Hiring Frustration
Hi Folks,
I’m new to BC but have been teaching since 2016. I’m looking for advice on the hiring process.
I was lucky to have a position this year in a continuing position, but to my surprise that seems to really mean nothing if I don’t have seniority. I was also told during an initial new hire PD that the focus would be on ensuring teachers without jobs get placed before those with, but that wasn’t the case in the hiring so far and it’s really discouraging seeing people with high seniority taking these jobs during the postings. I understand the idea behind seniority and all that, but at the same time it’s so disappointing and feels utterly hopeless for anyone below the lay off line to have any type of job security. In the current economic climate I’m literally not sure how anyone who had to get student loans is capable of living off of the unstable nature and often lack of sub jobs.
Is there any district that doesn’t do seniority based placements? I’ve worked in 3 other provinces and nobody else did this so getting that continuing contract to only realize it’s not what most places use that terminology for was heartbreaking and has me thinking of just leaving all together.
Is it worth it to go to private or independent schools? My priority has to be job security right now and I’ve really lost faith in my district in their support for teachers.