Can NYC Department of Education rescind a job offer even if it was not your fault?

Question

I was hired to be a elementary special ed. teacher for a school in one of the five bouroughs. When the principal offered the postion to me I reminded her that I will not have my certification until December. She said that it would be no problem and that she will put it in the system as having one deficit. I asked other professionals on Long Island if this can be done and they said the city does it but not on the island. Now I have the HR from NYC calling me that there are ways around it but the city is looking carefully at teachers who are not certified in specific areas. Can they rescind there offer even if this was not my fault or are they obligated to find a postion for me. I mean I turned a postion in Manhattan and have been turning down interviews. Any advice. Feeling very stressed.

Answer 1

Special Ed is a hardship area. That means they have trouble finding teachers to teach Special Ed. Particularly with a license in that specific job title.

If your certification will be in Special Ed, your principal might be able to make an exception for you.

I'm not certain about this, because it's changed in the past few years. But I believe that most principals would do this to fill a real hardship position!

But be careful. If the principal will do this for you, it might mean that it's a lousy position and/or a lousy school. Perhaps no one else wants the job? The first two years of teaching for the NYC DOE are the toughest, and Special Ed, particularly in certain schools, can be especially rough.

So be sure you really want this job.

If I was in the same situation, I would substitute teach for a few months, till you had your certification (does the DOE still let you do this before your certification comes through? They used to, but perhaps not anymore?) That way, you can find a school you really like, and where they really like you.

But no, they don't owe it to you to find you a position. You'll find that the DOE feels they owe their employees very, very little.  

Answer 2

Unfortunately the city is within its rights. The Department of Education can even dismiss a substitute teacher without cause. You can contact attorney and for a fee he will attempt to get the decision changed but I doubt if you will win.

Special Ed is a shortage area. Continue looking for a job, get over it and take the  classes and tests to become a permanently appointed teacher.