Should I return to former district? (government, class, teaching, salary)

[phonecup]

I was laid off three years ago and now my former district is offering me a non-classroom position because it does not have anything in my area of certification (foreign language). After being laid off I was able to find a position in a district that micromanages every second of our existence. I really don't like it there. If I go back I will have to return to school and earn additional certifications (student loans) and could possibly risk being laid off again. I never really thought of leaving the classroom (over a decade of experience) but the offer has me weighing my options. I used to love teaching but this new district has sucked the joy away with their "cutting edge" initiatives that have not done a thing to improve my teaching nor increased student achievement. I am not happy there. Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

[zthatzmanz28]

Chose your bliss. Life is short and has no guarentees. Just know that those cutting edge intitiatives are everywhere.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by phonecup

I was laid off three years ago and now my former district is offering me a non-classroom position because it does not have anything in my area of certification (foreign language). After being laid off I was able to find a position in a district that micromanages every second of our existence. I really don't like it there. If I go back I will have to return to school and earn additional certifications (student loans) and could possibly risk being laid off again. I never really thought of leaving the classroom (over a decade of experience) but the offer has me weighing my options. I used to love teaching but this new district has sucked the joy away with their "cutting edge" initiatives that have not done a thing to improve my teaching nor increased student achievement. I am not happy there. Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

I hear you on those "cutting edge" initiative. It's more like the bleeding edge.

One question I'd ask myself is where will those additional certifications leave you? Will they improve your employability should you be laid off again?

I agree on choosing your happiness. Life is too short to be miserable where you work.

[phonecup]

Originally Posted by Ivorytickler

I hear you on those "cutting edge" initiative. It's more like the bleeding edge.

One question I'd ask myself is where will those additional certifications leave you? Will they improve your employability should you be laid off again?

I agree on choosing your happiness. Life is too short to be miserable where you work.

I would earn librarian and reading specialist certifications.

[librarySue]

Lord have mercy, don't get a Librarian cert. Districts will cut librarian positions whenever possible.

Re: taking on debt to get a different cert......I would be very cautious about that.

I would do whichever is going to give me the highest pay so that I'd have some saved up for the lay-off OR the tuition, whichever you need.

[HappyTexan]

ESL, ELL, SPED is where the job security is at these days.

A report just came out from the census bureau..nearly 20% of Americans speak another language at home now, a 138% increase over the past decade.

SPED is government mandated and they can't cut back.
ESL, ELL will grow based on demographics of a changing America.

[Oldhag1]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

ESL, ELL, SPED is where the job security is at these days.

A report just came out from the census bureau..nearly 20% of Americans speak another language at home now, a 138% increase over the past decade.

SPED is government mandated and they can't cut back.
ESL, ELL will grow based on demographics of a changing America.

RTI will end up cutting SPED jobs and keep in mind the federal laws can always be changed.

[jmgg]

If you're miserable at your current school my first inclination would be to follow your happiness. However, if you foresee a high potential of being laid off again from the old district, don't even think about it. Being unhappy employed is still much better than the real misery of being unemployed and not being able to find work and pay your bills.

Make sure that you get some concrete assurances from your old district that this job won't end up like the last time you worked there.

Good Luck.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

ESL, ELL, SPED is where the job security is at these days.

A report just came out from the census bureau..nearly 20% of Americans speak another language at home now, a 138% increase over the past decade.

SPED is government mandated and they can't cut back.
ESL, ELL will grow based on demographics of a changing America.

I only wish that SpEd worked for me. Too old, too experienced, too FOG....

[MaggieC]

Some questions to think about:

1. Do you have tenure in your new district? Can you resume a tenured position in your old district?

2. Is the non-classroom position one in which you will still be on a teacher's salary scale?

3. What is your seniority in the language dept in your new district? (Could someone less senior to you be laid off first if they have cut-backs?)

4. Is your foreign language one that could potentially be eliminated?

5. Can you work on another certification (ELL) while you are in your current position?

6. Does your district give you any salary increase for additional credits earned? You could improve your chances for other positions in the district by adding another area of certification.

One last thought: Administrations come and go and their successors have different ideas. It may be wise to wait out the things you don't like in your present district.