required constitution examination which all teachers must pass, but I wasn't going to be a teacher. I elected to try independent study to meet the government graduation requirement. Independent study did not involve the constitution exam.With the summer session, I met the requirements for graduation. 

The military draft hung over all male students. Any delay in graduation would result in immediate reclassification and draft into the military. I had already had one scare, when I dropped the physics course that convinced me I needed a change.

Senior students were given interview opportunities on campus. I spoke to several agriculture manufacturing recruiters. They all told me the same thing, “Contact us when you have completed your military obligation”.

Our wedding was scheduled for August 16, the day after my graduation. I had secured a temporary job that would last the few months before I would be drafted. I had no other recourse except enlisting for four years. I chose to take my chances on the draft.

Serendipity. My cousin was a member of our wedding party. An education major, he had a fifth grade job offer, but had decided to go into the Peace Corps. I mentioned I had sometimes thought I might like to teach. He said he was turning down the job, but would call the superintendent to inform him I was available. School was starting in nine days.

We called, on the afternoon of my wedding day, and I set up an interview for a few days later. I failed miserably in the interview. I did not have clue about teaching even though I knew a lot of science.

The next day, the superintendent called to tell me I wasn’t getting the job. However, he said there was another superintendent who was looking for a junior high science teacher. He offered to set me up for an interview. The interview was scheduled for Friday. School started Monday.Serendipity.

As we walked up the hallway from the science room, the superintendent said he had another candidate, but at 6"4" tall, he thought I could handle the 8th graders better. I was offered the job. I needed a provisional teacher certificate and completion of required education coursework, but I could start teaching before completing the requirements. I had two years to complete the courses. When the superintendent asked if I had any questions, I was so clueless, I couldn’t think of anything to say. Finally I said “You didn’t ask me about my draft status”. He said “We’ve never had a teacher drafted out of this county.” Serendipity. 

You may notice my first certificate indicated I had passed the constitution exam and, of course, I hadn’t, and no one asked. Serendipity.

 I was to find later that, in teaching, size doesn't matter.

By the way, Albany is in Whiteside County. My draft board was in Henry County.