Age issue

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Age issue
By Louise

I am in the second-career category as well. I have been certified since I was 45 and have had several long-term sustitute contracts ( one year or more) but was non-renewed each time. My recommendations have all been glowing,
my qualifiations and credentials are excellent (so I'm told) but still no job offers in spite of quite a few interviews. I have sent out info packets to every district within an hour's commuting distance each year with no success. I can't help but feel that the age thing has something to do with it. I realize that positions for elementary ed here in New England have hundreds of

applicants each, but why is it that the placements all seem to go to the "youngsters" each time? In fact, I had my suspicions unoffically confirmed in an off-the-record conversation with a principal in one district. Even though we "seasoned" applicants can offer the best of both worlds to schools, many principals make the presumption that younger is better. While I am offended and outraged by this I believe that we are between a rock and a hard place in trying to get anything changed. First of all, how can it really be proved legally and secondly, even if it could be, what would be the end result? Would a district really hire someone who pressed the issue and would I want to work in a place that discriminates on the basis of age, either overtly or covertly? Sorry to vent like this, but I am getting rather discouraged.