I wonder if I should quit my job?!?

[rhanditresmom]

I am having so many problems with my district this year. First, I get this really weird contract, which they have conveniently explained to me. OK, I understand this part. Now, they are telling me they can't count my graduate hours for staff development. I can find nothing stating that I cannot count these courses, I even have an email from the DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT stating I CAN count these hours!

I'm starting to think I shouldn't continue here next year. Sad part is, I really love my job. It has taken me 3 years to get this master's degree. I guess there are plenty of school districts out there who would be happy to have me! Sigh~*

I hate this crap!

 

[clh2]

Wouldn't contracts basically be the same for everyone in the district? Basically the only difference would be the pay structure, since that (well at least in our area) is dependent on your years of experience and your extra education.

 

[rhanditresmom]

Wouldn't contracts basically be the same for everyone in the district? Basically the only difference would be the pay structure, since that (well at least in our area) is dependent on your years of experience and your extra education.

You would think so, wouldn't you?! But apparently, they have different contracts based on the type of certification you have. I am a speech therapist and therefore have a different type of certification than a classroom teacher. Actually, I am an assistant until next year. According to HR (ugh!) I get a "special" contract because I have a state license and do not have my Certificate of Clinical Competence. Once I have my CCC, I will get a different contract! The odd thing is that, until this year, I have always received the "teacher contract", since I do have my BS. Anyway, I accepted this explanation for the time being, since my director reminded me that I'll get a new contract once I graduate next month.

I'm sick of the crapola, though. No one knows what they are doing and the rules change all the time. For crying out loud....

think I'll go get a drink!

 

[disney junky]

Are you a member of the bargaining unit? If so, this is a battle for them to fight for you. If not, what is your status within the district? We have three types of employees. Administrators, Professionals (this includes all classroom teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, school nurses, speech therapists), and classified (everyone else-maintenance, custodial, cafeteria). Even if you aren't a member, perhaps they can offer you some advice. Here you would likely be an association member based on your job description, but this isn't Texas.

 

[rhanditresmom]

Are you a member of the bargaining unit? If so, this is a battle for them to fight for you. If not, what is your status within the district? We have three types of employees. Administrators, Professionals (this includes all classroom teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, school nurses, speech therapists), and classified (everyone else-maintenance, custodial, cafeteria). Even if you aren't a member, perhaps they can offer you some advice. Here you would likely be an association member based on your job description, but this isn't Texas.

I may be making more out of this than it really is. I just hate being jerked around. I am considered a "Professional". We do not have a union, if this is what you mean by a "bargaining unit", so I'm kinda on my own. I'm sure everything will be ok, they are desperate for speech therapists and they are not exactly lining up to fill our vacant positions! I'm sure I'll hear more about it on Monday. Sigh!*

where's that drink?

 

[disney junky]

I may be making more out of this than it really is. I just hate being jerked around. I am considered a "Professional". We do not have a union, if this is what you mean by a "bargaining unit", so I'm kinda on my own. I'm sure everything will be ok, they are desperate for speech therapists and they are not exactly lining up to fill our vacant positions! I'm sure I'll hear more about it on Monday. Sigh!*

where's that drink?

Yes. Bargaining unit=association=union. All the same. I guess I don't have any ideas for you. Here, all professional staff members have the option to join the union who then bargains for them and represents them in situations like yours. Your specialty is in high demand here as well. In our state we must complete 180 hours of professional development to maintain our certification and all graduate work counts towards that. Hope this is all resolved. Hang in there.

 

[rhanditresmom]

Thanks! I really feel much better now than I did a couple of hours ago. It's always such a shock to get one of these emails! I'm sure everything will be good.

Thanks for the support!

 

[NookOfTheNorth]

In our district, you can not "double dip." In other words, if a staff member is a part of an approved Master's program and is getting reimbursed for a portion of those classes or moving up the pay scale, those classes can not also count as professional development. So, when I was taking classes for library media specialist certification (4 a year), I also had to do 18 separate hours of professional development. Kinda crazy, but that's what we put up with.