| Author |
Message |
Packer_eric
Registered user
Username: Packer_eric
Post Number: 23
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 10:33 pm: |     |
Hello, gang:
I have been off and on (more on than off ) lately...well, I now need to ask for some help/guidance.
As a 5-year high school teacher, but at the age of 43, I am at a crossroads of sorts...I have been at my present Colorado job for almost two school years. I have a wife and two young boys.
Colleen...you can relate (maybe others). My principal calls me in today and gives me the old "I will ask you to resign, or I must be forced to non-renew you in the fall." I have yet to shead a tear...but am sure they're a coming.
My first thoughts, walking home today, wondering just how my wife (of 14 years) would respond. It has been "ok" thus far, I am only human, guys.
What does The Lord want me to do? A Christian man who has a wife that teaches there as well (and former School Board member!) gave me some advice...fight it! Stand up for what I have worked hard for (building my business program) and stand for Christ.
I sincerely believe that many of us at the high school are being "challenged" from this woman (principal) who has no sense of loyalty or heart when it comes to her employees.
I welcome your responses, look forward to the "exciting" future which has been a constant concern for me (though I am told in scriopture to want not )
Thanks for allowing fellow brothers and sisters to pour out with regard to anything and everything.
Your brother,
Eric |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 1578
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 12:49 am: | |
Eric, I am so sorry. What a devastating blow. Is the principal new?
God is already in the future--and He's asking you to surrender your fear and angst about it to Him so He can take care of it Himself.
I will be praying that God will guide you to the right job and that you and your wife will have peace and courage and a sense of God's sovereign leading.
Thank you for sharing this crisis with us. We'll all support you.
Colleen
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Tracey
Registered user
Username: Tracey
Post Number: 245
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 8:14 am: | |
I say don't let one hand know what the other is doing.. In other words, FIGHT for your job and Apply to others!
You have the strength to do both. May God's will be done.
Tracey |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1179
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 8:16 am: | |
Eric,
My hear and prayers are with you at this very moment.
I was 61 when I moved to NV from a state job in VA. God wanted me to move and had been urging me for a long time. Since being here in NV I have had 4 jobs. But I decided when I left VA for NV I would leave my jobs up to God as well as my retirement. God has taken care of me, one day at a time, as He promises. I know He will take care of tomorrow and what ever it brings.
It does not mean that I am not human and panic at times, because I do.
God is carrying you in His awesome hands as He carried me. He will not drop you.
So, I have put you on my prayer list.
God is awesome.
Diana |
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob
Post Number: 120
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 10:32 am: | |
Eric, I will be praying for you in your employment crisis. I have been through similar difficulties (but not in teaching), so I can empathize with you.
If you are truly relying on the grace of Christ, you can be assured He is in control of every aspect of your life. He has a plan for you and your family even if it is not apparent to you now.
Alan Redpath once wrote, "Before we can pray, 'Lord,Thy Kingdom come,' we must be willing to pray, "My kingdom go." By this crisis, God may be testing the depth of your surrender of everything to Him. Remember, when you belong to Christ, nothing, however terrible, can come into your life without His permission. It must first pass through your Savior before it can get to you.
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Lindylou
Registered user
Username: Lindylou
Post Number: 33
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 4:28 pm: | |
This is a late reply to this - but I just had a few questions for Eric:
I am assuming that you are teaching in a public school. I am also a public school teacher. It is my understanding that you cannot just be fired or asked to resign. There is certain protocol to be followed to have a teacher dismissed. Do you have a union representative?
You should have gone through evaluations/observations - and discussions about the issues involved before any talk of being fired happens.
I guess my advice is to get legal help from your union rep. I wouldn't take this without finding out your rights. Your principal can't just call you in and ask you to resign without documentation and certain other things happening first.
Best wishes in this uncertain part of your life's journey. There's always a curve ball around the corner, isn't there? Hang in there.
lindylou |
Lisa_boyldavis
Registered user
Username: Lisa_boyldavis
Post Number: 12
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 2:01 am: | |
Eric,
When my husband and I look back on our 15 years together, we see only a clear path that lead from one good thing to something even better, each change giving us something God had planned all along, and good, I mean really good. Of course at the time changes occurred it felt like our lives were being destroyed, but from our vantage now and looking back, it's clear God had plans and made them happen. Hang on for what he has for you next, and we'll pray in the mean time.
Lisa
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Foreverscout
Registered user
Username: Foreverscout
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:04 pm: | |
I am absolutely brand new here, but I could not pass this post by. God never closes a door without opening a window. Corny, but true I know.
My Dad's occupation was very much different from yours but he was let go many many times from jobs due to fluctuations in the Vietnam War. He began as a simple mechanic at the age of 17 yrs old in the Sikorsky Corp. Every single job he was laid off of, the next job was a step up. When he died at the age of 47, he was The Managing Purchasor for General Dynamics.
Before you worry, before you take any steps, just ask HIM what he would have you do.
The Lord Bless you,
Foreverscout |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1240
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:48 pm: | |
Foreverscout,
Welcome to FAF. I like what you wrote, because that is what God has done for me. He has taken very good care of me and I thank Him for it.
You are new here. Please let us know more of how you found this forum and how God has taken care of you.
We do have an awesome God.
Diana |
Foreverscout
Registered user
Username: Foreverscout
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 9:01 pm: | |
Hi Flyinglady,
Thank you for the kind words! I just finished posting a new thread which will give you an idea how I found this place. God does take care of us, and I wish I could post a long story for the last two years of my life to prove it. Our God is an awesome God!!! (And I love that song too)
Do you really fly? Are/Were you USAF? I don't fly but I used to be Air Force, twenty something years ago.
Foreverscout |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 1244
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 9:26 pm: | |
Foreverscout,
Yes, I have really flown. I have 60+ hours of being a student pilot. I really like flying an airplane. I have had lots of fun doing it and had some exciting experiences. I have not gotten my license, because I have a son in the USAF and he is married to a lovely lady and they have a gorgeous little boy. So my money goes toward traveling to where ever my son and his family are so I can see them. My son is now overseas. He is a navigator in a C130 Hercules. He should be home in about another month.
Oh, and I always tell our veterans thank you for your service to our country. So a Big THANK YOU.
An FAF friend sent me the CD with the song about God being awesome. I love it. I bought one for my younger sister for her birthday.
Our God is awesome.
Diana |
Packer_eric
Registered user
Username: Packer_eric
Post Number: 25
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 4:27 am: | |
Hello, everyone...
I thought my thread got "tangled," and then a few more of you made a post...
I am 99.5% to be non-renewed (as they say) at my present teaching job. (But, in my latest meeting with the Superintendent, I almost pulled a Dumb and Dumber and responded, "So you're sayin' I have a chance??") Ha!
After many discussions with various faculty (and students of mine, whom I was instructed NOT to talk to - yeah, right!!) I have begun the process of "processing out" of my present school. SO sad, really, when we spend nearly two years of our professional life "rebuilding" a program at a school where I see and hear that the kids (and community) are so thankful for someone who really gives a flying rip about what they do (in education.)
When you deal with administrators that are so "tunnel-visioned" (sound familiar??) it is sometimes impossible to enjoy one's work.
Well, The Lord is indeed in charge, HE has been receiving lots of prayer and request for direction...
I have an interview near Denver (200 miles away) on Thursday, and am just going to be as positive as possible and ask The Lord to be present in this interview, for HE knows my ultimate intention in teching - lead kids into something positive and be an adult "friend" that they can relate to while growing up in high school.
Sounds kinda odd, but that is truly the only reason for my interest in teaching!?! Well, the summers off are classy, too.
Pray for a brother!
Eric |
Helovesme2
Registered user
Username: Helovesme2
Post Number: 135
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 8:23 am: | |
Praying for you Eric!
God works in strange ways sometimes, but He is working!
God bless you!
helovesme2 |
Tdf
Registered user
Username: Tdf
Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 11:04 am: | |
My wife and I will be in prayer for you!
tdf |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 1652
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 9:46 pm: | |
I will pray for you too, Eric--
Colleen |
Foreverscout
Registered user
Username: Foreverscout
Post Number: 11
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 3:31 pm: | |
Eric,
I always pray, God put you on my heart and these are the things I hear. Perfect Love casteth out all fear. God hath greater plans.
Don't know why I got the fancy speech, but sometimes that's the way it happens.
Anyways, I don't think it sounds odd at all, I have been a Cub Scout/Girl Scout/Boy Scout Leader concurrently at least 15 years of my life for the very same reason.
Except that while they might perceive you as a friend, your position really is as mentor. Today is Thursday so I'm hoping to hear about your interview soon.
God over All
Foreverscout |
Packer_eric
Registered user
Username: Packer_eric
Post Number: 26
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 1:53 pm: | |
It went well. It was truly a time when i felt 'wanted' and they respected much of what I had to say.
The excitement and anticipation builds as God goes to work in this area.
When a principal can talk "baseball cards" during a stroll through campus, etc...it truly leaves a sense of calmness - something which I have not been experienceing at my present location.
We'll see soon.
Eric |
Tracey
Registered user
Username: Tracey
Post Number: 337
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 5:34 pm: | |
LOL! That sounds exciting! Glad to hear this good news. Keep us posted! |
Foreverscout
Registered user
Username: Foreverscout
Post Number: 29
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 12:21 pm: | |
Eric,
Just wondering if you had heard anything? I'm still praying.
Foreverscout |
