What can I do about this principal?

Question

My contract was not renewed after one year of teaching (not my first year however). I received favorable evaluations (twice) and never a word negative re ANYTHING...in fact, did receive accolades because of some technology I found that has been implemented schoolwide. I was called in one afternoon and simply told "we are not asking you back" and when I asked why I got "I am not at liberty to discuss that". I have gone to Personnel and she pulled out the statutes (FL) that show that legally, yes, he can do this. It is SO hard, though, because now FL is in a budget crisis and there is practically NO hiring, and when I DO get an interview they inevitably want to know why I am not at that school after just one year. Help! WWYD?

Answer 1

Wow! It sounds like your principal has a "people skills" problem.  IF you are being cut because of money constraints, s/he should just tell you that, instead, s/he leaves you to feel helpless. What a t**d! Even if you are part of a union, you are screwed. You only have staying power after three continuous years in a district.  

If it were me, I'd get a couple of positive letters from your colleagues...department chair, etc.  Get their numbers for references, too.  Go to the district and apply for anything and everything that you even remotely are qualified to teach.  This may mean taking on subjects that horrify you, but again, until you have the three years in, you are powerless.  If you go to a different district, the one year under you belt counts for SQUAT!

I've taught for 13 years now, trust me, administrators get no better over time...unless you are willing to schmuze them and that leave a bad taste in your mouth, mostly because 99% of principals are idiots.  They don't remember what it's like to be in the class, and they could care less about you being able to pay your bills.  Look, if you have any other option than teaching, I suggest you take it.  Teachers' benefits and pay are nothing to embrace.  We have to buy into our insurance plans in my state, even then it's 80/20--might as well be insures through Burger King!  The truth is, you can start working at a grocery story and withing 3 years be making as much as a teacher!

In conclusion, I'd forget about this pr*ck of a principal.  If you're dead set on staying in the teaching field, round-up all your leads, network with all the people you've met over the year and tell them you need a job and to keep a look out for you.  If you start bad-mouthing the principal, one of the weasels will rat you out and then you'll get black-balled, HARD! Sorry to lay it down like this, but I'm trying to give you the honest options.

Good Luck!

shawnesty

Answer 2

I'm really sorry to hear this. My main question is are you still employed by the same school district? If so, then are you in a Union?

My first step would be to seek out a Union Rep. They should be able to help justify and/or clarify your unexpected termination.

I hope you have copies of your favorable evaluations for evidence and for interviews.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Wow, sorry to hear.  Do you think there was any form of prejudice involved??  Did you not fit in with the 'politics' of this school.  How about that issue of technology that you were involved in....is it possible that you could have stepped on someones toes who has tenure??  Is it possible they can replace you with someone for less money?  Maybe they want to insert a relative/friend/ex-colleague?  Nepotism???  Think, maybe you can come up w/something.  It's hard for me because I'm way over here in California (lol).  I sincerely hope you come up with something, I totally understand about the job market in these times.  We'll pray for you.  Mary.

Answer 4

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  First, to answer your question, there is absolutely nothing you can do about your principal; he is acting within the law.  After only one year (your years elsewhere do not matter), they do not legally have to give you a reason; and it's better legally for them if they do not give you a reason at all.  This is standard procedure for teachers who have taught one year in a district.  I'm sure the district followed legal procedures and you received proper notice following legal time-lines in your state; believe me, it's rare for such an error to occur.  After two years in a district, by law, most states require that you give a reason (although the reason can really be about anything, so it's not really much of a consolation).  If I were you, since you were given no reason for non-renewal of your contract, for interviews I would something like, "I had only been in this district one year, and they evidently had to make budget cuts.  So they had to let me go."  And then I would go immediately into your successes at the school and start talking about your accomplishments.

Answer 5

If they're saying they're not at liberty to discuss it, it sounds to me like it's nothing you did.  Maybe there were budget cuts or a drop in enrollment.  If you were the low man on the totem pole, you would be the one to go, unfortunately.  I think that surely if it had anything to do with you personally, they would tell you.  When you go on interviews, take copies of your positive evaluations and the tech. that you helped to implement.  When asked why you're not there, simply be honest.  Tell them that you were not told why, then show them your positive examples.  Good luck!

Answer 6

I would consider re-locating and using that as the reason I'm no longer at that school.  Or adding a new subject authorization to my credential (if secondary) or a specialist credential for reading dev or spec ed (if elementary) to make myself more marketable.

You are also in a great position to play up what is good about your situation.  As an experienced teacher, you have more to offer a school because you've shown you can handle the first years of teaching (remember, many teachers quit after this) and you know what you're doing.  Yet, you are not too expensive to hire as a ten year vet would be.   So be sure to express that to prospective employers.  

Be sure to get letters of recommendation, including from that principal.   He might give you one despite the circumstances, so you should try.

P.S. I'm in California -- it is budget crunch time here, too, so I am in the same boat as you.  Only I really did move 3 hours from my last school, giving up a 4 year tenure and job security because I wanted to get away from the city . . . I'll know when school starts if this was a good decision or not.

Answer 7

I'd go see the superintendent of instruction or director of education - did you not get visited by either of them in your classroom through the year? You could also contact school board members and speak with them.

Also, check with your union rep.

Good luck to you.