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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 16:39:15 GMT
This has been just the crappiest couple of weeks on record here in the Merge household. Older DD is back on her feet for the moment and I am over my Covid, but on Friday, my principal called me in to tell me that I will not be coming back next year. I’ve been teaching part time this year, and I love it, but I want to come back to the same school next year so I told her repeatedly that I was flexible and would work either part or full time.
She chose to interpret that as me not being “all in” for full time, so while there will be a full time music position next year, I will not be considered for it.
She told me this last Friday and my kindergarten program is this week. Today she came into rehearsal and wanted to change several things. When I told her I’m fine with whatever she wants to do, and turned to leave, she snapped at me that she wasn’t done speaking to me yet and was borderline abusive with her rant.
My heart is broken. I love the kids at this school and have been working my butt off for them. I resurrected a dormant program, put on successful grade level shows, wrote grants for guitars and ukuleles and brought those in to our curriculum, created an interactive website so kids can practice at home, and have had the support of parents throughout. My appraisals are all highly effective and there’s not a single negative thing in my employee file.
I need to teach one more year. I should be able to retire after that. But I need one more year full time. I had hoped to spend it at the school I know and love, but now it seems that I will be starting over again somewhere else. And I’m facing an uphill battle now in convincing any of the young principals I see to take a chance on a dinosaur like me.
I have no idea what I’ve done to deserve this treatment. I’ve made her look great with every performance I’ve staged and with every kid who has been inspired to do music outside of school because of what I’ve taught. It seems that asking for a part-time year to take a breather - while continuing to do great things for the kids and school - was a bridge too far. Or else this is ageism, pure and simple, but she is older than I am.
I am scared about next year. For the first time in my career, I’m not getting immediate calls on the resumes I send out. I fear age is working against me.
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Post by scrapmaven on May 2, 2023 16:45:34 GMT
Would it be worth a talk w/your principal telling her everything that you've told us? Would she listen? In this case, what have you got to lose? Maybe she'll be the abusive jerk that she has been or maybe she'll listen. Wdyt? You know her best. I'm sorry that this happened right before retirement. She sounds like an angry person who has no business managing other people.
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 16:49:41 GMT
Would it be worth a talk w/your principal telling her everything that you've told us? Would she listen? In this case, what have you got to lose? Maybe she'll be the abusive jerk that she has been or maybe she'll listen. Wdyt? You know her best. I'm sorry that this happened right before retirement. She sounds like an angry person who has no business managing other people. I have told her all of this. She does not care. |
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Post by quinlove on May 2, 2023 16:50:49 GMT
Oh no Merge. Please try to be positive about it all. I think that your all excellent experience will be a big part of you getting a new position.
My dd has taught first or second grade for about 20 years at the same school. She has seen principals come and go. A lot. Some good and some bad.
I feel very optimistic that this will work out in your favor. You are way too good of a music teacher to not be recognized. Keeping you and your precious family in my thoughts. ❤️
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Post by dizzycheermom on May 2, 2023 16:51:47 GMT
oh man! So sorry to hear this. Good luck!
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Post by Prenticekid on May 2, 2023 17:04:19 GMT
Is it to hire someone younger? I'd look into filing an EEOC charge for age discrimination.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 2, 2023 17:04:45 GMT
I'm so sorry. Do you think this has anything to do with the current mess with the entire district? I hope you are able to find something suitable with a more appreciative admin.
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 17:06:13 GMT
Is it to hire someone younger? I'd look into filing an EEOC charge for age discrimination. They will almost certainly hire someone younger just because I’m close to retirement age, but it’s hard to prove their intention to do that. |
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 17:06:40 GMT
I'm so sorry. Do you think this has anything to do with the current mess with the entire district? I hope you are able to find something suitable with a more appreciative admin. Thanks. And I have no idea. I don’t see how. |
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Post by Prenticekid on May 2, 2023 17:21:01 GMT
Is it to hire someone younger? I'd look into filing an EEOC charge for age discrimination. They will almost certainly hire someone younger just because I’m close to retirement age, but it’s hard to prove their intention to do that. It isn't actually. Not being considered for re-hire when you have performed well and made your intentions to stay on, and being replaced by a significantly younger individual is a good start. There are other factors, of course, but don't discount it out of hand. |
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Post by workingclassdog on May 2, 2023 17:28:38 GMT
ugggg. this story reminds me when I was fired from my DD school. They gave me impossible work to be completed on time. I worked in the office. While I was working my ass off, my co-worker spent all her time on the phone.. hours and hours of time. While she wasn't doing her job, I had to cover her plus my load. I finally got fed up and said something. Next day I got fired. Reason was that I had a misspelled word on a document. Yep got fired for a misspelled word (so they said). I was heartbroken. I have never been fired from a job. I always do my best for the most part. But looking back I'm glad I was let go. It was a very clicky type environment. I hated that.
Good luck in finding something!
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Post by gar on May 2, 2023 17:34:17 GMT
Oh I’m so sorry you have to deal with this crap! ((Hugs))
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Post by sean&marysmommy on May 2, 2023 17:39:06 GMT
I'm sorry this is happening! Did she give you any reason other than her misinterpretation that you weren't willing to work full time? That is so bizarre, for you to have done so many stellar things, and for her to want you out. I'd be upset, too.
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,994 
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Post by huskergal on May 2, 2023 17:41:16 GMT
I am sorry! That sucks. Is she a newer administrator?
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Post by flanz on May 2, 2023 17:46:37 GMT
Well that sucks. I'm so sorry, Merge.
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 17:54:46 GMT
I'm sorry this is happening! Did she give you any reason other than her misinterpretation that you weren't willing to work full time? That is so bizarre, for you to have done so many stellar things, and for her to want you out. I'd be upset, too. Nope, that’s the only reason she was willing to give me. She said, “I want someone who wants to be here full time, and I don’t think that’s you.” That’s it. No further discussion. |
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 17:56:01 GMT
I am sorry! That sucks. Is she a newer administrator? Nope. She’s been a principal for 23 years. |
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 17:56:44 GMT
They will almost certainly hire someone younger just because I’m close to retirement age, but it’s hard to prove their intention to do that. It isn't actually. Not being considered for re-hire when you have performed well and made your intentions to stay on, and being replaced by a significantly younger individual is a good start. There are other factors, of course, but don't discount it out of hand. DH thinks I should speak with a labor attorney, too. I’m thinking about it. |
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
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Post by janeliz on May 2, 2023 18:03:03 GMT
I’m so sorry. It’s heartbreaking to give your energy and soul to a job and be treated this way. She sounds like so many bosses my teacher friends have had throughout the years—irrational and intractable for no good reason.
I hope something really positive surprises you. You deserve a good break!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on May 2, 2023 18:08:43 GMT
What an awful thing to have happen and especially right now for you. I'm going to wish a student gives her a really bad case of head lice. (Hopefully that made you laugh just a little?)
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Post by ~summer~ on May 2, 2023 18:09:21 GMT
That stinks, I’m sorry.
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Post by ntsf on May 2, 2023 18:13:42 GMT
merge I'm so sorry. I would talk to labor attorney. do you have a union to back you up?
are there opportunities elsewhere cause you have been there a long time?
I'm sure this is not what you need. hugs and hope things get better.
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Post by lucyg on May 2, 2023 18:14:09 GMT
I am so, so sorry. Firing someone a year before retirement for any but the most egregious of causes is contemptible behavior. It seems aimed at depriving you of your full retirement benefits.
I hope you can find another job you like and/or legal recourse!
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Post by leannec on May 2, 2023 18:18:09 GMT
Are you not in a union? For me, here in Canada, if I was surplussed (which must be the terminology she is using), I would be a "must place" in the school board ... they would have to find me a position because I have a contract ... do you not have one?
I'm assuming not ... the US works differently ...
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Post by mikewozowski on May 2, 2023 18:19:03 GMT
was she the one who hired you? maybe she wants to bring in one of "her" people. can the teacher's union help you? if you do manage to stay, would she try to make your life miserable? do you have a friend in the school that is her friend that could speak up for you? is there another job you can do to work that last year? i WOULD speak to a labor attorney. what have you got to lose?
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 18:21:58 GMT
I am so, so sorry. Firing someone a year before retirement for any but the most egregious of causes is contemptible behavior. It seems aimed at depriving you of your full retirement benefits. I hope you can find another job you like and/or legal recourse! Unions in Texas are useless, by design. |
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 18:23:33 GMT
was she the one who hired you? maybe she wants to bring in one of "her" people. can the teacher's union help you? if you do manage to stay, would she try to make your life miserable? do you have a friend in the school that is her friend that could speak up for you? is there another job you can do to work that last year? i WOULD speak to a labor attorney. what have you got to lose? She's the one who hired me! I don't honestly know that I want to work there any more after the way I've been treated, but I do want some satisfaction. I have a call in to a labor atty DH has used in the past. |
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Post by Merge on May 2, 2023 18:24:44 GMT
Are you not in a union? For me, here in Canada, if I was surplussed (which must be the terminology she is using), I would be a "must place" in the school board ... they would have to find me a position because I have a contract ... do you not have one? I'm assuming not ... the US works differently ... We don't really have unions here in Texas as you understand them. This year I was on an hourly teacher contract, which does not have automatic renewal like full-time contracts do. |
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Post by Bridget in MD on May 2, 2023 18:29:53 GMT
Considering the huge teacher shortage, I am shocked she's not begging you to stay even longer than the year you have left! That's bullshit! This is so shitty of her, like other said above, I would be talking to an atty. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, on top of an already tough last week and being sick. I'd almost be tempted to go to Hawaii for that last year, I swear I feel like I am always seeing ads for teachers there, and you could check out retirement spots too!  |
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Post by hopemax on May 2, 2023 18:33:33 GMT
I'm so sorry. Do you think this has anything to do with the current mess with the entire district? I hope you are able to find something suitable with a more appreciative admin. This is what I'm wondering. How many times do we tell people, "If you have too much on your plate, focus on the *really* important stuff and try to free yourself of everything else." Given what school administrators are being faced with these days, especially in Texas, I can easily see how a music program, even a successful one won't make the "worth my limited time and energy cut." From Merge's perspective, obviously she feels that keeping her in her position is the path of least resistance, and the immediate impacts are far more impactful for Merge. But as Merge also says, she has one more year left. So if principal doesn't deal with this position this year, it will need to be dealt with next year at worst, and only a few years at best? I wouldn't blame the principal for wanting a more permanent solution to a staff position. The same reasons that potentially make her an unattractive hire to other schools, are valid for the current school too. And I hope that people don't interpret this as a lack of sympathy for Merge. Being blindsided in this way is horrible, and when you feel like your options are limited, personal life is chaotic, it can only make it worse. Does your last year need to be a district position for benefit reasons? Or can you move into the "private sector." Private schools, private lessons, or thinking farther outside of the box, program with other types of groups other than students who could benefit from musical enrichment? I know that is a big change from what you have been doing, and scary to think about. But new people to appreciate what you bring to the table could be a good thing. I just wouldn't take this too personally. Especially, in the soul eating way... "Was there something I could have done better to have this turn out differently." You can't control all the tomatoes being thrown at administrations that prevent them from feeling burned out and needing to triage aggressively in the current environment. Good people will end up collateral damage. Even sometimes at the hands of other decent people. Still sucks though. |
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