Teacher bailing 8 weeks into the school year

[kellyg403]

While I understand the op is about a special needs class, I don't think I would be upset to the point of disgust. I might be a bit disheartened to start over, but life is about changes.

I honestly can't imagine saying anything to anyone about it at the school. People are people, they have a life outside of work I am not always privy to. I don't know what is best for them, they do.

I don't think I would feel differently if I was the parent of a special needs vs mainstream classes.

Kelly

 

[ScottOKW2K]

The time to quit a teaching job is between the school years.

The time to leave ANY job is when you still have a job. Though it may be the more convenient for the individual, school, and student(s) for this to occur is during the "off" time really doesn't matter. Lacking any other data I would simply has to hazard that the teacher found the new opportunity more enticing for some combination of professional, personal or financial reasons.

 

[SLCborn]

OP I get your frustration. 2 of my 3 kids have had teachers leave mid year and both have been replaced by brand new teachers. As a parent you always wonder how the transition is going to go. It's just a normal parental reaction. I can say that the new teachers were actually amazing and their enthusiasm was undeniable since they WANTED to be there, they had just graduated and were so ready to get in there and teach. Maybe the same thing will happen for your child.

I was a teacher for many years. I left teaching a few years ago to pursue a job in the healthcare industry. I do NOT regret leaving teaching. It just was not the job I started out loving. I hated dealing with the overbearing parents, the constant demands of the administration who were so far removed from the classroom it was disgusting. I miss the kids the most but even they were starting to wear me down with their sense of entitlement that was no doubt most were fueled by their parents. I think it's just an adult thing to do to wish the teacher well, prepare your child for the new teacher and becoming active in the learning period of the teacher. When I first started I was SO thankful for the helpful parents, the ones who gave me some insight on what worked with their kids or what the outgoing teacher did to be successful. Doesn't mean I did all of that but it was sure nice.

 

[TeresaNJ]

The time to quit a teaching job is between the school years.

My daughter is leaving her teaching job in a few weeks because she got a full-time job with benefits, as opposed to her part-time art teacher job with no benefits. Will her students be upset? Undoubtedly, as they are in grades k-6. Is my daughter sad that she has to leave during the school year? Yes. Does she have a choice? No. Seriously, you are not looking at this from a real life perspective.

 

[scoutie]

and I wasn't the first person who called. Other families have already set up meetings with this as yet un-named incoming teacher. I now have all the background on teacher's motivations, etc. (And I did not ask for it; it was volunteered.) Nothing remotely tragic; more along the lines of a "dream job."

Ah. What a warm welcome I'm sure this new teacher will be receiving.

I think it's clear why she's leaving.

I've always said that when I leave the profession, it won't be because of the kids. It will be because of the parents.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Update: I didn't speak to the teacher but I did speak to the principal in order to understand what happens next for his class -- and I wasn't the first person who called. Other families have already set up meetings with this as yet un-named incoming teacher. I now have all the background on teacher's motivations, etc. (And I did not ask for it; it was volunteered.) Nothing remotely tragic; more along the lines of a "dream job."

Seriously the principal volunteered the information about why the teacher was leaving and that there were other parents already talking to them about it. I'd be more concerned about that aspect---the privacy issues rather than getting a new teacher. A principal who discusses the private reasons a teacher is leaving with a parent and then says other parents have been is would not be tolerated where I am from.
I'd be concerned more with what the principal is saying about my child to others than why this teacher quit which is of no concern to any parent.
I honestly find that hard to believe....that a principal would risk their job for some parents who are being nosy.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

If I were teaching and the principal started gossiping with parents about my personal business, I would be absolutely delighted to be leaving that school.

 

[declansdad]

No, I would not expect a 3 year commitment. I was expecting her to fill out the school year, though.

We've had various resource room teachers, speech teachers, OTs, subs, etc. etc. etc. etc. I've not complained in the past.

This will leave the 12 students she is responsible for to be rather on their own until a new teacher is assigned, and then also after that until the teacher is acclimated. (Our school has it set up so we are only able to message the caseload teacher.) So as of next Thursday, I have nobody to communicate with at the school.

You just communicated with the principal, I'm sure you will figure it out.

 

[Nancyg56]

Seriously the principal volunteered the information about why the teacher was leaving and that there were other parents already talking to them about it. I'd be more concerned about that aspect---the privacy issues rather than getting a new teacher. A principal who discusses the private reasons a teacher is leaving with a parent and then says other parents have been is would not be tolerated where I am from.
I'd be concerned more with what the principal is saying about my child to others than why this teacher quit which is of no concern to any parent.
I honestly find that hard to believe....that a principal would risk their job for some parents who are being nosy.

If I were teaching and the principal started gossiping with parents about my personal business, I would be absolutely delighted to be leaving that school.

Honestly, it sounds more like a "leaving for a better opportunity" manufactured response than whatever is really occurring. I bet you a buck the Principal was harassed by a few parents who felt that the teachers personal business was an extension of their right to know and he responded with a canned answer to shut them up. Even fanatical parents should have a hard time arguing that anyone should give up a dream position that suddenly opened up.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Honestly, it sounds more like a "leaving for a better opportunity" manufactured response than whatever is really occurring. I bet you a buck the Principal was harassed by a few parents who felt that the teachers personal business was an extension of their right to know and he responded with a canned answer to shut them up. Even fanatical parents should have a hard time arguing that anyone should give up a dream position that suddenly opened up.

Exactly.

 

[ZuZugal]

OP - all of the posting about the teacher leaving will not make the teacher come back. It's idle talk to leave everything up to opinion when NOTHING WILL CHANGE JUST BECAUSE EVERYONE IS GIVING THEIR OPINION ON THE DIS!

look forward instead of backward! Stop the "what it should be/could be" scenarios and realize there will be a new teacher working with your child and you need to do your best to help that teacher acclimate to the new position and do the same for your child in regard to the new teacher!

YES the teacher left and you do not agree with it. NO your disgruntled attitude won't change anything. Try to find the positive in the situation...maybe this new teacher will be AWESOME and next year you'll be posting that!!

 

[sam_gordon]

Honestly, it sounds more like a "leaving for a better opportunity" manufactured response than whatever is really occurring. I bet you a buck the Principal was harassed by a few parents who felt that the teachers personal business was an extension of their right to know and he responded with a canned answer to shut them up. Even fanatical parents should have a hard time arguing that anyone should give up a dream position that suddenly opened up.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[anniemae]

It's a different world now. There is no company loyalty (I know she works for a school, but it applies here).

Anyway, used to be a person would stay at one job for years and years and retire from the place where they got their first job, now people have to look out for themselves because nobody else will. If she found a better paying job, a job with better hours, better benefits, better administration, why on earth would she say no? Unfortunately for her students, she is probably thinking of herself and her family first, which is just the way it is.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's a different world now. There is no company loyalty (I know she works for a school, but it applies here).

Anyway, used to be a person would stay at one job for years and years and retire from the place where they got their first job, now people have to look out for themselves because nobody else will. If she found a better paying job, a job with better hours, better benefits, better administration, why on earth would she say no? Unfortunately for her students, she is probably thinking of herself and her family first, which is just the way it is.

And should be.

 

[castleview]

The time to quit a teaching job is between the school years.

I was agreeing with you on the Common Core thread, but can't agree here. What likely happened is that someone left a post leaving an immediate opening that won't be there in between this school year and next. Yes it stinks when the kids have to go through a huge change, but that's life. If you have good administrators, they have the same concern and will do everything they can to find a dynamic certified teacher capable of this transition. If anything, you should be happy that she is flat out leaving as opposed to most other situations that would only allow the school to hire a permanent sub.

This teacher could have bad logistical situation regarding commute and daycare, might have a chance to teach a grade or subject she prefers, or might be being treated badly at work. Enslaving teachers to a job they are not happy isn't good overall for anyone.

 

[ilovepcot]

The time to quit a teaching job is between the school years.

Not necessarily. Time to quit is before you snap and snatch a child bald headed. Seriously! I had a neighbor "snap" with her 3rd. grade class and she was taken away in an ambulance.

 

[SLP958]

Not necessarily. Time to quit is before you snap and snatch a child bald headed. Seriously! I had a neighbor "snap" with her 3rd. grade class and she was taken away in an ambulance.

Inappropriate laughter