We wish to acknowledge your renewal application … blah blah blah … OPPS is in the process of transitioning from the License 2000 (L2K) educator certification database to the new Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). At this time OPPS is not accepting paper applications. The old system was retired December 1, 2010. Applicants cannot apply for renewal until the MOECS pilot begins on February 8, 2011.
Next, I was instructed to initiate the renewal process by self-registering for a MEIS account, then registering for a MOECS account where I can pay the $160 fee by credit card.
Okay, so now I have two more online accounts to register for, two more online accounts that will need my personal information. I started this renewal process in October 2010 where I had to create an account with Learn Port and transfer my information to another MDE account to get credit toward my new teaching certificate; correct me if I’m wrong but that’s a total of 4 accounts (so far). I learned fairly quickly that the Learn Port site is unsecured; in fact, I was able to peruse the home addresses of other public school teachers and school principals. If you’re curious as to my address, fat chance: it’s a prison address.
In order to keep my job I’ve jumped through all these hoops the Michigan Department of Education “gurus” or “post-hole diggers” or better yet “pile higher and deeper” education doctors have invented. I’m not too thrilled about continuously having to create new accounts on the internet, knowing all too well that personal information is stolen all the time. After jumping through their hoopity-doopity-doos (what other options do I have?) I will once again request that they make “the year I was born” inaccessible to the masses. They, on the other hand, will fail to see how this reeks of ageism. The older I get, the more cantankerous I get (not that I’ve aged much: see photo taken today).
I have until June to complete this renewal process and, hopefully once it’s completed, the MDE will send my new certificate promptly, as well as update their verification website of teacher certification. I’d hate to be escorted from the prison school building … again … as if I were an outlaw … which seemed more important at the time than dealing with an employee arrested for DUI … had to bury that one under the table … no sense in getting juiced … no sense in revving up the V-8.
10 comments:
Like the Irish cop says, "These things are sent to try us."
I recall as an untenured prof that I was re-evaluated every semester.
But I was still a Don.
People would say, "How's it going Don?"
...Come to think of it, you look rather Donnish in the pic.
Hey, Don! :)
'Please establish a profile by completing the needed fields and await instructions.' You know why this is how it is? Because we are all the prey of SOFTWARE SALESMAN.
Why don't we all just put a big sign in our front yards and make whomever wants the information just come and get it. At least they'd get out of the office, off their asses, and live a little less sedentary.
I'm all for it, Walking Man, as long as I can sit on my porch with a loaded shotgun. Make'em work for that 160 bucks.
What a pain in the arse! Sucks. Some people make life impossible.
egads, man. Once you're in the wheels you just have to keep running. Luck on all this.
Ah, bureaucracy. I hope you get the license promptly, too (but let's be honest & not hold our breath.) Best of luck. You're a more patient person than I!
Good luck! I'll check back in to see how that goes!
Argh. It won't accept my wordpress profile. Hmm. Try again.
I hate giving out that kind of personal information online too! Specially here in India, where it is very easy to steal your identity...
JR-I love that song...However, I hate read tape and giving out my details. It's a shame what ya gotta do to keep doin' what ya do!
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