Announcement

**sgtfuzzbubble011** · 7 January 2009, 02:10

I'm really sorry to hear that things are so bad for you right now. I wish there was something I could do to help. The only thing I can think of at the moment is to try and relocate to a more populated and economically stable area, but I'm sure that'll be difficult without any source of financial income to support such a move. Have you given any thought to changing careers into a field of work that's not slowing down so badly? I know that'd be an extremely tough thing to do, but it might be an option as well.

**k_rock923** · 7 January 2009, 03:41

I'm sorry to hear that, Ted. Let me know of anything I can do to help.

**iomegajaz** · 7 January 2009, 05:41

Prospective employer schools must realise that "resignation" and "non-renewal" are not necessarily negative terms, when screening applicants who've been employed as teachers before.

Time to get a new job. You know the drill - get those applications going. Don't let yourself become a victim. Good luck.

**Wildrose-Wally** · 7 January 2009, 10:39

You're not far from Canada. Take a look at the teacher situation north of the 49th. Maybe you'd fit in.

**P$ycHo™** · 7 January 2009, 15:19

that sucks man. isnt there some law in the us like we have that you can not be fired as a teacher?

**gaekwad2** · 7 January 2009, 16:03

What kind of pep talk does one give a licensed counselor?

**iomegajaz** · 7 January 2009, 18:55

Originally posted by gaekwad2
What kind of pep talk does one give a licensed counselor?

**Warrior of the Light** · 7 January 2009, 19:04

I wish I could say something to cheer you up but I can't.

A non-renewal sounds better to me because youÂ´d not be fired because you are bad at what you do, but just because they canÂ´t afford you, plus that youÂ´re one of the newest people around.

Make sure you add to your resumÃ© (sp?) that you had to stop working because of the financial problems of your school, not because youÂ´d be a bad teacher.
And indeed, get those applications going.

I hope youÂ´ll find the job you were hoping for in your old thread.

**swingdjted** · 7 January 2009, 21:32

Still getting advice from the NEA as to how to handle this. The board meeting is Monday, and I'll probably have to choose between non-renewal and resignation by then.

@ W-W ~ One step ahead. 11 actually. Since the news was officially given to us (Monday at the end of the work day), we've filled out nearly 100 applications (needless to say I haven't slept much). Eleven of the of them were in Canada (one was even in your province in Red Deer, Alberta).

@G2 - That's a very interesting question.

I must say, it's better to know now than at the end of March which is the deadline to notify teachers of non-renewal. I'm hoping we'll find another place to work by next school year because of that.

Thanks for all the kind words. They are very much appreciated.

**fc*uk** · 7 January 2009, 22:08

I'm sorry to hear about your news.

And seriously consider Canada. If everything goes as planned, my wife and I are also thinking of defecting to Canada once she finishes her training. In many ways, life there could be a lot better than here.

I also would have to agree with WOTL on his opinion about non-renewal.

And, don't worry about what a resume looks like in terms of job loss. I don't know how many people I speak for when I say this, but I tend not to let opinions form in my head about a candidate before I interview them. If I see that they have moved around alot but they still look great for the job, I bring them in and give them a chance to explain. If they truly are only good for dead weight, it will show during the interview. Ya can't judge someone from what is written on a piece of paper.

Good luck to you

**swingdjted** · 8 January 2009, 00:01

Well, I just got back from a meeting with our union president. She has spoken with the district's business manager and superintendent and here's the news:

If I choose resignation, Renee and I would have to pay exactly 30% of our sign-on bonuses (which were $2000 each) back to the district. In other words it would cost exactly $1,200.00 for us to resign.

If I were to be "non-renewed", I would not be responsible for repaying any of our sign-on bonuses.

This is because the language of the sign-on bonus contract reads "If teacher chooses not to meet this [three year] obligation, then the cost to the district of providing this financial incentive or assistance shall be repaid..." The word "chooses" makes me pay back if I resign but doesn't if I get "non-renewed". The reason it's 30% is because of a later paragraph that says less than one year of service, 100% payback, after one year 60%, after two years (which is where I will be) 30%.

So, long story short it'll be "non-renewal".

The next thing I need to figure out (by asking a regional union representative) is how to go about asking my superintendent to write a short signed letter explaining that I was let go for the reason of a financial crisis and for no other reason. If I can get a hold of that, I'll look better to an interviewer.

**k_rock923** · 8 January 2009, 00:56

I'm not a hiring manager but your having that letter would impress me as much as its contents.

**aFfLiCtEd** · 9 January 2009, 05:39

Originally posted by swingdjted
The next thing I need to figure out (by asking a regional union representative) is how to go about asking my superintendent to write a short signed letter explaining that I was let go for the reason of a financial crisis and for no other reason. If I can get a hold of that, I'll look better to an interviewer.

Seems to me, that would be an automatic given. When you're let go, some sort of reason is usually in writing but I'm not familiar with unions.
Sorry to hear about your demise. No more than I know about you, (just by reading your posts') I'd hire you just for your level of intelligence. BUT, you're over qualified for the position I have open for a handyman that only pays $10.00 an hour.
I wish you & yours the best of luck in your future.

**swingdjted** · 9 January 2009, 06:18

So far, 7 full time teachers, 3-4 full time aids chopped. More likely will take the hit.

We're lucky that we don't have kids at the moment. I'd hate to be a kid whose parents both just lost jobs. We've filled out several more applications - down to about 15-20 per day. I think what will happen is that one of us will get a job in a certified position, we'll have to move for it, and the other will just have to search that community for something similar to what you posted.

Correction to first post - I meant less than $30,000 per year or less when mentioning the teacher salaries (which is very much lower than other areas). Most states start at above $30K and go up quite a bit for advanced degrees and experience, but our district was paying <$30K for people with 20 years in or 5 years and a masters degree.

Although it's hard on us, it's going to be far worse for the students of this district that did absolutely nothing to deserve this. Renee and I have what it takes to at least remain stable through this, but those kids are pretty much stuck where they are.

Thanks for the compliment, but if my winamp posts are considered intelligent, this world is in trouble.

Announcement

:-(

:-(

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment