Well, last week on May 1st, I received my RIF letter. This was extremely sad for me because I finally had a feeling that my job would be safe. I understand that districts across the country are cutting costs, but why does it have to be within education? Don't lawmakers understand how important keeping teachers in the classroom is? No! They see need in bailing out the auto industry or other areas of economy that need to fail because of bad business decisions. The students nor the teachers did anything to deserve this shortfall in funding. I feel for those kids who are going to slip further and further behind because of large classes and the teacher they have not being able to meet the needs of every student. It is an unfair practice and has become very personal to me because I am one who loves what I do and now I'm uncertain about my future. It is unfair to lose good teachers and let the kids suffer. What were they thinking? Do they not realize that one day these kids who are feeling the repercussions of their bad decisions are going to be the leaders of our country? I feel that we are giving them a false sense of what our priorities are; the auto industry over education? Let's be real! At first when I received my RIF notification, I was sad because it opened up a door to the unknown. Now I am angry because our countries priorities are obviously mixed up and it is the children who are going to be suffering. It is not fair to the them because they did not do anything to deserve less of an education. We need to make sure that our legislature understands the damage they are doing and we need to see that it gets fixed! Why should these innocent children have to suffer?
To see my interview about getting a RIF notice click here: http://www.kirotv.com/video/19477352/
Hailey,
ReplyDeleteI was so sad to read your post. Yes a RIF letter is a heartbreaking experience. I hope you have some support from other staff and friends. For some districts, they give out RIF letters every year and then hire you back before the school year starts. Please check with other staff members and see what your district does.
I too have been RIFFed and "faced the great unknown". All I can tell you is that I went to an even better job and a position that expanded what I could do as a teacher. Even though I didn't know it at the time, looking back I can see that God had a plan here. Hind sight is 20/20, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith forward into the great unknown. Good Luck.
I'm sorry Hailey. I avoided a RIF some years ago, but it was incredibly tough on the district and it saddens me to have seen some really good teachers lose their positions to people who were less motivated and less effective.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you turn this into an opportunity for a better position and that as the poster above said, trust in God to see you through it. I'm sure it will work out best in the end.
I'll be keeping track of your search through the blog, let us know how it's going.
Hailey,
ReplyDeleteCould you please explain what a RIF is. I am new into this profession and am not sure what RIF stands for.