M
MisterBob
Guest
I live in MD but the employer was located in DE!!!
In a nutshell, my former employer (a local private school) asked me to leave before the end of my contract (and obviously did not renew me). I taught music and there was a lot of problems with my actually teaching what the curriculum said versus what they really wanted me to do. In addition, I had a lot of parental support for my program and they did not want to take a chance that they would "lose control" of their music program.
They did pay me fully until the end of my contract year under the stipulation that I leave quietly and not contact any of my (now former) students and fellow staff. Therefore, I had no legal bounds for a wrongful termination suit.
It seems that they did not have to live up to the same stipulation as you will soon read.
Although I was (and still am) deeply hurt by the entire experience, I have tried my best to move on. Here is where my problem lies...
I frequently run into many of my former students and some of the staff. Most of the time, they give me a quick "hi" and quickly walk away. I used to chalk this up under "they don't know what to say under the circumstances" and I deal with it.
A few times, however, I have experienced a very negative response. The worst example (and the primary reason for my posting) would be 2 weeks ago when I ran into one of my favorite students and his mom (who was one of my biggest supporters at the time of my "dismissal.") I was speaking to her son when she approached and dragged him away from me (literally). I had the opportunity to question her about her actions before they left the restaurant and she said "after what you did, why are you surprised that I wouldn't want my son anywhere near you?...you should be ashamed."
Of course, the administration of the school would make me the bad guy. That's fine. I am concerned with my reputation being marred by what these children and parents seem to believe. I can't stand the thought that these people think I did something ethically or morally wrong.
I can dive into much more detail if you need.
Here is what I need to figure out...
1. I have never been able to publicly speak to my side of the issues surrounding my termination. How can I accomplish this without bringing a lawsuit on myself from the school?
2. If I cannot speak about my termination issues, how can I at least speak to the apparent manner in which my termination was explained to the students/parents of the school?
thanx !!!!:0)
[This message has been edited by MisterBob (edited November 02, 2000).]
In a nutshell, my former employer (a local private school) asked me to leave before the end of my contract (and obviously did not renew me). I taught music and there was a lot of problems with my actually teaching what the curriculum said versus what they really wanted me to do. In addition, I had a lot of parental support for my program and they did not want to take a chance that they would "lose control" of their music program.
They did pay me fully until the end of my contract year under the stipulation that I leave quietly and not contact any of my (now former) students and fellow staff. Therefore, I had no legal bounds for a wrongful termination suit.
It seems that they did not have to live up to the same stipulation as you will soon read.
Although I was (and still am) deeply hurt by the entire experience, I have tried my best to move on. Here is where my problem lies...
I frequently run into many of my former students and some of the staff. Most of the time, they give me a quick "hi" and quickly walk away. I used to chalk this up under "they don't know what to say under the circumstances" and I deal with it.
A few times, however, I have experienced a very negative response. The worst example (and the primary reason for my posting) would be 2 weeks ago when I ran into one of my favorite students and his mom (who was one of my biggest supporters at the time of my "dismissal.") I was speaking to her son when she approached and dragged him away from me (literally). I had the opportunity to question her about her actions before they left the restaurant and she said "after what you did, why are you surprised that I wouldn't want my son anywhere near you?...you should be ashamed."
Of course, the administration of the school would make me the bad guy. That's fine. I am concerned with my reputation being marred by what these children and parents seem to believe. I can't stand the thought that these people think I did something ethically or morally wrong.
I can dive into much more detail if you need.
Here is what I need to figure out...
1. I have never been able to publicly speak to my side of the issues surrounding my termination. How can I accomplish this without bringing a lawsuit on myself from the school?
2. If I cannot speak about my termination issues, how can I at least speak to the apparent manner in which my termination was explained to the students/parents of the school?
thanx !!!!:0)
[This message has been edited by MisterBob (edited November 02, 2000).]