It's Not Over

[Azusateach]

Apparently the L's parent has gone to at least my Principal and said who knows what, but I have the delightful pleasure of sitting down with the Principal and the Union President for a "disciplinary" meeting. Not until next Tuesday, so if I have a stomach left by then I might just make it.

That extra $500/month isn't worth it.

[Rufflesgurl]

Hang in there Laura - and, get every cent you earned!!

Linda

[cnq50b]

We'll back you whatever you decide to do, Laura, but don't let this bully get you down.
You've got information that he has done this previously so just (as calmly as you can) present your case & then see what happens. They may be doing this just to show him they are doing something. I'm sure even administrators can be afraid of parents.

(Remember that $500/month is not just for 1 month but for the duration... so stay calm & do what is right for you).

I'll keep you in my prayers for calm, peace & strength during your meeting.
Take care,
Catherine

[brendac]

Contact your doctor, take stress related medical leave for now. Get in touch with union to see about disability leave.
There are many ways to skin a cat and get your 500 dollars.

[Liz]

I told you I've had both kinds of administrators in these situations. The one that took the side of the parents was transferred to another school at the end of the school year. My team-teaching partner and I had both requested transfers to another school. The therapists (physical, occupational, and speech) who also worked with our students all knew the situation and complained at district. They all knew the strength and quality of the program we had put together at our school and district decided the principal was more expendable than us, lol.

You could look into requesting a transfer...

[Azusateach]

You know, knowing that there are some mighty big supporters in this group really helps.

I've been in touch with the Union President, who happens to be a good friend of mine, and she's talked with the Principal. Apparently I'm to receive a "verbal warning" over telling the dad that his kid can't read. Truth hurts, I guess. But it's not going into my personnel record, so frankly I could care less.

The President is going to insist that the Principal act as go-between from now on, so that the parent can't get to me. Any communication with the father will have to go through her, and for any meetings (if there have to be any more), she will have to be present. After all, she's got to have my best interest in mind, doesn't she? And how can she if she lets this yahoo verbally harass and intimidate me? So, if she wants to go this route she'll just make more work for herself, and she's already drowning -- by her own admission. There's absolutely NO love lost between the Union Pres. and this Principal. She's burned way too many bridges over the years, and this is another one that just got torched.

I've also called CalSTRS, the CA teachers' retirement system, and I found out that I can retire as soon as I reach my birth month next year in order to qualify for that extra $500/month. So that means that I can start the school year (mid-August), and work until October 1st, AND THEN RETIRE. I couldn't believe it. While that might not be the best thing for the kids, having a teacher who doesn't want to be there isn't so good either. But I can finish this year and 2 months next year. That gives me hope. AND it frees me to enjoy teaching between now and then.

I've scheduled an appointment with the CalSTRS people for December, and I'll get the particulars about how to use/save the 40+ days of sick leave I have accrued, and then begin planning from there.

[Liz]

Sounds like a good plan, Laura!

[brendac]

Fantastic!! You now have a plan. I did the same thing in my final year of teaching. I started the year and didn't anounce any plans that I was leaving. After my birthday I went on what I called the 30 day plan. Anyone ticked me off, I give 30 days notice which was what was required in our contract. It worked out beautifully.
Enjoy your weekend ... get out with the rv.

[Azusateach]

Fantastic!! You now have a plan. I did the same thing in my final year of teaching. I started the year and didn't anounce any plans that I was leaving. After my birthday I went on what I called the 30 day plan. Anyone ticked me off, I give 30 days notice which was what was required in our contract. It worked out beautifully.
Enjoy your weekend ... get out with the rv.

Apparently we don't have any contractual language to cover retiring mid-year. So it appears that I can do pretty much what I want.

We're leaving in the morning for a weekend at one of our favorite campgrounds, camping with good friends. I'm glad we've had this planned for a long, long time.

[avalen]

glad you have a plan now,

[Liz]

And if you don't get paid for your accumulated sick leave, you can just plan to be sick those last 40+ days.

[longdog2]

I don't think I would announce any retirement plans before the next school year starts just so you don't have any problems with quitting when you want to quit!

[Azusateach]

I don't think I would announce any retirement plans before the next school year starts just so you don't have any problems with quitting when you want to quit!

Colleen, NOBODY will know about it. And when the time comes, I'll go in on a weekend and pack up my room.

There's something really empowering about having a plan to start the next chapter in my life. It might be a long year, but with the support of my friends here and at home I'll be okay.

Liz, I get service credit for whatever sick leave I have left. It won't amount to much, so using it might be a sweet way to stay sane this year.

I'm going to sit tight until I meet with the CalSTRS folks, and then decide how to wrap things up. I still care about these kids -- L. included -- but the time has come to do a little rearranging of my priorities. I don't want to leave on a sour note, so focusing on them will help. I have such a sweet relationship with many of the 8th graders, and will continue to enjoy them. They'll be gone next year, so leaving won't be so hard.

Teaching has been good to me for the past 27 years, and I've been told that I'm pretty good at it. I need to hang on to those thoughts.

[JudyJB]

Go for it!! Glad you have a plan that is workable.

I had made a long posting a couple of days ago and then lost it, so gave up. But mostly, I ranted how this political push to make teachers "accountable" is pushing out good teachers for the detriment of the kids. It also gives parents the feeling that they can push teachers around because it can affect their jobs. The truth is that it is impossible for a teacher to be completely accountable for stuff he or she cannot control, and as research shows, much of a student's success or failure is a factor of the family. There is absolutely NO research that shows that all this testing, homework, and pressure on teachers is doing any good. There may be some small areas where it temporarily works, but the long term results are poor.

The fact that you have so much unused sick time shows you are a conscientious teacher, so now is the time to start using that time when you are not feeling well and need a break.

[Azusateach]

The fact that you have so much unused sick time shows you are a conscientious teacher, so now is the time to start using that time when you are not feeling well and need a break.

I can't tell you when I actually used my sick leave for being sick. We can either use the 10 days we're given each year for sick leave, Dr. appointments or the like, or take it as a "personal necessity" day. I've used more of those in the last couple of years than ever before. But I'm not immune to the "intentional" flu ...