Thread: Treated unfairly because school is failing

Then she told me that my contract will not be renewed for next year because it "was a bad fit"

If you are not being renewed, you don't have to put in a resignation letter. Sounds like you might do better in some other school anyway- this one sounds like its going to h**l in a handbasket.

The best thing for you to do, in my opinion, is start looking for a new position someplace else. Right away.

Thank you for the response

If you are not being renewed, you don't have to put in a resignation letter.

Well, for this teaching job and my last one, it was suggested that I resign so a "non-renewal" does not appear on my record.

Well, for this teaching job and my last one, it was suggested that I resign so a "non-renewal" does not appear on my record.

As one who sits in on lots of teacher interviews, I see "non-renewed" as less questionable than "resigned". Funny how schools are that different.

Here "non-renewal" is very, very common for non-tentured teachers. In fact, a good percentage of our non-tenured teachers are "non-renewed" at least once. It does not come with any stigma at all . . . it's just that the school chose to let you go.

Granted, it's a good way to get rid of a teacher that's not a good fit for the school, but it's also often a money game. I was non-renewed three times in spite of having excellent observations. Once they closed the alternative school and had to absorb those teachers, once my job was no longer available, and once a teacher returned from a leave of absence. Each time I was rehired in the fall--same district, and once the same school--because there was a position available.

I do know a couple of former teachers who were let go and NOT considered for rehiring in the fall. This year our school hired a teacher who had been non-renewed at her old school.

Here the resignation is the one that we don't want to see. We had one teacher resign due to medical issues, and that wasn't any big deal. Another resigned due to an argument with the administration. Another resigned after being arrested in the school parking lot for being drunk.

Never once was I asked to write a resignation letter. It wasn't needed because I wasn't resigning. I was simply finishing out my contract. How long was your original contract? I don't think I'd want to write a resignation letter without more details.

I guess it depends on where you go. A non-renewal is a bad thing. A resignation is a good thing. Go figure.

Clearly it all depends on the situation so ask your union rep. Then look for a job. Sounds like this could be a blessing, except for the whole debt thing.

I was actually handed a form for resignation at this debriefing. At my last job I had to write one up myself, which was hard to do because I really loved teaching there.

Another first-year teacher was let go on Friday as well. I suspect that the school is ditching all the first-year teachers this year.

Unfortunately it is the first thought of a flawed administration to let the new teachers go in times of bad scores.

Improvement can only come when there is a clear vision, a clearly communicated direction, and solid understanding leadership. Leadership that is open and secure enough to listen to those in the trenches.

Today my principal finally gave me the written versions of my last three observations (one in December, one early February, and this last one).

It's amazing how different the last two observations are. The last one was complimentary and only gave a few suggestions. The other went on for a whole page of all the things I wasn't doing right, followed by an evaluation with some Satisfactory, three Needs Improvement, and one Unacceptable.

This comes after two trimesters of asking repeatedly for help and advice, since none of the suggestions were working. Basically my kids just walk right over me since there's no consequences. I've tried taking away recess, calling parents, sending a kid out of the room, office referrals, afterschool detention, but nothing has worked.

One of my Usual Suspects gathered some other 2nd graders during Lunch Recess. They pinned his friend while this kid pounded him. Another student got sent to another classroom and a third kid was sent to the office earlier today for disruptive behavior.

There's a school-wide problem with behavior here, especially the 2nd grade. Still, I get no support from the administration. Today I found out that nothing has been done about the girl who stole another student's glasses last week.

So I'm still angry, but I'm glad I get to go teach somewhere else now.

This made me think of how many new teachers are let go, due to failing schools? Mark said it right, when he said that failing schools need the new teachers. Obviously the old teachers can not handle improving, so new teachers need to give a fresh perspective to things.

As a teacher, I understand where you are coming from; however, children must be safe in their schools. If a teacher has no control over her class, then something must be done, regardless of whose fault it is. A school year is entirely too long for any student to sit in a classroom where students are doing the kinds of things you say they do in your class. Don't give up on teaching, for this entire experience is a learning experience. Your next job will be better because you have grown. You probably do need to get away from this toxic situation.