Retaliation Against Special Ed Teacher
Dear Cheryl,
Pamela Settlegoode sent me your email address.
I have been a special education teacher for 8 years. The past 3 years have been in the same district which means I did not have tenure.
My evaluations are flawless. However, I complained about my IEP's not being met due to a teaching assistant refusing to assist with anything. Therefore, the principal has retaliated against me and recommended that I not be rehired. He refused to give me a reason. Under the law he doesn't have to say a word.
I did go in front of the board and pleaded for my job. Two board members voted for me, one abstained, four against. So, I am know looking for a job, looking for advice, and totally confused on how to undo this injustice.I only wanted what was best by law for my students.
I don't know much about your case but I am beginning to learn we are not alone, which for some unfortunate reason makes me feel a little better that I am not the only good teacher that was let go. I always said when teaching became just a job it was time to quit. It is the administrations who are ruining education. When will the law makers and state school board of education realize that?????? Have you found a teaching position?? I cannot move because of my husband's job.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Scared and Confused
ILLINOIS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER NAIVELY THOUGHT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILDREN. NAPTA
Dear Karen,
After reading all your efforts I am sympathetic to how much stress you must be under; and totally impressed with your bravery, and dedication to this cause. However, I am also confused on what to do.
Are you teaching now?????? I am being advised to hold my tongue if I want another teaching position in my area. I am trying to fight my non-renewal through my union but it doesn't look promising. They told me a school district can get rid of a non tenured teacher just because they don't like their hairstyle.
I have two children - one is a freshman in college and the other will be a freshman in college in the fall. I have to find a job or their dreams will not come true.
My evaluations have always been excellent. My principal refused to give me a reason as to why he was recommending to the board to not rehire me. He said under the law he didn't have to give me a reason. Since he didn't say anything negative about my teaching abilities, I hope I can find employment. He did give me a unsatisfactory in the area of relationships with colleagues.
The only person I have had troubles with is the incompetent aide that was placed in my classroom this year. This aide made statements like, "What's the use helping these students- they aren't going to amount to anything anyway."
I was so naïve. I thought the principal would remove the aide from my room just from that comment.
From September through March the aide did absolutely nothing. He didn't even show up to class half the time. The principal said the man didn't have to get up out of chair to assist any student. I only wanted a classroom aide that my IEP's mandated, who would actually assist.
After I was non-renewed a new aide was put in my room. She is wonderful.. My husband thinks I was set up from the very beginning. He believes they got rid of me because I was too expensive. I did go to the board and they listened in executive session. Two board members voted to keep me, one abstained, four against.
After the meeting,one board member said, "We hired the superintendent to do a job and I followed her recommendation." So, he didn't care what happened.
I've read everything Cheryl, Pamela Settlegoode, and you have said and I am frightened more. I know what is right, and that is why I lost my job. I know everything the three of you are doing is right. I know if people like you don't do something it will only get worse. But, I don't know if I can afford to fight this publicly if it affects my ability to get another job. You three are braver than I am.
I always thought I was a fighter and truly believe the administrators in our schools are the problem. Something needs to be done but I don't have the financial resources. I have to look out for my family. My family income has now been cut in half. How do I continue to pay the bills without a job??????????????
Well, I will continue to try to sort this all out. Please continue to inform me of your progress. Thanks for listening to me.
Scared and confused teacher in Illinois
ONCE AGAIN A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER IS RETALIATED AGAINST FOR TRYING TO HELP HER STUDENTS. NAPTATop
BACKGROUND