teachn1

Posted on 10/18/09

Thank you, sped, for your response. I think they hired me
because I have a Master's related to the subject and do have
college teaching experience. You're right that they would have
hired a certified K-12 or 5-8 teacher had that been a possibility
mid-year. I definitely understand their trepidation, especially
since I am feeling it, too.

Actually, the money isn't bad, only about $3500 less/year than
the public school system (I know that the difference is much
greater at other private schools), and the reputation of the
school is very good. I think they must have had more applicants,
so I am still trying to figure out why they hired me!

I appreciate your advice and insight. Thanks for your help.

>
> Well, like you said, you don't know how to teach this subject
> and grade level, so it's understandable that he is trying to
> reassure himself. I mean, if you think about it, he's just
> hired an unqualified person to do the job. However, he's hired
> you for a reason. Most "religious" schools don't pay very well
> at all. This is why they have to hire you, a never certified
> teacher with no K-12 experience. You view the money as good
> and are willing to take the job, so they hired you, but you
> must be aware that if they had someone educated as a teacher
> with a certificate willing to work there, they would've hired
> them. So, you can't be too upset that they are hesitant, just
> as you are hesitant about taking the job.
>
> Secondly, I am not
>> religious. I do not have a problem working in a religious
>> school, in the sense that I will not hinder anyone's
>> religious education and I encourage people to explore their
>> spiritually. However, I did experience some discomfort when
>> the prayer was said over the loud speaker; perhaps,
>> however, this discomfort would dissipate over time.
>
> I dunno on this one. I am not religious either and that fact
> and the poor pay are reasons I don't work in private (usually
> religious) education. Be advised that most people who are
> religious enough to send their kids to a Christian school don't
> want their kids "exploring their spirituality" except in the
> manner properly approved way. You MAY also find that bigotry
> against other religions and lifestyles (homosexuals, single
> parents, people who have premarital sex, women who aren't
> "obedient" to their husbands, or people who watch TV or listen
> to devil music) is the status quo. Then again, maybe not. It
> just all depends on the particular environment and that will be
> your call on what you are comfortable with. Me, I personally
> have very good friends who are gay, and can't respect someone's
> point of view that they shouldn't marry or even that their
> lifestyle is a "sin." I believe that point of view is as wrong
> as the Nazis' point of view on the Jews and can't sit back not
> call people out on it. I was also a co-sponsor of a
> Gay-Straight club at the first high school I worked at, so I
> wouldn't fit in at a religious school.
>
>>some may be indications that I am not the right
>> person for this job. If it is the latter, I believe I
>> should break the contract as soon as possible and hope that
>> the school would not hold me to the charges for breaking a
>> contract. However, before making a decision, I hope to
>> hear some feedback from current teachers.
>
> The whole "charges" thing will depend on how the contract is
> written. I have no experience with private school contracts.
> If they have written that you will be charged $X if you break
> the contract, then they will probably charge you. To actually
> go to court and try to gain a judgement, however, is quite an
> ordeal for them and you.
>
> However, the wrinkle in breaking a contract is that if you ASK
> them to release you (and they were on the fence about hiring
> you anyway) then you can't be charged any money because they
> agreed to let you go. If you TELL them that you're breaking
> the contract unilaterally, then they can enforce it against
> you. If you go to them and, professionally of course, tell
> them that you would like release, but if they say no you'll go
> teach for them and take their money, but probably suck at it,
> then that will give them pause.
>
> Still, I think you should give it a try. I mean, you're not
> starting until November, so you'll only have to do a little
> more than half the school year with Thanksgiving, Winter, and
> Spring breaks sprinkled in. If you hate it, it's not forever,
> it's 7 months or so, and not being a certified teacher, it's
> not as if they're going to expect the world from you. Since
> you already took the job, and they're likely desperate, I'd
> suggest taking a swing at it. You may find that it's a great
> job you're suited for and open a new career path for you. Or,
> worse comes to worst, you have a job you hate for half a year
> and you don't come back. Not the end of the world
>
> Good Luck
>
>

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