How much notice does a primary school teacher have to give before leaving their job?

Question

How much notice does a primary school teacher have to give before leaving their job?

Answer 1

That depends on where you are teaching. Read your contract and it should state it in there. Of course, if you have no plans of returning ever, you can leave whenever you feel like. But if you are leaving in hopes of returning again in the future to the profession, I would look into your contract or call human resources and speak to someone.

Answer 2

Technically you only have to give two weeks notice at any time, BUT if you really like your principal and you are hoping for the best possible recommendation, then you should give at least a month or two notice. I actually told my vice-principal and principal about two months before school let out. That way, by the end of the school year, they already have someone to replace me. They appreciated it.

Dont feel bad though if the school year is already out and you don't want to return. Just call and tell them sooner than later. Don't wait until a week or two before school to tell them because then they WILL be angry.

Answer 3

The rule of thumb is if you get paid every week, give one week notice.  If you get paid once every two weeks, give two weeks notice.  Most teachers get paid once a month, so give one month notice.

And incidentally, leaving your job, for whatever reason, does not make you any more or less professional than staying in it, being miserable, doing a bad job at it, or missing a better opportunity.  Regardless of what some may think, teaching is a business; if it weren't, there'd be no need for administrators to decide whether to give cost-of-living raises or not.  So treat it like a job.  There can be any number of reasons to leave a job -- better job somewhere else, care for ailing parent, relocate -- and there's no need to martyr yourself to the end of the school year.  Your students will be fine and your principal will find another teacher.

Answer 4

Please do not listen to the posters who are telling you to give two weeks, a month, etc. notice.  Most likely, if you attempt to quit mid-year, your teaching license will be suspended.  You are under a contract.  You cannot break the contract and quit midyear without severe repercussions.  

Since it is the summertime, quitting is easier.  I don't know if the July 10th date is a universal date or just the date around here, but in Ohio, you have until July 10th to quit.  After July 10th, if you have not resigned, then you must teach another year.  That having been said, most administrations will still allow you out of your contract throughout the month of July and perhaps into Aug., even if you've missed the deadline.

Answer 5

That's up to you... on how professional you are.

Answer 6

You let them know that this is not a good fit for you and ask them to help you problem solve... maybe there is another option at that site? If not you tell them that you can no longer do this assignment and are willing to stay for X amount of time and hope that they can find a replacement for you in that time.

Stay professional, be gracious and work to problem solve a win-win situation if possible...