Dear Teacher who was just involuntarily transferred,
I know you’re hurting, confused, and scared. Maybe you are creating a pro-con list about changing careers or to stay in education. I’ve been there. Within all the adversities I have experienced, being involuntarily transferred from my home was the hardest of them all. It was so hard because I knew something that involved me was hurting my students. My worst nightmare. I was involuntarily transferred due to lowering enrollment and seniority. Each situation is different, but the results are often the same…
This isn’t fair. I don’t deserve this. How does this happen? But what about _____? I can’t do this anymore. Feelings of hurt, betrayal, confusion, distrust, denial, bargaining, and depression.
Being involuntarily transferred was like being caught in the eye of the storm. It feels like you’ve lost everything you’ve worked hard for. Your hard work wasn’t valued and as an educator, you don’t actually matter. How you are feeling is normal. Just like any storm, these feelings will pass through you, if you allow them.
Allow them.
I didn’t believe I would ever feel the same about teaching. I went through the grieving cycle in the same way I had when I lost my father when I was thirteen. I remember telling someone I really trusted that being removed from my school, hurt deeper.
Regardless of why, performance, seniority, program cuts, or whatever the case may be, you are being given an opportunity to be better than you were before.
Involuntary transfers are gifts in disguise. Gifts that push you outside of your comfort zone so far that the only option you have is to grow through the pains. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s necessary for this like this to happen because it’s the only way we will get to the next part of our journey. You are on the next part of your journey. You have been given a gift that will make you stronger than before. If you thought you could move mountains previously, just wait to see what you can move now.
I know it’s hard to hear in this moment because when I heard this, I didn’t believe it either, but everything will be okay. You will be okay. You are strong and resilient. You are brave and full of grace. You are a bada** and a warrior. You are a teacher.
Allow yourself to feel the emotions to embrace the gift you have just been given.
I don’t know what my life would be like if I never would have met my fifth graders… and I would have lived my whole life never knowing except I was given a gift. The gift you were just given.
