Breaking a Contract By GM

You asked about the consequences of breaking a contract. As you know, it depends on the situation and the people involved with determining the consequences.

I broke a contract two years ago. Five months into a teaching job, I resigned. There was no monetary penalty, nor was my credential revoked, as some said it would be. I was free and clear to go.

One of the consequences is that it's a pretty safe bet to that I would never be hired by that particular district again. Unfortunately, it is one of the better ones in my area. So the decision to resign was terribly difficult to make.

The worst consequence for me was the overwhelming self-doubt I had immediately experienced after my resignation. I still struggle with the fact that I broke the contract. I am not one to break my word, usually. Now, you, most likely, are not resigning because of feelings of incompetency. Therefore, you will not experience this consequence. However, you need to ask yourself how you will feel about breaking a contract, about leaving your class behind, etc.

Do you think you might want to return to teaching some day? If so, some administrators might not want to take the chance of hiring you because of your decision to resign.

I think what is most important is how you will feel about your decision. You have to live with yourself 24/7. No escaping!

It's really a tough decision. It will obviously influence your future. Weigh the decision very, very carefully.

Wishing the best for you, GM