I quit!

[zoebartlett]

Haven, if you''re reading this, I thought of you today. I quit my job, and it is the most freeing feeling right now. The past few months have not been good (professionally-speaking), and I knew something had to change. I have no idea what I''ll do once I finish up, but I''m sure I''ll find something. Anyway, just wanted to share...

 

[tyty333]

Congratulations?

 

[kenny]

All the best to you.

Change is good.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Tyty! It's a great feeling to know that I can be true to what I believe in and not put up with things that I feel aren't right. In my profession, it's a big no-no to quit at this time of year, but I just couldn't stick it out until the end of the year.

Thanks Kenny!

 

[iheartscience]

Sometimes you just have to stop sucking it up! I hope everything works out for the best-I''m sure it will.

P.S. How did your employers react when you quit? And did you tell them why you were quitting? Just being nosy so feel free not to answer!

 

[Mara]

When one door closes...!!!

Good luck ZB!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Mara!

Thing -- I don't mind answering at all. Basically, the environment wasn't something that I enjoyed, and I felt that it was just not the right place for me. I knew that from the very beginning, but I tried to stick it out as long as possible. My boss was understanding, and she's known for a while that I was unhappy. The tricky thing now will be looking for a new job. I don't want to put this experience on my resume, but I know I'll have some explaining to do if I'm asked whether I've worked for the same district before. It's a huge district -- one that covers a large area.

The good thing is that I have the option to return to my old position next year in the same place I worked before moving. It would require another big move, but I'd definitely feel good about it.

ETA: Thing, yes, I told by boss exactly why I was leaving. I wrote a long resignation letter, listing all the reasons why I wasn't happy (some of them were ones that my boss had known about before I quit).

 

[Kaleigh]

Good for you Zoe!! Hoping great things are ahead for you. Best of luck!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Yay! We should go to lunch to celebrate

I knew you were so unhappy there. Are you going to look at learning centers? Nanny? Tutor? You have lots of options that won''t compromise your mental health.

 

[Haven]

Wow! Good for you, Zoe!
It feels good, doesn''t it?

I can''t wait to hear what you do next! That''s so wonderful that you can go back to your old position next year. I have to say, I have felt better and better about my decision as time has gone on, so I hope you''ll feel the same.

Here''s to a happier and more fulfilling year (professionally) than expected for you!

 

[monarch64]

Sounds like a courageous and healthy move for all involved. Best wishes to you, enjoy your time off from work and don''t feel guilty for doing what is right for YOU.

 

[miraclesrule]

Very courageous, and a clear message to the Universe that you will not sit passively until something comes your way, but that you intend to find that company that is right now, looking for exactly what you have to offer. Best of luck!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Kaleigh!

Hey Tacori! I''m always up for a celebration! I''m going to start looking at everything you mentioned -- tutoring centers, nanny positions, and teacher assistants (in a different district of course). I may even look for a long-term sub position, but that could be tricky. There are a lot of personal things that have happened recently that I''ve been dealing with, and people have been less than understanding. I found out something that happened at home the day after our get together, which is why I haven''t been around much. I''ll fill you in when we see each other again. Let''s plan on getting together soon.

Thanks Haven! Before we moved, I had requested a one year leave of absence from my old job rather than resigning altogether. I wasn''t sure how things would pan out down here with my husband''s (or my) new job, so I wanted to ensure that I at least had a job to return to if needed. My request was granted, which made me really happy. So if nothing else works out down here, than at least I can return to my former place of employment. I''m so glad that you feel better about your decision as time goes on. Yay!

Thanks Monarch and Miracles! It was a surprise that things didn''t work out because my interview had gone really well. I really felt that my boss and I were on the same page. Sadly, that didn''t turn out to be the case, and it was hard to handle.

 

[oddoneout]

Best of luck in the future.

 

[bee*]

Woohoo!! Congratulations!! I''d say it''s such a great feeling!

 

[Tuckins1]

You are a teacher, right? I totally feel you. It is very tough right now to deal with all of the crap that the bureaucracy is piling onto us... More than half the staff wants to quit, but there are no other jobs around us, so we stick it out. Plus, I would really feel bad leaving my kids. Kudos to you for sticking to your guns and doing what''s right for you! What do you think you are going to do?

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Oddoneout and Bee!

Tuckins -- yep, I''m a teacher.

As I mentioned earlier, I was excited to get my job over the summer because there had been so many lay offs last spring when school ended. Everyone kept telling me not to move down here (to be with my husband who had just started a new job and had to relocate) until I found something. I moved anyway, and two weeks later, I got this position. I felt really lucky. I knew there would be differences between my new school and the one I had just, but I guess I wasn''t prepared for just HOW different they would be. Test scores and very strict practices seem to be the practices/focus here, while it''s not that way at my old school (the one I can return to next year). I knew it would be a VERY long year if I tried to stick it out until June, but it got to a point where I knew I couldn''t. At first I felt really guilty because I knew that I''d be letting down my students and their parents (and my team), but I have to do what''s right for me. This school just isn''t a healthy environment for be to be in. I''m not sure when my last day will be because I said that I would stay until they found someone else, but my boss knows that I''d like to leave as soon as possible.

I''m not sure what I''ll do next. I know that I can''t apply for a position in my current district, which is fine (although it covers a large area). I''ll apply to another district most likely and try to get a long term/maternity leave position. I can also apply to a nearby state once I get certified there. I''m also going to look at aide positions, tutoring, and jobs that aren''t in schools. Basically, I need to work, so I''ll do just about anything.