Update: ‘I [had] every intention to fully resign’: Teacher tries to quit due to overbearing Karen boss, but super intendant throws enticing curveball in teacher's best interest

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Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Jul 2, 2023 6:00 PM EDT

Being a teacher in the U.S. is not the best paying job these days. Was it ever? There might have been a time when you could be a public school teacher and afford your own home, but these days, not many jobs—especially government jobs—provides that "luxury." So,  as one would expect, not many people are opting for those kinds of jobs. So schools are becoming more and more desperate for teachers. Unfortunately, it took getting desperate for many upper managements in the education system to be forced to step down from their high horse and start talking to their employees like actual human beings. 

That might sound harsh, but more and more instances are proving this. One teacher recently turned to Reddit to decide whether or not he should continue being a teacher. It is his first year as a teacher—before, he was working in IT, but wanted to switch to a career that helped more people. So he chose to be a teacher and was instantly great at it. He taught several difficult classes and even coached several sports teams that were doing well. However, one incident that could have been handled a lot easier, was not, and ended up bursting with drama and even with him being reprimanded by the principal in front of his entire class. 

He didn't switch careers to be treated like trash, so after this incident, he decided to put in his resignation—he wasn't going to stand being treated like this. However, the school had already gone through several resignations and they simply couldn't afford another. So the principal begged to meet with him to discuss potentially not leaving, but he refused and only accepted if the super intendant would be there. 

To his surprise, the super intendant took this very seriously and did come to a meeting. The teacher came in with fists ready (metaphorically) and was fully intending to quit. He even refused to sit down when the super intendant offered him a chair. To his shock and awe, the super intendant got up and gave him a sincere apology, made the principal do the same, and then offered him a raise. 

Now, the teacher is unsure what to do. He wants to continue helping the children in his classes, but he also is suspicious about the management of the school. So many others quit and it must have been for good reason, but this offer is very enticing. Most Redditors are suggesting he take the bait, but to stay alert. What would you do? Read the entire situation below! 

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  • 01
    Sleeve - Posted by u/Christianpilgrim84 9 days ago First year teacher resigning from teaching position, should I reconsider? s(n) = k₁₁. s/n = 1) + K₂
    via u/Christianpilgrim84

    Photo via u/pickpic

  • 02
    Font - Long story short, I was given an assignment in March by the school district to help students with a planned protest on a dress code implementation. The superintendent did not like the results and emailed us to stop assisting the students. I replied to the email asking if teachers were consulted on the decision to stop helping the students.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 03
    Font - My principal interrupted my class to verbally reprimand me and demanded I not send any further emails to the superintendent. I ignored this and emailed the Superintendent requesting a face to face. I was written up and reprimanded by my principal and HR.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 04
    Font - I resigned my teaching position a few days ago and the resignation was rejected. The principal asked to meet with me. I met with the principal and he practically begged me to stay on staff because I'm coaching two successful sports programs and teaching 3 unique technology classes.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 05
    Font - I requested to meet face to face with the superintendent AND the principal. The Superintendent is going to hear how I feel about the way he handled that situation. If he listens, I could change my mind.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 06
    Font - At the moment I have every intention to fully resign this position and to return to IT consulting work. The principal will call me to see if the superintendent will meet with me and him. If he does, it's all based on that conversation. If he denies, it's a done deal.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 07

    UPDATE:

    Font - Posted by u/Christianpilgrim84 1 day ago Should I accept the apology and withdraw my resignation? I posted a few weeks back about being a teacher and resigning because my principal and superintendent reprimanded me for directly emailing the superintendent when I had an issue.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 08
    Font - I resigned the position and the principal declined my resignation and asked to speak with me. I responded that I would meet with him if and only if it's with him and the superintendent. I was actually granted that meeting.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 09
    Font - I walked into it with a copy of my resignation to hand directly to the superintendent and I had something predetermined to tell him... Something in the ballpark of: "If you're too good or important to answer an email from me, then find someone else to teach the classes I teach and coach the sports I coach."
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 10
    Font - I walk in and the superintendent asks me to sit and I refuse. He then stands up and says: "I was under a lot of pressure with that situation. I was wrong and I want to formally apologize to you. What can I do to make this right?" My mouth almost hit the floor.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 11
    Font - They maxed my coaching salaries to the district cap because teaching pay is based on a scale for teaching and I'm at the pay grade for my scale. I'd also receive extra pay for being part of a new task force as a liaison between teachers and the superintendent.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 12
    Font - The Principal also apologized. Im not doing this for money. Im doing it to help kids. Thoughts?
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 13
    Font - Kmd10981 1 day ago I would retract the resignation...such openness and honesty to admit one is wrong is rare. it is a sign that (1) they have good character and ethics, (2) they value you and (3) you can continue to make a positive difference for the kids
    via u/Kmd10981
  • 14
    Font - Christianpilgrim84 OP 1 day ago Thank you. I had this superintendent painted in a really different picture before the meeting. I know just our school had 5 other resignations and I think district wide, we had over 100. He looked beat up and worn down.
    via u/Christianpilgrim84
  • 15
    Font - cassiuswright. 1 day ago You can always quit again if warrant you circumstances doing so 574 Reply Share spongebobsworsthole 23 hr. ago That's my take. I'd go along a little and see since you got a raise, but any more bullshit and it's back to square one.
    via u/cassiuswright
  • 16
    Font - Atomic BlastCandy 20 hr. ago since you got a raise, And shows backbone. It could also mean that the principal is going to make OP's life harder for daring to stand up for him/herself.
    via u/AtomicBlastCandy
  • 17
    Font - Vargenwulf 20 hr. ago Normally I would agree but I have insight into education these days. They are desperate for teachers. It sounds fully like a genuine apology.
    via u/Vargenwulf
  • 18
    Font - m15wallis 22 hr. ago The resignations may be because teaching is going through an absolute shit time right now as a profession across many parts of the US. I think that OP should take the offer, but still keep their head pulled out for any other issues. It sounds like the dude messed up, knew he messed up, and sincerely wants to make it right, but only time will tell if that's true.
    via u/m15wallis
  • 19
    Font - ExpressionKeeper 9 hr. ago I think the superintendent is just trying to stop the resignations, basically OP was in the best position to negotiate not to leave. Whoever the superintendent was knew that they couldn't sit on their high horse and continue to treat teachers like this. So
    via u/ExperssionKeeper
  • 20
    Font - many teachers are leaving the career because they don't have the support they need and schools are actually shutting down and classrooms are getting bigger because they're understaffed as it is. Also sounds like OP does more then just teach, he coaches too and losing him would be a huge blow to their school. He's
    via u/ExperssionKeeper
  • 21
    Font - considered valuable and even if he's not doing it for the money, please take it until you decide to move on. I remember my last job treated me like I was replaceable even though they were severely understaffed, decided to leave once they refused to give me benefits, they were in no position to piss me off like that when I made it clear that I needed health and dental if I was going to stay.
    via u/ExperssionKeeper

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Tags

super-intendant school principal work-drama board-of-education work place teachers public schools toxic-boss education-employee teacher-work-story working-in-a-school working-in-education
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