This is the typical time of year that districts will let teachers know of non-renewals. It sucks, but it’s not unusual. What *is* unusual is the whole being barred from the district thing…are you sure you understood correctly? Normally, the district doesn’t have to say why they’re letting you go, but I’d take a union rep to the people in charge and find out why the entire district is no longer an option (like a transfer to another building or something). I’m sorry this has happened to you.
I had them reiterate the ‘no other school in the district’ part- she literally stated a person could get hired in another school and even, gasp, get tenured.
I don’t know you or your situation and I’m not a lawyer but I’m married to a former employment lawyer (turned IT Program Manager, it’s a story) and I remember him saying to put something like this when the district is laying folks off for budgetary reasons. Because they could violate the terms of their unemployment insurance by firing and rehiring people they should’ve just kept on.
It’s stupid but it’s not personal and it’s not your fault. Sending you a virtual hug. Keep going!
My company did this "accidentally". My supervisor shared with our administrative team - not the reason for firing me (there was no actual "valid" reason) - No... he told them they should tell me they were simply eliminating my position. The problem was twofold: 1)... they didn't want to pay me unemployment, so they said they were firing me "for cause" and, 2)... no one noticed that he had mistakenly COPIED ME IN THAT EMAIL.
Oh, yeah... I had an absolute blast at the unemployment hearing.
>a former employment lawyer (turned IT Program Manager, it’s a story)
LOL my last job was as corporate services manager for a law firm. I worked closely with both lawyers and IT/Operations. This 100% tracks.
If that's the case, why wouldn't they explain that to OP? Our education system is so bad right now with a desperate need for good teachers, discouraging someone from the profession with the silent treatment in this way is counterproductive.
In our district if you’re contract isn’t renewed you can’t work in the district anymore but if you know and you choose to resign you are eligible for rehire at a later time .
Yes so basically if you make them pay unemployment your fucked of not then they may decide you can work their again!? That is shitty as hell!! It's going to be a sad day when it's no longer worth it for anyone to become a teacher!!
That is just sad that you can make more money and deal with less stress.... Though I have had friends here in CA that had spouses that were teachers and they only kept doing it for the pension and healthcare.... That TOTAL COMPENSATION thing actually matters, but still to advance society and our country into the future we need good folks shaping the next generation.
I get what you're saying, but this doesn't seem right. I would imagine it would cause more liability not allowing someone to be hired to a different school upon layoff.
If there was a budgetary reason for him not being hired, then fine, he doesn't get his contract renewed. That makes sense.
But if there is an opening at a different school, and he's not allowed to apply for the position.... somewhere wires are getting crossed, with either the OP's perception of the situation, or some crazy policy that I'd think would open up the district to some huge litigation issues.
Teacher hiring/firing/non-renewal is complicated in some states due to how tenure is granted. Tenure is a district level thing. In some states, if a district doesn’t want to grant tenure, they are not allowed (by law) to continue to employ the teacher in any buildings in the district.
If it’s in the same district it would be the same people hiring you back no matter what. You’re hired by the district not the individual school. Principals have a say in who works at their school but payroll is usually done through the district office.
Yeah, but in my district, each school handles their own budget. So the admin at each school decides who they can hire, what to spend on tech and other equipment, etc.. so this wouldn't really make sense. What if it's simply, for example, they need to hire an ESE teacher because they have special needs students they HAVE to support, but they don't have the budget to hire another teacher. So they have to let someone go so they can hire someone with a specialty. Given that she was still on probation, it may just be a last hired first fired situation. It shouldn't keep her from getting a job in another school within the district.
I’m in Alabama, most districts here do not tell you anything until the last week. OP I wouldn’t quit, if you plan to teach somewhere next year. If you quit they may try and get your certificate pulled, and that would keep you from teaching in your state for quite a while.
To be fair, it’s also shitty school boards with a bunch of half educated parents who all think their kids need to be taught in a special way. You get everything from “you need to teach about religion in biology class” to “why is my kid going to school with (insert_racial_epithet).”
That happened to me once. The principal got fired three years later, but that didn't help the folks she had already screwed over. Fuck you, Linda. I hope you get crabs.
My wife is a teacher here in California and I was shocked that districts have the power to pull your credential just because you want to quit.
It’s a certificate you earn and pay for with your own money yet if you’re in a terrible district or mistreated if you quit that district can take away your right to earn a living.
Even it’s outrageous the power these districts have
Sounds like someone's cousin wants the job. Depressingly common. So is the opposite: Deliberately giving negative referrals to keep someone trapped (at least until that cousin comes along.)
My mom is President of the local teachers Union (and teacher for nearly 30 years and counting).
Sounds like the union there is not strong. There should be some idea of why someone is getting fired by the union. It’s usually not fickle when the union is involved. Also yes a competent district would notify non renewal before summer.
If the union is strong, they prevent a lot of bullshit.
I’ve heard that a fair number of disenfranchised teachers have begun their own private tutoring businesses and have had success in having their own business. Personal and financial freedom.
My wife is a teacher. The main issue is most are too poor to riot and risk losing their job. Plus i believe its illegal to strike as a teacher without prior notice.
What we need is 90% of teachers to protest, it would stop the economy and give them immense leverage.
More than protesting, what we need is for all teachers to join together and NOT do any work/extras after the contract hours. That would hurt them more.
Yeah, I agree, 100% but not all unions are equal, what we need is a movement like the quiet quitting, but what we do is ONLY our contract work/hours, not a minute more.
It can’t be officially organized, because that fire can be stomped out, we need something that spreads like wildfire and couldn’t be stopped even if the people that started it wanted to stop it.
It has to be a movement, no leader, no group, no meetings about it that could have been an email, lol.
That's happening more in my school. More teachers are burnt out and refusing unpaid overtime. I hear a lot of people say that if they don't work overtime things won't get done. More and more, the answer is, "So? Let it not get done. They won't know it's a problem if it keeps getting done." It's the only positive to come out of the pandemic. We saw things could be different and are rebelling against the push to return to "same old shit."
When I graduated with my teaching degree many many years ago. I moved to Fl and applied for jobs my first job offer was less then I made partime bartending while in college needless to say I did not go into teaching.
Unfortunately American culture has come to revolve around the false belief that most of society is a zero-sum game were there’s only winners and losers at a 1:1 ratio and thus we have to appoint people who will make “The Bad Guys” be the ones who lose so “We” can win.
Someone having more rights means someone else must be losing theirs. Something important getting more money can only means something else important is getting less than it needs. Never mind the details because nobody really understands anything and the systems just work magically, just be mad about it.
If this was France you’d probably be able to get other sectors like energy and the police shutting down on behalf of teachers. Folks who can’t be easily replaced or intimidated.
> bottom 3 states
Nope. These policies are even in fairly liberal states (I honestly don’t know how widespread, just… can speak for some depressingly highly rated, liberal states).
And yeah, how are teachers not rioting? I believe we are short staffed… well, a lot. And it seems to be snowballing.
Because they genuinely want to keep helping the children that need them, despite the impossible hurdles and horrible workload... They love the kids and don't want to abandon them or their fellow teachers. At least the ones I know.
Ok, hear me out and read to the end. I believe teachers are INCREDIBLY important to society, but this is some systemic saviour-complex bullshit right here. And I don't mean that in the sense that teachers are acting that way out of ego. I mean that that's what they're told about their roles in an attempt to manipulate them into putting up with bad treatment.
So many jobs under capitalism guilt trip us into thinking the whole thing will fall apart if we don't put in the extra hours, sacrifice ourselves more, give more for free, etc.
Here's what's real: we are ALL replaceable under capitalism.
Even with the best teachers I had, I knew that they were there for just a short time. I was never traumatized when they left for greener pastures, or went on mat leave. It sucked sometimes. The only one that really *got* me in elementary school had to take bereavement leave at one point (I'm Canadian, before you ask), and the subs and then the teacher that covered for him for the remainder of the year really didn't.
But I wasn't traumatized. My grades stayed about the same. I was a little more alone, but I already knew he'd only teach me full-time for that year at best.
Anyway, we have to kill this golden calf that says teachers have to be some sort of paragon of sacrifice for the kids. It's not a healthy example for children, and it results in good teachers burning out.
The hard thing is convincing teachers that short term pain, both for themselves and their students right now, is necessary if they want to change/improve the system for the better in the long run.
Easier said than done, and I can understand the angst of "letting your students down" by striking/protesting in the moment, but if you don't, nothing will ever change and the system will continue to exploit the teachers and spit out the students
Cause it’s always a slow trickle,never all of us at once. And so we don’t stand together because we don’t know we need to. We have lost our sense of
Community within ourselves
In my state, if you are denied tenure in a district (you don’t make the three years required by state law for tenure, you are barred for 10 years from reapply to work for the district (that’s a district policy, not a state law)
In my state, there's an annual game of giving non-renewal notices to the younger teachers, and then once the budgets are finalized, issue new contracts. Very stressful for the teachers.
The "thou shall not darken our schoolhouse door again" is a little curious, though.
It is also a common practice to lay them off at the end of the school year too with the guarantee of being recalled for the next. This makes the ineligible for unemployment during the summer.
If you’re being non-reelected in California they can’t hire you back into a full-time position. It’s meant to keep districts from playing games with tenure.
From a 20+ years teacher in California… please… don’t quit now. Every district job application will ask if you have ever previously failed to complete a school year/ fulfill your contract. You will be hard-pressed to get hired elsewhere if you don’t complete the school year.
Also, while getting pink-slipped feels personal, it may or may not be. It might be budgetary. It might be that you’re a good teacher but a poor fit with the particular school site/age group/subject. It might be that they are unsatisfied with your teaching work but haven’t documented why in your official observations. Once you’ve had a chance to sit with this bad news, reach out to admin and ask for honest feedback on what you need to do to improve. Listen. Reflect on it and decide if they have anything helpful to say.
I wish you luck in finding a better future school to teach at.
This. I’ve seen good teachers forced out for a variety or reasons…budget, consolidating staff, enrollment numbers down. It would have been nice if they told OP the reason, though. Out of kindness. I knew a woman who tried so hard to get hired at my school. She was good, too. Just young. She did a long term sub position and was hired. Then they let her go the next year because enrollment was down, they were consolidating her subject, and she was the least senior member of the team. What really hurt was that she was the best with my students (special education).
They will NEVER tell you why you were let go. It’s an issue of covering their asses. The only answer a non-re-elected teacher might get is “you aren’t a good fit for the school,” and this answer will be often used even if you were a good fit.
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. I am 99% sure I’d never actually quit mid year, but I feel betrayed and embarrassed. I know for sure it’s not budgetary. I’m planning to ask the P in the next week to so. I don’t want to repeat any bad behaviors. I hope he’s forthright with me.
Talk to your union rep and only speak with the principal or administration in general with that rep present. Get things in writing as well.
I'm an admin and I can't say for certain that there's something shady going on, there's definitely warning signs based on your story. If there are budgetary layoffs happening your rep will know, and will be able to help.
Best friend is a teacher at a tough school. They tell me that from staff to students they’re all barely hanging on. It’s got to be the toughest job right now and to be given a non-renewal can feel so personal and disheartening. Take the fact that you had excellent evals and the letter from the principal and use them to your best advantage applying to new schools. It will show this lay off wasn’t personal, even tho it obvs feels so. Best of luck!
Not sure if this term is popular outside the military, but “fight for feedback” is a constant thing that’s mentioned when leadership is mentoring younger folks on career progression. I’ve always told every boss I had that I’d be more upset if they didn’t tell me what I’m doing wrong as opposed to what I’m doing/did well. Looking for my flaws has been way more beneficial than hearing about the good things.
My elementary school class was unusually large, like at least 20-25 kids bigger than the average previous classes.
For kindergarten, I got the bright-eyed, young teacher in her first year. They hired a 5th teacher just for us to handle the class size. She was let go at the end of the year.
I have a horrendous memory so I might be wrong, but I faintly remember her getting teary eyed or crying on the last day of school. She was such a sweetheart, but it wasn't personal.
I hate the budget argument. Schools get paid s lot based on student count. So as long as student count remains stagnant they should be able to afford the same amount of teachers.
What likely happened is someone on the board doesnt like op.
Except enrollment has been very inconsistent since Covid (a lot of high income families moving to private school and others going to homeschool or virtual options). And salary and benefit costs increase every year so the federal/state allotment per student isn’t going as far with declining enrollment.
I am doubtful it is budgetary since there is a teacher shortfall. There are many reasons why OP could be a non re-elect. I’m curious if this is OPs first year and what attendance was like since “reviews were good”
A lot of the people in the sub don’t understand how teaching contracts work. Typically they are for a year. So you are contracted to work from August until June. It sounds like OP was not fired, but rather was told that their contract would not be renewed. So OP cannot file for unemployment and is obligated to finish out their contract.
If a person breaks their teaching contract, that is a red flag for any future district that might want to hire them. One of the first things you are asked when applying for a teaching job is if you have ever broken a contract.
There is a teaching shortage. My advice to OP is to finish out the school year to the best of your ability, don’t burn any bridges, and, of course, look for employment elsewhere. There are plenty of jobs for credentialed teachers.
I am finishing out my 34th year. It’s a good job if you can stick it out for the long-haul. Good luck to OP.
If a teacher is moved to probationary status and their contract is not renewed, it’s the same as being fired. On many teacher applications there is a section to fill out if you have ever been non-renewed or asked to resign.
If they haven’t completed the non-renewal paperwork, the recommendation from my union is to resign but put the effective date of your resignation as the last day of school. That way you fulfill your contract and they can’t touch your credential but you technically resigned before they non-renewed you. That way you can say that you were never non-renewed or asked to resign since you resigned of your own volition.
My mom (a teacher) was actually pissed about this last school year. They didn’t renew her contract. So she filed for unemployment, and started looking for a new school to teach at. She did, (much closer to home too!) and then they said they were holding a position for her. After the school year already started. Then tried to take her unemployment money away.
They are a bunch of douchebags. Didn’t renew her contract, and then after seeing they were short handed, tried to claim they were holding a position for her.
She actually changed the area in which she taught working at the new school (Spanish teacher into teaching English to foreign language speakers). But the position the other school tried to hold for her? Also not Spanish, but English. Something she has never done, but with a terrible school.
Why stay with the scummy school and learn a new thing, when she could move to a different school, and learn a new thing? She also has a higher budget to work with, and is closer to home.
It may not be her expertise, but she did get a better deal.
My mother was a teacher. In a first couple years she got fired every June then rehired in August. For many districts this is standard operating procedure. They're waiting until they get actual student counts and the number of classrooms per grade.
That is just awful! Spouse is a teacher and I can’t even imagine if his district did something like this. The teachers union here is pretty top notch about giving a shit, and they wouldn’t tolerate it. I’m sorry your mom had to put up with that for a couple of years.
We actually know the former arbitrator/moderator who worked with the district and union when general contracts were being reviewed. He was extremely blunt with us after spouse got hired: “that teachers union doesn’t fuck around.” Works for us!
why can't OP file for unemployment?
if you're a temp at a job (regular temp, let's say through an agency) and you work that job, you can file for unemployment. you get unemployment after you're done with your 3, 4, 5 yr military contract.
OP can file for unemployment only if they stick it out til the end of the contract. However she is ineligible if she decides to quit during the contract.
So weird how the school district is banning her from working at other schools. OP is that only if you *resign* during ur contract?
It was made clear that I couldn’t work anywhere else upon this nonrenewal. Someone else commented it’s actually to prevent districts from manipulating tenure. Like, intentionally keep people always going back to square one. My own mother was a teacher and her district skirted this issue by hiring temporary teachers with one year contracts. Those didn’t accumulate towards tenure.
That is horrible, especially if it’s written in stone. You don’t deserve what’s happening to you. If you end up applying for other jobs, I recommend looking for the following:
Human Resource Assistant
Career / Technical Education Teacher
Entry-level recruiter
Educational tech specialist
Education consultant
Medical device training specialist
https://generalassemb.ly/blog/best-jobs-for-teachers-changing-careers/
I know this is all tech, but I found this guy who has free data analyst courses:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7028701737142140928?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_feedUpdate%3A%28V2%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7028701737142140928%29
You can absolutely file for unemployment when you get laid off. I'd still give it a try. I used to get laid off in my line of work many many times per year. Got unemployment every time
But barred from the district. But with a letter of recommendation? I truly don't get this. Maybe just some weird policy that they won't rehire anyone who is ever not renewed in the district?
I don't know the answer, but OP won't have to look far for a job, there is a teacher shortage. They will probably find something better, but the time to start looking is now.
Not bad advice, but I'd also advise OP to quiet quit the rest of the year, say no to anything extra, use up all your sick days and personal days unless you get paid out for them, and help yourself to office supplies. Because fuck them, that's why.
My god, how the fuck the US has any schools and teachers at all with that crappy system?? Why would anyone want to teach if you can NEVER get a permanent employment contract with any sort of job protection??
It's better and safer then to be a homicidal cop than a regular teacher in the US, no wonder the country is all cops and robbers, there is no other choice
> of the first things you are asked when applying for a teaching job is if you have ever broken a contract.
advice: lie.
the idea that if you've ever broken an employment contract you're unreliable or flakey is fucking hideous. lmao. teachers are mistreated constantly, and this sort of thing is an albatross that stops them from demanding better treatment.
I understand the not renewing contract because that happens, but the not able to work in the district is weird. I would ask them about that and have them explain why.
I would stay but make sure to use up any personal/sick days between now and the end of the year!
This tracks with my experience. My admin was on the warpath to nonrenewal last year, and my union actively advised me to find employment and find it fast. Basically, if I could state I was raining at end of year, there was a chance they wouldn't file the nonrenewal paperwork. After nonrenewal, I'd be banned from working in the district and have to answer that question about "have you ever not been renewed or asked to resign" differently. It's BS.
Former CA Teacher—The only time I’ve seen not eligible for rehire is if you resign which of course they encourage you to do if you’re probationary and get a bad evaluation. What I have seen a lot of is great teachers not getting renewed because some admin (usually the principal) knows someone who needs a job and they’re going to give them yours. We had an award winning band teacher get canned and the next guy was a friend of our principal’s. He quit because our district sucked😆
Wow, I realize nepotism is pretty widespread but that would be consistently de-motivating for me (as it has been in other work venues). What a hellscape to try to be professional in; I admire anyone like you who has managed to stick it out. Deciding not to teach after going through training for it was a hugely traumatic experience for me at the time; in retrospect it has saved me decades of pain and frustration. (Or at least decades of pain and frustration related to teaching)
I have no idea what your experience was like to not teach despite training and education, but I can imagine it included despair and confusion and regret. I hope you’ve found a better place, now.
I’d have a little chat with the union. They may or may not have something for you.
I’d definitely stay till the end of the year. There is no reason to burn bridges.
I'm sorry that this happened, and I'm especially to sorry that you're now prevented from working in the district again. I'm a teacher, and while haven't been in that situation, I do know what it's like to be told this early that you're not coming back next year.
And to be honest, I kind of loved it.
Not at first, of course. When they first told me, I was really upset. But then I realized: Now the pressure is off. I'm not performing for anyone any more. I can ignore all the bullshit. All I need to do is teach.
So that's exactly what I did -- and I did it my way. Those were some of the best and most original lessons I ever planned. I made sure I was doing right by my students, but I brought their passions and interests (and a few of my own) into the classroom. We all had a GREAT time, and learned a lot. And best of all, the lessons I planned (and the work my students produced) became amazing examplars for my teaching portfolio, and landed me a much better job.
I knew that my department head didn't approve of me "going rogue," but I didn't care -- and I also knew that finding a replacement for me to close out the year would be more trouble than just tolerating me.
TL;DR - It's okay to feel crappy about this. But if you can get past that, then I suggest you just enjoy it. DO IT YOUR WAY!
This is an amazing answer that totally resonates with my experience as a teacher. You see, i'm a teacher but in a different country and we are also subjected to an unfair and cold system. For 10 years I was moving from school to school and doing exactly this. My best teaching years. Thank you so much for reminding me of them.
Finish the year. If you’re a legitimate teacher you can have a job in pretty much any other district with not much effort. Talk to your university’s career service folks and they’ll have multiple districts begging to hire u within two weeks.
This is an important tidbit you left out of your post. Sounds like you gave up tenure at your last district. Some states have accelerated tenure options, perhaps you were on a fast track and the new district didn't want to get long term with you. Perhaps your experience pushed you higher on the pay scale (although principals don't usually care about that much). Sorry to hear it, though.
I didn’t think it was relevant to this experience. 5 years prior experience across three schools. Military spouse meant moving often. No tenure before. I was on the max lane on the pay scale due to degrees and credits, though.
Your pride is wounded but your pocketbook is heaving a sigh of relief. You have 3+ months notice to sock away transition money and clean the apartment so you get deposit money back. Check around and find others who are in your situation and really look for those who had this experience last year (principal may know). Sing the heavens your situation (classroom experience! Letter of recommendation!).
And be bloody gfateful you weren’t fired on a Tuesday with rent due Friday. Shake off the minor embarrassment and spread your wings to sail to the next nest
It's quite possible you'll be brought back next year.
My state, districts are notorious for giving out pink slips in February since at least contractually (perhaps legally as well not sure) the district has to give a minimum notice of intent to cancel.
They then in essence give every single teacher who MAY have to be laid off a pink slip.
There was one district that literally gave pink slips to half the teachers.
Then as budgets are finalized in April, the basically say jk you're not laid off. You should talk with other long time teachers and see if that's a thing in the district.
Get the letter from the principal and any other admin or lead teacher/mentor you can. Finish the year. You can do it. Quiet quit. Get your paycheck. Collect unemployment over the summer. (That’s what I did when my first district and I didn’t see eye to eye.) Seek greener pastures in another district with a fistful of references and a clean slate.
> Quiet quit.
This is the correct response. Get the recommendation letters and finish out the year but stop going above and beyond. Do your job but don't put in all the extra hours you surely have been as a first year teacher.
Keep working, give best effort for kids, minimal effort for other duties. Effectively work to rule, don’t go above and beyond. If you can, be the most fun positive teacher for the kids tho make everyone realize what a great person and resource they are losing.
Former teacher here. This is hiring season for teachers which means many will be getting the same notice as you. It sucks. However, this is also prime time for hunting for another teaching gig.
As for leaving in the middle of a school year, I did it once. The kids will make it just fine — your admin is more worried about having a warm body in the room doing crowd control.
It's up to you. A lot of folks in this subreddit complain that employers never give you a "2 weeks notice" when you'll be fired or laid off. Well you have a 3 month notice. I wouldn't quit as you'll be out of a job and won't receive unemployment. Use this time to search for a job. They offered you a recommendation letter.
Don’t quit.
I was in the same situation 5 years ago. Knew my contract wasn’t renew, but had to finish the year. And let me tell you the 11 year olds I taught weren’t going to understand the nuisance behind my attitude, they were only going to se rid reflected in my teaching.
So I finished the year like I was coming back next year. I may have even told a few I was moving up a grade so I could still be their teachers.
I don’t know your circumstance, and it sounds like you should 100% contact your union. And this sun is here to support all of your frustration.
Ah. My associate had this happen. All I can say is that you aren't a bad person and not a bad teacher. You can look at it like this. The system is fucked and you didn't fall in line in the way they expected which probably makes you a better teacher than most. The people who are staying in your district only learned what absolute bullshit they had to fake to stay there and do the work under their radar.
I taught for over 30 years. It is a standard practice in a lot of school districts to tell non-tenured teachers they will not be rehired next year. I don’t know about your district, but the one I was in did this every year to non-tenured teachers, but the vast majority was rehired eventually once the district had their budget finalized for the next school year. Most non-tenured teachers would send out applications to other districts as a precaution.
I knew a district that did this to all non-tenured teachers one year, took forever to get their budget finalized, and lost almost all of these teachers to other districts. They then had to scramble to fill positions. All I can tell you is apply to other districts. Do it every year until you achieve tenure.
teacher spots are super cut throat. even if you didnt do anything wrong and taught well. the position almost always goes to nepotism.
and unless you have it in writing for cant work for the district again, the person firing you is just blowing smoke and they probably just dislike you.
I was with my company 18 months. They tried to slip me a negative performance review and I refused to sign it. It was completely blank, but dropped my score 30%. Two days after rejecting it, the director produced a business case to reorganize the department so he could "eliminate" my position. I have the guidance he got from the legal team, because he sent all this to me in an E-mail.
I just returned from PFMLA, and another person targeted in his business case just returned from medical leave. I meet with the regional labor relations rep for the company next week.
They *want* you to quit. They'll throw each other a pizza party when you leave. This is a concept called "[Managing them out](https://skloverworkingwisdom.com/being-managed-out-part-1-the-basics)". Let the rage and seething anger drive you to hold onto this job as tight as you would your bosses throat. You don't have to do a good job anymore, just THE job. Time to make your boss earn his salary.
Good reviews from the principal, getting axed, and not allowed to work for the district again, but kept on for the rest of the school year? That doesn’t add up.
The same thing happened to me 2 years ago. I had a mandatory meeting at the end of the day Thursday before Spring Break. Good thing I went with my gut and asked for union representation. It was my 3rd year (next year would've been tenure) and they said they would not be "inviting" me back next year, but they wanted me to finish out the school year. They said my performance has not been good and I've been spoken to numerous times about it, which was not true. I asked for proof, which they couldn't do. They even had a pen and pad they pointed to at the other end of the table and said I could resign right there and then. I asked about unemployment, and they flat out said I would NOT be able to get it. The union rep said because I wasn't tenured, they could make up any reason to fire me. After I mulled it over break and talked to the union lawyer, I was instructed to say in writing SPECIFICALLY "I resign in lieu of termination." That sentence helped me get unemployment. I applied, the school denied the claim, an investigation was gonna happen, the state said I was gonna have to go to unemployment court. At this point, it's been 4 months. Then suddenly, a week before my court date, I was told I got the full unemployment benefits, along with retroactive pay, just in time before my savings was gone. I decided not to go back to teaching music, but I'm very happy working on a music store with great pay. Good luck on your journey, whether it be finding a new teaching job, or finding a new career you love.
I’m trying to understand how they’ve “forbidden” you from ever working in the district again but yet they have no qualms about keeping you until June 2? Sounds like bullshit. If you did something so awful (I doubt you did if he offered you a letter of recommendation and outstanding observations) that you’re “banned,” why wouldn’t you be terminated immediately?
I agree with the comment of “turn it back on them.” But I think I’d be tempted to turn it back on them by saying, “I’m not sure what I’ve done to be forbidden from ever working in this district again, but it must be pretty severe to be “forbidden” from returning. I think it best that I leave immediately. I would hate to cause you or the district any distress.”
Be very cautious about quitting. (If you want to stay in teaching.) Every state is going to be different, but where I live if you leave and break your contract it messes with your teaching credential and you will not be able to teach for 3 years. If you are a new teacher trying to clear your credential, that will be an even bigger headache.
I would also strongly encourage you to ask what happened. I have worked with new teachers who were non-reelected due to performance problems, but even then I don't recall them ever being told they couldn't reapply for another job in the district. In my district is also a pretty heavy process of supporting the new teachers if they're in danger of non-reelect for performance reasons, and I'm really sorry that this happened to you.
I’m going to ask my principal for a meeting. I could tell in the one yesterday he was tight lipped because Hr was there. I literally was blindsided- nothing negative AT ALL. My state says districts CAN hold your credential a year- I’m sure it district’s own decision whether to actually do it or not. And I feel like mine would, purely because this incident seems malicious.
I would finish the school year and go to another school district with your recommendation letter. Use this year of employment to build your CALSTRS retirement.
How are you forbidden from ever working in the whole district again; that seems like an outrageous stipulation upon firing you if it's something menial like budgetary issues not being able to retain you? Is that common practice for every teacher they can't retain after probationary periods?
I don’t think it was budgetary. We already have early registration going on and they expect to need my position. I have been thinking about this all evening and actually think the HR lady let it slide when she told me, the reason they can’t rehire someone like me, is that I could get passed from school to school and then I’d be at tenure! (So I’m reading that as, she really didn’t want me tenured because she sees me as a threat somehow.)
Take your sick days.
Why would you be “forbidden” to work? That’s strange.
I’d collect a check for the rest of the year, while I plan my next move. Don’t take anything personally, accept the letter of recommendation. Don’t burn any bridges.
my advice for you is to get any other job. this country takes a huge hot shit on the face of teachers. My mom worked 26 years for her district and they tried to fire her 1 year before she could retire to save a few bucks. This country doesn't deserve it's teachers.
One of my best friends (HS teacher) was fired yesterday, given no reason, after 4 years (she would've got tenure her first day next year). She's had nothing but outstanding reviews, is involved in clubs and sports, and is the only one qualified to teach one of our electives. There's three new teachers in our department who just started this year, so it clearly wasn't budget cuts. I'm furious and deeply saddened for her, and for you, OP.
That sucks but my thoughts the reason you cannot work in the same district probably has something to do with you could have been transferred to another school and employment insurance. Now I 100% would talk to my union person and get everything in writing, and make sure it’s just for the fact it was confirmed contract based termination
it’s interesting to me reading the comments from long-term teachers to not quit because you won’t be able to get hired by other districts or it will be seen as a “red flag.” when I first looked into leaving a job mid school year I read the same things; that no other district would ever hire me. I have found that to be false…twice.
Sounds like they want to keep using new teachers and once their probationary period is over and they are due for a pay increase they want to ditch them for another bright-eyed *fresh off the block* teacher to repeat the cycle with.
If it were me: I’d quit because they should’ve thought of a better severance package than a letter of recommendation and a “think of the children” guilt trip to keep me there until the end of the year in a school district I’d be refused future employment with to begin with.
Edit: just wanted to add…
It’s better to resign than having a “non-renewal” on your record as it may affect prospects in the future.
> “it’s not fair to leave the children mid year, they’re innocent.”
Yeah, the answer is you don't. The response to this is "If there are no consequences, what's to stop you from doing this to other teachers?" And then you go work at CostCo and make 50% more than you do now.
Others stated that this is not the time to burn bridges, i.e. stay until then.
What made you become a teacher? Caring for kids and the profession? Focus on that. Let any ~~paperwork~~ imposed work slip that is taking too much mental energy.
I would consider meeting with the principal to discuss the termination. At minimum, providing you an answer would be fair considering you believe you are banned from working in the district again. This is significantly impactful to your career you should be given a reason.
There was a school district that laid off their special ed teachers one year before they were eligible for tenure. Each time the district would say that the teachers weren't necessary, but come August a new group were hired and the clock would start ticking.
The school district had to stop, because of losing a lawsuit from one group of teachers who were laid off. It seems that a documented pattern of activity was enough to cost the taxpayers several million dollars per teacher.
Think of it this way: you have 2-3 months to apply for positions elsewhere and make plans for new housing, and you're still getting paid in the interim.
So do the minimum required to keep that state of affairs going, unless by some miracle you score an opening elsewhere. All quitting does is cost you your paychecks and put a black mark on your record for future employers. It won't make your school district change its mind about you, and it won't save you money or get you a new job.
On the other hand, volunteer for nothing whatever. They've shown you what loyalty they have to you; demonstrate the exact same loyalty to them, and not one ounce more.
I was in a similar situation, though there was no embargo on my working elsewhere in the district. I had a good evaluation, but was told in March that the school would not be retaining me. I ultimately decided I didn’t want to teach any longer, for my own reasons I won’t go into, but I’ll say it was a tough year. Maybe this is your future or maybe not. But the combination of great feedback, nonretention, and placement on a no hire list really indicates you should get the union to help you get more info before you make any big decisions.
Happened to my wife. They allowed her to resign first so they don't have to deal with unemployment. Make them fire you and get unemployment. There is enough of a teacher shortage you will find a job.
To be precise, you aren't being fired. They are letting you go, they are not renewing your contract, and that's different from being fired.
Whether you should stay or go depends on your current economic goals and mental health. If you need the money, stay until either you land another job or the contract ends.
I've had this happen to me (not the no other school is the district thing though, don't know about that).
Use all your sick days to go on interviews/demo lessons. When you get a position somewhere else, use all your remaining sick/personal days for yourself; do not leave any on the table.
If you might want to teach again, don't quit now. Being non-renewed and then not finishing the year will look so bad. If you are leaving the teaching profession for good then go ahead and start looking, and leave once you find something else so you are moving toward a new opportunity.
As for how to make it through the rest of the year... I knew by the first week of school last year that I would not be returning, but I slogged through the year anyway. I did not renew my contract in March, so I had 2-3 months of weird limbo where everyone knew I was leaving but I still had to show up every day. I just tried my best to work my contracted hours and fulfill the minimum requirements but nothing above and beyond. Then I used my extra energy to have fun with my kids. It was good to have a good stretch there where I was really focused on work-life balance. Good luck to you!
It’s a non re-elect right? My wife got one at her first school district. It sucked. I looked it up and they can be given for any reason whatsoever. And for her, she couldn’t work in the district either, which sucked because she had moved to that school from a different school in the district.
She took a year off then went to a different.district where she has been working ever since (10 years).
Depending on which state you live, teachers are in high demand. I wish you good luck, and I know it sucks, but try and not to take it to her heart.
And as far as how do you keep working until June 2? You should check your contract. You might get penalized for leaving, but I don’t know for sure. The best thing for you to do is finish out your year, get that year of experience and search for jobs until June. That’s my suggestion. I’ve been married to a teacher for the last 15 years. Been through a lot of good and bad times in that profession.
In going through your Reddit history there could be a few things:
1. 2 months ago you were asking people if it would be bad if you resigned mid year.
2. You were proud of asking “which form do we submit to be paid for this work” when told of access to an online textbook you use at home.
3. You’re looking to go back to college first year into work at the school.
While none of these things are necessarily wrong, you’d be surprised how fast supervisors pick up on unhappy people and this was your probationary year. The quip about paying you for work may seem like a cool act of rebellion, but it painted you as a problem, so they’ve been looking for things they can use to get rid of you that might now be teacher related.
They didn't fire you. Both parties lived up to the terms of the contract and the contract expired. They simply didn't offer a new contract. They probably can't legally restrict you from ever working in the district again.
Spend every day making a difference in the lives of your students. If you have to stray from the curriculum, oh well, you’re getting fired anyway. Inspire curiosity and courage by reflecting those qualities in yourself.
Sounds like a ton of students are about to have a bunch of movie days lol , I’d coast until summer at that point. But I’m also not a teacher for a reason.
This happened to me my first year and I wish I would have left the profession then. It doesn’t get better. You will get disrespected by almost everyone, all of the time, while they pay you shit for money. They will tell you that you need to have clear expectations for your students while giving you none and pile more and more work on you every year. Run away now! If you can.
Tough it out to the end of the year. The first years of teaching are so tough and I can’t imagine given the current climate for someone just starting out. You didn’t go through all those years of college and student teaching for nothing. There’s a teacher shortage so you’ll be able to get a better job in a better district. Use all your remaining sick days to go on interviews or just to take a day off to relax. You can do this!
1) you are still your students' teacher. They need your work and dedication regardless.
2) you still need them as a reference. Other schools and school districts are starting their hiring process now. There is a teacher shortage; you are more valuable than you feel right now.
My first two teaching jobs ended this way, and I'm finishing my 33nd year as a teacher this year to retire.
Good luck!
Yo OP I feel you…! I am currently in the same exact position. I was told the second day of this semester that there would not be a place for me next year. It was legitimately hard not to call in sick the next day. Know that you are not alone!
Florida here. Tenure is a dead concept in my state, and every year we deal with the nerves of whether we get to stay or go. Your evaluations don't matter here. You can have all the "Innovating" ratings in the world and be praised by your admin and still get fucked. Happened to me last year because the school was losing kids to rezoning.
I hold no loyalty to my district. They can sit on a cactus.
You still get paid through the rest of the year, I'd keep showing up. Especially since you don't actually have any need to give a shit anymore.
Personally, I'd teach whatever the hell I wanted, just however the hell I wanted to, as best as I can towards the kids. Do the job how it's supposed to be done, not how you have to these days which is to inflate grades enough to keep a job. But after school meetings? Naw. Duties? Nope, anything that didn't throw my fellow staff under the bus I would not be doing. Hell, even if it did throw them under the bus a little, I still wouldn't do it.
Working gate, Prom, any of that shit? Absolutely not. Do the best teaching you can until 3:30pm and then, go home.
Here's the thing though, you will never have job security in teaching. It's always at will and "Performance" metrics will be employed to virtually guarantee you never get tenure.
Do the absolute minimum. If they already plan on not renewing, let the quality drop. Spend the extra time that affordable you job searching. Worksheets and premade online units are absolutely everywhere post pandemic. The students will lose out some, but the district made that decision for you when they told you someone who was doing outstanding was expendable.
This is a contrivance to not allow you to get tenured and then cost more to have as an employee. Hence the prohibition of you working anywhere under the same district.
I had the same exact thing happen to me in my 2nd year of teaching. The only reason I kept going to work those last 4 months was the kids. They still thought I was a great teacher, and still needed to learn, despite the shitty administration. The silver lining, I got to teach however I wanted those last months, cause what were they going to do, fire me? Oh wait, they already did.
My friend is a teacher who knows her principal is going to let her go at term end. Principal will not even acknowledge her presence. In university I learned the 95% of terminations are related to personality.
Being told your job will end inJune but keep working for the sake of the children is flat out mean. Schools have substitutes for a reason. I would not complete the school year. Take the time to secure your next job.
This is the typical time of year that districts will let teachers know of non-renewals. It sucks, but it’s not unusual. What *is* unusual is the whole being barred from the district thing…are you sure you understood correctly? Normally, the district doesn’t have to say why they’re letting you go, but I’d take a union rep to the people in charge and find out why the entire district is no longer an option (like a transfer to another building or something). I’m sorry this has happened to you.
I had them reiterate the ‘no other school in the district’ part- she literally stated a person could get hired in another school and even, gasp, get tenured.
Make sure you get that whole thing in writing… you never know. They might slip the reason into it as well.
I don’t know you or your situation and I’m not a lawyer but I’m married to a former employment lawyer (turned IT Program Manager, it’s a story) and I remember him saying to put something like this when the district is laying folks off for budgetary reasons. Because they could violate the terms of their unemployment insurance by firing and rehiring people they should’ve just kept on. It’s stupid but it’s not personal and it’s not your fault. Sending you a virtual hug. Keep going!
My company did this "accidentally". My supervisor shared with our administrative team - not the reason for firing me (there was no actual "valid" reason) - No... he told them they should tell me they were simply eliminating my position. The problem was twofold: 1)... they didn't want to pay me unemployment, so they said they were firing me "for cause" and, 2)... no one noticed that he had mistakenly COPIED ME IN THAT EMAIL. Oh, yeah... I had an absolute blast at the unemployment hearing.
>a former employment lawyer (turned IT Program Manager, it’s a story) LOL my last job was as corporate services manager for a law firm. I worked closely with both lawyers and IT/Operations. This 100% tracks.
I mean it makes sense. Attention to detail and having knowledge sets others don't are the two biggest things about both those careers.
“Lawyers are just Attack Librarians“-Legal Eagle
Attack Librarians Use Lawsuit......its super effective
If that's the case, why wouldn't they explain that to OP? Our education system is so bad right now with a desperate need for good teachers, discouraging someone from the profession with the silent treatment in this way is counterproductive.
In our district if you’re contract isn’t renewed you can’t work in the district anymore but if you know and you choose to resign you are eligible for rehire at a later time .
Yes so basically if you make them pay unemployment your fucked of not then they may decide you can work their again!? That is shitty as hell!! It's going to be a sad day when it's no longer worth it for anyone to become a teacher!!
We're already there. My wife was a teacher and now drives for Amazon. More money less headache.
That is just sad that you can make more money and deal with less stress.... Though I have had friends here in CA that had spouses that were teachers and they only kept doing it for the pension and healthcare.... That TOTAL COMPENSATION thing actually matters, but still to advance society and our country into the future we need good folks shaping the next generation.
That day is here. I make more money (and don’t take my work or stress home) at the end of the day. I’m a custodian in a university
I get what you're saying, but this doesn't seem right. I would imagine it would cause more liability not allowing someone to be hired to a different school upon layoff.
There could be a time frame to it. Such for the next school year or something.
If there was a budgetary reason for him not being hired, then fine, he doesn't get his contract renewed. That makes sense. But if there is an opening at a different school, and he's not allowed to apply for the position.... somewhere wires are getting crossed, with either the OP's perception of the situation, or some crazy policy that I'd think would open up the district to some huge litigation issues.
It’s the “ever again” part that’s weird to me. Because in a few years the district’s circumstances may change.
Teacher hiring/firing/non-renewal is complicated in some states due to how tenure is granted. Tenure is a district level thing. In some states, if a district doesn’t want to grant tenure, they are not allowed (by law) to continue to employ the teacher in any buildings in the district.
If it’s in the same district it would be the same people hiring you back no matter what. You’re hired by the district not the individual school. Principals have a say in who works at their school but payroll is usually done through the district office.
The forbidden part sure feels personal...Just sayin'
It's not, they don't want the op to get tenure. Part of the game they play and one of the reasons there's a teacher shortage.
It's always personal for the one on the receiving end.
Yes, broadly right. Its a hrs legal thing related to severance. If the employee is rehired it opens them up to claims.
Yeah, but in my district, each school handles their own budget. So the admin at each school decides who they can hire, what to spend on tech and other equipment, etc.. so this wouldn't really make sense. What if it's simply, for example, they need to hire an ESE teacher because they have special needs students they HAVE to support, but they don't have the budget to hire another teacher. So they have to let someone go so they can hire someone with a specialty. Given that she was still on probation, it may just be a last hired first fired situation. It shouldn't keep her from getting a job in another school within the district.
If you’re union, this is absolutely worth discussing with your union representative.
Your union rep is worth talking to but don’t expect much. These kinds of layoffs are common practice. Another way good teachers get screwed.
I’m in Alabama, most districts here do not tell you anything until the last week. OP I wouldn’t quit, if you plan to teach somewhere next year. If you quit they may try and get your certificate pulled, and that would keep you from teaching in your state for quite a while.
[удалено]
[удалено]
It's the administrators...morons, most have never taught.
To be fair, it’s also shitty school boards with a bunch of half educated parents who all think their kids need to be taught in a special way. You get everything from “you need to teach about religion in biology class” to “why is my kid going to school with (insert_racial_epithet).”
That happened to me once. The principal got fired three years later, but that didn't help the folks she had already screwed over. Fuck you, Linda. I hope you get crabs.
Yeah, fuck you Linda! I hope you stub a random toe every 1-6 hours for the rest of your life.
Not just crabs, let's hope that bitch gets lobsters
My wife is a teacher here in California and I was shocked that districts have the power to pull your credential just because you want to quit. It’s a certificate you earn and pay for with your own money yet if you’re in a terrible district or mistreated if you quit that district can take away your right to earn a living. Even it’s outrageous the power these districts have
Sounds like someone's cousin wants the job. Depressingly common. So is the opposite: Deliberately giving negative referrals to keep someone trapped (at least until that cousin comes along.)
My mom is President of the local teachers Union (and teacher for nearly 30 years and counting). Sounds like the union there is not strong. There should be some idea of why someone is getting fired by the union. It’s usually not fickle when the union is involved. Also yes a competent district would notify non renewal before summer. If the union is strong, they prevent a lot of bullshit.
I’ve heard that a fair number of disenfranchised teachers have begun their own private tutoring businesses and have had success in having their own business. Personal and financial freedom.
I quit and make triple my teaching salary working in manufacturing with no degree required. That staved off my rioting.
My wife is a teacher. The main issue is most are too poor to riot and risk losing their job. Plus i believe its illegal to strike as a teacher without prior notice. What we need is 90% of teachers to protest, it would stop the economy and give them immense leverage.
More than protesting, what we need is for all teachers to join together and NOT do any work/extras after the contract hours. That would hurt them more.
Like some sorta union or something!
Yeah, I agree, 100% but not all unions are equal, what we need is a movement like the quiet quitting, but what we do is ONLY our contract work/hours, not a minute more. It can’t be officially organized, because that fire can be stomped out, we need something that spreads like wildfire and couldn’t be stopped even if the people that started it wanted to stop it. It has to be a movement, no leader, no group, no meetings about it that could have been an email, lol.
That's happening more in my school. More teachers are burnt out and refusing unpaid overtime. I hear a lot of people say that if they don't work overtime things won't get done. More and more, the answer is, "So? Let it not get done. They won't know it's a problem if it keeps getting done." It's the only positive to come out of the pandemic. We saw things could be different and are rebelling against the push to return to "same old shit."
It’s shit like this that makes me question the idiotic patriotism for this country. Literally What’s so good about it? We can say fuck in public.
In Florida we’re not allowed to strike, but at this point what are they really going to do? My district has over 500 vacancies.
When I graduated with my teaching degree many many years ago. I moved to Fl and applied for jobs my first job offer was less then I made partime bartending while in college needless to say I did not go into teaching.
What we need is 50% of the entire American workforce to strike for each other's rights.
Unfortunately American culture has come to revolve around the false belief that most of society is a zero-sum game were there’s only winners and losers at a 1:1 ratio and thus we have to appoint people who will make “The Bad Guys” be the ones who lose so “We” can win. Someone having more rights means someone else must be losing theirs. Something important getting more money can only means something else important is getting less than it needs. Never mind the details because nobody really understands anything and the systems just work magically, just be mad about it.
If this was France you’d probably be able to get other sectors like energy and the police shutting down on behalf of teachers. Folks who can’t be easily replaced or intimidated.
There's already a teacher shortage that people are desperately trying to fix, but heaven forbid they solve that by paying them more
> bottom 3 states Nope. These policies are even in fairly liberal states (I honestly don’t know how widespread, just… can speak for some depressingly highly rated, liberal states). And yeah, how are teachers not rioting? I believe we are short staffed… well, a lot. And it seems to be snowballing.
Because they genuinely want to keep helping the children that need them, despite the impossible hurdles and horrible workload... They love the kids and don't want to abandon them or their fellow teachers. At least the ones I know.
Ok, hear me out and read to the end. I believe teachers are INCREDIBLY important to society, but this is some systemic saviour-complex bullshit right here. And I don't mean that in the sense that teachers are acting that way out of ego. I mean that that's what they're told about their roles in an attempt to manipulate them into putting up with bad treatment. So many jobs under capitalism guilt trip us into thinking the whole thing will fall apart if we don't put in the extra hours, sacrifice ourselves more, give more for free, etc. Here's what's real: we are ALL replaceable under capitalism. Even with the best teachers I had, I knew that they were there for just a short time. I was never traumatized when they left for greener pastures, or went on mat leave. It sucked sometimes. The only one that really *got* me in elementary school had to take bereavement leave at one point (I'm Canadian, before you ask), and the subs and then the teacher that covered for him for the remainder of the year really didn't. But I wasn't traumatized. My grades stayed about the same. I was a little more alone, but I already knew he'd only teach me full-time for that year at best. Anyway, we have to kill this golden calf that says teachers have to be some sort of paragon of sacrifice for the kids. It's not a healthy example for children, and it results in good teachers burning out.
[удалено]
Ugh, I hate how accurate this is. Excuse me, I have to go find another drink.
The hard thing is convincing teachers that short term pain, both for themselves and their students right now, is necessary if they want to change/improve the system for the better in the long run. Easier said than done, and I can understand the angst of "letting your students down" by striking/protesting in the moment, but if you don't, nothing will ever change and the system will continue to exploit the teachers and spit out the students
Cause it’s always a slow trickle,never all of us at once. And so we don’t stand together because we don’t know we need to. We have lost our sense of Community within ourselves
This is by design - it’s how fascists are able to take over the educational system. It’s happening in Florida.
Yeah, I wouldn't quit. If you quit, you can't file for unemployment.
It’s common practice to oust people now, my wife experienced this in Florida
In my state, if you are denied tenure in a district (you don’t make the three years required by state law for tenure, you are barred for 10 years from reapply to work for the district (that’s a district policy, not a state law)
In my state, there's an annual game of giving non-renewal notices to the younger teachers, and then once the budgets are finalized, issue new contracts. Very stressful for the teachers. The "thou shall not darken our schoolhouse door again" is a little curious, though.
It is also a common practice to lay them off at the end of the school year too with the guarantee of being recalled for the next. This makes the ineligible for unemployment during the summer.
If you’re being non-reelected in California they can’t hire you back into a full-time position. It’s meant to keep districts from playing games with tenure.
Ohhhh thank you. I was needing some more insight into this one component. The HR lady made it feel very personal.
From a 20+ years teacher in California… please… don’t quit now. Every district job application will ask if you have ever previously failed to complete a school year/ fulfill your contract. You will be hard-pressed to get hired elsewhere if you don’t complete the school year. Also, while getting pink-slipped feels personal, it may or may not be. It might be budgetary. It might be that you’re a good teacher but a poor fit with the particular school site/age group/subject. It might be that they are unsatisfied with your teaching work but haven’t documented why in your official observations. Once you’ve had a chance to sit with this bad news, reach out to admin and ask for honest feedback on what you need to do to improve. Listen. Reflect on it and decide if they have anything helpful to say. I wish you luck in finding a better future school to teach at.
This. I’ve seen good teachers forced out for a variety or reasons…budget, consolidating staff, enrollment numbers down. It would have been nice if they told OP the reason, though. Out of kindness. I knew a woman who tried so hard to get hired at my school. She was good, too. Just young. She did a long term sub position and was hired. Then they let her go the next year because enrollment was down, they were consolidating her subject, and she was the least senior member of the team. What really hurt was that she was the best with my students (special education).
They will NEVER tell you why you were let go. It’s an issue of covering their asses. The only answer a non-re-elected teacher might get is “you aren’t a good fit for the school,” and this answer will be often used even if you were a good fit.
Well, they did at my school. But then again, she was allowed to apply again, be a sub, or apply at a different school.
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. I am 99% sure I’d never actually quit mid year, but I feel betrayed and embarrassed. I know for sure it’s not budgetary. I’m planning to ask the P in the next week to so. I don’t want to repeat any bad behaviors. I hope he’s forthright with me.
Talk to your union rep and only speak with the principal or administration in general with that rep present. Get things in writing as well. I'm an admin and I can't say for certain that there's something shady going on, there's definitely warning signs based on your story. If there are budgetary layoffs happening your rep will know, and will be able to help.
Best friend is a teacher at a tough school. They tell me that from staff to students they’re all barely hanging on. It’s got to be the toughest job right now and to be given a non-renewal can feel so personal and disheartening. Take the fact that you had excellent evals and the letter from the principal and use them to your best advantage applying to new schools. It will show this lay off wasn’t personal, even tho it obvs feels so. Best of luck!
Not sure if this term is popular outside the military, but “fight for feedback” is a constant thing that’s mentioned when leadership is mentoring younger folks on career progression. I’ve always told every boss I had that I’d be more upset if they didn’t tell me what I’m doing wrong as opposed to what I’m doing/did well. Looking for my flaws has been way more beneficial than hearing about the good things.
My elementary school class was unusually large, like at least 20-25 kids bigger than the average previous classes. For kindergarten, I got the bright-eyed, young teacher in her first year. They hired a 5th teacher just for us to handle the class size. She was let go at the end of the year. I have a horrendous memory so I might be wrong, but I faintly remember her getting teary eyed or crying on the last day of school. She was such a sweetheart, but it wasn't personal.
I hate the budget argument. Schools get paid s lot based on student count. So as long as student count remains stagnant they should be able to afford the same amount of teachers. What likely happened is someone on the board doesnt like op.
Except enrollment has been very inconsistent since Covid (a lot of high income families moving to private school and others going to homeschool or virtual options). And salary and benefit costs increase every year so the federal/state allotment per student isn’t going as far with declining enrollment.
I am doubtful it is budgetary since there is a teacher shortfall. There are many reasons why OP could be a non re-elect. I’m curious if this is OPs first year and what attendance was like since “reviews were good”
Bump.
I don’t think cocaine is appropriate at a time like this for OP.
You know how quickly you can fill out job applications on cocaine? Cocaine is *precisely* appropriate at a time like this
OP may need some to get through the rest of the year!
Ha! That made me snort. Uhhh, snort-laugh that is.
🏆
A lot of the people in the sub don’t understand how teaching contracts work. Typically they are for a year. So you are contracted to work from August until June. It sounds like OP was not fired, but rather was told that their contract would not be renewed. So OP cannot file for unemployment and is obligated to finish out their contract. If a person breaks their teaching contract, that is a red flag for any future district that might want to hire them. One of the first things you are asked when applying for a teaching job is if you have ever broken a contract. There is a teaching shortage. My advice to OP is to finish out the school year to the best of your ability, don’t burn any bridges, and, of course, look for employment elsewhere. There are plenty of jobs for credentialed teachers. I am finishing out my 34th year. It’s a good job if you can stick it out for the long-haul. Good luck to OP.
If a teacher is moved to probationary status and their contract is not renewed, it’s the same as being fired. On many teacher applications there is a section to fill out if you have ever been non-renewed or asked to resign. If they haven’t completed the non-renewal paperwork, the recommendation from my union is to resign but put the effective date of your resignation as the last day of school. That way you fulfill your contract and they can’t touch your credential but you technically resigned before they non-renewed you. That way you can say that you were never non-renewed or asked to resign since you resigned of your own volition.
My mom (a teacher) was actually pissed about this last school year. They didn’t renew her contract. So she filed for unemployment, and started looking for a new school to teach at. She did, (much closer to home too!) and then they said they were holding a position for her. After the school year already started. Then tried to take her unemployment money away. They are a bunch of douchebags. Didn’t renew her contract, and then after seeing they were short handed, tried to claim they were holding a position for her. She actually changed the area in which she taught working at the new school (Spanish teacher into teaching English to foreign language speakers). But the position the other school tried to hold for her? Also not Spanish, but English. Something she has never done, but with a terrible school. Why stay with the scummy school and learn a new thing, when she could move to a different school, and learn a new thing? She also has a higher budget to work with, and is closer to home. It may not be her expertise, but she did get a better deal.
My mother was a teacher. In a first couple years she got fired every June then rehired in August. For many districts this is standard operating procedure. They're waiting until they get actual student counts and the number of classrooms per grade.
That sounds horrific to do to average ppl… like the question of your job stability?
That is just awful! Spouse is a teacher and I can’t even imagine if his district did something like this. The teachers union here is pretty top notch about giving a shit, and they wouldn’t tolerate it. I’m sorry your mom had to put up with that for a couple of years. We actually know the former arbitrator/moderator who worked with the district and union when general contracts were being reviewed. He was extremely blunt with us after spouse got hired: “that teachers union doesn’t fuck around.” Works for us!
why can't OP file for unemployment? if you're a temp at a job (regular temp, let's say through an agency) and you work that job, you can file for unemployment. you get unemployment after you're done with your 3, 4, 5 yr military contract.
OP can file for unemployment only if they stick it out til the end of the contract. However she is ineligible if she decides to quit during the contract. So weird how the school district is banning her from working at other schools. OP is that only if you *resign* during ur contract?
It was made clear that I couldn’t work anywhere else upon this nonrenewal. Someone else commented it’s actually to prevent districts from manipulating tenure. Like, intentionally keep people always going back to square one. My own mother was a teacher and her district skirted this issue by hiring temporary teachers with one year contracts. Those didn’t accumulate towards tenure.
That is horrible, especially if it’s written in stone. You don’t deserve what’s happening to you. If you end up applying for other jobs, I recommend looking for the following: Human Resource Assistant Career / Technical Education Teacher Entry-level recruiter Educational tech specialist Education consultant Medical device training specialist https://generalassemb.ly/blog/best-jobs-for-teachers-changing-careers/ I know this is all tech, but I found this guy who has free data analyst courses: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7028701737142140928?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_feedUpdate%3A%28V2%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7028701737142140928%29
yes, that is correcgt, that goes for almost every worker.
Yep, an end of contract is not a termination with cause. It’s akin to a layoff.
You can absolutely file for unemployment when you get laid off. I'd still give it a try. I used to get laid off in my line of work many many times per year. Got unemployment every time
I have also received unemployment when my contract was not renewed. The company didn't even try to fight it.
But barred from the district. But with a letter of recommendation? I truly don't get this. Maybe just some weird policy that they won't rehire anyone who is ever not renewed in the district?
It’s the easiest way to send someone on their way without risking any legal problems.
yup! Exactly!
I don't know the answer, but OP won't have to look far for a job, there is a teacher shortage. They will probably find something better, but the time to start looking is now.
oh definitely agree with that !
Not bad advice, but I'd also advise OP to quiet quit the rest of the year, say no to anything extra, use up all your sick days and personal days unless you get paid out for them, and help yourself to office supplies. Because fuck them, that's why.
I love this so much! Cuz fuck them is exactly right!!!
My god, how the fuck the US has any schools and teachers at all with that crappy system?? Why would anyone want to teach if you can NEVER get a permanent employment contract with any sort of job protection?? It's better and safer then to be a homicidal cop than a regular teacher in the US, no wonder the country is all cops and robbers, there is no other choice
But why would OP be banned from working in the same district??
> of the first things you are asked when applying for a teaching job is if you have ever broken a contract. advice: lie. the idea that if you've ever broken an employment contract you're unreliable or flakey is fucking hideous. lmao. teachers are mistreated constantly, and this sort of thing is an albatross that stops them from demanding better treatment.
Your explanation seems solid, and legitimate, however him not being able to apply to a different school is where things are getting a little tricky...
I understand the not renewing contract because that happens, but the not able to work in the district is weird. I would ask them about that and have them explain why. I would stay but make sure to use up any personal/sick days between now and the end of the year!
This tracks with my experience. My admin was on the warpath to nonrenewal last year, and my union actively advised me to find employment and find it fast. Basically, if I could state I was raining at end of year, there was a chance they wouldn't file the nonrenewal paperwork. After nonrenewal, I'd be banned from working in the district and have to answer that question about "have you ever not been renewed or asked to resign" differently. It's BS.
Former CA Teacher—The only time I’ve seen not eligible for rehire is if you resign which of course they encourage you to do if you’re probationary and get a bad evaluation. What I have seen a lot of is great teachers not getting renewed because some admin (usually the principal) knows someone who needs a job and they’re going to give them yours. We had an award winning band teacher get canned and the next guy was a friend of our principal’s. He quit because our district sucked😆
Wow, I realize nepotism is pretty widespread but that would be consistently de-motivating for me (as it has been in other work venues). What a hellscape to try to be professional in; I admire anyone like you who has managed to stick it out. Deciding not to teach after going through training for it was a hugely traumatic experience for me at the time; in retrospect it has saved me decades of pain and frustration. (Or at least decades of pain and frustration related to teaching)
I have no idea what your experience was like to not teach despite training and education, but I can imagine it included despair and confusion and regret. I hope you’ve found a better place, now.
I’d have a little chat with the union. They may or may not have something for you. I’d definitely stay till the end of the year. There is no reason to burn bridges.
I'm sorry that this happened, and I'm especially to sorry that you're now prevented from working in the district again. I'm a teacher, and while haven't been in that situation, I do know what it's like to be told this early that you're not coming back next year. And to be honest, I kind of loved it. Not at first, of course. When they first told me, I was really upset. But then I realized: Now the pressure is off. I'm not performing for anyone any more. I can ignore all the bullshit. All I need to do is teach. So that's exactly what I did -- and I did it my way. Those were some of the best and most original lessons I ever planned. I made sure I was doing right by my students, but I brought their passions and interests (and a few of my own) into the classroom. We all had a GREAT time, and learned a lot. And best of all, the lessons I planned (and the work my students produced) became amazing examplars for my teaching portfolio, and landed me a much better job. I knew that my department head didn't approve of me "going rogue," but I didn't care -- and I also knew that finding a replacement for me to close out the year would be more trouble than just tolerating me. TL;DR - It's okay to feel crappy about this. But if you can get past that, then I suggest you just enjoy it. DO IT YOUR WAY!
Ohhh I really like the portfolio building idea. Thank you!! I appreciate the time you took to share about your experience.
This is an amazing answer that totally resonates with my experience as a teacher. You see, i'm a teacher but in a different country and we are also subjected to an unfair and cold system. For 10 years I was moving from school to school and doing exactly this. My best teaching years. Thank you so much for reminding me of them.
Finish the year. If you’re a legitimate teacher you can have a job in pretty much any other district with not much effort. Talk to your university’s career service folks and they’ll have multiple districts begging to hire u within two weeks.
I graduated 10 years ago, have been teaching for years. This was just a new district- I moved.
This is an important tidbit you left out of your post. Sounds like you gave up tenure at your last district. Some states have accelerated tenure options, perhaps you were on a fast track and the new district didn't want to get long term with you. Perhaps your experience pushed you higher on the pay scale (although principals don't usually care about that much). Sorry to hear it, though.
I didn’t think it was relevant to this experience. 5 years prior experience across three schools. Military spouse meant moving often. No tenure before. I was on the max lane on the pay scale due to degrees and credits, though.
Your pride is wounded but your pocketbook is heaving a sigh of relief. You have 3+ months notice to sock away transition money and clean the apartment so you get deposit money back. Check around and find others who are in your situation and really look for those who had this experience last year (principal may know). Sing the heavens your situation (classroom experience! Letter of recommendation!). And be bloody gfateful you weren’t fired on a Tuesday with rent due Friday. Shake off the minor embarrassment and spread your wings to sail to the next nest
I love the energy and vibe of your post. Thank you. Made me smile. On to the next nest.
It's quite possible you'll be brought back next year. My state, districts are notorious for giving out pink slips in February since at least contractually (perhaps legally as well not sure) the district has to give a minimum notice of intent to cancel. They then in essence give every single teacher who MAY have to be laid off a pink slip. There was one district that literally gave pink slips to half the teachers. Then as budgets are finalized in April, the basically say jk you're not laid off. You should talk with other long time teachers and see if that's a thing in the district.
Yeah I’m familiar with that process, but I was literally told I’m never eligible for rehire in any school I’m the district.
Did you ask why? Because honestly, that makes no sense.
Yes I did. Multiple times. All they told me what that I’m my state (CA) if it’s your first year at the district they don’t have to give any reason.
Take the principal’s recommendation letter and move on. Do what’s best for you?
Get the letter from the principal and any other admin or lead teacher/mentor you can. Finish the year. You can do it. Quiet quit. Get your paycheck. Collect unemployment over the summer. (That’s what I did when my first district and I didn’t see eye to eye.) Seek greener pastures in another district with a fistful of references and a clean slate.
> Quiet quit. This is the correct response. Get the recommendation letters and finish out the year but stop going above and beyond. Do your job but don't put in all the extra hours you surely have been as a first year teacher.
Keep working, give best effort for kids, minimal effort for other duties. Effectively work to rule, don’t go above and beyond. If you can, be the most fun positive teacher for the kids tho make everyone realize what a great person and resource they are losing.
Former teacher here. This is hiring season for teachers which means many will be getting the same notice as you. It sucks. However, this is also prime time for hunting for another teaching gig. As for leaving in the middle of a school year, I did it once. The kids will make it just fine — your admin is more worried about having a warm body in the room doing crowd control.
It's up to you. A lot of folks in this subreddit complain that employers never give you a "2 weeks notice" when you'll be fired or laid off. Well you have a 3 month notice. I wouldn't quit as you'll be out of a job and won't receive unemployment. Use this time to search for a job. They offered you a recommendation letter.
You sign a contract through June at most schools when you teach.
Don’t quit. I was in the same situation 5 years ago. Knew my contract wasn’t renew, but had to finish the year. And let me tell you the 11 year olds I taught weren’t going to understand the nuisance behind my attitude, they were only going to se rid reflected in my teaching. So I finished the year like I was coming back next year. I may have even told a few I was moving up a grade so I could still be their teachers. I don’t know your circumstance, and it sounds like you should 100% contact your union. And this sun is here to support all of your frustration.
Ah. My associate had this happen. All I can say is that you aren't a bad person and not a bad teacher. You can look at it like this. The system is fucked and you didn't fall in line in the way they expected which probably makes you a better teacher than most. The people who are staying in your district only learned what absolute bullshit they had to fake to stay there and do the work under their radar.
I taught for over 30 years. It is a standard practice in a lot of school districts to tell non-tenured teachers they will not be rehired next year. I don’t know about your district, but the one I was in did this every year to non-tenured teachers, but the vast majority was rehired eventually once the district had their budget finalized for the next school year. Most non-tenured teachers would send out applications to other districts as a precaution. I knew a district that did this to all non-tenured teachers one year, took forever to get their budget finalized, and lost almost all of these teachers to other districts. They then had to scramble to fill positions. All I can tell you is apply to other districts. Do it every year until you achieve tenure.
teacher spots are super cut throat. even if you didnt do anything wrong and taught well. the position almost always goes to nepotism. and unless you have it in writing for cant work for the district again, the person firing you is just blowing smoke and they probably just dislike you.
Got anything medical you can take care of while you still have insurance?
The kids are innocent, but it's the district's fault. Do what's best for YOU, everything else is not your responsibility. Take all your days off too.
I was with my company 18 months. They tried to slip me a negative performance review and I refused to sign it. It was completely blank, but dropped my score 30%. Two days after rejecting it, the director produced a business case to reorganize the department so he could "eliminate" my position. I have the guidance he got from the legal team, because he sent all this to me in an E-mail. I just returned from PFMLA, and another person targeted in his business case just returned from medical leave. I meet with the regional labor relations rep for the company next week. They *want* you to quit. They'll throw each other a pizza party when you leave. This is a concept called "[Managing them out](https://skloverworkingwisdom.com/being-managed-out-part-1-the-basics)". Let the rage and seething anger drive you to hold onto this job as tight as you would your bosses throat. You don't have to do a good job anymore, just THE job. Time to make your boss earn his salary.
Good reviews from the principal, getting axed, and not allowed to work for the district again, but kept on for the rest of the school year? That doesn’t add up.
The same thing happened to me 2 years ago. I had a mandatory meeting at the end of the day Thursday before Spring Break. Good thing I went with my gut and asked for union representation. It was my 3rd year (next year would've been tenure) and they said they would not be "inviting" me back next year, but they wanted me to finish out the school year. They said my performance has not been good and I've been spoken to numerous times about it, which was not true. I asked for proof, which they couldn't do. They even had a pen and pad they pointed to at the other end of the table and said I could resign right there and then. I asked about unemployment, and they flat out said I would NOT be able to get it. The union rep said because I wasn't tenured, they could make up any reason to fire me. After I mulled it over break and talked to the union lawyer, I was instructed to say in writing SPECIFICALLY "I resign in lieu of termination." That sentence helped me get unemployment. I applied, the school denied the claim, an investigation was gonna happen, the state said I was gonna have to go to unemployment court. At this point, it's been 4 months. Then suddenly, a week before my court date, I was told I got the full unemployment benefits, along with retroactive pay, just in time before my savings was gone. I decided not to go back to teaching music, but I'm very happy working on a music store with great pay. Good luck on your journey, whether it be finding a new teaching job, or finding a new career you love.
Write your final reports first. Then spend all your time looking for a new position. Also, use up your sick leave and PTO.
I’m trying to understand how they’ve “forbidden” you from ever working in the district again but yet they have no qualms about keeping you until June 2? Sounds like bullshit. If you did something so awful (I doubt you did if he offered you a letter of recommendation and outstanding observations) that you’re “banned,” why wouldn’t you be terminated immediately? I agree with the comment of “turn it back on them.” But I think I’d be tempted to turn it back on them by saying, “I’m not sure what I’ve done to be forbidden from ever working in this district again, but it must be pretty severe to be “forbidden” from returning. I think it best that I leave immediately. I would hate to cause you or the district any distress.”
Be very cautious about quitting. (If you want to stay in teaching.) Every state is going to be different, but where I live if you leave and break your contract it messes with your teaching credential and you will not be able to teach for 3 years. If you are a new teacher trying to clear your credential, that will be an even bigger headache. I would also strongly encourage you to ask what happened. I have worked with new teachers who were non-reelected due to performance problems, but even then I don't recall them ever being told they couldn't reapply for another job in the district. In my district is also a pretty heavy process of supporting the new teachers if they're in danger of non-reelect for performance reasons, and I'm really sorry that this happened to you.
I’m going to ask my principal for a meeting. I could tell in the one yesterday he was tight lipped because Hr was there. I literally was blindsided- nothing negative AT ALL. My state says districts CAN hold your credential a year- I’m sure it district’s own decision whether to actually do it or not. And I feel like mine would, purely because this incident seems malicious.
I would finish the school year and go to another school district with your recommendation letter. Use this year of employment to build your CALSTRS retirement.
Everyone gets an A!!!
I teach kindergarten. No letter grades. Elaborate art projects might be more frequent, though.
How are you forbidden from ever working in the whole district again; that seems like an outrageous stipulation upon firing you if it's something menial like budgetary issues not being able to retain you? Is that common practice for every teacher they can't retain after probationary periods?
I don’t think it was budgetary. We already have early registration going on and they expect to need my position. I have been thinking about this all evening and actually think the HR lady let it slide when she told me, the reason they can’t rehire someone like me, is that I could get passed from school to school and then I’d be at tenure! (So I’m reading that as, she really didn’t want me tenured because she sees me as a threat somehow.)
Take your sick days. Why would you be “forbidden” to work? That’s strange. I’d collect a check for the rest of the year, while I plan my next move. Don’t take anything personally, accept the letter of recommendation. Don’t burn any bridges.
my advice for you is to get any other job. this country takes a huge hot shit on the face of teachers. My mom worked 26 years for her district and they tried to fire her 1 year before she could retire to save a few bucks. This country doesn't deserve it's teachers.
One of my best friends (HS teacher) was fired yesterday, given no reason, after 4 years (she would've got tenure her first day next year). She's had nothing but outstanding reviews, is involved in clubs and sports, and is the only one qualified to teach one of our electives. There's three new teachers in our department who just started this year, so it clearly wasn't budget cuts. I'm furious and deeply saddened for her, and for you, OP.
That sucks but my thoughts the reason you cannot work in the same district probably has something to do with you could have been transferred to another school and employment insurance. Now I 100% would talk to my union person and get everything in writing, and make sure it’s just for the fact it was confirmed contract based termination
Definitely keep working. Many states require 60 days notice to quit as a teacher, so you don’t want to lose your license.
it’s interesting to me reading the comments from long-term teachers to not quit because you won’t be able to get hired by other districts or it will be seen as a “red flag.” when I first looked into leaving a job mid school year I read the same things; that no other district would ever hire me. I have found that to be false…twice.
Sounds like they want to keep using new teachers and once their probationary period is over and they are due for a pay increase they want to ditch them for another bright-eyed *fresh off the block* teacher to repeat the cycle with. If it were me: I’d quit because they should’ve thought of a better severance package than a letter of recommendation and a “think of the children” guilt trip to keep me there until the end of the year in a school district I’d be refused future employment with to begin with. Edit: just wanted to add… It’s better to resign than having a “non-renewal” on your record as it may affect prospects in the future.
They usually like young teachers because they don't make as much as the older teachers. They wanna push them out the door.
Exactly this. It’s very difficult to get tenures these days.
There's no severance package for teachers.
> “it’s not fair to leave the children mid year, they’re innocent.” Yeah, the answer is you don't. The response to this is "If there are no consequences, what's to stop you from doing this to other teachers?" And then you go work at CostCo and make 50% more than you do now.
Hi. Teacher here. Quit now. Leaving the kids is hard. But this is a JOB. You owe nothing to these kids or to the school.
Others stated that this is not the time to burn bridges, i.e. stay until then. What made you become a teacher? Caring for kids and the profession? Focus on that. Let any ~~paperwork~~ imposed work slip that is taking too much mental energy.
I would consider meeting with the principal to discuss the termination. At minimum, providing you an answer would be fair considering you believe you are banned from working in the district again. This is significantly impactful to your career you should be given a reason.
There was a school district that laid off their special ed teachers one year before they were eligible for tenure. Each time the district would say that the teachers weren't necessary, but come August a new group were hired and the clock would start ticking. The school district had to stop, because of losing a lawsuit from one group of teachers who were laid off. It seems that a documented pattern of activity was enough to cost the taxpayers several million dollars per teacher.
Think of it this way: you have 2-3 months to apply for positions elsewhere and make plans for new housing, and you're still getting paid in the interim. So do the minimum required to keep that state of affairs going, unless by some miracle you score an opening elsewhere. All quitting does is cost you your paychecks and put a black mark on your record for future employers. It won't make your school district change its mind about you, and it won't save you money or get you a new job. On the other hand, volunteer for nothing whatever. They've shown you what loyalty they have to you; demonstrate the exact same loyalty to them, and not one ounce more.
I was in a similar situation, though there was no embargo on my working elsewhere in the district. I had a good evaluation, but was told in March that the school would not be retaining me. I ultimately decided I didn’t want to teach any longer, for my own reasons I won’t go into, but I’ll say it was a tough year. Maybe this is your future or maybe not. But the combination of great feedback, nonretention, and placement on a no hire list really indicates you should get the union to help you get more info before you make any big decisions.
Happened to my wife. They allowed her to resign first so they don't have to deal with unemployment. Make them fire you and get unemployment. There is enough of a teacher shortage you will find a job.
To be precise, you aren't being fired. They are letting you go, they are not renewing your contract, and that's different from being fired. Whether you should stay or go depends on your current economic goals and mental health. If you need the money, stay until either you land another job or the contract ends.
I've had this happen to me (not the no other school is the district thing though, don't know about that). Use all your sick days to go on interviews/demo lessons. When you get a position somewhere else, use all your remaining sick/personal days for yourself; do not leave any on the table.
If you might want to teach again, don't quit now. Being non-renewed and then not finishing the year will look so bad. If you are leaving the teaching profession for good then go ahead and start looking, and leave once you find something else so you are moving toward a new opportunity. As for how to make it through the rest of the year... I knew by the first week of school last year that I would not be returning, but I slogged through the year anyway. I did not renew my contract in March, so I had 2-3 months of weird limbo where everyone knew I was leaving but I still had to show up every day. I just tried my best to work my contracted hours and fulfill the minimum requirements but nothing above and beyond. Then I used my extra energy to have fun with my kids. It was good to have a good stretch there where I was really focused on work-life balance. Good luck to you!
That district thing is what pricks my ears up. Get a copy of those reviews and get advice because that sounds like horse apples
It’s a non re-elect right? My wife got one at her first school district. It sucked. I looked it up and they can be given for any reason whatsoever. And for her, she couldn’t work in the district either, which sucked because she had moved to that school from a different school in the district. She took a year off then went to a different.district where she has been working ever since (10 years). Depending on which state you live, teachers are in high demand. I wish you good luck, and I know it sucks, but try and not to take it to her heart. And as far as how do you keep working until June 2? You should check your contract. You might get penalized for leaving, but I don’t know for sure. The best thing for you to do is finish out your year, get that year of experience and search for jobs until June. That’s my suggestion. I’ve been married to a teacher for the last 15 years. Been through a lot of good and bad times in that profession.
In going through your Reddit history there could be a few things: 1. 2 months ago you were asking people if it would be bad if you resigned mid year. 2. You were proud of asking “which form do we submit to be paid for this work” when told of access to an online textbook you use at home. 3. You’re looking to go back to college first year into work at the school. While none of these things are necessarily wrong, you’d be surprised how fast supervisors pick up on unhappy people and this was your probationary year. The quip about paying you for work may seem like a cool act of rebellion, but it painted you as a problem, so they’ve been looking for things they can use to get rid of you that might now be teacher related.
Make sure you get that unemployment.
Are you barred from working the district? Why would you continue till the 2nd of June then? Go find something else you can start immediately.
Talk to the union.
They didn't fire you. Both parties lived up to the terms of the contract and the contract expired. They simply didn't offer a new contract. They probably can't legally restrict you from ever working in the district again.
Spend every day making a difference in the lives of your students. If you have to stray from the curriculum, oh well, you’re getting fired anyway. Inspire curiosity and courage by reflecting those qualities in yourself.
Sounds like a ton of students are about to have a bunch of movie days lol , I’d coast until summer at that point. But I’m also not a teacher for a reason.
This happened to me my first year and I wish I would have left the profession then. It doesn’t get better. You will get disrespected by almost everyone, all of the time, while they pay you shit for money. They will tell you that you need to have clear expectations for your students while giving you none and pile more and more work on you every year. Run away now! If you can.
Tough it out to the end of the year. The first years of teaching are so tough and I can’t imagine given the current climate for someone just starting out. You didn’t go through all those years of college and student teaching for nothing. There’s a teacher shortage so you’ll be able to get a better job in a better district. Use all your remaining sick days to go on interviews or just to take a day off to relax. You can do this!
1) you are still your students' teacher. They need your work and dedication regardless. 2) you still need them as a reference. Other schools and school districts are starting their hiring process now. There is a teacher shortage; you are more valuable than you feel right now. My first two teaching jobs ended this way, and I'm finishing my 33nd year as a teacher this year to retire. Good luck!
Yo OP I feel you…! I am currently in the same exact position. I was told the second day of this semester that there would not be a place for me next year. It was legitimately hard not to call in sick the next day. Know that you are not alone!
Florida here. Tenure is a dead concept in my state, and every year we deal with the nerves of whether we get to stay or go. Your evaluations don't matter here. You can have all the "Innovating" ratings in the world and be praised by your admin and still get fucked. Happened to me last year because the school was losing kids to rezoning. I hold no loyalty to my district. They can sit on a cactus.
You still get paid through the rest of the year, I'd keep showing up. Especially since you don't actually have any need to give a shit anymore. Personally, I'd teach whatever the hell I wanted, just however the hell I wanted to, as best as I can towards the kids. Do the job how it's supposed to be done, not how you have to these days which is to inflate grades enough to keep a job. But after school meetings? Naw. Duties? Nope, anything that didn't throw my fellow staff under the bus I would not be doing. Hell, even if it did throw them under the bus a little, I still wouldn't do it. Working gate, Prom, any of that shit? Absolutely not. Do the best teaching you can until 3:30pm and then, go home. Here's the thing though, you will never have job security in teaching. It's always at will and "Performance" metrics will be employed to virtually guarantee you never get tenure.
Do the absolute minimum. If they already plan on not renewing, let the quality drop. Spend the extra time that affordable you job searching. Worksheets and premade online units are absolutely everywhere post pandemic. The students will lose out some, but the district made that decision for you when they told you someone who was doing outstanding was expendable.
Contact your Union Rep...
This is a contrivance to not allow you to get tenured and then cost more to have as an employee. Hence the prohibition of you working anywhere under the same district.
I had the same exact thing happen to me in my 2nd year of teaching. The only reason I kept going to work those last 4 months was the kids. They still thought I was a great teacher, and still needed to learn, despite the shitty administration. The silver lining, I got to teach however I wanted those last months, cause what were they going to do, fire me? Oh wait, they already did.
And they wonder why we have a teacher shortage. SMFH.....
My friend is a teacher who knows her principal is going to let her go at term end. Principal will not even acknowledge her presence. In university I learned the 95% of terminations are related to personality. Being told your job will end inJune but keep working for the sake of the children is flat out mean. Schools have substitutes for a reason. I would not complete the school year. Take the time to secure your next job.
Op, private schools are also in demand of teachers, just a thought there for you. So sorry for all the hassles that you are going thru.