A question for teachers

[daughtersrus]

My DD is finishing her first year teaching. She has not formally been offered her job back for next year but she was told by the principal at her last observation that he didn't see any reason that she wouldn't be rehired. The job is union but they don't sign contracts. She only signed letter of intent saying that she would take the job once approved by the school board which she was.

She's been offered a job in another school district that she is going to take. It's a long story. She's been approved by that school board and she goes to that district office next week to sign a contract that will start in Aug.

She's read every page of their contract and can't find any dates saying when notice needs to be given.

She is going to write a resignation letter next week after she signs the contract with the other school district.

Should she put specific reasons as to why she is not returning or just keep it simple and thank them for the opportunity? There are specific reasons as to why she is not returning to this school besides having been offered another job.

She's not sure if she should address the letter to the Director of HR and cc the principal or address it to the principal and cc HR. The principal is very unorganized and she wants to be sure that the proper people know that she will be finishing this contract but she will not be returning next school year.

Any suggestions?

 

[Kerriann]

Hi there

I'm a guidance counselor, not a teacher, but my two cents are to leave out the specific reasons and address it to the principal and cc HR. Then send it to both.

If the principal wants to meet with her regarding the resignation she might *consider* addressing some of the reasons she is leaving, but honestly I'd still keep it pretty vague and mostly stick to "I have a new opportunity" and "thank you for this opportunity". Education is a smaaaalll world and you never want to burn any bridges.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Hi there

I'm a guidance counselor, not a teacher, but my two cents are to leave out the specific reasons and address it to the principal and cc HR. Then send it to both.

If the principal wants to meet with her regarding the resignation she might *consider* addressing some of the reasons she is leaving, but honestly I'd still keep it pretty vague and mostly stick to "I have a new opportunity" and "thank you for this opportunity". Education is a smaaaalll world and you never want to burn any bridges.

I'm a teacher and I agree. Go with the old "it's not you, it's me..."

 

[NewCrew42]

I'm a teacher and I agree. Go with the old "it's not you, it's me..."

Agreed!

 

[Kathi OD]

Hi there

I'm a guidance counselor, not a teacher, but my two cents are to leave out the specific reasons and address it to the principal and cc HR. Then send it to both.

If the principal wants to meet with her regarding the resignation she might *consider* addressing some of the reasons she is leaving, but honestly I'd still keep it pretty vague and mostly stick to "I have a new opportunity" and "thank you for this opportunity". Education is a smaaaalll world and you never want to burn any bridges.

This is good advice. You never know what is going to happen. People, especially administrators, change districts all the time.

 

[teacherforhi]

She may not have to write a letter at all. We have a form on the district website. It even has a convenient list of reasons for you to check off as to why you're leaving. She should check with human resources first.

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm a teacher and I agree. Go with the old "it's not you, it's me..."

I agree, as well. Thank them for the opportunity and tell them she has accepted a position with another district. That should be all.

 

[MrsPete]

Hi there

I'm a guidance counselor, not a teacher, but my two cents are to leave out the specific reasons and address it to the principal and cc HR. Then send it to both.

If the principal wants to meet with her regarding the resignation she might *consider* addressing some of the reasons she is leaving, but honestly I'd still keep it pretty vague and mostly stick to "I have a new opportunity" and "thank you for this opportunity". Education is a smaaaalll world and you never want to burn any bridges.

No need for me to add anything -- you've said it all. Yes, education is a small world. In a few years, your daugther may want to return to School District 1, or the principal or someone else "in the know" may transfer over to School District 2. She's fortunate to have somewhere else to go FOR CERTAIN, and the only thing she'd get out of airing her concerns would be peace of mind for herself -- which might be difficult in the future.

Better to say, "Thank you for a good year, but I'm exploring a new opportunity." Especially since they aren't currently able to offer her a job for next year, they'll understand that.

 

[meliss8599]

Would you mind sharing which districts in Chicagoland she was able to keep and get a teaching job as a first year? Our district just cut many non-tenured teachers so I know many will be looking.

 

[daughtersrus]

Thanks to everyone for the advise. I will pass it along to DD.

Would you mind sharing which districts in Chicagoland she was able to keep and get a teaching job as a first year? Our district just cut many non-tenured teachers so I know many will be looking.

DD is SpEd (LBS1) so that is probably the reason that she has had luck finding jobs. None of her friends with GenEd degrees have been able to find jobs.

I'm sending you a PM with more info

 

[Cindy B]

I am a first year teacher as well. We haven't been given our rehire letters yet (we aren't done until end of June and the retiree list has yet to be formalized)

I do know if I wanted to go to another district in the state it is a 60 day notice. So I would have to have an offer in hand by July to get out of a contract that would begin early September

 

[HsvTeacher]

Like others have said, I would keep my resignation letter as vague as possible. I also wouldn't discuss my reasons for leaving with anyone, unless forced into doing so. Too many bridges...

Notice of resignation dates can vary from state to state, district to district. In Alabama, you have 45 days from the beginning of the next school year to notify, or you can lose your certification. Out of courtesy, I would notify the school as soon as possible. (As long as the situation isn't so bad that they would make her life miserable until she leaves.) I would address the letter to Human Resources and cc the superintendent and principal.

 

[MM27]

I teach in NJ. Our contract states that non-tenured teachers need to give 30 days notice and tenured teachers need to give 60 days. They will sometimes give people leeway IF they have a replacement for them, but technically, they can hold your teaching license if you try to leave without the proper notice and you can't go to another district anyway until that time period has expired.

With the letter, I agree with what others have said. Keep it simple and to the point. No need to tell them all the things you didn't like about them.

 

[dimimi]

Each state has a specific date that you need to resign. Your daughter will be asked to sign her contract for her current position soon. If she signs that before she signs her new contract, she will have until a certain date to resign.

I would not resign my current position until I have signed my contract for my "new position."

Teachers do this all the time. I agree with some other posters. Write a nice letter and don't burn any bridges.

 

[sajetto]

Hi there

I'm a guidance counselor, not a teacher, but my two cents are to leave out the specific reasons and address it to the principal and cc HR. Then send it to both.

If the principal wants to meet with her regarding the resignation she might *consider* addressing some of the reasons she is leaving, but honestly I'd still keep it pretty vague and mostly stick to "I have a new opportunity" and "thank you for this opportunity". Education is a smaaaalll world and you never want to burn any bridges.

I couldn't have said it any better. As a teacher who will soon be serving as an AP, it is true that administrators change schools and districts all the time and most know each other pretty well. Your daughter needs to leave any specifics out in order to avoid any conflicts in the next school.