Another teacher's job on the line!

[Bajanne]

I too got a letter telling me that they "cannot assure me of employment for the 2007/2008 academic year".  After 10 years with no unfavourable evaluations.   My appointment comes up for renewal every two years, and last year they were considering letting me go (because I need time for dialysis), but allowed me to finish out my appointment.  They say that they have their own nationals graduating from universities and colleges and they must take priority.  There are two of us in this position - not nationals of this country, and also with health challenges, although the other person does not have renal failure.  We both got letters.
Since I didn't want to leave the Virgin Islands, I checked out an Episcopalian school and they really want me to come and are willing to work around my dialysis, but the salary is about $1500 less!  I need to be there for my daughter financially as she leaves to start university this fall.  Thank goodness, university is practically free for nationals of my country.
I got a phonecall from a colleague.  She told me that she called the former principal of our school who is now a minister of the government and he told her that he will speak with the Minister of Education and lobby for me.  I am not sure, though, if I wanted it done that way.  It seems too political.


Moved to General Discussion (since it does involve the issue of dialysis),  Bajanne, Moderator

[Sluff]

Hang in there Aurora i hope things work out for the better. 

[st789]

Hope everything works out for you.

[kitkatz]

Can I say a few swear words for you?  I feel for you. I am always afraid as the dialysis begins to wear on me they will finally decide I am too much of a hassle.  From one teacher to another "HUGS".

[tweetykiss]

One former and hopefully future teacher to another  I also feel for you and it is bummed out when they don't renew your contract....I never had a contract thus the reason I am now getting my Master's in Education.....I hope something can be done or you too would need a lawyer.......they cannot just fire dialysis patients......

[Bajanne]

But you see, it is all in their hands.  My appointment ends August 31 - therefore it cannot be considered as a 'firing'.  So as an African saying goes "they have the yam, and they have the knife"!

[st789]

That is a good one "they have the yam, and they have the knife."!

I hope they will decide to keep the yam for a long long long time and tuck away the knife under their pants.

[Joe Paul]

Sorry to hear it..maybe in this instance your friend can help.

[paris]

I am so sorry this is happening to you. As you know, I am in the same position.  Life just keeps throwing us curve balls. It is all because of the contracts that they hold so much control over us. I still don't know what I am going to do.  I just want to teach where I have been the past 18 years!  I hate that you have to deal with this, too.  I know we can both work better than some people who have no health issues.  Again, I am just sorry this has happened.

[paris]

Just checking in on you to see how things are going.  I am worried about you and all that you are going thru.  Keep us posted.

[st789]

It seems like teaching has became very political.  Damn it.

I guess they can still fire you after tenure.

[Bajanne]

Well it seems that the only way that I can get through is the political way.  I heard from the principal of the Episcopalian school.  The board shot down her idea of hiring me!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I had to remind myself that my life is not in my hands, and He knows best.
My other alternative is to go back home to Barbados and try to find a job - not easy at 57 on dialysis, but not impossible.  My daughter didn't want me home as yet since that would mean that Christopher would be separated from his father.  She wanted to able come back here whenever she had time off from the university.

[Sluff]

Well it seems that the only way that I can get through is the political way.  I heard from the principal of the Episcopalian school.  The board shot down her idea of hiring me!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I had to remind myself that my life is not in my hands, and He knows best.

Aurora I'm so sorry to hear this, it doesn't seem fair. Your faith is strong and it will carry you through these trying times. I'll say a few extra prayers that he shows you the way, and he reveals his plan for you.

[Bajanne]

Thank you so much, Sluff!  Amen.  I appreciate it.
 

[kitkatz]

Ya know, you can do this!  Do you want to move here and share a contract? Hehehehe. Fontana Unified is always looking for teachers at the secondary level.  But then desert life after island life may be too much of a shock.  Keep going.

[Bajanne]

Well, nothing is working out here so far.  The principal at the Episcopalian school is having a hard time persuading the chairman to employ me.  So I will be making preparations for moving back to my home country, Barbados.
By the way, we had our final staff meeting on Friday and guess what I got as a parting gift - a glass plaque for my 10 years of service!!!

[Ohio Buckeye]

I'm sorry you are going thru this trying time Bajanne.
I will be praying for you.  Keep trusting in Him. 
He has a plan for you.

[Sluff]

I will continue to pray, the best for you.   

[livecam]

Bajanne, I'm so sorry to hear about your employment difficulties. Ten years is a long time and with the good service you've given them it is beyond me why they wouldn't want to keep you there.

Uncertainty on the job isn't something anyone on dialysis needs as if there isn't enough stress to deal with already.  He listens to me sometimes so tonight I'm going to ask him to be good to you.

[Bajanne]

Thank you all guys.  I am confident that things will work out for my good.

[paris]

Bajanne, I am so sorry. It truly is unfair to have to deal with this disease and job worries. I still can't believe I won't be going back to my school in the fall. I got an email from a former teacher saying she was shocked that my contract wasn't renewed and she would like to hear my side of the story. My side - ESRD says it all. They think I am too sick to handle the job.  So, my heart is hurting for you. LIfe doesn't make much sense right now.  We are all here for you and send you lots of hugs and good wishes. 

[okarol]

Thank you all guys.  I am confident that things will work out for my good.

Your bright outlook and positive attitude will get you through this Aurora!
 

[livecam]

I got an email from a former teacher saying she was shocked that my contract wasn't renewed and she would like to hear my side of the story. My side - ESRD says it all. They think I am too sick to handle the job. 

Paris...stop the presses.  "They think I am too sick to handle the job".  No way can they get away with that shiit.  You have remedies available under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The first thing I would do is remind them that they can not legally refuse to employ you based on your disability and give them a chance to make it right and fast.
 
If that doesn't work for you..rapidly..call your nearest EEOC office and ask for assistance.  I am fairly sure that they are required by law to put you back to work immediately and that you may have legal grounds to sue for damages. While you are at EEOC ask for a "right to sue" letter, you might need it if you decide to hire an attorney.

Oh and save that email you got from your colleague, it is good evidence if you need it.

Nothing pisses me off more than seeing employers mess with dialysis patients and you don't have to put up with it.

[Chicken Little]

The school board actually may be able to get away with this.  Teacher contracts are tricky.   I can only find one case where the teacher sued for non-renewal, claiming it was due to a cancer diagnosis, and that case was dismissed. 

I would still contact an attorney, paris.  It's worth looking in to. 

I'm sorry to everyone that is dealing with this.  I left my job when my bosses started wondering what was up with my schedule.   I never publicized my health issues at work, so they had no idea about the kidney disease or diabetes.  I knew I couldn't continue to do my job the way it needed to be done though and I could see how my bosses were struggling with wanting to help and wondering how to keep the office afloat without a fulltime person.  I made the decision to walk away.  In the end, the difficulties I've experienced in dialysis would have made it impossible to hold any job, so it all happened the way it needed to.  I hope everyone's situation works out.

[Amanda From OZ]

I'm sorry to hear about your employment problem. I hope everything turns out well for you.

Sending good thoughts ur way.