As many of you know, I was offered a position back in my home state. (Yay) However, it begins Monday Kids start August 5th I was offered the position last Tuesday, and informed on Thursday that I would receive a formal offer/contract via mail this week. I don't even know my salary yet. Well, I haven't received it yet. Why is this a problem? Because I have to leave tomorrow for North Carolina in order to have all of my things moved by Sunday evening. I am EXTREMELY cash-strapped until my house sells (it should go officially under contract today). I don't have the money to move twice (as in move it back to NC). I also need to resign, so I wouldn't even have a job to go back to! I sent an email to the principal and the guy from the charter company backing it telling them all of this. That wasn't rude, was it?
Be prepared to stay in NC...don't resign or move until you know for sure. Some charters can be disorganized...hopefully you'll hear back today.
I hope you hear back from them today. Unfortunately it's only Wednesday, so it's possible your contract could not arrive until tomorrow or Friday. I hope everything works out...you deserve it!
I am praying that everything works out for you. This sounds pretty sure, but I wouldn't resign or do anything else until you have that contract. I have a friend who was told that she had a position and then two days later received an email taking it away.
The school knows you are moving from another state to work for them. Worst case scenario, see if you can Skype or telephone conference for the first day or so until you can be there in person. They want you there, so hopefully they can be flexible.
I agree. I also think the email was the right thing to do because you have to find out what is going on. If your new P does not respond, I would keep trying. I am so sorry! I know this must be causing great anxiety for you.
Wait, is your home state NC or somewhere else? I know in NC you can find out almost exactly what your salary is going to be. Could you do that? Just to get an idea?
Moving back to Michigan from NC. I would need to resign in NC and move all of my belongings. The school is a brand new charter and they don't have a website yet. It is also 221 teacher days with 8-5 daily hours. I feel I should be compensated for the extra time, but I'm worried about a low ball salary in the low 30,000s.
This is the email I sent: I was hoping one of you could answer a few questions for me. Sorry to be a bother, but I am very much a 'planner'. First, on Monday, will there be access to a projector and laptop? I was going to make a PowerPoint presentation to go along with the introduction of STEM. Secondly, I was under the impression that a formal offer/contract would be received via mail. Do either of you have any idea when that will come? All of my belongings are still in North Carolina. In order to me have everything moved by Sunday evening, I have to leave to get them tomorrow. I am not a big risk taker, so I am very apprehensive about doing this without having this in hand or even knowing the salary and benefits that I will be making. It will cost a significant amount of time and money to complete this move, so this has me a bit nervous. Not to mention that I would have to resign at *** Elementary while I was down there. Thanks for any help, Giraffe
The response: I see ** has answered your questions. When planning for your presentation, plan for approximately 45min.-hour, include modeling a STEM activity. You probably thought of this, but I wanted to make sure I shared my thoughts. I'm excited to have you on our team! I will be calling your references today Your employment is contingent upon a clear reference and background check.
First of all, the other person did NOT answer questions. Note that the salary issue was still not addressed. I have to go get the background check from a local agency, but I need a form from the school to get it done. I asked for one last week and I still haven't received it.
After crying all morning- and reaching hysteria at one point- I am going to put the move on hold. It means I will have to miss two days of work within the next few weeks (day to drive, day to load, day to drive back, day to unload), but I really feel it is their fault for dragging their feet. I'm really not liking the way this is going. I wish I had other options!!!
How obnoxious! It just sounds like they don't have nearly as much urgency on their end as you are feeling on yours. Fingers crossed that it will all work out well for you!
I think that you are making the right choice by postponing your move. Something seems fishy. Why haven't they checked your references, sent you the contract, or told you your salary? Do you have any other job prospects?
I canceled two interviews. I did go on one on Monday, but I haven't heard back, which is not good. Of course I still have a bazillion applications out there.
I don't think anything is intentional- I've really liked every person that I've met. I just feel that they are rushing this- starting school on August 5th is unrealistic when they were approved as a charter on the 18th of June!!!
I agree, hold off until you have that contract. And keep going on those interviews and doing your very best in case something falls through. Sorry you're dealing with all this extra stress.
Oh my goodness! So it´s not even official yet. Ok, you are making the right choice by not moving yet. Make sure everything is official before you go anywhere. They still need to let you know what your salary will be.
Just a heads up, I work at a private school which has only been around for 7 years and it is a constant organizational mess. I'm cool with it for the most part because I very much go with the flow. But there's a lot of things that are really bad, for example- we almost never get paid on time, we started the school year in February and most of the teachers have yet to sign a contract, and lots of stuff is sprung on us. Like one day I had a lab planned and then someone walked into my classroom telling me I had to take my entire class downstairs to watch some show on sharing. Umm, what? That sort of stuff happens ALL the time. I hope it goes better for you! I think a lot of the stuff that happens in my school would never be accepted in other places. Oh, and right now they're planning on taking the 9th grade to Germany for an entire month in September. Oh really? Starting planning that NOW? :huh:
I wish for the best for you - but after what you have shared here, keep interviewing just to be on the safe side.
You have been working very hard for this change but now it sounds that you may not be hired because they haven't checked your references. I have no experience with charters but not having a contract or not knowing salary sounds very scary! How soon do you need to tell your NC school you aren't coming back?
I don't understand why they cant just email you a number for your salary. That sucks! I'm in the process of moving too(not nearly as far as you) but at least I know how much I will be making, ect. I would be a wreck too!
Thanks guys. She just emailed me a formal welcome letter with dates and times, but still no salary! Uggh!!!!!!
I tend to be a worrywart, and this thread is making me anxious! First off, I've only had one teaching job. After interviewing, they called me within 24 hours to extend the offer. Once I accepted, we scheduled an appointment so I could sit down with HR to go over my salary, fill out health insurance docs, W-4 form, and sign my official contract. It was a seamless process. I truly, truly hope they get their sh*t together so you can start planning your move, etc. Keep us updated! You'll be in my thoughts!
I'm so sorry this is happening like this. I can totally understand your stress and concern about the unknown. You have to so to speak 'burn so many bridges', resign, move, etc, things that you can't undo or would be costly. I don't like the fact that they haven't checked your references nor your background. I know they will all be fine, but it took a whole week between the time I got fingerprinted and got my clearance. It could take a few hours or as long as weeks, you can never tell. I would also not move or do anything drastic until everything is final. This sucks big time!!!
Giraffe, I actually was thinking about you today as I spend some time in my new classroom. I'm so sad to hear this weird turn of events. Last year I cut it REALLY close in terms of giving my notice. I actually had a P kind enough to give me a few extra days while I waited for the go-ahead on my background checks and references. In the end, she couldn't wait any longer and I ended up resigning with no job in hand. It was only for a week, but that was a SCARY week, so I have some minor inkling (minor) of what this feels like. Follow your gut and don't resign just yet. Get your head ready to accept the possibility you will spend one more year in NC. You can do this! I'm not fond of this school as of now - no clear salalry, no contract, longer days, longer year, possibly no planning period...what about duty-free lunch? Maybe this school isn't The One. I hate to say it, though, I know how long you've been looking to go home
Giraffe, I can't offer any advice, just want to let you know that we are all sending good thoughts your way.
Ugh, what is wrong with those people? They just don't have it together, so thank God you didn't resign yet. I just don't get how they can treat you this way when they know you have to move. And not to have checked references yet? Or told you your salary? I hope for your sake it all works out, but you deserve MUCH better than this.
Yeah, I smell a rat here. Michigan's economy is pretty horrible right now, teaching jobs are prolly pretty scarce. Public school teachers in Michigan are paid really really well, they have a great standard of living. I am guessing they are not going to be paying that well, considering the extra days and hours, it just doesn't sound right.
Based on what you got back from the charter school it doesn't seem like a sure bet yet. Saying all your references need to check out and everything seems like it's opening themselves up to a way out of actually giving a contract if they want to for whatever reason. I definitely wouldn't resign yet but don't give up hope. Maybe it will work out and just end up costing you a few days at the new job. Good luck!
They've pushed our teacher start date back to Thursday (from Monday). Still no other info. However, I received 2 phone calls for interviews!
I took one for sure! GREAT district. The other is a charter an hour away, 6th grade. Thinking about it. (I missed the call, so I will call back tomorrow when I decide.)
I haven't commented much, but I have been following your story with interest for the past few months. I am so sorry this is happening!! I think it's very fishy that they haven't told you the salary yet. I work at a charter that's been around for a couple of decades, and this is not how things worked when I got hired. I didn't know the exact salary until my background check went through and I was able to sign the contract, but I am pretty sure I had a general idea of salary. It's very odd that they're not answering your questions about this. Is it possible that they don't even KNOW salary? Do they actually know how many students they have enrolled? I'm so sorry you're going through this - I am hoping to move next year to be closer to my own family so I have really been pulling for you to have this opportunity. I really hope something works out soon!!
The other hire and I have wondered if they know our salary. Pretty frustrating. I have no idea how many kids are enrolled. I don't think there are more than 30 or so on average per grade level. From the enrollment fair, there were more kindergarteners than anything.
