Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

[daflyboys]

Just. Can't. Make. This. Up.

http://nation.foxnews.com/teacher-afraid-children/2013/01/13/teacher-sues-school-district-making-her-teach-children

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

What next a lifeguard who's afraid of water?

[nemesis04]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Time for 61 year old Maria to retire! I could understand a little anxiety if she originally taught younger kids and was forced to teach high school but the other way around, nah. She is up to something.

[mb625]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Hmmm... what profession should a person who's afraid of children go into? I know! Teaching!

[Blzer]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

I'd do the same. No joke.

This isn't about your fear, it's about your tenure. A lawsuit fits best for her in this country's legal system.

What I want to know is how the district controls both a high school and a junior high school.

[nemesis04]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

I'd do the same. No joke.

This isn't about your fear, it's about your tenure. A lawsuit fits best for her in this country's legal system.

What I want to know is how the district controls both a high school and a junior high school.

She has been teaching for 35 years, I would think she tenure already.

[Blzer]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

She has been teaching for 35 years, I would think she tenure already.

Correct. I believe then that she has the legal right to maintain her current position unless there is just cause. Obviously she isn't being terminated per se, but she is being forced to move to a different school level.

EDIT: Nevermind, it just occurred to me that this could be a unified school district, in which case a move is exactly just that, and not like a "termination" in any sort of way.

We'll see what comes of this then, I guess.

[VDusen04]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Had this been a case of a lifelong high school teacher being moved down to lower elementary (K-3) I think I could better understand. It goes without saying, but there is a drastic and undeniable difference between teaching, say, a 17 year old and a 7 year old. Being willing to teach one age grade certainly does not mean one is willing or capable of teaching another. However, the fact she was likely teaching 15-18 year olds prior and was moved down to 12-14 year olds makes things a little fuzzier and tough to believe.

All that said, I didn't believe this when I first began teaching, but some districts really do re-position teachers or employees as strategic moves either to punish or force them into retirement. Firsthand, I've seen a high school woodshop teacher with 30+ years of experience moved into 8th grade social studies as a way of gently forcing him out the door. I wouldn't doubt there's some weird back-and-forth here that's the true crux of this issue.

[NYJets]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Correct. I believe then that she has the legal right to maintain her current position unless there is just cause. Obviously she isn't being terminated per se, but she is being forced to move to a different school level.

EDIT: Nevermind, it just occurred to me that this could be a unified school district, in which case a move is exactly just that, and not like a "termination" in any sort of way.

We'll see what comes of this then, I guess.

I don't know if it varies by state or not, but at least here, you are employed by the district, not the school. They can assign you anywhere that you are certified for. And usually if you are certified for high school, you are also certified for middle school.

[daflyboys]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Please don't get me going about tenure.

[Blzer]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

I don't know if it varies by state or not, but at least here, you are employed by the district, not the school. They can assign you anywhere that you are certified for. And usually if you are certified for high school, you are also certified for middle school.

You may be qualified, but not necessarily certified... unless they are a unified district, like I said.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

I don't know if it varies by state or not, but at least here, you are employed by the district, not the school. They can assign you anywhere that you are certified for. And usually if you are certified for high school, you are also certified for middle school.

Yep. I learned that this year. Haven't had a chemistry class in 13 years and got switched to chemistry since my certification says general science. (Chemistry/Physics teacher retired and the only science teacher they could find a biology only) I refused to teach Physics and they (superintendant/principal) had another teacher take that.

I can think of at least 3 teachers that have been moved from high school to middle school or vice versa. You're just a pawn on the chess board.

Honestly, I'd be ticked to. I love having 3 90 minute classes and 1 90 minute planning period. To teach 6-7 periods every day would suck.

[NDAlum]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Please don't get me going about tenure.

I freaking hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In my profession it's there. Oh my I'll stop there

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Please don't get me going about tenure.

I didn't know that such a thing existed in public education.
College? Yes Public school? Never heard of it.

At least in my school district, you can be sent anywhere your certification allows. Sure, they want everyone to be happy where they are at, but at the end of the day you can be moved.

[Dirty Turtles]

Re: Teacher sues school district for making her teach chilren

Next comes the update to this story that says that the district let her go as a result of her lawsuit.