The last week of school the principal called me into the office and told me they would not be renewing my contract. I was shocked, I had just finished my second year and did not realize he was unhappy with my job performance. I asked him why and he said I wasn't a good fit. That was it. I worked so hard the last 2 years. I was 7th grade math. I advised the math team, just say no club, and NJHS. I went to sporting events, concerts, volunteered at tickets, chaperoned dances, worked concessions, and stepped up when ever asked. I was truly hurt, I never saw it coming, nor did my co-workers. I sat down with him the last teacher service day and asked for more clarification so I could learn moving forward. He completed all of my observations and he felt our personalities were different. This surprised me because I had thought we had really good conversations after my observations. Anyways, long story short, I have multiple interviews coming up and I am unsure how to answer the question why was I not renewed. I really don't a strong answer. Saying I wasn't a good fit leaves so many questions, did she not get involved, did she cause drama, ect. Bottom line is I don't have tenure so he doesn't have to give me a reason. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!
Stick with what you were told - Personalities were different, so not a good fit. Did they provide a letter of reference? If that is overall positive, the interviewing school members will understand. Were your observations positive, were you on any kind of improvement plan? This they will care about. Honestly, you are math, so you are going to be given the benefit of the doubt, IMHO.
Don't be surprised if the P hires someone who needed a math job or just wanted to clean house. In my situation, two math teachers were up for tenure (me and another guy). It was a new P. We were both canned. "Different direction," she told my friend. More like code word for "there are locals here who need jobs." In fact, the elementary school P non-renewed someone in her 1st year teaching. I read the latest board minutes... The new teacher has the same last name as the P's maiden name. Coincidence? I think not! Go with Vickilyn's advice! As long as you get letters of rec, you should be ok.
I think the idea is that math teachers are in more demand than other disciplines. I'm a SS/English teacher...and I hear the "if you taught math/science" thing a lot.
I agree with what many have said regarding you being a Math teacher. That alone will help you. There is a huge shortage of Math/Science/Sped teachers. I too was given a non-reelect this past year. (My first year) It was scary and frustrating but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was able to secure a contract within another district. I found that in my interviews I was rarely asked why I was leaving. Don't bring it up or talk about it UNLESS ASKED! When I was asked why I was leaving, it was typically in informal conversations...not in an interview. I answered saying "I was working in a smaller district and when asked said that I wanted to work in a larger district with more opportunities and options. I wanted to be able to try new things and have as much support around as possible. These are things I could find in larger districts". Hang in there, you will find something!! Always speak positive about your previous employment! The education system is a small world. People talk and tend know people from all over the place. You never know who the people interviewing you knows...Positive is always better
I hope that math / SPED teachers are in demand. I just received my standard for 5 certifications. Here is the catch - teaching is my second career, and I am older than the fresh college grads. Scared that I won't get a job. I have experience as an LTS and got my standard quickly. Should i worry that I have only had one interview so far? Could it be my age or the fact that Im overqualified? (I was a systems engineer in a former life with multiple masters degrees). TIA
I was an older (50+) career changer, a former research scientist, and went on a lot of interviews. I probably received interviews for about 75% of the jobs I applied for. (Actually landing a job was a different matter, I was 2 for 24.) Make sure your cover letter tells a compelling story about why you want to teach, and touches on some of the strengths you will bring to the classroom that are a result of your previous work. (If this is a hijack of the original post, my apologies!)
If you're getting to the interview stage, I wouldn't worry about it. I've been on tons of interviews over the years and have only been asked why I left a previous job in an interview once that I can remember. Of course you have to put a reason on job applications, but if you got an interview they must be okay with what you said.
"The new teacher has the same last name as the P's maiden name. Coincidence? I think not!" Hey, I saw that happen all the time at my old school. Not only that, but the relatives of the P or other administrators would receive the small section of the students at that school who would succeed with any teacher. Those not related to the P or were part of that clique would be overloaded with students with a history of delinquency and truancy.
I just the latest board posting from my old district! Another coach's wife got a job!!! Someone non-tenured loses a job so she could be brought on board! I don't have anything nice to say about that....
They're hiring people who have math credentials, though, right? Are these new coaches where giving the spouse a job is part of the "package"? Isn't the spouse is leaving some other school? Is there a vacancy there?
I can tell you for me I've been looking 4 years. They don't know how old I am because my age isn't on my resume & since I just graduated 4 years ago I *look* young on paper. BUT I do have a master's degree. I really thing that's what's holding me back - yet no one has told me. I have applied for about 275 jobs & only had 1 interview.
yep, all the time. I had an assistant principal tell me they do courtesy interviews of spouses. She was telling me about a new 3rd grade teacher @ her school who got hired - they only interviewed her because her husband was the new hs principal. They ended up loving her & hired her though.
Two years ago, a new PE coach was hired. Last year, a new history teacher was hired. This summer, after I was let go, the PE teacher's wife was brought in for math and the history teacher's wife magically was hired in an elementary position!! Normally, I am happy for those who get jobs... I'm not thrilled with the fact that positions magically become available for coach's wives or friends.... I was hired at my previous job because my friend resigned to take a new position elsewhere. In fact, there were 2 jobs vacated through resignation and filled. They didn't non-renew someone to open a spot for me...... But they non-renewed both of us to get others in....
