Teachers - tell students you're leaving the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher, and I've taught in several geographic locations (reason for leaving schools was moving). Here are a few tips:

1. Don't make a production about telling the kids. Don't say anything until your last week, and then you can calmly tell students. This has always come up naturally for me: a student has asked what I was doing for summer, and I'd casually explain that my family was moving, or a student would ask if I would be her teacher next year, and I'd calmly say that I was leaving the school, but that I would "always consider you my student and would be very happy if you emailed me some day to say how you are doing." Do NOT tell students you are unhappy at the school. I've known some teachers who did this, and it always looks unprofessional (because it is). It is not in the children's best interest to be exposed to that sort of thing.

2. When a former student contacts you in the future, don't ever tell them anything negative about the school, even if you hated it and admin was a mess.

Former teacher and current principal here: the above is excellent advice. Wait until the last week to say anything. Does your principal know you are looking to leave? I couldn't tell by your response at 23:30. If not, please share right away. The last thing you want is someone calling your administrator for a reference and he/she is taken by surprise that you're even looking to leave.

Good luck to you!

All great advice. Tell them casually in conversation after you have given notice. I've left a school I hated but didn't say one negative thing about the school. You want to be closer to home, want to teach a different grade, may move to that area, something neutral.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I officially accepted a new job (yay!) last week, and told my admin. I did not talk about telling the kids. I will tell them the last day of school (or maybe the day before). It is closer to my house, and that's what I'm going to say. I think they'll press me on it, so I need to have some things ready to say.

I made a new gmail account ([e-mail]) which I am going to share with them if they want to stay in touch.

[Anonymous]

My dd just finished sixth grade and her math/science teacher told them she's moving to New Mexico for her husbands job. None of the kids really cared. Her AP/guidance counselor is leaving to be principal at an elementary school nearby. They threw him a surprise going away party, he cried, and gave dd and one boy his cell phone number and email addres. Dd has sworn to hate his replacement as an act of loyalty.

Don't tell kids until you have a signed contract.

[Anonymous]

I got involuntarily transferred to another school in the district. I told the kids at the end of last week (perhaps a bit early), and they seemed sad at the time. I didn't think it was such a big deal either way. I teach 3rd grade, fwiw.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I do have a signed contract. I just feel like I have to tell them because I know they're going to say "see you in September!" And I can't say that knowing it's not true

[Anonymous]

I would not ask the principal and I would not tell the students.

[Anonymous]

I told my students both times I switched schools. They were upset, but when I reminded them that they were moving on too (I also teach 8th grade, so they're going to high school), it wasn't as big of a deal.

It came up pretty naturally. The kids asked what I was teaching next year, and I said I was going to xyz school and wasn't sure what it would be. "Why are you leaving?" "Because I want a better commute/because I had a baby and need something closer to home/because whatever reason you want to say".

It's never been a big deal with admin, and parents have never shown concern. I am a well liked, effective teacher, so it's not like they were happy to be rid of me (at least, I don't think so!) Teacher transfer is pretty natural/common, especially at low income schools.