Think About It

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Home : 2004 : September : 28

Think About It
By Gail (GM)

I am one who broke a contract, my first and only one, so far. I don't have a yes or no answer for you, only you can decide what is best for you.

I can give you a little "food for thought," however. Whether breaking a
contract is right, wrong, or otherwise, is in the mind of the beholder. Usually, people frown upon it. They quickly sum you up: you are not dedicated; you lack perseverance, and so forth. People are going to think what they think, all based on their own experiences, which are based on their experiences. I usually don't worry about what others think too much anymore; however, in the work

world it can matter. Resigning can make it difficult obtaining another teaching position. It all depends on the circumstances AND the person who will be deciding whether to hire you or not.

What will that principal that's wants to interview you think of your resignation? It is very difficult to say. Would she be concerned that you might leave for a better positon than she can offer you? One never knows what goes through another's mind.

Explaining a resignation is a tricky thing. I've leaned that it's wise to be very clear about why I left, what I have learned from my former experience and take full responsiblity for things not working out at the former school, regardless of the very difficult situation I was in.

What I also have learned is this: It's not what is happening to you; it's HOW you handle it. I now know that I created a lot of my problems, mostly by being too hard on myself. I didn't have the skills (life skills) at the time to handle the situation I got myself into. But I do now. Therefore, I'm thankful for the turmoil I caused myself by resigning.

This post isn't going as I had hoped. I really have lost my train of thought here. Sorry.

If I had know then what I know now, I would have:

Finished the year, doing the best I could, despite all the obstacles I had to contend with. I would have found a way to make the best of it. I would focus on what "is" and find ways to deal with it, making changes if I could. I would not take it so personally when a student did not apply himself. That's just a few things I would do......

I was wondering: Is the town so awful that you are now living in? Have you given yourself a fair chance to acclimate?

One more thing: really, really think about how you will feel about yourself if you do resign. You might be thinking that you will feel so relieved (( certainly did). However, that relieve could turn into a negative emotion, especially IF you do not get another job offer soon. Think it all through very carefully before you decide.

Sorry if this sounds so mumbled up! Be as honest as you can be with yourself. Gail (GM)