Time to move on...

musiscout · February 2011

As you know the schools are getting more and more stressful with the testing and closing the gap for our city children. I started at my school a while ago after just moving here all by myself. It has always had its ups and downs and our admin. goes extreme as all the new practices come down from above. I kept making it work like everyone else for my students and the admin as best as I could without losing my sanity in the process. This year I guess I am a little to idependent minded for them as I was given an unsatisfactory rating, because I didn't have detailed enough comments on small group work and in conferencing. This, of course, is just there for the admin to check up on me. It's a new AP for me, and I feel that decision may have been made on her part before she came in. The students do not see any of these comments. All the years prior, teachers were sent to my room and I was given little criticism. I was one of the rooms scheduled for visitors. And I work with the admin after school for the last 3 years.

Some drama that happened last year made me feel like moving on, but I think this is it. So, I will be interviewing for other schools while on maternity leave. I also want to do something a little different anyway. There are a lot of district 75 sites which place special education students throughout the area. I have a lot of skills, experience and 3 teaching licenses that would benefit them.

So, now I'm trying to figure out how to leave my school peacefully. I think I'll make an informal meeting with my principal to see what this rating all entails and how I can fix it to clear my name. I get observed now, which is fine. Unfortunately, they can give me a bad rating even if just one of my students does not know their goals for the 5 subjects. If they want it to be bad, they will find something. They tend to target people. I am considering asking if a different admin can observe me, because this one has yet to find anything good in my classroom. The other 3 have never found much bad, but they do have each other's back. In the end, I need a good recommendation to another school and a good reason in interviews for leaving.

Any feed back is appreciated. My friend/ collegue was so concerned that they were doing this to me while pregnant, like picking on someone who's not going to stand up for herself. Instead, I think it helps put things in perspective. I just don't see staying there next year, when another school will appreciate and use my talents better. I think there would be more opportunities for promotion too. I want to go back to school for my admin license or doctorate to be a professor.

firedancer22 · February 2011

i don't have too much in the way of "words of wisdom," except to say that i can totall relate. i am very firm in my decision that it's time for me to move on from my school as well.

the bureaucracy of the NYCDOE is just not working for me, and i am pursuing positions in private schools, where i can stay in the classroom, but also take on a leadership position, like department chair or something of that nature. the DOE just doesn't have that kind of opportunity for teachers--there is a very definite glass ceiling.

best of luck, and keep us updated!

Temp663997437501443 · February 2011

I'm so sorry. I am in my second school now (well, technically my third) and I feel like my job is much more satisfying after finding a place where I feel like I am better appreciated for what I can offer. And I still have room to grow. I had just felt like I had reached my maximum potential at my former school, although I didn't have any issues with lack of support from my administration. I think I have been blessed with administrators who appreciated my work because I have heard some absolute horror stories from people in other schools.

As for the U-rating, my only advice is to seek out the help of a colleague on what they think your AP is looking for if its unclear. In your last review, they should have outlined explicitly what you can do better. I would just make sure that you have addressed whatever they have recommended (even if you think it was unwarranted). Maybe do a practice run with your students.

If you do want to go into admin, look into the aspiring principals program. One of my GF's did this and she has been very happy in her principal position at a elementary school.

subdola · February 2011

Have you spoken to your UFT rep about the rating? You may be able to fight it if they don't have proper evaluative evidence for that rating. I've been at my school for 6 years now and this is it for me. It would have been it last year if I'd have managed to save enough money to get out. I'm actually leaving teaching altogether for a while, the BS is just way too much for me to deal with right now, although for me it's not as much about my particular administration as it is about the whole system in general...but I don't want to get started on that rant because I'll just go on and on forever!.

What is your license area? We may have an opening for a CTT position for next fall (it is middle school, and would likely be in the 7th grade). PM me if you'd like the information. My school is not always sunshine and roses, but they tend to be fair. The principal was a teacher for 22 years before she got her admin degree, so she's better than most.

musiscout · February 2011

Thanks everyone. I talked to the boss who tried to calm me down today. He said it wasn't a big deal and he would coach me. I still don't think I deserve the rating. The union rep is a good friend and colleague. She agreed that I'm doing better than most and this appears to be a power-play, put me in my place type of thing with the new AP.

For the past two years, after my masters and getting married. I've been trying to think of what to do next. I want my admin degree or advanced degree to be a professor at the end of my career.

Subdola, thanks for the offer. We should talk so I can find out more. I kind of want to do something new, maybe outside of the classroom, organizing IEPs or ESL, mentoring, doing an art prep, data inquiry, SETTTS, referring students into special ed. *We also have the same wedding anniversary*

subdola · February 2011

musiscout:
. *We also have the same wedding anniversary*

How random! Were you ever on the July '09 board?

We may actually also have a SETTS position, but it's a bit unclear right now what the structure will be at the school, especially with the looming possibility of yet more budget cuts (although I can't fathom how the school will manage with more cuts...) I'll definitely keep you posted though.

lawby2005 · February 2011

Musiscout, the whole situation is unfortunate but I am glad that you are keeping your options open and that there are avenues for you. Good Luck!

Time to move on...

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