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Criminal record

Posted by Connartist on 9/26/2019, 9:25 pm

Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Connartist on 9/30/2019, 4:55 pm, in reply to "Criminal record"

Thank you all for the responses. Although, this is disheartening. I have spent a lot of money in college plus student loans in order to get a degree that I will not even use.

My offense had nothing to do with children or anything of the sort. And it wasn't really fair.

But just knowing that people will look at me like a criminal while trying to do a good job feels not worth the effort.

what a waste of time in college. And even If I do get a job it would be hard for me get promotions to head band director. I guess I'll be going into food service aka McDonalds, If I can even get that.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Scratch Donovan on 10/1/2019, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

You are a criminal. You have been judged fairly by a court of law or you took a plea bargain. Either way, because of an act you committed, you have a record now. Running a pity trip does no one any good and lessens your stance.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Okay seriously on 10/2/2019, 6:54 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

This conversation is one that needs to happen at a national level.

People make mistakes when they're younger. I made a couple of pretty dumb ones myself. I was just lucky enough for them to happen just early enough the penalties weren't what they would be today. We, however, allegedly have a criminal justice process that allows the offender to pay their debt to society and move on.

Except it doesn't work that way.

Instead, they continue to be punished for their entire life, limiting their college and career options severely. In short, there is very, very, very little of a pathway to rehabilitation and a giant 30 lane freeway to repeat offenses. My "tinfoil hat" moments convince me this is intention by design on the part of private prisons, but that's another conversation for another day. Maybe you need to be more supportive of someone that wants to get their life on track rather than being a judgmental jerk. I doubt your record is spotless.

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Re: Criminal record

Posted by Q on 10/1/2019, 5:21 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

Can you get your record sealed?

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Re: Criminal record

Posted by Not a Lawyer, but... on 10/1/2019, 7:33 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

...like Okay said, he would still have to state that he has a record, even if it gets sealed.

What I think you are thinking about is getting his record expunged. That pretty much wipes out any record of the record.

A sealed record is still there. Someone can search for it, find the record, but not read it.

An expunged record...never existed.

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Can you get your record sealed?

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Re: Criminal record

Posted by Okay... on 10/1/2019, 6:47 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

He would still have to declare the offense on an application even if he could get the record sealed.

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Can you get your record sealed?

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Re: Criminal record

Posted by No on 9/30/2019, 6:53 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

I have a DWI and have gotten jobs. It depends on the record. One district did call me back saying they will need to reject my application. It also depends on the district.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Another state? on 9/28/2019, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Criminal record"

You are living in Texas? Yes? No? I taught there for years with an old DUI on my record, but I had an advocate within the district and prior successful teaching experience. I was questioned pretty heavily about the incident though. Interestingly, when I moved to my current state I got a job with no questions asked. I mean, I was required to disclose it in the application process, but no one was concerned or asked questions.

Overall, living in a more "liberal" state has its advantages in that there's not so much fear about teachers' having flaws and vices. You might consider moving. There are many things I miss about teaching in Texas but it is a puritan culture, at least in the suburbs and rural areas.

Also: research the meaning of "moral turpitude" in Texas (it varies by state). I remember that my DUI did not constitute a moral turpitude and that's why it was not a hindrance to my hiring. Doesn't mean you might be overlooked because of a past record, but unless the crime falls into a specific category of crimes that constitute a moral turpitude, there is no legal hindrance to being hired.

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Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Yes... on 9/29/2019, 7:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

...and when it comes to "moral turpitude", the district will provide the definition thereof on the application so that there is no uncertainty.

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Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by mistakes on 9/27/2019, 12:38 pm, in reply to "Criminal record"

If you don't have personal connections with someone at the school, or there is not another candidate, it just is not going to happen, mistakes can stay with you forever.
So can social media- a photo with to "partying" or you making a political statement stays with you too.
Mistakes can speak to a persons character, and decision making.
So depending what the offence was (drug related, a violent act...anything involving a minor) you may need to try another field.

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Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Pepto Abysmal on 9/30/2019, 7:41 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

Social Media is exactly what prevented me from interviewing several candidates this past Summer. Take down the blurry eyed, waving a beer photos if you want to be taken serious. Spring Break photos of you grinding on someone is a career killer. Wake up out there.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Depends on 9/27/2019, 9:46 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

Are you currently teaching? How old are you, (a range is fine) but I would bet that defines the "years in the past" part of it. If you are 25 and it happened 3 years ago that's going to be a problem. If it was 20 years ago and you have been teaching and such maybe not so much. And what is an outstanding resume if the answer to the first question is no? Playing experience and college do not make for a great resume if you are trying to teach.

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Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Sorry on 9/27/2019, 9:26 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

Unfortunately it's going to be really hard. I know a guy who got into some fraternity shenanigans in college and has a misdemeanor on his record. He managed to get a job while the court process was ongoing, but as soon as he was convicted and that district found out about it, he was let go mid-year. He spent about 10 years floating around doing private lessons, marching band teching, and working for DCI groups while applying all over the state. He finally got another full-time job this year, in a big suburban district. I don't know how exactly he got through their background check, but it might be because he's good friends with the head director there.

It's not impossible. It's difficult. I would seriously reconsider life choices and look at other career options.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by But on 9/27/2019, 9:10 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

It's not the same if you want to be politician, a doctor, lawyer, CEO, or even the president.. Somehow teachers are held to a higher standard.

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Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by and on 9/27/2019, 10:10 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

lower pay.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by 3A Guy on 9/27/2019, 8:14 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

I can't speak to larger districts, but this would certainly be a big challenge in smaller districts. I would think your best bet is to rely upon any connections you have. References alone are probably not going to be enough. If you can find an opening in a district where you have people that know you and are willing to vouch for you, then you have a real chance.

I have twice discussed with a superintendent assistant candidates who had issues in their backgrounds (no convictions). Both times the superintendent laughed me out of the office.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Starbuck on 9/27/2019, 8:04 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

In my district, the possibility is zero. Even with misdemeanors, if the record exists and they can access it, paperwork goes into file 13.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Saly Sue on 9/28/2019, 2:07 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

I know of two different people that each had at least one DUI ( I think one of them may have had 2) and both of them taught at junior high schools. Of course, this was before the background checks started. Back then they had that question on the application about having committed crimes. I was under the impression that if a person answered yes and it was discussed and found not to be recent and not child related that a job could be had.

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In my district, the possibility is zero. Even with misdemeanors, if the record exists and they can access it, paperwork goes into file 13.

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Wellington Fraser on 9/30/2019, 6:51 am, in reply to "Re: Criminal record"

I was interviewing a candidate a few years back when the Principal knocked on the door. He had just finished the background check and asked the person if they had a DUI from 15 years earlier. They answered yes. The Principal told them that the interview was over and to leave the campus. He told me "No criminal records, no matter how small".

Re: Criminal record

Posted by Me on 9/27/2019, 5:41 am, in reply to "Criminal record"

I have witnessed my school district not interview a person simply because of a DUI over 15 years ago. Their reasoning is the liability that could cause if an incident occurred again while that person is employed. Also, this school district wants all of its teachers to be effective in the classroom. If a student finds any evidence online of past mistakes, that teacher may lose their effectiveness and will give grounds for reassignment in the school.

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Is it hard to get a band teacher job with a record? What about lesser crimes and misdemeanors? What if it was years in the past? And you have a outstanding resume.

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