A few months ago, I applied to teach one 3-credit English course at Clatsop Community College this summer. I developed the course description, learning outcomes, and complete content overview of each lesson. I filled out the online application and obtained an “official transcript” from the university where I did my undergrad and graduate work 35 years ago. The course title was “Personal Experience Writing.”
I say “was” because the plug got pulled on this English class. According to “the powers that be,” I am not qualified to teach the class because I do not have a master’s in English.
My master’s is in Education, with the endorsement of Reading Specialist. My major was Language Arts, which includes English, communications, speech and a little drama.
Never mind that I taught English in the public schools for 30 years, or that I taught community education writing classes for Gray’s Harbor, or that I’ve taught numerous writing workshops at many different conferences, or even that I’ve been publish hundreds of times and have edited dozens of other authors’ published books.
The college is insistent: I do not qualify to teach English.
Just wait till my mystery novel series goes national. Who do you suppose will be come knocking on my door, begging me to come teach a seminar then? I live for that day!