Jennifer: Pink Slip

I am usually pretty inspired by my job. I get ideas for worksheets to make and lessons to plan, and most of the time my school day yields very uplifting and motivating side effects. Recently, though, the days have gotten more and more stressful, and what little motivation I have had has been channeled into writing my congressman.

As I wrote earlier, I came to my new district pretty late in the year. People at my old job urged me to make sure that my new teaching home is secure and stable, so that I wouldn’t get into any “unfortunate circumstances” down the line. Being the absolute last hire, I naively relied on the comfort of being in special education as a form of job security. I had never gotten a pink slip before; my old district was somehow able to protect me from the back and forth between the union, teachers, and the district, basically shielding me from the anguish that some of my friends were going through. I attended a couple of union meetings and, while I felt compassion for my co-workers, I never really understood what was going on there because I wasn’t “in it.”

This year has been the exact opposite experience. Needless to say, the pink slip arrived, and my warm welcome into educational politics was extended. I just feel SO unprepared for this. There are so many rules about what can be said, who can know what, who can ask questions and when, and so on. I haven’t been able to find any written rules for this whole thing, so I’m learning as I go.

The battle always appeared so simple from the outside looking in. I thought it was an easy matter of the union doing their best to help preserve jobs and represent teachers and the district working to meet them halfway within the bounds of the budget to find solutions. I didn’t expect I’d need to convince our union reps to fight for us. I didn’t expect to need to ask so many questions, just to find out what is going on. I didn’t expect this to be so political.

So a second battle begins every time I pull my car into the school parking lot. Behind the challenges and triumphs of every school day sits the lingering question of whether or not I will get the chance to do it all again next year. The best way to work through something like this, I have found, is to get a support group, and I have spoken with some teachers with stories of going through this process year after year. One teacher endured six years of pink slips before he finally had a year without one.

I think the more obstacles you face in a profession, the more you either want to run from it or want to fight to make it better. Fortunately, going through this has made me want to get more involved. Education is the backbone of society and, while other fields may also be vital to this country, none of them would exist or flourish without the education behind them.

If I could go back in time, I would have become much more involved over the past two years, would have spoken louder and stood longer by my co-workers who were getting their own pink slips. This process knocks a lot of good teachers out of the field, but I hope it doesn’t knock me out. Someday, I hope my pink slip stories will help me provide a little comfort and support to another young teacher.

Comments

[Jennifer]

There is a lot of turmoil in the school districts right now, esp. since everyone wants to be heard and feels they have the right answer to solving this huge dilemma. I have found that it helps, mostly with keeping sane, to slow down and collect as much information as possible. The deeper I get into this, the more I feel for both sides of the problem. Wouldn't it be something if the union, teachers, AND administrators were able to collectively address the state budget crises as a united front. The real problem needs to be solved at the very top.

[Gwen]

This is really scary, especially since I am just about to enter this field. I also was informed that Special Ed Teachers were needed and that this would be a secure option for me. Now I am begining to believe that nothing is set in stone when it comes to job security, especially for teachers.

[Krystiab]

When I started in the field of special education, I was told by many that i "would alawys have a job". The fact that you received a pink slip confirms that in these trying times, no one is "safe" from the process of elimination. Its hard to know that although we work so hard in our field (collaborating with parents, IEPs, collaborating with teachers, Professional development, meetings, etc.) that many of us are not appreciated for what we do. Although we as educators contribute so much to education, we are the ones that get the short end of the sick when it comes to funding. I'm glad that you have a positive attitude about your termination. I hope everything works out.

[Kristie Snape]

I hate to hear that you are going through this, as you seem like a valuable asset to your school. It is unfortunate that our school systems continue to let teachers go based on years of experience without considering job performance. With the economy forcing schools to cut back, they should be holding on to their best teachers, not just the ones who have been there the longest. Experience does not always make a good teacher. Unfortunately, it is our students who pay the price. I'm glad to hear that you are taking a stand in your own district. We should all be doing the same for the sake of our students.

[Andrea]

WOW...your story is so serreal. My principal just handed out pink slips on Friday of last week. Our school district gave pink slips to 250 first and second year teachers. The teachers in our building are devastated because there is no way our school can function losing 4 teachers. Our prinicpal seemed somewhat heartless and was not really upfront with the staff about the cuts. I fully understand your position and wish you the best!

[Meghan]

Jennifer,

I am a third year teacher who is currently working towards my Special Education degree. I understand how you are feeling, I, too, just received my notice that my position was being terminated. The enormous amount of pink slips that are being given out across the country to good teachers is a very sad reality. I, like you, am not going to let this keep me from continuing to teach. I agree with your statement about obstacles making us want to fight for what we have even more. I am have since found my voice and I am speaking up for myself and my fellow colleagues who are also effected by this. I hope that this is just the opportunity to move onto bigger and better opportunities where students might need me more that where I was currently working. Best of luck to you!

[Elise Figarotta]

I truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason even if we don't understand why at the time. You were very fortunate to be able to gain some new experiences. You certainly sound like you are extremely motivated and knowledgeable. I am sure once everything settles you will find your way, more motivated with more experience. Your future students will be lucky to have you as a teacher.

[Debra]

Wow. Hate to hear it when professionals lose their jobs. In my district we needed to trim our budget by $1.5 million. We had two ways to try to acheive this. The first was to vote a 5% paycut across the board and two teachers would lose their jobs or have OEA help look for places that could be reduced without having a reduction in pay and staff. Unfortunately the union voted to take the paycut. This has opened a big can of worms with many teachers now looking at retirement. Hopefully this will enable the two teachers that were cut to be rehired. Also we will have a freeze for two years. Many teachers are not only facing the paycut but will not get reimbursed for their masters work for hopefully 2 years. I personally don't like seeing colleagues losing jobs because somehow we overspent.

[Rylan Palmer]

Jennifer,
I too am a third year special education teacher. I work in an elementary school in Connecticut. I had the advantage of being hired right out of student teaching and have remained in the same district since my date of hire. While I am not the last one hired, I worry because with budget cuts, they are slowly chopping away and next year (even though it will be my fourth year), I may be the lowest man on the totem pole.

It is hard not to take the lack of support from union reps to heart or to question whether this is a matter that you should be taking personal. I think the “road” you are taking to become more involved is the best way to approach this uncomfortable and heart-breaking matter. Eventually, you may be able to fight for those teachers who don’t have a voice. Maybe you will be the one that doesn’t need convincing to fight for less experienced teachers because you know how it feels.

Good luck in your journey!

[Amy Wilhelm]

Hi Jennifer,
I encountered this as a music teacher in my district last year, fourth-to-last hired. I was fortunate enough to have my position saved by being transferred to a school in my district that is for students with severe behavior issues, developmental delays, and autism. It has inspired me to begin my masters degree in special ed.
I hope that you are confident in your teaching skills and know that the pink slip has nothing to do with job performance, but rather lack of seniority. While your current district may not have a secure place for you for the fall, thousands of school districts are looking for special ed. teachers. Moving is no fun, but in my four years teaching, I have never spent more than one year at a school. I am hoping that as I stay in my profession longer and longer, this will no longer occur.
Good luck!

[Valerie]

Jennifer I understand the difficulty that you are going through. I to was a teacher for a district for 4 years doing different jobs but with a temporary contract (9 months per year) but in the 4th year I received a 1 year contract only to receive a pink slip at the end of the year. In that 4th year I developed a false sense of security and thought that I had finally done it I had made it into a full time teaching position only to have the rug pulled out from under me for reasons that did not involve my teaching ability. I took a position outside of the field of teaching and currently still work as a pharmacy technician. This outside position has helped me focus on what I truly want to do and that is to teach students with special needs. Keep fighting for what you love and don't let this pink slip derail your goals of doing good as a teacher. Good luck with your future I hope that all will work out positively for you.

[Saran]

Many teachers and other staff were just laid off this week at my school. I hope all goes well for you in your future. Make sure you use this as a learning experience, which it appears you are.

[Dj Shoaf]

Getting a pink slip is a good opportunity for teachers to try something new. It pushes you to change and change is good.

[Daisy]

Pink slips often mean low seniority rather than any lack of skill or poor performance. It's still hard on the teachers and ultimately on the kids as teachers keep going through the stress and the revolving door of lay-offs and rehires.

[Judy]

Wow......tough times and knowing how important good teachers are, it is hard to believe you got a pink slip. I love your attitude about trying to make the system better. Good luck and keep us posted.