Thread: Fired and Embarrassed

Go find another school system and try again.

I really am ready to commit suicide

The abovementioned should not be an option. To quote Winston Churchill, "Death is the only thing there is no way out of." (He might have been quoting someone else, but that is beside the point). I can compile this for you about school administrators in general:
1. They want to do as little about discipline as possible.
2. You, the classroom teacher, will be expected to do as much discipline as possible.
3. High numbers of referrals to the office will usually bring bad karma to the teacher in some fashion, and high will be subjective.
4. Nepotism is a frequent hazard, but can also be your ally. Cultivate relationships with the powerful and positioned that don't disgust you personally, and all will be well.
These are all varying in degree. Like I said go to another school system, and try again. If you get the same result there, go try a community college. It might suit you better, and gives a chance to teach adults (who actually want to learn something). In any case, never give up. I do not know your religious background- you can follow the link below to a good place if you tend toward Christianity. It has been of some use to me, and it might you. Good Luck, and don't stop following your dream.

[url="http://www.dailyguideposts.org"]http://www.dailyguideposts.org[/url]

Oh Wow! Lyman!

JohnBoy gave you some great advice! There are lots of schools and districts. Math teachers are in terribly short supply. Look at some private schools. Community College is also a great option.

Just walk away from it and chalk it up as a bad experience. Like interviews, the first job often doesn't work out. It says nothing about YOU to get fired, and more about the job.

And quit mulling over WHY you got fired. Sure, someone may have been given an unfair shot at a job he or she didn't deserve, but it happens. It happens all over.

Every time someone fires you, it is an opportunity to find something better. So don't be bitter about it. If anything, the employer may have done you a favor.

....can only make me stronger.

Lyman, of course you are devastated. I would be too. This had to be a horrible experience.

And this was a PUBLIC school where this happened????

Look (and I am serious here); my school system (nuts, my school!) is always looking for math teachers every year. Math teachers are in short supply. In North Carolina, you can just about write your own ticket.

Don't let this experience sour you on teaching and we don't want to hear anymore of this talk of doing yourself in. NOT AN OPTION, my friend! How dare you leave the rest of us to explain polynomials!!! You got a lot of nerve!!!

Seriously, you come visit us as often as you want. GEt yourself back in order (and back in circulation); there are other opportunities out there. You WILL find one. Nuts...let me know. I bet I could find you one! Seriously!!!!

Listen to Bill & Johnboy.

Almost every teacher I know had a horrible first year teaching, I know I did. I seriously considered leaving the profession. That was 23 years ago.

A change in school & administrators can work wonders.

Texas always needs math teachers. In my school alone, we are going to need 5 - 6 in the next 2 years.

Thank you for all of your replies. When I go on other job interviews what do I tell them about losing my job?

Don't bother lying. 1. It's dishonest and 2. Your previous employers probably already documented their side of it. Your job will be to spin their side of it as nepotism and a totally unfair characterization of your abilities. Exactly what you posted in your first post is a good starting point. Anyone that has worked in education (or any arm of government, for that matter) is familiar with this sort of thing whether it has happened to them personally or not. If the people you are interviewing for are any good (and if they are neighbors of the system you just left) they will probably judge you on your own merits by their own criteria, not somebody else's. Of course, if they don't bring up your previous employment, don't be so uwise as to bring it up yourself. Other than that, just have a good interview. Good luck, be confident, and don't quit.