I am in complete shock. I am a first year teacher this year, I have been observed and taken every idea or suggestion to heart and improved as a teacher. I can't believe they have already decided before spring observations. Now add to the equation, my daughter had an appt at the ENT on friday afternoon, and can only hear at 50%, and my husbands car will not start today. Really just the crappiest day. I guess I am looking for some hope. How do I face my principal, peers and students for the second half of the year. How do I find a job now after non-renewal. And before you all ask I am unsure why I have been non-renewed, I haven't set up an appt with principal and VP, and probably won't until friday when my emotions are in a little bit better state.
Is this normal procedure? Is it like California's pink-slipping, but by later in the year you might get rehired? This happened a lot to some teachers I knew when I was in CA. I am sorry you are not having a good day. I do hope the week improves for you.
Sorry to hear that. Best of luck to you for finding a position for next school year. Definitely sit down with your administrators as soon as possible and discuss the reasoning behind the decision.
No not a normal procedure. As I was just thinking I just got a performance bonus at Christmas time... weird.
Get your emotions in check, then sit down with the administration to discuss the decision. Does it have anything to do with having too many teachers? Also, continue to take in their suggestions and do your best for the students. You never know when the administration might decide to hire you back or otherwise look at it as getting good experience and letters of recommendation! Take heart in that they let you know early and you can prepare for finding a new job for next year!
Join the club, I know how this feels & I'm sorry that happened! A few years ago, I was a 1st year special ed teacher who had been observed by my principal twice & was told by her in her office in Feb that I wasn't going to be rehired. The only reason she said was that I wasn't a good fit, which is the most broad reason ever! The last observation was probably a couple weeks or so before I was told. But, my P never sat down with me other than the 2 observations to discuss what should be changed, improved, etc. I didn't say anything to my aide, students, students' parents, etc. I kept my head up & didn't act defeated. I behaved normally and when it was over, it was over.
I think feedback is a good thing. Maybe there is something big you need to be aware of (not saying there is, but I'd want to know) or maybe they'd say they had to cut someone and you were the one because your new (then you'd know it wasn't about you). I would sit down and find out why (if they will tell you). Good luck! and just consider this a learning experience. It's hard, but will make you a stronger teacher
I'm wondering if it's because of the budget. They still should have prepped you ahead of time = ( I hope you are able to find out why.
I agree about asking the principal why so you can improve, if needed. Maybe if you show improvement he/she will change their mind. As previous posters noted, here it is almost a regular thing that first year teachers get those notices until they know the budget picture. Here in California they already know they are raising class sizes again so that will have a lot to do with it. Good luck.
I got one of these my first year and it was just because my position was part of a grant to reduce classroom size. Luckily my supervisor explained it to me and that he was 99.9% sure they would rehire me - this was just a technicality. I didn't really worry about it, but the math supervisor didn't bother to tell the new math teacher the same thing they told me, so she actually thought she had been fired.
I'm sorry to hear it as well. I bet it is just budget issues-I know a lot of districts will be hurting this upcoming year because of shortfalls. It may be all new teachers were given this letter. I would talk to them not only to find out why, but also to show your passion for wanting to stay there. Maybe someone will leave unexpectedly and he/she will have you in their mind as really wanting that position.
Don't be disappointed if you don't get an answer on why you were not renewed. Here in the state of Florida your first three years you are on annual contract and can be non renewed without a reason. As a matter of fact it is common place for P's to not give a reason. It always seems as though bad luck happens in threes. Don't let this get you down. You are there for the kids. Do your best! Do what the kids would want you to do. Don't give up on them or yourself. Good luck!
I am sorry to hear this. Keep your head up. Things always seem to have a way of working themselves out..
I'm so sorry! It definitely is not the end though--- keep doing what you need to for the students and I'm sure you'll find another placement.
I'm very sorry. I hope you find something else when the time comes. But I do have an idea what you're going through. I know for a fact that some teachers will probably be let go next year and as a first year teacher, I'm extremely vulnerable. It's something I worry about on a daily basis.
Been there, done that. I don't know about California, but I do know that in NJ, if you get non-renewed, you can ask the superintendent for a letter explaining why. I did this, but didn't agree with any reasons. That was my third teaching job. I got laid off from my first job at a Catholic HS strictly because enrollment was dropping and I was the very last person hired. The other two (NYC and a charter school), I resigned because they were so awful. It does seem awfully early to start letting people go for next year... It seems like a terrible time to be a teacher, or any type of public employee, for that matter. Best of luck, though!
Is that even normal to do this 1/2 way thru the year? I wouldn't be able to even concentrate! I sure hope it's just a generic type thing until they know how many teachers they have retiring. Best of luck.
This could be just what mopar has suggested. A very similar situation has occured to me. I was a first year teacher, and there were budget cuts. Since I was the last hire, I was also the first to be laid off. I ended up long term subbing for the school the next year and getting hired back in the following year. Hang in there. When you discuss the matter with admin, there may be budget (or other) issues and not your teaching skills determining this non-renewal.
I was non-renewed in my third year. This was after having two good years of eval. I won't go into details about the eval, but I will say, you are most definitely not alone, and it IS possible to find another teacher job. I got several outstanding letters of recommendation from people who knew me in the district. I think those were the reasons why I was able to get another job.
Non-renewed in third year with good evals....that's terrible! I'm glad that you were able to find another job. I hope it is better than the previous one!
