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06-13-2011, 08:41 AM
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Location: Minnesota
888 posts, read 1,136,667 times
Reputation: 318
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Contract Not renewed...is do I call it a firing or dismissal or what?
My first year teaching was a challenging, but in many ways rewarding, one.
However, I learned in May that my contract was not going to be renewed. My question now, as I apply for new positions...was I fired or, if not, how can I word it so it doesn't sound like I was a bad teacher (which I know I wasn't, judging from the overwhelmingly positive feed back from my students, parents, and other staff members)? Can I put "district changes" for "reason for leaving?" or "administrative changes" or should I put "non-renewal" .... I'm at a loss...Help!  |
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06-13-2011, 08:58 AM
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132 posts, read 55,969 times
Reputation: 122
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It's pretty common for some districts to hire "1 year only" teachers b/c a teacher is pregnant or has a severe health concern. At the end of the year, the contract just ends.
I guess you could state that you met your one contractual obligations and now long term permanent employment.
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06-13-2011, 09:16 AM
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Location: 30% Brighton--60% Grand Rapids 10% on the road
6,103 posts, read 6,029,001 times
Reputation: 3854
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ask the admin about a reference? What would they say to a potential employer? Hopefully they are honest.
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06-13-2011, 11:41 AM
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Location: Minnesota
888 posts, read 1,136,667 times
Reputation: 318
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28
ask the admin about a reference? What would they say to a potential employer? Hopefully they are honest.
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I did and received a really nice letter of recommendation from my principal (before I learned of my non-renewal) and he did say that he would stand by what he said about me in the letter. He just stated that he didn't think I was a "good fit" for the school..hence the non-renewal. |
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06-13-2011, 11:43 AM
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2,596 posts, read 1,618,795 times
Reputation: 3771
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It depends on the circumstances. If you had glowing reviews but your program was cut due to budget cuts, that's pretty understandable. That's happening to many 1st and 2nd year teachers around here. What I do on my resume is to list the position and then a little blurb underneath it highlighting my best stuff, "Raised test scores from x to y, 15 students commended on the xxx National xxx Exam, named outstanding Rookie teacher of the year, received exemplary evaluation marks from supervisor, position unfortunately ended because of budget cuts at completion of term."
Something like that which shows a lot of positive and gives a brief, reasonable explanation would be best.
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06-13-2011, 11:44 AM
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2,596 posts, read 1,618,795 times
Reputation: 3771
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Froggie Legs
I did and received a really nice letter of recommendation from my principal (before I learned of my non-renewal) and he did say that he would stand by what he said about me in the letter. He just stated that he didn't think I was a "good fit" for the school..hence the non-renewal.
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Hmmm, that's trickier. So does the position still exist? |
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06-13-2011, 11:50 AM
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Location: Minnesota
888 posts, read 1,136,667 times
Reputation: 318
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h886
Hmmm, that's trickier. So does the position still exist?
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yes, it does. My co-workers, parents, and students, and I were shocked to hear I was not up for renewal...a few of my students even went to the principal to ask him to keep me and they started a petition and earned 72 signatures to keep me on staff, but to no avail. The only thing I heard that was a potential reason was through the grapevine that I was "too demanding" and "rocked the boat" when I asked why ball players and wrestlers were allowed to participate with failing grades in core classes. We had an outside observer come in and do an evaluation as an objective source and he said I was doing a great job as a first year teacher. My coworkers said I was "thrown under the bus." This is why I'm having a hard time understanding this.
on a plus side, I was just called for a phone interview for Wednesday..so there is hope  |
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06-13-2011, 01:10 PM
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1,249 posts, read 658,728 times
Reputation: 1187
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Froggie Legs
I did and received a really nice letter of recommendation from my principal (before I learned of my non-renewal) and he did say that he would stand by what he said about me in the letter. He just stated that he didn't think I was a "good fit" for the school..hence the non-renewal.
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The
Quote:
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He just stated that he didn't think I was a "good fit" for the school
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is usually an euphemism for thinking very poorly of you. I would not use him as a reference if I were you, just my two cents. |
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06-13-2011, 01:14 PM
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Location: Holmdel, NJ
13,066 posts, read 7,497,757 times
Reputation: 6234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Froggie Legs
He just stated that he didn't think I was a "good fit" for the school..hence the non-renewal.
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yeah, thats a problem. you know what he meant by not being a good fit? |
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06-13-2011, 02:37 PM
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15,336 posts, read 6,968,600 times
Reputation: 18127
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You pissed him off...the rule for first year teachers, is avoid administrators at all costs. Just keep a low profile, don't be popular, stay under the radar. Be quiet.
This is a lesson for your next job.
Now, the question is...do you still have a job with the school district? Can you find a job at a different school in the same district? If the school district says "not rehireable" then...you will have a tricky problem...Find out from HR if you can still work in the school district.
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