Words can't even begin to adequately express how I am feeling right now. Numb, yet sad, shocked, weepy, optimistic, and scared all rolled into one, is about as close as I can get.
My current school district had its monthly board meeting on Thursday (4/23), and apparently I was listed on the agenda. I was unaware until a concerned co-workercalled me on Friday (I had taken a sick day) wondering if I had received any news about my job. I told her I hadn't, and she explained why she was wondering - she had read the agenda.
Well, on Saturday afternoon, less than 48 hours after the board made its staffing decisions for the next school year, I received my letter of non-renewal (I was "bumped" out my position by a tenured teacher). This was how I officially heard the horrible news.
Dear Ms. Edwards,
You are hereby notified that a regular meeting of the school board, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to terminate your contract effective at the end of the current school year, and not to renew your contract for the 2009-10 school year.
You may officially request that the school board give its reason for your non-renewal of contract. For your information, however, this action was taken due to budget reductions.
Yours very truly,
School Board
I have been so fortunate for the past two years to work with an amazing team. These women are caring, open, and fun. These women are my friends! I am grateful that I was able to start my career with such talented teachers - I have learned so much from them. Our students and staff have formed a little community within our school and I know so many of the children and will miss watching them grow from year to year. We have a wonderful support staff, and I have been lucky to sub within our building and grow other friendships. I truly love my job!
I am so sad to think that in less than two months I won't apart of this wonderful group. My heart hurts!
I am sharing this news with you, not to have your pity, but to have your prayers. Please pray for my family - that we can be strong and see through these scary times. Please pray for me as I continue my job search - that I can be confident and calm (especially at an upcoming interiew this Thursday). And, please pray for the school administrators that have difficult decisions ahead of them - may they be able to choose the best peoplefor the positions.
4 comments:
I am SO sorry Sara and will definitely be thinking and praying for you guys! If I hear of ANYTHING I will let you know FOR SURE! I wish there was a way to make sense of this! It is so sad that education has to take so many cuts!
I'm so sorry to hear that Sara. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that something comes up job wise for you.
Dearest Sara,
Your story reflects a heart that is so true, and so full of love and compassion that it is hard to comprehend how people can be so heartless in the way that information is shared. It is hard to remember that first our education jobs are a business, secondly, we teach monkeys. It is not you nor your lack of teaching skills nor the heart and soul you bring to the classroom. It is the failings of the company-school district-that we work for. That over planned, that can't pay the bills, that is gripping tightly to the financial demons, but failing. (While some still give themselves raises and bonus just like in corprate America). In this fear based world we are growing our kids in, I hope that you realize even now that your God is bigger than this problem. He will make a way. So, I will pray for your heart to be steady and true. For your faithfulness to Christ to be the soul reason you breath and for your eyes to be open to what God wants you to see so that you can walk that way, down that road, around the curve you can't see. Because it is there. It always is, like a river of refreshing water. God will provide. That is his job. Your job, is to be his faithful bride waiting for him. Bless you!
Love,
you always know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and that the solution will come. There is a reason that he is beating us down, and the strength that we gain from this will make us last eternal. I love you, and I support your dream, as I always have. Sometimes the rose tinted glasses are on sideways, but I will always love you and support you
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