Re: Is this the standard treatment for non-tenured teachers?

peachiepea

Posted on 6/02/09

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Unfortunately it is exactly standard treatment for non-
tenured, "at will," teachers. If you sneeze too many times
and upset the principal, you're out. If he decides he "just
doesn't like you" then you're out. It doesn't seem to be
linked to any form of competence or quality, it is purely a
popularity contest. I have watched completely incompetent
teachers that have failed all their evaluations be kept over
incredibly engaging and motivated teachers just because of
religious affiliation, gender, physical appearance and "I
just really don't like them." Just one in a very long list
of problems with our education system! Good luck in your job
hunting!

On 5/18/09, A. Transent wrote:
> This is my first year teaching. I hold two licensures for
> different sciences. Now, this said, I was told last Monday
> by my Exec Principal that I was renewed for his school and
> would teach a particularly hard-to-staff science. I'm only
> one of a dozen or so with that particular certification in
> this urban district.
>
> Then I was informed Friday by the Human Resource director
> that I am on the 'displaced teacher' list. Only after I
> questioned him, did the Exec Principal admit that I was
> not renewed in his school. He claimed 'budget cuts' were
> the reason - though he's keeping another first year
> teacher who's on Alternative licensure for that particular
> job position, and there's jobs posted for this school for
> the other area I'm licensed in.
>
> All my reviews have been good, and I was apparently well-
> liked by the rest of the faulty. My students had a higher
> proficiency than the other same-content teachers' as well.
> I THOUGHT my job was secure..
>
> So now I'm stressed out and searching desperately for a
> job. I've been told that this is just how it is for non-
> tenured teachers - and to simply get used to it for the
> next few years.
>
> And people wonder why over 50% of us quit teaching in the
> first five years? It sure isn't the students or the
> content - it's these policies that make you stress out for
> two months every year!
>
> Thanks for reading my rant...

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