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Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by 2nd year teacher on 3/19/2025, 10:25 am

I am currently in my first job, looking to move to my next one in a different district for next school year. I've heard that you are supposed to notify your admin & team before submitting any applications, but I am afraid if I do that I may lose an opportunity to get a renewal contract just in case.

I know you can't have your cake and eat it too but I seriously don't know what to do. I am new to my area and I don't have many local contacts so I need my admin to give a good reference

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by elephog on 3/21/2025, 11:38 am, in reply to "Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

At least be decent enough to tell your head director. Mine did not...............

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by 2nd year teacher on 3/20/2025, 9:49 am, in reply to "Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

A few more details:

I am an assistant and listed my head director as a reference. I figured it would be a more informed reference as this person works closely with me everyday but if it seems strange maybe I should list my principal instead/also? I have several references from student teaching/college.

I am trying to leave a difficult situation that on its best day is simply a bad fit and on its worst makes me question every fiber of myself as an educator and person. I'm sure some of that is a normal adjustment to teaching but it's definitely time for me to move on. Since I am new to teaching, I've made a bunch of mistakes and I don't know if my admin will help me with a reference. None of the mistakes were absolutely heinous and I've taken responsibility for things with my admin, but there is still a general sentiment with the students, parents, and school community that I've done something "unforgiveable." The mistakes I am aware I have made I have taken action to resolve, but it also seems like I'm being judged on a metric that no one told me about. Like I said, I just want to move on and I know there will be plenty of celebration when I leave. If anything, my admin could give good references to get me out of their hair, but they could also leave my career dead in the water simply to be petty. I honestly don't know how common that is. I don't know how they feel about me. I don't know.

Last thing: My admin was pushing me to get my CDL before the end of the year. I began that process around the same time that I was thinking I might leave and now I am fully involved in the process, fully expecting to leave at the end of the school year. I know the CDL will make me more hirable, so I figured it would still be wise to complete it (with the bonus of pleasing my admin). Now I am nervous they'll stop and make me pay for the steps that I have already completed AND hold a grudge/give a bad reference.

Probably a bit too long but I just don't know what's going on or what to do.

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by Accept consequence on 3/21/2025, 2:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

I haven't read the other post responses yet. I think you've made a lot of thought towards what you need to do, and only you can decide what the right thing is to do.

I would caution you on your thought process regarding the CDL. It sounds like you want something that will make you marketable for the next job. And you want them to pay for you to do it. I'm not sure they would want to do that --- in other words, if you know you're definitely out, you probably should stop with your CDL training as well unless you're willing to pay for it yourself because it will make you more marketable. This would be like adding a certificate or a master's degree to make yourself more appealing to the next job. I would assume most, if not all, districts would not pay for your advanced degree just so you can use that training for the next gig. They are looking for a return on their investment.

If you're not entirely sure if you want to leave or not, continue with the training. If you happen to make up your mind once the year is done, you should be able to resign from your contract by late June or early July. At that point you could justify to the district you weren't planning on leaving but another opportunity came up after you completed your CDL work.

Furthermore, just because you want to leave doesn't mean another position will want to hire you. You may apply and ultimately not get the position, even if you have glowing reviews from your HD or admin. Would you return for year 3, or leave the profession altogether? Typically it's easier to get a job teaching if you have a job teaching.

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by Just apply on 3/19/2025, 4:38 pm, in reply to "Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

You don't necessarily need to notify admin, but if you're in an assistant position, I would definitely let your head director know. People move all the time, so don't be afraid to do this.

If you're in a single director position, you could notify your admin if you wish, but it's not necessary. Just be ready to have your reasons ready if asked.

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by Hodor on 3/19/2025, 4:34 pm, in reply to "Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

Teachers apply for other jobs. Applying for other jobs doesn't necessarily mean you're leaving. Your admin knows this. Just be honest. Tell your principal/supervisor that you're applying for other jobs. Ask to use them as a reference (because your principal should probably be on your reference list). They may ask why but more than likely they'll just say they'd "hate to see you go" but otherwise not make a big deal about it because, again, it happens all the time. There shouldn't be any animosity there.

I applied for other jobs almost every year when I started out and was never non-renewed and I don't personally know anyone who was non-renewed for that reason either.

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by Me on 3/19/2025, 2:43 pm, in reply to "Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

School districts and administrators are vindictive and you are correct to be concerned. I’d wait for sure since you are in the probationary status in that district. I know friends who are released in their probationary years simply because the new principal wants “their guy.” Be aware of the situation. Don’t rock the boat. Make them all love you there. Once you tell them you’re applying elsewhere, even after you sign your new contract, be careful.

Re: Should I wait for the renewal contract?

Posted by Old teacher on 3/19/2025, 1:29 pm, in reply to "Should I wait for the renewal contract?"

In my experience, most admins completely understand that a percentage of their teachers will move on every year. Unless yours are completely toxic they're not going to non-renew you just because you're looking.

I've been shopping around for a couple of years. Every application I've filled out asks for references, and most send an auto email to them as soon as you submit the application. Not including your current admin as a reference is a red flag to some. Anyone who's halfway serious about you is likely to call your campus principal, even if they're not included on your references. You can't hide the fact that you're looking, at least not for long.

My advice - let your admin know you're considering other opportunities, submit those applications, see where it goes. Unless you've already signed a contract elsewhere, sign your renewal when it comes out. You have until 45 days before the first day of school to resign without penalty. For most districts that's roughly the 4th of July.

Unless your admin are just complete turds, in that case tread lightly I guess.

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