Denied para position at my current school: what happens next?
Hi everyone,
I’m honestly feeling a mix of emotions right now and could really use some advice.
I recently came across an email from admin about next year’s staffing plans, including hiring for a new special education preschool class and a new hire for a regional special education class. Because of that, I put in internal applications for the paraprofessional positions and also reached out to my administration about being considered.
I received an email back saying that based on “ongoing conversations” and “areas for improvement,” they will not be considering me for a para position at my current school.
At the same time, they mentioned that I may be contacted by other schools over the summer since I already applied through the system.
What’s making this harder is that I’ve been in the student assistant role for years and have been hoping to grow into a para position, so seeing new positions open up while being told I won’t be considered here is discouraging.
I can’t lie, this hit me hard, especially because I’ve been putting in the effort all year. I show up, I do my job, I support the students, and I’ve been trying to grow in my role. So to be told I won’t even be considered at my current school feels discouraging.
Now I’m left wondering:
Has anyone else been denied a para position at their current school but gotten one somewhere else?
Do other schools usually view you differently, or does this kind of feedback follow you?
What typically happens if you’re not selected at your current school and don’t get contacted right away over the summer?
Do you stay in your current role, get placed somewhere else, or risk losing your position?
Is it worth asking for more specific feedback, or should I just focus on applying elsewhere?
I’m trying not to take it personally, but it’s hard not to.
Any advice, experiences and questions answered would really help right now.