Teacher on Road Trip With Daughter Unprepared for Assistant Superintendent's Warning

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A teacher who was on a cross-country road trip with their daughter was shocked when their school district's assistant superintendent called them with a warning.
The teacher and original poster (OP), user Disgruntled_Veteran, shared their story on Reddit, explaining that the assistant superintendent—a friend—had called to let them know "about three-quarters of all the [English Language Arts] teachers at the high schools resigned or non-renewed".
"A pretty high percentage," the OP noted. "We had a lot of 1st/2nd year teachers in ELA last year."
Stock image of an empty school classroom.
Stock image of an empty school classroom.
iStock
According to the OP's friend, the school district planned to have HR contact staff with English Language Arts (ELA) certifications and "convince" them to move to the high schools if enough candidates don't apply.
"And if they still can't fill the slots, to forcibly move teachers to the high schools," the OP continued.
"My friend wanted to give me a heads-up and let me know to avoid calls from the district office for a while. He knows I am happy with my position for next year.
"So I am going to be ghosting HR for the next 2 months. Ignoring calls and emails. Not that I wasn't going to already."
Reddit users were quick to share their thoughts, with many noting they were having similar issues at their schools.
"Our ELA resigned this year," one wrote. "They decided to start working at Costco because that's less stress."
"What are the odds that central office will be doing any introspection about WHY exactly this mass resignation happened?" another asked rhetorically, to which a third replied, "Is there a percentage less than zero?"
"Had a monstrous amount of teachers leave my FL district, me included," one Redditor noted.
'To each their own'
"Almost all of them were teachers who were tasked with the freshmen, who were probably the worst collective grade I've seen come through since I started post-COVID."
One user, however, felt differently: "After teaching [middle school] for 10 years, 2 years ago, I thought I'd try something different and started applying to [high school]," they wrote.
"I am now an ELA co-teacher and can't believe I waited. I'll take this any day over dealing with the [middle school] ridiculousness. But to each their own."
Teaching Troubles
In a message to Newsweek, the OP said there were a range of reasons why the ELA teachers left, but "several" left the career field for better pay and working conditions.
"What's most difficult about teaching right now is the politicians and the parents," the OP explained. "The politicians pretend to be pro-education, but they're really just about getting votes later on."
They continued, "The parents, for the most part, don't want to take responsibility for their children's actions. It's not their fault. Their kid acts out, and it's not their kid's fault. It's the fault of the teacher somehow."
'Work with less and produce more'
The OP added that it's important to know that the education system is "in a dark place right now" with COVID-19 funding gone.
"They're going to cut staffing positions," they wrote. "That means larger class sizes. In addition to this, educators are not getting the support they need to be effective. And educators are being replaced by unqualified individuals.
"Educators are being told to work with less and produce more. That's like asking a chef to go ahead and take a box of McDonald's leftovers and make a gourmet feast for a visiting head of state."
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

Single Dad Says His Siblings ‘Effectively Cut Me Off' After He Started a Relationship with His Kids' Much Younger Au Pair

A widowed father of four began what he thought was a discreet relationship with his kids' 24-year-old au pair His mother found out about the relationship and "went nuclear," telling his siblings that the children were upset Reddit users questioned the judgment of the father for being involved with someone whom he employsA widowed father of four says his relationship with his children's much younger au pair has caused a family rift. In a post on Reddit's 'Am I the A------' forum, the single father, 40, explained that he's been widowed for the past five years and has relied on au pairs and childminders to help provide care. 'I have always treated them well and never had any issues,' he wrote. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! His mother has also been a help, but he added that their relationship was more fraught. 'We have a complex relationship. She constantly gossips about me and my siblings to each other. She has done this for as long as I can remember,' he said, adding that she goes to his house more than two to three times a week. He is an executive who works long hours for a medium-sized company and uses that time to go to the gym. The man said that last December, his 24-year-old au pair 'confessed she had feelings for me.' He said he rebuffed her due to their age difference and their dynamic in the home. She went away for a month and when she returned after Christmas, 'things went back to normal.' 'However, I confess I did develop feelings for her," he said. "In late February she said her feelings hadn't changed and in her words 'She is a grown a-- woman who knows what she wants' and the age gap doesn't bother her.' The man said he began a 'discreet relationship' with the au pair, but his son and mother both found out. 'My mother suspected something too and my eldest son told her," he said. "My mother went nuclear and told all my siblings what had been going on and that my kids went to her because they were extremely upset about this. This is despite me asking her to respect my privacy and allow me to handle it my way. My mother was shouting, making insinuations about both my au pair and me." The man said that his relationship with his siblings is now compromised. 'My siblings have all effectively cut me off and I was uninvited to my brother's housewarming after he got his new place," he wrote. "Two of my siblings have told me they are tired of the way I've been treating my mother and one accused me of being verbally aggressive to her and shouting at her, even though it was actually the other way around.' He also said that his two sons have told him that his mother 'would regularly criticise me and my parenting style.' The man said his mother 'wants things to go back to the way they were but I don't trust her,' and need guidance. He acknowledged that people would have strong opinions about his relationship with the au pair. Many commenters found it difficult to get past the man getting involved with not only someone much younger, but one who he employs. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'You engaged in pretty solidly inappropriate behavior with someone you employ. You know it's inappropriate, and that's why you kept it a secret. Your secret was found out and now you're deep in it,' a commentator wrote, continuing, 'YTA [you are the a------], of course you are. If you can't be up front about something, don't do it. You've lied to everyone and now they've found out. Good luck.' Other users also faulted the mother and believed a form of 'parental alienation' was at play, given her behavior. 'What your mom is doing is called triangulation. She is managing the story (lying) to stay in control of the family dynamics,' the commentator said. ' She is also turning your own children against you. She is basically enmeshing them in a co-dependent or abusive relationship with her. This is what we call a toxic parent.' Read the original article on People

Newsweek

2 hours ago

• Newsweek

Therapist Mom Shares Simple Phrases She Teaches Her Kids to Stay Safe

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom of two has shared the five phrases she's taught her kids to keep them safe. Colorado-based Andrea Brambila (@brambila_bits) posted a carousel on Instagram outlining the key language tools she's learned counseling kids as a therapist who's "seen too much." "Are these ground-breaking, earth-shattering phrases? No!" Brambila wrote in her caption. "But they have helped both of my children feel confident advocating for themselves." Mom Andrea Brambila and her 3-year-old daughter in the kitchen with their backs to the camera. Mom Andrea Brambila and her 3-year-old daughter in the kitchen with their backs to the camera. @brambila_bits "I need some space" is the first phrase her 3-year-old daughter learned to say when she's feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, particularly if she's playing with another child. It's become a healthy outlet that helps her avoid lashing out physically and instead set boundaries clearly and calmly. "Clearly asserting her need for space to feel safe and comfortable is a lifelong skill," Brambila wrote on the text overlay. "I don't keep secrets from mommy and daddy." This phrase, Brambila said, is especially crucial in protecting children from potential grooming by predators who often create secrecy and a false sense of specialness as a way to manipulate their victims. "Teaching my kids to say out loud that they will not keep secrets in and of itself makes them a less desirable target because it signals that they won't likely keep anything inappropriate to themselves," she explained. According to Brambila, many children she's worked with have expressed that something felt "off" in how an abuser interacted with them, but they didn't have the language—or confidence—to say so. Giving kids permission and power to decline uncomfortable interactions by saying: "I don't want to play like that" can be a protective factor. "I've encouraged my kids from day one to express when they aren't comfortable with someone's behaviors, and my husband and I have shown that we will help them protect their boundaries when needed," Brambila wrote. Respecting boundaries is also key for her children's safety. "You need to respect my boundaries" is a phrase Brambila often hears from her daughter. Whether it's another child ignoring her requests for space or a situation where she feels pushed, the mom sees this phrase as a verbal shield her kids can carry into adolescence and beyond. "Hearing her advocate for herself in this manner will immediately take note, and I hope she'll carry this language with her when she begins dating," she said. Brambila's post has received over 82,000 likes, and she was praised for her advice in the comments by hundreds of other Instagram users. "It's so sad we have to do this but all so true. Thank you for these tips. I have two young girls and teaching them the power of their voice is so important in this world," a fellow mom wrote. "Love this, will be using these for my kids," another user added. Brambila is clear with her followers and explained that she doesn't live in fear as a parent. "But when it comes to safety, teaching how to be proactive is always a priority for me," she concluded.

Yahoo

4 hours ago

• Yahoo

Woman Refuses to Cook for Fiancé After He Told His Family She Doesn't 'Bring Anything to the Table'

A woman on Reddit says she's stopped cooking and cleaning at home after her fiancé joked with his family that she's "still working on bringing something to the table" The fiancé is now accusing OP of "being manipulative" for no longer cooking or cleaning while she waits for an apology Redditors in the comments were firmly on her side, with many claiming to have been in similar situationsA woman on Reddit is seeking advice after her fiancé told his family she doesn't "bring anything to the table." In a post on Reddit's r/AmIOverreacting forum, the 26-year-old woman explains that as she works from home, and does a majority of the housework. While her fiancé makes more money at a traditional nine-to-five job, they split their expenses 60/40, though he pointedly reminds her that he "pays most of the rent." "Last weekend, we went to a family dinner at his mom's house. His brother made a joke about 'wifey duties,' and my fiancé said something like, 'Well she's not there yet, still working on bringing something to the table,'" she recounts. "His dad laughed and his mom gave me that pity-smile, like 'you'll get there.' " The encounter had her seeing red, and though she didn't confront her fiancé or his family in the moment, she says she "stewed the whole ride home." Since then, she's stopped contributing to her typical responsibilities in protest of his comment. "That night, I didn't cook dinner. The next day, I didn't make breakfast or lunch like I usually do," she writes. "He noticed and asked what was wrong, and I told him I didn't feel like contributing to a table I apparently don't bring anything to." The woman says her husband immediately got "defensive" and tried to say that the original comment was "just a joke." Regardless, she's standing her ground until he decides to apologize. "He even said I was 'being manipulative,' " she continues. "But I haven't been able to get over how casually he said that in front of people who already don't seem to think highly of me." Now she's wondering if she's in the wrong for refusing to cook or clean around their shared home until he decides to apologize — and it seems like Redditors are largely on her side. "He doesn't respect you now, and his viewpoint about you will only worsen as time goes on, and it won't matter what you do or how hard you try to be 'better' in his mind. His whole point is to make you feel bad about yourself, so he can keep you down and keep you under him," one Reddit user cautions in their comment detailing their own experience in a similar situation. "It won't get better. He has shown you who he is. Believe him. And he's shown you that you won't find any support from his family either." "Oh sweetheart. You don't marry men who say things like that, or even think like [that]. You don't marry men that come from a family of men who think that's okay. He and his father and brother are sexist misogynist AH," another writes. "Save yourself the heartache and break up and find someone who will respect you, who respects women." Read the original article on People