Allow me to vent

[The Bad Guy]

I just need some space to rant and let off some steam. As some of you know, I was furloughed from my job 3 weeks ago as a special education teacher. I just had acquired tenure in the district, built up the program from basically scratch, and was let go because of an enormous amount of cuts in the district that initially happened in early July, but because they screwed up the seniority list, I got bumped by one spot. 3 years of sterling evaluations and the best I got was a voicemail from the superintendent saying I didn't have a job anymore.

I had an interview at another district 2 weeks ago and it went well. They had called my principal that was at my old school and they told him it was between me and another teacher I worked with that was furloughed. The district ended up making their decision based on the fact that this teacher also coached field hockey.

This was the absolute worst ****ing time ever for me to get laid off. Just built a new house, just had a ton of concrete work done at the house just a week before the call. They let me go 3 weeks before the year started, which means all the jobs have basically dried up.

I'm just beyond frustrated and angry. The union is doing next to nothing to get jobs back. I've requested a grievance about the fact they had 2 lottery drawings my initial year. The first drawing I was 4th highest on the list. The 2nd drawing, I was 15th. I also was hired for elementary and they moved me to high school a week before the year started. The lady I beat out for the elementary job, who was only hired after I got moved, is higher than me on the seniority list. My union head doesn't seem to really care about that.

I went to clean out my classroom yesterday and it's amazing how cold people can be. Some people I was really nice to just wouldn't even acknowledge me even though I wasn't let go because of any doing of my own. It just pissed me off to be treated like a bastard stepchild.

Even if I do get a teaching job elsewhere, I'm likely looking at 10-15k paycut.

I'm just really angry and needed to vent tonight.


***UPDATE***

I was called back by the superintendent of the district that furloughed me and they have a long-term sped position available until the end of the year. I accepted it. I go back to my full pay with benefits. While I'm hopeful that a full-time position will present itself, this gives me some security and flexibility.

I'm excited.

**2ND UPDATE****

Well, the arbitration ruling finally came down, and the teacher's union won on all counts. The district illegally furloughed all 32 teachers and now have to give us back pay and benefits for the entire school year as well as return us to our previous positions. District sent me a letter stating my reinstatement and I have to go to a meeting at 8 AM on Friday.

They might still appeal, but it's a good feeling.

[vailpass]

Very sorry to hear this. SED teachers have a special place in our society IMHO. Hang in there; I hope you don't give up your vocation. There are kids that need you.

[Fairplay]

Its part of the Hope and Change plan.

[Demonpenz]

You have support of people on here and atleast you are venting here.

[spanky 52]

Hang in there. Will be hoping for some positive news from you soon.

[Demonpenz]

I release! I let go! I coast along with my hands off the controls. I breathe freely without constraints. My energy flows without care alongside the wayward winds.

[L.A. Chieffan]

My wife is a special ed teacher. it helps with me i think

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Its part of the Hope and Change plan.

Totally his fault that TBG's district has declining enrollment. Commandant Obama should mandate a set amount of children and limit population mobility.

[Swanman]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Its part of the Hope and Change plan.

Keep the DC bullshit the **** out of this thread. Some people just can't ****ing help themselves.

TBG, hang in there. I like to think things happen for a reason. It sounds like you are passionate about what you do and that you are good at it and in the end, that is all that matters.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

That really sucks. I used to be married to a Special Education teacher (opens door for everyone) and I'm not so fond of HER anymore I have a ton of respect for the profession.

Hang in there and good luck.

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

That really sucks. I used to be married to a Special Education teacher

Cobbler's children or something like that...

[LVNHACK]

Hang in there TBG, thinks will break your way....

[SAUTO]

good thoughts headed your way

[Buehler445]

Keep your head up bud.

Hopefully you can find something. But the reality is that the only thing you can do is keep on and do the best you can. That's all there is to do.

In other news, I'm pretty sure my wife is God's sister. I'm ****ing her and that dude ****ing hates my ass. It's all I can think of.

[Mosbonian]

Frank....it's s shame that a good guy like you gets cut in favor of someone who is probably just "pulling down a paycheck". Keep your head up man...there is something for you. Like I am sure others on here will do for you, we will keep you in our thoughts.

This kind of political bullcrap is why I am trying to convince my daughter to graduate HS early. It's not only school politics that are played with how teachers are retained, it's also how the teachers play the students. It's no longer how truly talented the student is, it's how much money your parents kick in to the school coffers that rules where your kid places. Or where the parents are in the local social strata of the community.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Its part of the Hope and Change plan.

Take this to DC.