I've been told I won't be asked back here next year. Huh. I mean, I expected the worst when my meeting was postponed, but somehow I thought it wouldn't happen.
I'm feeling so many different feelings I'm just frozen and shutting down.
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.
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Uh, what?
29 comments:
Omg, what?? I cannot believe it.
So, like, are you finishing up the academic year? Or is this effective at the end of the semester?
I'm sorry. I know it wasn't ideal, and hopefully this will lead to better things. But boy it sucks when it's not your choice. Ugh. :(
I'm so sorry.
What horrible news.
Oh god, I'm sorry. This is not what you deserve.
I'm so sorry, Cog. This sucks.
I'm so sorry, Cog.
That is INSANE. And MORONIC. And probably a product of the ridiculous, corporatist, customer-is-always-right mindset that means college basically doesn't have a BACKBONE or any SUBSTANCE any more.
And I'm so, so sorry :(
That's horrific. I'm so sorry.
Also, regarding your last post, you totally WOULD be competitive for a job here. (Which, admittedly, doesn't do you any good in the short term since we're not hiring this year, but we don't care that much about publications and CC experience would definitely be a plus.)
Oh, Sis, I'm so sorry. This just sucks. They are morons, and this is total b.s.
And the deleted comment above was from me. I was logged into the wrong account.
I'd like to agree with Fretful. There are a lot of jobs that you'd qualify for without recent publications. The fact that you've published at all would be fine for some places. And a SLAC 4/4 would be a step up, it sounds like, if they aren't interested in maintaining standards at your CC.
I don't usually comment, but I want to join the chorus: I'm sorry to hear that it ended this way, but the problem seems to lie with the school, not you. There are much more functional and collegial employers out there, and you will bring lots of energy and talent to them. And cc teaching experience is a definite asset in the eyes of many, many schools!
:(
I too am so sorry. It looks that you have long been observing how the cc's curriculum and approach to student retention make none but the most cynical, exploitative sense. It would have eaten away at you to continue where you have such fundamental philosophical disagreements, so it is good to be able to leave this job, but yeah, the way it's happening sucks—and confirms that making a career there would have been a misery. I agree with others that your varied full-time teaching is a strength on your cv, plus your commitment to what "student success" really means is obvious, and your publications are a bonus. Take good care of yourself. Let yourself be a zombie for a few days, then live well and show those idiots.
Oh, dear. I'm sorry (and I echo all the stuff above about it being their loss, and probably, in the long term, your gain, but still, it sucks).
Another possible bright spot: you'll probably have better radar for spotting a place which won't be a good fit for *you* next time (though you'll also need to be careful not to be overly wary of the retention/serving the customers/etc. b.s., since it's everywhere). Once you've picked yourself up off the floor (which, yes, could take a bit of time; that's natural), figuring out how to talk about why you're leaving, *and* how to ask questions of potential employers that identify institutions which won't be a good fit for *you* in a way that actually increases your chances of being hired at the right place, is probably a high priority.
You're a good teacher. That shines through in everything you write about your teaching (even, perhaps especially, the frustrated bits). And yes, from what I know of SLACs (mostly from the adjunct perspective), you'd be SLAC-competitive. You'd also be a good candidate for independent (high) school teaching, if you want to consider that as a short- or long-term alternative (I believe we're pretty early in the season for those searches).
Hang in there, and take care of yourself.
Oh, and one more thought: the fact that the meeting went so long may indicate that the decision to fire you was controversial (as it should be). Other possibilities: they spent all the time fighting about something else, either slightly related (why they can't conduct searches which produce teachers who can magically make their students learn without effort) or entirely unrelated (also not the sort of department in which you want to remain).
P.P.S. I actually came over here today to say that what you said in your last post about avoiding the inbox when it's filled with student angst/hostility/protests resonates for me. I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes an unconscionable amount of time to make it through my inbox when student emotions are running high.
Cog, I am so so sorry! They are idiots, complete idiots.
Big hug. You need chocolate. Shall I send you some chocolate?
Oh, I'm so sorry to read this! To echo what others have said, this is really shitty, but I do hope this will lead you to a better place. It's been really clear from here that your approach to teaching is not a good fit for this place, and this school is worse off for not valuing and learning from your approach.
As someone who's been in a very similar position, it absolutely sucks to leave in this way, but I am so, so, so much happier now, professionally and, as a result, personally. My current uni hasn't been a cakewalk, but even in its worst moments, it was better than my last place. I'm hoping, from afar, that the same will be true for you in time.
Oh, one more thought: if you end up applying for jobs near me, let me know and I'll get you some background info on the places. A lot of our grads teach in cc's here and some are way better than others.
So sorry to read this! And sending fierce positive thoughts that you will find a place that appreciates you!
I am sorry to hear this, and I join those who hope you will find fulfilling work in a place that is a better fit for you.
I can't add anything, but this is very stupid on their part. And hard for you. Having been denied tenure, I know it sucks. Catch your breath, finish the semester, and then figure out what *you* will be happy doing. What contexts allow you to flourish as a teacher?
In the meantime, chocolate. Or wine.
I too am sorry to hear this but hope a couple years from now you can look back from somewhere that is a much better fit for you!
OMG. So so sorry! Won't go pollyanna on you, just wishing you some peace. And, dare we hope, relief that you don't have to keep fighting?
Hey, Sys -- I know it's been ages since I posted on your blog (or anyone's), but holy moses. What a gut punch. I'm so sorry to hear that.
Delurking to say how sorry I am to read this. You will get through this and you will end up in a better place, but I know it sucks right now. Take care of yourself.
By the way - maybe I just don't know enough, but is there an unlawful firing lawsuit in this situation? It feels a lot like you've been treated unfairly. Either way, you should be able to get unemployment, but do you think talking to a lawyer would be a good idea, potentially?
I don't think so, Fie --- they have a very clear and easy-to-understand written out process for the semesterly reviews and progress along the tenuring path, and they followed it.
I'm here through the year, they just made the recommendation not to ask me back for a third year when they sent up the report. It hadn't really sunk in on me that I had *very* little time to turn around my student eval scores.
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