Inner Conflict
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:26 pm
Back in February, I started my first teaching job, teaching 4th-8th grade instrumental music. Tonight was my first concert. The kids sounded great, everything went well, I couldn't be happier with my job and where I am right now.
However, my good fortune in finding a mid-year position is not without tragedy. The man whom I am currently replacing is ill with leukemia. Initially, I was hired until the end of the year (they had hired somebody in September, but he found another job closer to home and left, creating the opening for me in the winter), figuring they would either be able to find another spot for me somewhere in the district next year, or I would be looking for a new job for September with some experience under my belt (which the recent college grads won't have).
Unfortunately his treatment hasn't gone as well as everyone hoped, and he's had several setbacks. At first, he wanted to return in April. Then, it looked like he would be back in September. Now, I have just learned that he is applying for disability retirement benefits. He won't be coming back.
I have been told that once the Board of Ed. receives the paperwork on his disability retirement, they will be offering me a contract for next year. This is great news for me, I love this job, and want to stay.
And that makes me feel miserable.
I feel like a vulture swooping in and taking this guy's job. Benefitting from someone else's misfortune is not exactly my style. The fact that on some level I am happy about it just makes it worse. I just don't know what to feel. He's a really nice guy, and to see this happen to him just plain sucks. He deserves better. But I'm not gonna say no when they offer me a contract, either. Does that make me a bad person?
Sorry for the long-ish ranting post. Just some stuff I needed to vent about, as this is not an easy situation to be put in. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks,
TM
However, my good fortune in finding a mid-year position is not without tragedy. The man whom I am currently replacing is ill with leukemia. Initially, I was hired until the end of the year (they had hired somebody in September, but he found another job closer to home and left, creating the opening for me in the winter), figuring they would either be able to find another spot for me somewhere in the district next year, or I would be looking for a new job for September with some experience under my belt (which the recent college grads won't have).
Unfortunately his treatment hasn't gone as well as everyone hoped, and he's had several setbacks. At first, he wanted to return in April. Then, it looked like he would be back in September. Now, I have just learned that he is applying for disability retirement benefits. He won't be coming back.
I have been told that once the Board of Ed. receives the paperwork on his disability retirement, they will be offering me a contract for next year. This is great news for me, I love this job, and want to stay.
And that makes me feel miserable.
I feel like a vulture swooping in and taking this guy's job. Benefitting from someone else's misfortune is not exactly my style. The fact that on some level I am happy about it just makes it worse. I just don't know what to feel. He's a really nice guy, and to see this happen to him just plain sucks. He deserves better. But I'm not gonna say no when they offer me a contract, either. Does that make me a bad person?
Sorry for the long-ish ranting post. Just some stuff I needed to vent about, as this is not an easy situation to be put in. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks,
TM