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Subject: [MK8] VENT...To rehire or not to be rehired that is the question...

From: Tina McGrew

Date: Wed, 08 May 2013 16:58:47 -0500

Well, Hello Almighty and Wise List,

This is Tina in Hot Springs, AR, again. I finally found out my fate! I
know you're all curious. Lol

My principal DID NOT recommend me for rehire and she said my Summative
Evaluation had gone down in a couple of areas (we use Charlotte
Danielson's model with 4 areas/domains) and that I'd shown NO improvement
since February 4th, the day I returned to work from that bogus "party
popper" suspension which I got most of my suspension money back from.
However, are you sitting down? Get this...

My superintendent apparently will be recommending to the school board in
lieu of my principal next week I believe. I was told just today by my AEA
rep that I've been HIRED no matter what because the legal deadline in
Arkansas was May 1st. Apparently since I do not have in writing that I
was terminated only that I was not being recommended by my current
principal, they cannot legally fire me now. So, my meeting on May 1st,
that I pushed for because it's the law, was not a pleasant one, as you can
imagine. I was told that I was not wanted in her building, that she
refused to recommend me to the school board so my superintendent would be
doing in place of my principal. However, I'll be continuing on an
"intensive improvement plan" rather placed on this plan before the summer
break apparently. My principal told me that she didn't want to do this but
said shed respect our superintendent's request that she work with me more
intensely next school year. Wow! I'm shocked but I think it's because I
didn't realize my superintendent would do this for me. Now I'm torn
between fighting, filing a grievance against my principal and the
ridiculous Summative Evaluation which stated such things as, "does not
follow school and district policies", "has negative relationships",
"teaches to mostly the whole group", "doesn't know her learning outcomes",
etc... It was ridiculous!!!! It sounds like I haven't even really taught
anything or done anything all year!!!! By the way, I haven't taken a day
off work since February 4th (when I returned from my bogus suspension),
I've been on time everyday, I've mended many relationships that my
principal said were "unprofessional", and I've posted my lesson plans a
month in advance online like I'm supposed too. What more is a girl to do?!
I've pledged my allegiance to this district, worked for them since
2002-2003 when I taught choir at our high school, and put on fantastic
musical productions. It's time to move on and go where I'm called and
adored and respected and appreciated. Hopefully, that's performing, The
X-Factor, The Voice, or New York on Broadway!! Keep me and my now 6 year
old son (yeah I started really late in life) in your prayers please!!

Anyway, I want to be happy and where God wants me to be so I am applying
to several other places in and out of town and awaiting a meeting with my
superintendent now. I can't explain how fake it's been around my school. I
do have an AEA rep though who's advised me to get a copy of my
sign-in/sign-out log of all year, as well as, all of my lesson plans that
I've posted online and on time by the way, as many videos of me teaching
lessons as I can get, and all my grades, music pre- and post-tests,
rubrics, and written assessments and worksheets to prove that there has
been "meaningful learning" taking place, oh yeah, as well as, anything to
show that I have professional relationships that aren't "all negative".
This is all soooooooo ridiculous to me. I laugh and scoff and roll my eyes
at it. I'm done!!!! Please pray that God will open a new door for me,
soften my principal's heart, show her the error of her ways, paint the way
crystal clear for me, or pave the road, or whatever saying you prefer,
and/or keep me exactly where I am next year, but show me that's where He
wants me. Amen!! Thanks list for everything!!!! You have been there for
me when I doubted myself, my teaching ability, my talents, and my
worth!!!! I hope to meet many of you someday, somewhere.

Tina in gorgeous Hot Springs, AR

Sent from Tina McGrew's iPhone