...would you submit a letter of resignation and move on? I took a position as an English teacher at a private school where it has become increasingly clearer that there is no real leadership in place. The parents of the kids who have discipline problems are the ones who call the shots. Thus, the kids who would like to learn must daily put up with the loud, authority-resistant kids who often monopolize class time. I have built a rapport with several of the kids and have no desire to just abandon them, but I am being advised by family and friends that this school is a time bomb. The thought of leaving grieves me, but so does the thought of staying in these circumstances. The principal does not attend parent meetings, offers no support to teachers, and has been caught lying about the circumstances surrounding what appears to be a case of racial discrimination.
I love the kids, who are clueless to what a sinking boat their school has become. What would you do? Stay or go?
2006-10-02 18:26:09 · 8 answers · asked by scruffycat 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Actuakky, the teachers don't fear the administration. The teachers are pretty much there for the students. In the secondary department, I think the math teacher and I are the only state certified teachers among them. Another teacher is actually in the process of working on her certification. We five secondary teachers have challenged the admin on numerous occasions. I am the newest teacher at this school. None of us are in danger of being fired, as there is NO ONE lining up to replace us. There is not even a pool of substitutes...
2006-10-02 18:55:44 · update #1
Oh dear! It's late. "ActuaLLy," not actuakky. :-)
2006-10-02 18:56:39 · update #2
I am not looking for help in making a life changing decision. Am just fielding the question to see what other teachers think. Just looking for a perspective other than my own. There was no contract available until a month into the job. By then, I had documented the leadership problems and refused to sign the contract until certain basic support structures were provided (such as administrative follow-up for serious discipline infractions). There still is no follow-up, and so I still have not signed a contract. Staying or leaving is totally in my power, since there is no one to replace me. There are kids at our school with a history of violence, and they are the ones whose parents seem to call the shots. Staying there might provide some stability for the kids caught in the middle, but I fear it also condones the spinelessness of the "leadership."
2006-10-03 05:14:37 · update #3
I'm in my 24th year as a public school teacher.
I do not know what you should do, because I'm not there and you are. You could write a book, and it's still not like being there.
Obviously, it has you stressed-out enough to see the anonymous advice of total strangers (Yahoo Answers). Okay - I like Yahoo Answers, too, but I'm not sure it's the best place for a life-changing decision :)
It sounds like you need to talk to a professional counselor, clergy, etc. to help you clarify the situation. Maybe you already are, and are just using this forum to validate what they say. Once again, I don't know.
Based on the info you provide, I think I would (a) work out my contract, (b) prepare my resume, letters of recommendation, etc., (c) network in the local education community, and (d) resign at the end of my contract to seek employment elsewhere. I don't know if you have a contract or not, but my advice would be NOT to break that contract. If you DON'T have a contract, then work to a logical conclusion (the semester, the end of the school year, etc.)
I have worked in a school with below-average leadership, and it is certainly very frustrating. Having a bad job is like having a bad bed. You're going to spend several hours a day there, and if it is torture, then life is hard. There will be kids who "need" you just about anywhere. You have to work where you can be effective.
Hope that helps.
2006-10-02 23:12:56 · answer #1 · answered by Hope this helps 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me put it this way...
The administration fears the parents.
The teachers fear the administration
The parents fear the students.
The students fear no one.
It is a vicious cycle, caused by lack of caring. Your choice to leave a private school is up to you, but where will you teach? Perhaps a change in careers is in order...
2006-10-02 18:48:33 · answer #2 · answered by Gothic Martha™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a non-Christian... and that i'm godmother to 9 young infants. this concept that a non-Christian can not coach what Christians have faith is nonsense... in certainty, many non-Christians have a extra helpful draw close on what the bible easily does say collectively as some christians in basic terms stick to what's right to them to the bible and then teaches their idealism as certainty. at the same time with "we can heaven" isn't in the bible... isn't taught by utilising any of the so-observed as apostles and is not possibly even alluded to different than in references to "everlasting existence". The "streets of god" etc... is appropriate to the hot city on the hot earth... not in any heaven, yet many coach this doctrine as though it is in the bible. there isn't something incorrect with a non coaching a little one some faith. see you later as that's the place it is going and that they don't do the suitable opposite of what some christians do... some christians bypass out of their thank you to be sure their little one is a christian. some non's would bypass out of their thank you to be sure a little one hated faith. neither is healthy....
2016-12-15 18:48:19 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would move on as soon as possible. I would also talk to the kids that you have a rapport with and explain to them why you are leaving.
2006-10-02 18:32:36 · answer #4 · answered by jrsygrl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stay.
Ask yourself this: Are you needed more in that school, or in a school where everything is going well?
You can do some good there. It's like how firemen go to fires, police officers go to crime scenes, and paramedics go to accidents.
You're needed right where you are. Stay there.
2006-10-02 18:28:32 · answer #5 · answered by Jim 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bye bye, or else your professional reputation goes with the school. Then you are no use to future generations of children.
2006-10-02 18:29:32 · answer #6 · answered by teef_au 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would stay but then(being me) I would probably get fired, but for you I think you should send your claims to the board of education
2006-10-02 18:39:21 · answer #7 · answered by larryclay2006 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i thenk...yes
2006-10-03 03:15:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋