Starting to heal

Discussion in 'ten-forward' started by MRSCT, Nov 18, 2005.

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  1. MRSCT

    MRSCT Registered Member

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    Thanks for having this thread,:rolleyes:

    I have been teaching for 31 years, and on Sept 14 my career came to an end. After the 3rd day of school I was called into the director's office. I sat down then I was told I was supended. I am a person who does everything that I am told and if I didn't like it, I still did it. I asked what did I do, I was told it was for performance standards.o_O Also, I was told I was being investigated. Before I left, I was told to call Human Resources Monday. On Monday Sept 19. I was terminated, and I was given my last pay check, then I was escorted to my classroom for the last time to pick up my things.

    Filing a grievance with the company would be a joke because the matter would go around in a circle and end up with the executive director who was there when I was suspended. I lost my job because I make more money than most teachers because I came straight out of college to teach rather than starting as an assistant teacher. They have a major budget problem and my salary and health insurance they pay out would help the budget alot. After Sept 19, they didn't hire a lead teacher until last week, they used 2 aides to cover the class for 2 months.

    I tried to get unemployment and I had to go to court. I lost. I called about COBRA health insurance but found out the premium had doubled to $ 994.00 a month. I have many health problems and have been denied regular insurance.

    It has been 2 months and I now can look through the clouds. I loved my job working with low income preschool kids. Yesterday I saw 3 former parents and students. I told them what had happen to me. Each parent told me how I made a different in their child and their family. All of a sudden I felt something around my legs, it was Brenda giving my legs a hug.
    Each child and their parent gave me a big hug. I have made a diference in hundreds of families lives.:)

    I have saved enough for 4 months salary, I can take my time healing mentally and emotionally. I have gone to my doctor and asked for samples of medicine. My house is paid off. Most of all I have had comfort from all my cyber friends, especially Spanner. I'm going to be OK. I was trying so hard to do well and to keep my job and they were trying harder to get rid of me.

    I'm Ok now. And when I'm ready, I will find another teaching job and make a difference for more families.:)

    Thanks for listening,;)
    MRSCT
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2005
  2. Rita

    Rita Infrequent Poster

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    I am so glad to hear your ok now!I know it must have been a hard time for you.wish I could do something to help.It all sounds so unfair.I know when you are ready,you will find another job and continue making a difference in kids life.I wish you the very best!
    your friend
    Rita
     
  3. BeetleBoss

    BeetleBoss She who posts lots of <I>Smileys</I>

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    We're somewhere in Kansas, Toto!!!!
    MRSCT, What an amazing story! I'm sooooooo sorry you're having to go through all that.

    But, you HAVE made difference....and you wll continue too. And how blessed are those low-income families to have you lead to help them!!

    I know, how truly availible my kid's teachers are and have been.
    You all are some of the most self-less people.


    A Teacher's Poem

    Teachers

    WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?
    Author Unknown

    "Whose child is this?" I asked one day
    Seeing a little one out at play
    "Mine", said the parent with a tender smile
    "Mine to keep a little while
    To bathe his hands and comb his hair
    To tell him what he is to wear
    To prepare him that he may always be good
    And each day do the things he should"

    "Whose child is this?" I asked again
    As the door opened and someone came in
    "Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile
    "Mine, to keep just for a little while
    To teach him how to be gentle and kind
    To train and direct his dear little mind
    To help him live by every rule
    And get the best he can from school"

    "Whose child is this?" I ask once more
    Just as the little one entered the door
    "Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
    And each took the hand of the little child
    "Ours to love and train together
    Ours this blessed task forever."





    Why God Made Teachers
    By Kevin William Huff

    When God created teachers,
    He gave us special friends
    To help us understand His world
    And truly comprehend
    The beauty and the wonder
    Of everything we see,
    And become a better person
    With each discovery.

    When God created teachers,
    He gave us special guides
    To show us ways in which to grow
    So we can all decide
    How to live and how to do
    What's right instead of wrong,
    To lead us so that we can lead
    And learn how to be strong.

    Why God created teachers,
    In His wisdom and His grace,
    Was to help us learn to make our world
    A better, wiser place.



    One Hundred Years from now
    Author Unknown

    One Hundred Years from now
    It will not matter
    what kind of car I drove,
    What kind of house I lived in,
    how much money was in my bank account
    nor what my clothes looked like.
    But the world may be a better place because
    I was important in the life of a child.




    Teachers
    Paint their minds
    and guide their thoughts
    Share their achievements
    and advise their faults

    Inspire a Love
    of knowledge and truth
    As you light the path
    Which leads our youth

    For our future brightens
    with each lesson you teach
    Each smile you lengthen
    Each goal you help reach

    For the dawn of each poet
    each philosopher and king
    Begins with a Teacher
    And the wisdom they bring



    Children Learn What They Live
    Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph. D.

    If children live with hostility,
    they learn to fight.

    If children live with ridicule,
    they learn to be shy.

    If children live with tolerance,
    they learn to be patient.

    If children live with encouragement,
    they learn confidence.

    If children live with praise,
    they learn to appreciate.

    If children live with fairness,
    they learn justice.

    If children live with security,
    they learn faith.

    If children live with approval,
    they learn to like themselves.

    If children live with acceptance, and friendship,
    they learn to find love in the world.




    THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER
    Author Unknown


    The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."

    "Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"

    TEACHER:

    …must stand above all students, yet be on their level
    ... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught
    ... must run on coffee and leftovers,
    ... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time
    ... must have more time for others than for herself/himself
    ... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents
    ... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive
    ... must have 6 pair of hands.

    "Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible"
    "Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"

    The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"

    The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you", without so much as saying a word to the child."

    "Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow".

    "I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."

    The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating.
    "It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.

    "Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".

    "Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.

    "Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."

    The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger over the teacher's cheek.

    "Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model. You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."

    The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.

    "It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."

    "A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"

    The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class."

    "My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"
    The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."




     
  4. J at A

    J at A Guest

    Dear MRSCT,

    (FanJ here, off home)

    I feel so deeply sorry that you lost your job in that way, and have/had to go through all those circles....

    I feel so bad that folks loose their jobs for these kind of things.
    Money, always the money.... and what money get those executive directors into their wallet .... that is what always make me soooo angry...

    That someone you work for (I don't know at the moment the right English word) can get your job terminated in one minute, THAT is what makes me so extremely angry..............
    I'm not logged in at the board, but believe me, fire is coming out of my eyes, ears, mouth, .....
    I can get so ANGRY about those things !!!!!
    What the hell are all those employers, governments, US-republicans, and whatever you want to call them, thinking they're doing...
    They don't give one cent about human beings !!!!!

    O, are we not allowed to post politic issues here at the board; well, here you have one. EVERY (you hear me mods), every issue has a political component !
    EVERY thing is political !!!!!
    It is very simple: those who have the money, they decide ....

    OK, calm down Jan

    That one sentence "All of a sudden I felt something around my legs, it was Brenda giving my legs a hug."
    (assuming Brenda is one of the kids you were teaching)
    Keep that always, always as a precious moment !


    I am so very happy that Spanner could give you some comfort !!!
    Thanks Spanner !!!!!

    With all my very best wishes and most warmest regards,
    Jan.
     
  5. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    Great story

    Often when life is teaching us, we'll be presented with an opportunity to grow... and alas, often this comes with periods of pain and setbacks.
    It's adepting to new situations in a way without grudge, that makes the difference between depression or newly found energy and strength.
    The things that doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger - think positive, as you showed already.

    Tough it may be:
    You'll be alright :-*

    Wishing you goodluck and all the best,
    regards
    slam
     
  6. AvianFlux

    AvianFlux Registered Member

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    That's why they 'suspended' you, MRSCT. It had nothing to do with your performance. They did the math concluding $1,000s could be saved in health insurance premiums by cutting out sick employees, and replacing them with healthy counterparts. :mad:

    Wish you the best.
     
  7. MRSCT

    MRSCT Registered Member

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    Thank You,:-*
    I have more friends in cyber space than real life. I appreciate everyone's support through this hard time for me. It's taken me 2 months to realize I did nothing wrong and I am a good teacher. At our job we have a policy of they can let you go for any reason and no reason at all. Anyone I could get to testify were afraid a loosing their jobs.

    This is such a close knit board. I enjoy seeing all the positive comments here. When someone has a computer problem, I always send them here.:D

    MRSCT
     
  8. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

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    Avian Flux is right on target - these actions are almost always driven by money and not performance - but their economic analysis is shortsighted as to the true cost.
    FanJ makes some good points as to politics and money - although IMO these are universal and not attributable to any one party. Each party (and politician) has its own interests at heart - forget about who elected them.

    Best wishes - don't let them put limits on what you obviously have to offer to others.

    Rob
     
  9. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    6,590
    Although I'm mainly on the technical side of the business I'm in, I'm now one of the senior managers in my division. I came to that level a few years ago. I rose to that position in a purge of dysfunctional managers. The lead person was brought in from the outside. In my first round of yearly reviews, we went over past reviews for the groups. I was absolutely stunned at the rankings of people since they had no connection to organizational reality - be it technical or operational excellence. The level of disconnect was so profound to be amazing and the further down in layers one went, the stranger it became. What was obvious at that point was some of the events that occurred in downsizing - good, capable people let go with marginal performers retained - those decisions matched the ratings, but they didn't reflect reality.

    While personal relationships are certainly important, they sometimes weigh over all else. It shouldn't be that way for a number of reasons - not the least of which are the survival instincts of the management - which makes it all so bizarre to me.

    The key thing is to let go of the past, and stay positive on the future. That's the best way to land solidly on your feet. I've seen it with my own friends time and time again.

    Blue
     
  10. bigbuck

    bigbuck Registered Member

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    Qld, Aus
    Well MRSCT, I really feel for you!
    Your system is obviously starkly different to ours. In fact (in our Government Schools) here, it is nigh on impossible to get rid of teachers......and there seems to be a plethora of less than competent ones. The Education Department would have to show a well documented and lengthy system of support and assistance to these unsatisfactory teachers had failed, before they could actually dismiss them. Not to mention the Union support that they would receive. I have seen a few go by this route over the last 18 years, but only a few!

    Now you will find this unbelievable...
    Recently the government has been paying off 'disgruntled' teachers under a scheme called the 'career change program'. Teachers who are no longer happy or performing satisfactorily in their jobs have been offered one-off $50000 payouts to leave the profession! That's 50 grand for not performing!
    That would be on top of a very good superannuation scheme, which would see some teachers receiving $400-$500K on retiring.

    Take for instance two teachers that I know, both recently finished their teaching careers...
    Teacher 1 A great teacher who taught for 30+ years. Never had a sick day. Left 400+ sick days unused. You don't get paid out for these. It would equate to 2 years wages....about $120-$130K if it was paid. Left with a pat on the back and his superannuation (albeit a very good one!).
    Teacher 2 A terrible teacher. Also taught for 30+ years. Used ALL his sick days and various types of 'stress leave'. Now he was also at retirement age, and could leave whenever it suited him. He was able to access the $50K payout! His school thought it was well worth $50K to get rid of him in the same year he would have retired anyway! He got the $50K plus a healthy lump sum super.
    Hardly fair is it?
    Teacher 1 said to me just the other day "You know lad (I'm only 40....still a lad!), I would have been better off if I'd have been a slack ba$#@rd like ......". But we both knew that that could never have happened...

    So chin up MRSCT! You know in your heart that you did a good job and to hell with 'em!
    You could always emigrate.....we could do with a few good ones! ;)
    Cheers.
     
  11. MRSCT

    MRSCT Registered Member

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    There are many wise people here. I take to heart every word written. Starting over again is a step I fear, maybe because it is the unknown. I look through the ads for jobs, and say to myself how can I work for 1/3 my salary.

    I too never missed work. I would make my appointment to the doctor at 4:30 The class would end at 4:30 so I would leave work at 4:15 in order to stay with my class as long as I could. And before I left I always told them why I was leaving and I would see them tomorrow.

    When I worked for the district I had 1350 hours of sick leave. Lucky that they paid me 15% of it. At my current job, same company new people, I left with 330 hours in 5 years. I never missed work because I believed that some child may be looking for me each day, and for that child consistance in their life is sometimes few and far between.

    One thing I miss is my health insurance. I have settled everyone in my family but myself. Just got turned down by one, I was offered state insurance. If I took it, I would not have the doctors I finally found and trust. These doctors never told me you need prozac (an antidepressant) Ya know when you know something is wrong with you and you can't prove it. I have these doctors to thank for getting down to the bottom of things.

    Now is this pay you state in American dollars? It seems like good pay. What this program would do is start the school year later and end earlier. Instead of my annual salary getting bigger mine has shrunk. $4,000 less than 2000.
    I am too young for our retirement plan and social security.

    Thanks for listening
    MRSCT aka Carolyn:cool:
     
  12. bigbuck

    bigbuck Registered Member

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    All in $AUD. Annual salary here would be about $46K there. ;)
     
  13. MRSCT

    MRSCT Registered Member

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    Today I am thankful for being able to find health insurance for myself so that I can get my health better.

    Today I am thankful that I don't have to go in line for free turkeys and trimmings. I can let others have it.

    Carolyn aka MRSCT
     
  14. Primrose

    Primrose Registered Member

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    Last edited: Nov 23, 2005
  15. MRSCT

    MRSCT Registered Member

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    Primrose,

    Thank you for networking with me. I applied to Rowland Hall preschool. I know where the middle school is, but didn't know where they had moved the beginner school. It should be by the University of Utah. There are no openings, but I put my application in anyway.

    I will keep in mind your contacts you sent me. I appreciate that you took the time to give me this information. Please keep me posted if you hear of anything else.

    Carolyn:D
     
  16. Primrose

    Primrose Registered Member

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