teaching bipolar students
Will a Criminal conviction stop me from being a secondary/primary teacher?
4 years ago I began teaching in at a not-for-profit organisation. My first teaching position. At the same time a family member was diagnosed with cancer. My home life is challenging with 1 child ADD, 1 child ADHD & partner BIPOLAR. When cancer was diagnosed I needed to care for the patient, my family & students. I slept only 2 hours a night for almost 2 years. I was receiving a parenting payment when i began teaching (this was an unpaid position with the opportunity to become a part-time/casual position further on). 5 days after I started volunteering I was left in a position to provide the care for the cancer patient/family.
I did not inform centrelink of the changes in earnings. I owe $12,000 to centrelink and have been making payments each fortnight until the debt is cleared.
At court I have been given a good behaviour bond and the judge has held off on a conviction until we know if a conviction on my record will prevent me from not working as a teacher. Please help me.
There are really three questions there: 1) will it prevent you from getting a blue card or similar (working with children check)? 2) will it prevent you from being registered as a teacher? 3) will it be an obstacle to gaining employment once you’re registered?
Answers:
1) Probably not, although you may have to explain the exceptional circumstances surrounding your conviction.
2) Maybe – depends on the state board you’re registering with, and you probably won’t know until you try – they tend to evaluate cases individually. I very much doubt that a single fraud conviction with extenuating circumstances would constitute an automatic exclusion.
3) Again, depends on the employer.
A conviction for fraud certainly won’t help you, but it may not be the end of the world. I hope you have a decent lawyer, it always improves your chances in court – as they say, “Innocent until the money runs out”.
Good luck.
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