‘I feel really disrespected. I’ve already gone above and beyond what was required of me’: Boss begs preschool teacher to stay past her contract, using guilt and emotional pleas while offering barely any extra reward

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Etai Eshet • Editor
Nov 15, 2025 1:00 AM EST

Leaving a preschool job should be simple but it turns into a guilt-fest with the boss begging for more time like a soap opera star. Contracts get stretched and bonuses feel like spare change tossed at the end of the day. The whole place talks family but only when it means doing extra work for little pay.  

The boss cried and begged to keep things normal for the kids but forgot to add any real reward for the teacher staying longer. Every time the exit date comes close, the emotional waterworks start flowing, making it feel wrong to just walk away. It's like everyone expects you to carry the whole school on your back without even a decent thank you.

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  • My boss keeps begging me to stay longer after my contract ended. Am I wrong to feel taken advantage of?

    Frustrated preschool teacher standing in a colorful classroom with her hands raised in exasperation, overwhelmed by the chaos of toys and children’s drawings behind her
    via Krakenimages.com

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Months go by, and finding replacements is always some far-off dream. Meanwhile, the teacher is stuck between kindness and feeling totally used. The bonuses add up to pocket money and promises of more time stretch like elastic.  

  • I (23F) work as a preschool teacher and I've been in this job for a year now.
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  • My contract was supposed to end on October 31, 2025, and I had already informed my boss six months before that I wouldn't be extending it (which is what's written in the contract: and it's to report whether or not you're continuing after 6 months of working).
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  • However, my boss cried and begged me to stay a bit longer until December, because she didn't want to shock the students with my sudden departure.
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  • I do have to give you context here, our school isn't exactly a big school and it's much more of a tight-knit workplace.
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  • Cheezburger Image 10575984640
    via Krakenimages.com

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Everything is almost "family-like". In the end, I agreed out of guilt and pity, even though I wasn't offered anything significant in return.
    via magicalapplepie
  • There was a slight raise in bonus (every 4 kids you teach, you get the amount that is equivalent to a $6 bonus.
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  • So, 8 kids = $12, etc.) but nothing more than that. Now that it's November, they're having trouble finding a replacement.
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  • The candidates they interviewed can't start soon, and my boss once again got emotional and asked me to stay until January.
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  • When I politely said no because I already have plans, she looked visibly upset and stressed, and even my manager joined in asking me to "please, at least stay until January." I feel really disrespected.
    via magicalapplepie
  • reschool teacher standing in a colorful classroom with eyes closed and hands in a meditation pose, trying to stay calm and centered amid the busy environment.
    via Krakenimages.com

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The real preschool-level lesson here is simple: caring does not mean being a doormat. Workplaces that call themselves family often forget families need boundaries and respect. No one owes more time just because they feel bad. Saying no doesn’t make you selfish. It just means you know your worth better than a guilt trip and a small bonus.  

  • I've already gone above and beyond what was required of me, but it feels like they keep pushing boundaries because I'm young and accommodating.
    via magicalapplepie
  • They're not offering me anything in exchange, and I feel like I'm being emotionally manipulated to stay longer out of guilt.
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  • At some point I thought, maybe I should negotiate with them, but I'm so clueless about all of this as this is my very first job and I already feel dispensable in the first place.
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  • Trying to go, "Hey, I can continue, but is it alright if I [insert any sensible offers here]" already feels degrading enough.
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  • Am I wrong to feel this way? What would you do in my position? Thanks in advance for any advice!
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  • Comfortable-Fan1472 Girl LEAVE. This cycle will continue until the summer. Tell her you have a hard start date for a new job and leave. Tell her you have a vacation booked, anything. Leave and do not take on that manipulative emotional guilt. This is super common in education "just do it for the kids" but guess what. It's a job not a volunteer position. Bye. (Former educator here)
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  • OP magicalapplepie You're so, so right. This cycle has been dragging on and it's honestly draining. I never really thought it would or could go that far like what you said, but I'm starting to see it. Genuinely needed to hear this, thank you for the advice. Helps a lot to hear it from someone who's been in education too.
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  • Number-2-Sis I don't understand why you feel disrespected. They asked in oct... you said yes and stayed until Nov. They have asked again you said no. They can't take advantage of you without your consent. Just stick to your no.
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  • OP magicalapplepie Yeah, you're right - I can definitely stick to my no. I think I wasn't exactly feeling 'disrespected' per se, it's just mentally exhausting more than anything and it made me wonder if I was just being dramatic or if it's completely understandable for me to feel this way. But thank you for the reminder, I needed that.
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  • Sometimes the biggest lesson in a school is learning how to set your own rules.

  • Careless-Treacle-616 Please one more month Please one more month Please one more month
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  • OP magicalapplepie Exactly like that lol
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  • Mapilean Tears are an easy manipulation tool. Just keep saying no, or you'll be stuck there till the end of the school year and beyond.
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  • OP magicalapplepie It took me probably weeks just to notice this being some sort of manipulation, but I thought so too eventually. Even if I felt like she (my boss) did get emotional out of pure stress, she shouldn't have displayed such emotions to an employee. Who's... obviously going to feel bad for her. Which I did. I didn't know power dynamics can be hellish. I'll definitely take note of this, thank you.
    via magicalapplepie
  • taker223 Are you paid enough? I guess not, this explains why they cannot find your replacement
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  • OP magicalapplepie I would say I'm thankfully paid well enough, considering it's a niche type of preschool (montessori-like) but the methods used in the curriculum itself are heavier than Montessori. It's not for everyone. That's why it's hard to find teachers. But then again, I applied for the job because it had that 'one year contract' criteria explicitly mentioned from the very beginning. Whether or not it's high-paying, I have other plans for the next year. It really is that simple (but it i
    via magicalapplepie
  • taker223 \> I feel really disrespected. I've already gone above and beyond what was required of me, but it feels like they keep pushing boundaries because I'm young and accommodating So who to blame here? What part of the process is essential? >!Look into the mirror and ask yourself why are you wasting your youth for a dime!<
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  • OP magicalapplepie I get that, I think it's just been hard. Worded things pretty awkwardly here since English isn't my first language but hopefully you get the point
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  • lostmindz yes, you are being dramatic... and so is your boss
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  • OP magicalapplepie Well
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  • Aloha-Eh Sure, for more money. Lots more money. Or move on.
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  • Mapilean When your boss starts crying, they are trying to manipulate you. OP's not dramatic, their boss is.
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  • throwRA094532 Just email them you have a starting date and they will have to do without you They are dragging their feet finding your replacement
    via magicalapplepie

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management workplace discussion employment issues boss workplace-stories hr manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance preschool
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