HELLO I HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR TWO YEARS. EVERY SIX MONTHS I TRAVEL TO AFRICA TO DO VOLUNTEER WORK. I HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK. I LIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SEARCHING FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT AS A SOCIAL WORKER. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT MY NAME IS PHYLLIS KEH. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT

THANKS

Bob, I applaud you on choosing to contribute your valuable skills and knowledge in your field!

Here?s my story. I've been unemployed for 3 years due to personal illness and care-taking of my sick mother who died in December 2008. In October 2008 I applied to become a substitute teacher at the Jefferson County Public School system in Louisville, Kentucky.

I?m a 50-yr old former University Professor,(BA, MA, PhD in Experimental Psychology)--with a concentration in early childhood development and speech comprehension. I?ve completed coursework in Cognition, Developmental Psychology, Learning, Behaviorism, Statistics, and am very computer- savvy. I?ve consulted on non-profit projects involving Education and Early Childhood Education.

I wanted to try elementary teaching out,and, if I liked it, obtain certification as a teacher, via an accelerated Alternative Certification Program, designed for people like me. This Program is run jointly by JCPS and several universities in this region. The catch is,you have to be accepted by JCPS into their Substitute Teaching pool.

In January 2009 I received a letter of rejection,with no reason given, and no encouragement to reapply later. I AM very proactive and assertive, and phoned for follow-up. I spoke to the recruiter for the Alternative Certification Program at JCPS, whose job is to RECRUIT people like me. Instead she totally blew me off,AND advised me not to phone higher-ups for an explanation.

I know my employment history would have checked out just fine, I know my references were positive. In my opinion I am HIGHLY qualified to be a substitute teacher.

In contrast to my experience, I have a 30 yr-old friend with an Associates Degree,and experience working in bars and retail. She also applied for Substitute Teaching with JCPS, and received a letter to report for orientation a few weeks after applying.

I?m perplexed and discouraged. I can't harangue them for rejecting me. Any advice?

Have you received my resume.

Maria