Thursday, January 08, 2009

I am no longer a teacher-blogger.

From now on, I am a mere blogger.

I don't have a job anymore. I'm not a teacher anymore.

Today I was made to sign a resignation so I wouldn't be fired. To add insult to injury, it didn't happen until after I had taught the whole day.

I knew something bad was coming, but I didn't want to think it was real, and I didn't think it would happen so soon. This week has been really awful in my classroom (and across the entire grade, actually). I haven't been a happy person at this job, and I haven't been a very effective teacher. So it's actually kind of a big relief.

I was pretty shaken by how fast it all happened; within an hour I finished teaching my last class, signed the letter, surrendered my laptop, and was packing up my belongings.

Thankfully my amazing friend L was around. She reminded me this is a good thing, and helped me clean out my stuff and take it to my car, then we went to a bar for drinks.

The first thing to know is that I am ridiculously excited to sleep in tomorrow.

The financial situation is going to stress me out. I have no idea what I'll do. I don't want to teach anymore, though; I had figured that out for good a few months ago. (Though a possibility of subbing might be a good back up plan, for paycheck reasons.) Tonight I looked through job listings and found some interesting bits. Did I mention that I emailed two applications to non-profit jobs on Monday? Neither has responded, which is a little sad, but it was probably still good practice.

So 2009 will turn out to be completely different than 2008. I haven't the slightest idea how it will turn out.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my. You could have stayed another week in Guatemala.

T-Mama said...

Good luck to you!!

artichoke said...

The best is yet to come! I know it isn't easy to really feel the full scope of that now while you are still in a bit of a shock - but really, congratulations for being done with it! Don't underestimate your contribution and how hard you worked to teach in a very challenging situation, and I hope you realize that your happiness, health, and sense of balance are worth protecting and working for too! Welcome to the new chapter of your adventurous life!

Katie J. said...

I know I've been silent for a while, but I've been lurking, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you. I doubt I can summarize everything you're thinking and feeling about this, so I won't even try. I'll just tell you that I've always known you're an amazing person, and I hope that - wherever you land next - your talents, passions, and efforts are fully appreciated.

X said...

I feel excited for you, but I also might burst into tears...I'm so sorry about the crappy way this happened.

Karenina said...

You don't know me-- I have been lurking for a good three years now. Six years ago, I moved to Ohio-- leaving a nonprofit job I loved -- and I went back to school to train to be a teacher. After 3 years of school and 2 of subbing, I never got a teaching job, but I did get a job last year at a local non profit-- a community arts center.

As a teacher blogger, you really helped me to keep things in perspective while I was struggling with a particular long-term sub job. So I want to let you know that at both of the nonprofits I have worked for, they are NEVER on top of things when it comes to contacting job applicants. Your Monday resumes may be sitting on top of the pile as their first choice. It sounds as if you are doing a great job in keeping some perspective, but I also know that what goes down on the blog and what is happening really is not always the same thing.

Also, because I now hire art teachers, I encourage you to please look into teaching photography at a community art center. The pay isn't much, but your photography talent and teaching skills would be very much appreciated.

And hang it there. FWIW, you have someone on your side in Ohio.

Mrs. Tolin said...

I am sorry that that happened to you that way. What a crummy thing to do the first week back. Couldn't they have let you know before Christmas??!!!

On the other hand, you have a future in front of you now, that while unknown, will lead you to better things.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I wish you all the luck in the world as you embark on your new adventure, Jules.

As someone who has been stuck in jobs I didn't like (and even fired from one), I understand what it's like to feel that relief of not having to put the time in there any longer.

I, personally, thought you were a great teacher, but if it wasn't something that was making you happy every single day (as it continues to do for me, despite STILL not having a classroom of my own), then you definitely owe it to yourself to find something that does.

And you WILL find it - it might take some time, but you will. I second the suggestion from the reader who mentioned teaching photography classes. I think you'd be a phenomenal photog teacher.

Also, think about freelancing?

{{{HUGS}}}

P.S. Lindsay and I mentioned perhaps meeting up over April break to knit and chat. Would you be interested? What with the great knitting club you started at school, I think you could certainly help me pick it up.

O.k., I'm done writing my novel now ~ Happy Friday :)

Schoolgal said...

I believe this was fate--and when one door closes another will open.

Do take the time to meet face to face with principals if you want to sub, otherwise your resume just gets lost. If you are no longer with the DoE, you will need to apply for a sub license. But the pay is great and no daily stress.
Just bring some of your own lessons with you just in case you can't find a plan book. Bring lots of stickers too. Follow the plans, leave a note for the teacher, and most of all leave the room clean and you will soon be the most sort after sub in the school.

And if you interview for a non-profit, make sure they have a long-term budget to cover the cost of a new employee. So many non-profits are hurting in this economy.

I wish you luck and happiness!

NYC Educator said...

I'm very sorry to hear this happened, and that you were treated in this way. How creepy.

I wish you all the best, and I hope you land on your feet very soon. But not too soon, because you ought to sleep in for a little while before making up your mind.

CaliforniaTeacherGuy said...

I suspect you'll be a mere blogger for only a while. You have valuable skills that can be used, as Karenina says, in teaching photography--so you CAN be a teacher-blogger again.

I wish you the best. Get some rest--you need it!

And then get going!

Mei said...

To me, it sounds as though your administration acted in a spectacularly shady manner with a touch of passive-aggression. I'm so sorry that you're without work, but I am pleased for you, that you don't have to go back to such an unhappy workplace.

I wish you the best of luck in your job search. Though it's funny, isn't it, that you're drawn to the non-profits? Like teaching, those are jobs that are more about helping others than the money. You've got a really good, true heart.

Reciprocal said...

Good Luck to you. I've never written you here but know you are a wonderful person and have many talents. I'm sure something better is in store for you.

Ms. George said...

Jules,
I'm sorry for the lousy way you've been treated and for all the stress it's caused you this year, but good things are coming to you. I truly believe that. Look into the photography thing, maybe you could set up shop on etsy--I'd buy some of your shots!
Or maybe you'd consider writing a book?
All the best...

cupcake said...

I'm new to your blog, but I had to comment on this.

I got fired once. It wasn't from teaching - it was a different job, a long time ago. Three days before Thanksgiving. I didn't see it coming, and, like you, it all happened so quickly that I was in shock for the first five or six hours afterwards. I gave myself one day to cry about it, and then I felt ... free. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me, although at the time, I was so frightened and worried that I couldn't imagine anything positive about it.

I feel for you, for what that's worth. But like other commenters, I think you will come out of this headed in a whole new direction.

Good luck. And, at the risk of sounding like a complete loon, enjoy this time. Seriously. Enjoy it.

Saii said...

I am sorry...
something similar happened to me in July and I was completely destroyed...


I really hope things get well for you
and you can find your way again.

I tried a couple of things before going back teaching 5 days ago, maybe you should try something new and it will bring light to you.


God is with you.

Pissedoffteacher said...

That really sucks. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Ugh. How are such things possible... I wish you tons of luck. Sometimes it can be really exciting -if daunting - to start on a new career and it can help to focus on that aspect. It will be an adventure, that's for sure. I'm curious, though - why did you decide that you don't want to teach anymore?

ed notes online said...

Wow! Don't let someone else determine how you view yourself. This job takes down a lot of people. Under the right conditions, this is the best job and you would flourish. At least when it can be between you and your kids. But the forces that be throw a lot of crap in the way. Good luck!

yomister said...

Your exceptional teaching talent has been evident to all of us that have read your posts over these years.

Please take some time over the next weeks to read your old posts and note the incredible progress your former pupils made under your guidance.

Some environments are not compatible with our talents. I highly suspect this was the case that you encountered.

But thrive you did prior to joining this school!

I have read your tales so often, and have always been inspired by your dedication and tenacity. For that, my sincerest thanks.

Anonymous said...

The 2010 Census is hiring at $17.75 an hour. Not bad for a part-time gig. Hey, it's something, anyway...

Go to www.census.gov, and you can find where to call so you can take the "test" (do the sample they have online first, it's not as easy as you might think).

allison said...

Teaching is so stressful nowadays. I'm so sorry that you had a bad experience. May God bless you in your search.

A said...

Best of luck. I'm sure you'll move onto something you love even more.


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