Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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orion888 02/14/2015

On Tuesday the 10th, I had my post-evaluation conference. I am a teacher; at least for now. I have been for 11 years. I gave my official yearly lesson for observation about ten days ago, and on the tenth, I got a really nice review of how well it went and an acknowledgement of all that I have done this schoolyear and my adapting to the position.

Yesterday, Friday, I was called into the office to meet right after school. At that time I was given a 45 day notice of inadequacy and was told that I was facing dismissal. I did not know what hit me.

Inertia. I called my friends lastnight. There is a lot to it, but I can't go into it here.

Three years ago, I spent a year being unemployed. I did a couple of weeks of hospitalization due to the depression of dealing with it. At the support group I go to they said it looked like I was really turning the corner.

I don't know what to think. I spent a while with someone on the phone today trying to calm down. I am alternating between totally sobbing and rage. Now I am having trouble focusing.

Last week I went into the copy room to make copies and this woman completely flipped out on me, scaring me for the rest of the day. She was screaming the f word.

In the recent life coaching, they are saying just to be more honest, that this is the best thing to do. I am not so sure about that. When my mentor/trainer came in and asked how I was doing, I was honest and said I was really rattled by something that had just happened in the copy room. This seemed to register as a negative thing.

Yesterday, I found myself talking excessively under the pressure of what happened, and being "honest." during this 45 day notice. I think this "honesty" will prove to be dangerous.

I do not want to face another stretch of being without home or food. I just bought a beautiful car about a year and a half ago and it's being paid off. Teaching seems to hate me.
orion

undeadparagon 02/14/2015

If I knew I was about to be fired, I might consult with a lawyer.

WanderingVet 02/14/2015

First two paragraphs ... what a contradiction. Without more details, I don't know what to say. How can the second be justified from the first??

orion888 02/14/2015

Yeah, I know, it was a contradiction, that is what gets me. Yes there is some more to the story here that might possibly help, but the bottom line is that when I took the position months ago the going was rough, they put a consultant/trainer in there, it started going really great, and my boss acknowledges this, but seems to be focused on a single incident from the beginning of the year, parent night where a guy flipped out on me. This was back in August and I thought was water under the bridge at this point. I actually felt like I should call the security on the guy, but she said that if I had worked all summer it wouldn't have happened. I am not paid for that time. Would that have prevented him from flipping out? Who knows.

undeadparagon 02/14/2015

I just wonder if that's an excuse, since it's an irrational decision, and I wonder if there's a reason why they'd make an excuse, especially when there's that contadiction.

orion888 02/14/2015

I spoke with someone today, just happened to run into someone socially who was a teacher, then a principal, over the course of 35 years. I did state the details to him and he said absolutely to involve the union, which is like getting a lawyer.
I will do this. However, at this point, 11 years of teaching has been so much stress and drama I might be looking around. There is a book out there called, Confessions of a Bad Teacher. It is about some of what I am talking about here. The book cites the mass firing of teachers in certain schools and some of the impetus behind it.

orion888 02/14/2015

Yes, undead, I see what you are saying and have wondered. I find it coincidental that my "partner" colleague seems to have a penchant for gossiping behind others' backs and running to the boss on every little thing. It was only by accident-walking out of the bathroom from taking a pee-to find her talking about her plans to move into my position, as she tired of her own. I would never have found out unless I walked in on this bullcrap. She also talks about just about everyone the minute they are out of the room. She had gone into the boss' office earlier this year, with no intention of telling me, that she deserved MY position, that she was BETTER for the job, and that it should be given to her. She got it. My supervisor told me she was doing a favor to her. She then turned to me at lunch and said,"what is YOUR opinion on the new program (the one I just built), that she will be walking into.

itsallajoke 02/14/2015

It seems to me that you would be much better off working at another school. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

eshaw 02/15/2015

Wow, yes, it sounds like you aren't valued at all where you are. I had no idea teaching could be such a political disaster. Good luck! It's got to be a blessing in disguise, no one deserves to be treated so poorly.

ZAZAS 02/15/2015

I don't understand being fired with a good evaluation. Don't teachers have a union or someone they can go to? This just doesn't sound right or legal. I'd be sending out some resumes. There is no way I would want to stay where I am not wanted. But, make sure they have to defend or compensate you for their action.

Oh, next time a teacher yells at you, can't you file a complaint? Or hell, just cuss right back at her. Call her unprofessional butt. Like we try to teach the kids, most bullies back down when you call them on their BS.

The thing I remember from a live support group I belonged to was, "be honest, but don't be stupid". I mean, don't hurt yourself and give to much information. When you find yourself rattling on, stop, regroup and start over.

DCUK 02/15/2015

THIS IS SAD IM SO SORRY ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO YOU!, I SURE WOULDNT STAY WHERE I NEW I WASNT WANTED N WAS BEING TREATED SO UNFAIRLY SWEETIE,

I'D FIGHT THIS CASE THEN MORE ONN!!! DONT LET THEM DRAG YOU DOWN TOO THE POINT OFF DEPRESSION!!! SENDING STRENGTH N GOODLUCK SWEETIE...

HUGGLES N CUDDLES N GOD BLESS XO DC

[[[ FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!!!]]]

WanderingVet 02/15/2015

Sounds like there is a lot to the whole story. I hope you manage justice .... sounds like a hornet nest of pettiness .... or something.

lovemycoffee999 02/16/2015

Definitely involve the union. I would think they would have to prove inadequacy after a good review. They should give specific examples and be counseling you on how to improve. You should not have been blindsided. I think somebody has an agenda and you are not the first person to have this happen to them. These people worked in other fields. I also think it has nothing to do with depression. That being said, protect yourself from loss of wages while you look for another job. Don't say or do anything to make the situation worse. Do not say anything to put yourself in a negative light. They may be looking for reportable incidents to aid their case. Make them show you the documentation of where you were inadequate. I'd involve the union ASAP to protect yourself against what is going on.

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