Teachers - tell students you're leaving the school?

[Anonymous]

I've taught middle school for a few years at the same school. For a variety of reasons, I want to leave, and am currently interviewing so may know for sure I am leaving before the end of the school year.

I am wondering whether to tell my students this. Every year I have past students come back and visit me -- almost daily. I love staying in touch with them and seeing them grow. I know these students expect me to be there next year.

If I know I am leaving for sure, is it appropriate to reveal this to students? And if so.. What do I say? Maybe I'd say something about a commute. I don't know. Not sure what to do.

I know teachers leave all the time; for some reason I just feel bad.

[Anonymous]

You should ask your admin. Don't burn that bridge - don't want them mad at you for doing something in a way that hurts their plans. It will generate questions about who is replacing you. Parents will know the same day you tell kids. They may want to announce it.

From,
Been there done that this spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should ask your admin. Don't burn that bridge - don't want them mad at you for doing something in a way that hurts their plans. It will generate questions about who is replacing you. Parents will know the same day you tell kids. They may want to announce it.

From,
Been there done that this spring

Thanks PP . I teach in a school with extremely low parental involvement. I highly doubt anyone would call, although I guess you never know. I would not feel comfortable asking my principal. Maybe the AP. I will consider this -- thanks.

[Anonymous]

And they don't need to know why you're leaving ... find out how admin wants to handle it (once you have another signed contract) and then when kids ask you say, "I have loved being here and teaching you but adults change jobs for lots of reasons. I love this school but next year I'll be teaching somewhere else. I hope I'll see you when I come back and visit!"

Also, how long is "a few years"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should ask your admin. Don't burn that bridge - don't want them mad at you for doing something in a way that hurts their plans. It will generate questions about who is replacing you. Parents will know the same day you tell kids. They may want to announce it.

From,
Been there done that this spring

Thanks PP . I teach in a school with extremely low parental involvement. I highly doubt anyone would call, although I guess you never know. I would not feel comfortable asking my principal. Maybe the AP. I will consider this -- thanks.

How has it been handled when other teachers have left?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I've been there three years. A lot of the staff is unhappy and wants to leave. I don't necessarily want to talk to my admin about this, but understand why it needs to be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should ask your admin. Don't burn that bridge - don't want them mad at you for doing something in a way that hurts their plans. It will generate questions about who is replacing you. Parents will know the same day you tell kids. They may want to announce it.

From,
Been there done that this spring

Thanks PP . I teach in a school with extremely low parental involvement. I highly doubt anyone would call, although I guess you never know. I would not feel comfortable asking my principal. Maybe the AP. I will consider this -- thanks.

How has it been handled when other teachers have left?

I need to ask around -- I was friendly with teachers who were leaving, but don't know if they told their students. I would guess it's often not done. It is a challenging, high needs school. But I love my kids and would like to say goodbye.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've taught middle school for a few years at the same school. For a variety of reasons, I want to leave, and am currently interviewing so may know for sure I am leaving before the end of the school year.

I am wondering whether to tell my students this. Every year I have past students come back and visit me -- almost daily. I love staying in touch with them and seeing them grow. I know these students expect me to be there next year.

If I know I am leaving for sure, is it appropriate to reveal this to students? And if so.. What do I say? Maybe I'd say something about a commute. I don't know. Not sure what to do.

I know teachers leave all the time; for some reason I just feel bad.

Tell your kids. They are middle schoolers, will understand, but would appreciate the chance to say goodbye rather than the surprise in the fall. Obviously put in your notice before you tell the students, but please allow them a chance to say goodbyes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've taught middle school for a few years at the same school. For a variety of reasons, I want to leave, and am currently interviewing so may know for sure I am leaving before the end of the school year.

I am wondering whether to tell my students this. Every year I have past students come back and visit me -- almost daily. I love staying in touch with them and seeing them grow. I know these students expect me to be there next year.

If I know I am leaving for sure, is it appropriate to reveal this to students? And if so.. What do I say? Maybe I'd say something about a commute. I don't know. Not sure what to do.

I know teachers leave all the time; for some reason I just feel bad.

Tell your kids. They are middle schoolers, will understand, but would appreciate the chance to say goodbye rather than the surprise in the fall. Obviously put in your notice before you tell the students, but please allow them a chance to say goodbyes.

But also don't make it all about you. You being there is about them.

[Anonymous]

I have an eighth grader. Two of her teachers -- her two favorites, in fact, one of whom she has had for two years in a row (orchestra)-- are moving to other schools next year for reasons like career advancement and locations with easier commutes, etc. Both teachers let the kids know already. While it's easier to just say nothing, do go ahead and tell them. It lets them say goodbye and actually is a good reminder that teachers are people too, and sometimes need and want to move to new things. My daughter was sad about those teachers leaving because it means other kids won't get to have those teachers, she said, but she also was interested to hear what they'll be doing next in their careers, which is something middle schoolers definitely can grasp.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I would never say anything bad about the school. I think if I have accepted another offer by the end of the year I will tell them. If I havent received an offer, I guess I won't say anything, although I'll still be looking in the summer.

[Anonymous]

To be honest, OP, within three years few will remember you.

not to be mean

It's just a fact.

been around quite a few years, in and out of schools

revolving door- especially in low-performing schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should ask your admin. Don't burn that bridge - don't want them mad at you for doing something in a way that hurts their plans. It will generate questions about who is replacing you. Parents will know the same day you tell kids. They may want to announce it.

From,
Been there done that this spring

Thanks PP . I teach in a school with extremely low parental involvement. I highly doubt anyone would call, although I guess you never know. I would not feel comfortable asking my principal. Maybe the AP. I will consider this -- thanks.

Well, that is your answer. If you aren't comfortable discussing with the principal, then you probably should keep your mouth shut.

[Anonymous]

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!