Lost my teaching job today UPDATE page 7

[smidgy]

One of the larger districts by me has a war zone of a school where a teacher was brutally attacked and lost her eye. Just one year later they got rid of her in budget cuts. We should be like most other education systems in the world that start eliminating the dead weight and funnel them into trade schools. Take the public burden off educating those that don't want to be there.

yeah, lets get rid of all those kids in the "low class" city of Elgin, and funnel all the money into the affluent town of barrington. (both in Illinois) It was a shame, what happened to that poor teacher in Elgin, IL.
the state of Illiniois is in a budget crisis. the state owes ALL the school disticts TONS of money! many school districts in Illinois are laying off teachers.. and, unfortunately, some of the better teachers (as in the above case). but, because of the unions, and tenure, the good, enthusiastic teachers are being let go. each district decides onits own which teachers, if any, are let go. which programs are let go (music, arts, gyms, in the elementary levelsm TESL,ie, dual language programs, transportatin to such programs, transportation to specisl ed., etc)
in this economy, we have ALL had to cut back. some of us have lost jobs entirely. many of us have lost heslth benefits, or seen our contributions to health benefits increased.
but many school distircts in Illinois were counting on that state funding. we're NOT getting it. in many districts, the teacher's unions are not willing to renegotiate their contracts. heck, why should they? "5 more years, and I'm out of here!? SOME (not all) of these teachers want what was agreed to 5, 10 years ago. I don't blame them... don't we all?
in, say, one district, 10 or 20 teachers jobs could be saved, (maybe even the one who was stabbed), but the teachers "as a whole", ie. the "union" isn't willing to renegotiate any contracts made when times were better. (like people who made "contracts" with mortgage complanies, when "times were better". ) if the teachers had to , maybe pay more into their benefits (a great majority of the parents, ie. taxpayers, in elgin are lucky to have ANy benefits, let alone health insurance), maybe a lot of those great, young, enthusiastic teachers could stay.
Barrington is a VERY wealthy district. high taxpayer base. mostly white, lots of estates.
what a shame to tell kids raised in a multi-cultured city (like elgin, or carpentersville, where I live) that they should just be "funneled" into trade school. that is NOT what John Kennedy had in mind in 1962 when he was the forerunner of every child in America deserves an education, no matter their race, background, or disabilities.
Illinois, sadly,is in bad shape. our kids are sufferring. the students are protesting, that the best teachers are being let go.. these kids CARE! the state owes the schools money. the districts are handling it poorly, .. firing the better teachers, dropping programs, increasing class sizes, so that the unions can take care of those teachers drawing huge salaries, not willing to let go of ANy benefits, waiting out their retirements.
just so you know, I am not a teacher, I have no kids in the school district anymore. at one time I was VERY involved in my kids/' schools (pto., school improvement committees, curriculum design committees. etc. etc.) now, I am only a taxpayer, who cares about the kids. .. even those "dead weight" kids. after all,if one stabs a teacher, all "those kids" must be bad.

 

[smidgy]

oh yeah, I hardly think Elgin High School or Larkin High School (the 2 high schools in Elgin Il) qualify as a "war" zone. yes, they have gangs, as does the neighborhood high schools (schaumburg, streamwood, carpentersville, algonquin, and even barrington.)

 

[smidgy]

to the OP, sorry to hijack you're thread. my daugther in law in a teacher, and, so far, is safe in her job. I hope you can out ride this economy storm, like the rest of us. we need good teachers like you, for our future generation's sake. can you try to work on a special ed. certificate?
I just heard my alma mater in Chicago, Luther North, a private school, is in great danger of closing next year because of lack of funds.

 

[smidgy]

I am not saying there is something wrong with trades. my hubby provided for my sons and me as a highly qualified machinist.
it was the tone of. "eliminate the dead weight and funnel them into trade schools" remark that got me.
this poster made the trades sound demeaning. and , since I know very well the school and city she is speaking of, I know what she meant by "dead weight"
and even if she didn't she made it sound like only dead weights go into the trades, like, you don't need a high school educaton to go into trades. Im sure my husband can far outpass anyone in trigonometry!

 

[roadtripper]

Actually, my job (that I'm losing!) is in a technical high school in a city. The kids are amazing. Still hoping I have a chance due to possible retirements and voluntary transfers. I will keep you all posted; thanks for the good wishes and support. Hard to sleep last night.

 

[smidgy]

Actually, my job (that I'm losing!) is in a technical high school in a city. The kids are amazing. Still hoping I have a chance due to possible retirements and voluntary transfers. I will keep you all posted; thanks for the good wishes and support. Hard to sleep last night.

I hope you keep your job. you think they are amazing.(not dead weights).. we need teachers like you!!!

 

[Janet Hill]

I am not saying there is something wrong with trades. my hubby provided for my sons and me as a highly qualified machinist.
it was the tone of. "eliminate the dead weight and funnel them into trade schools" remark that got me.
this poster made the trades sound demeaning. and , since I know very well the school and city she is speaking of, I know what she meant by "dead weight"
and even if she didn't she made it sound like only dead weights go into the trades, like, you don't need a high school educaton to go into trades. Im sure my husband can far outpass anyone in trigonometry!

My husband has a master's degree and his current occupation DDC controls for HVAC equipment. He makes more money.

 

[DCbride]

Sorry to hear about your job. We are losing 90 positions in our district next year (1/2 are aides) School budgets are terrible due to a huge loss in state money. Almost everyone non-tenure will be gone. Lots of great teachers. So sad. I know our retirement do not have to be announced more than 60 days. Hopefully a position will open.

 

[Reagan&Co.]

I am so sorry that happened! You have awesome experience/education, though...you will be snatched up quickly by someplace else.

 

[jt8595]

I am so sorry to hear your news. I wish you well and hope you will find something before school begins again in the fall.

 

[vsimeone]

I'm so sorry. My teaching position was eliminated in June '08. I had been with the district 8 years.

I collected unemployment all summer and reevaluated what I wanted to do with my life! Teaching positions were being eliminated in this area left and right. I was so bitter and angry that I really didn't want to apply for another job anyway!

I found a job with a software company doing training. I LOVE it! I miss the teaching schedule but this job has a little bit of travel associated with it. I'm in San Bernardino, CA as I type! The excitement of the travel outweighs having my summers off.

I wish you the best. Look at other options outside of, but associated with, teaching. You are in my prayers.

 

[daughtersrus]

OP~ I'm sorry. My DD just graduated in Dec with a degree in Ed. Luckily, she's been able to find a long-term sub job that will last until June(at the HS that she did her practicum at). She's got at least 100 applications out for next school year but so far, only a few prospects. Her degree is LBS and it seems that most of the jobs out there are SpEd so we're keeping our fingers crossed. She has a few connections where she did her practicum and student teaching at. All three of the placements were in large districts in the Chicago area and as of right now, all have SpEd openings for next year. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

I hope that you are able to find something!

 

[solfan68]

Thoughts and prayers to you, Roadtripper. I've been surrounded by good teachers my whole life - parents, wife, BiL. I must believe that your love of the profession and the students will be rewarded. Stay strong.

 

[wgwtgb]

So sorry to hear this. Our district is making cuts tonight. Supposed to be 150 jobs. I don't think it will be mine, but you never know. Hope things work out for you soon.

 

[disney_fan1972]

Roadtripper, I feel your pain. I am waiting for the news here in NJ. We are loosing 15.2 teachers (God only knows how they are going to cut 0.2 teachers!) at my school alone. I am a 4th year... I left a 13yr career in chemistry to teach and took a big pay cut. If only these cuts in NJ had held off a year I would be fairly safe, but because they are now... ugh. I and many other non-tenured here are worried. We found out yesterday that we won't know until mid May.... the absolute LAST day they can tell us under our contract.

Sending virtual ((huggs)) your way. I hope it works out for you, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers... hope you will keep me in yours.

 

[richmond282]

the state owes ALL the school disticts TONS of money!
but many school distircts in Illinois were counting on that state funding. we're NOT getting it.

The problem is the states don't have any money to give to the school systems. A lot of federal funding has stopped. The states can't give something they don't have.

To the OP, keep your head up. I hope you find something soon and that all will work out for you.

 

[southbarringtonjen]

I am not saying there is something wrong with trades. my hubby provided for my sons and me as a highly qualified machinist.
it was the tone of. "eliminate the dead weight and funnel them into trade schools" remark that got me.
this poster made the trades sound demeaning. and , since I know very well the school and city she is speaking of, I know what she meant by "dead weight"
and even if she didn't she made it sound like only dead weights go into the trades, like, you don't need a high school educaton to go into trades. Im sure my husband can far outpass anyone in trigonometry!

I notice everyone put an immediate racial spin on my comments. Perhaps your true colors are showing? The very simple fact is most education systems in the world at some point start to filter out poor performing students. You are either on the college track, or something else. Trade schools are the next logical destination for those that have different skills, or different career goals. Completely dropping out is the third option. Maybe dead weight was a harsh term.

Give every kid a fair and equal education. But at some point, you need to see returns on your investment. There are plenty of kids who don't want to be in school, are sucking time and energy away from students who do want to be there. Why not make everyone happy and show them the door? It would save billions. There are also plenty of kids who already know they want to be a mechanic or construction, or some other skill that doesn't need another year of history, language, and gym forced upon them. Why force them to delay their true calling just because an arbitrary law says they have to be in school.

 

[southbarringtonjen]

Barrington is a VERY wealthy district. high taxpayer base. mostly white, lots of estates.
what a shame to tell kids raised in a multi-cultured city (like elgin, or carpentersville, where I live) that they should just be "funneled" into trade school.

Nobody said the color of your skin should determine your future. (Although you appear to be saying that) You can pretend it isn't happening all you want, but U26 is an awful school district. They are bankrupt. Why not spend money on kids who want to be there? Every other country in the world does it. And U26 also pulls from Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates. It has nothing to do with where you live, but everything to do with your desire to learn. Lets face it, some people just use school as a place to hangout and conduct drug deals. Why should my tax dollars support them. I'd rather more dollars per student go to those who want to learn.

 

[DawnM]

Oh no! I am so sorry.

Dawn

 

[Mrs.Reese]

I am so sorry! I was cut in June 2008 and it took me until August 2009 to find another teaching position. At least you know it isn't for anything other than the budget. Make sure to file for unemployment ASAP.