Help Fund Legal Issues

When I was in third grade I had an epiphany. I had a teacher who finally recognized a learning disability I had suffered under for four years, and through her help and guidance I finally developed the ability to read, breaking open a whole new world that has thrilled me to this day. I decided shortly afterward that if I had the chance, I would repay what my teacher had done for me in whatever way i could.

This lead me to my current career, as an elementary and secondary teacher. I studied for almost nine years to achieve a Masters in education specializing in Elementary Studies (with an added secondary license in English). Once this was complete, I began trying to find a job in the education market.

The journey from this point onwards was not pleasant. I spent three years working as a substitute teacher in one of the largest districts in the country (Clark County, servicing Las Vegas, Henderson, Laughlin and Blue Diamond Nevada). I spent 12 years working as a technology and teaching aide in major colleges (from the time I was a Sophomore in undergrad college), and then in 2011 I thought I had found my big break.

I was contracted with a small start-up charter school here in southern Nevada that serviced the entire states educational needs. I worked as hard as possible trying to create online courses that students would feel comfortable and successful. However, by the middle of the school year, it became apparent that something was going horribly wrong. Long story short, I was one of several teacher's that would cooperate with the U.S. Governments closure of my school, leading to an in depth investigation of the schools founder and head.

While I was more than happy to help the government with everything it needed. This did have an affect on the entire staff; namely that we were quickly dismissed and most of us have found ourselves unable to find any kind of work due to the stigma our old school created. I was able a year and a half later to find work at a new school, however the administrators there wanted me as a short term solution to hiring a teacher they truly wanted (she had one more year at her current school before she could transfer.) I only found this out after they hired me for a year and gave me falsely critical evaluations, ruining my career in Nevada.

 

After this I moved to Cleveland Ohio, and this is where this new retooled campaign comes in. The second I got to Cleveland I began seeking part time temporary employment as I wanted to get into the school district, however it takes upwards of six months to transfer ones credentials. I ended up working for a large multinational “Big box store” company. This company used my skills for about six months, when my credentials had finally moved enough that I could begin working as a sub teacher. I gave them my two weeks’ notice and I thought that would be that.

 

Three days after giving my notice I was arrested by the local police for “theft” from my workplace. I have never seen any evidence of the theft, however I was placed in jail for 16 hours, taken before a judge and given a 3000 dollar bond. I was then sent through the legal system, forced to undergo three months of “negotiations” all while still not able to find work, now because my old employer had filed a felony charge against me. In the end on advice of my lawyer (advice that turned out to not be true) I chose to go into the deferment process instead of fighting the charges. I was told I could easily transfer my deferment to my new home (I was moving out of Cleveland due to cost of living) and would not have to repay the entire amount I was charged with. Both of these things turned out to be false. I was immediately told I could not transfer my deferment at all and would have to drive six hours every other month to attend a 30 minute meeting with my probation officer. I was told the only way I can solve this is to repay the 1485 dollar charge against me as quickly as I possibly could. Once repaid supposedly my case will be dismissed.

This is where you come in. If you can understand my plight-- the possibility of losing my home due to not having the funds to pay the bills, the possibility of losing everything I own to repossession; then I ask you to consider the possibility of donating, because, while I continue to seek contracts and work on creating a book that will appeal to multiple readers, I still need funds to survive.

I will be offering several rewards options (with more to come as I come up with them), including the option to receive a digital copy of whatever book may come from this campaign. I still intend to write both novels even if this campaign has changed its main goal and focus.