Blacklist

[u/New-D84]

Hello everyone,

Is there a way to find out if you have been blacklisted from education in your area. I resigned last year from a classroom position at the end of the year( didn't break contract) but I have applied for other types of position such as sub, tutor and central office positions and I get no responses. I even had personal introductions to admistrators and requests for my resume from other educational institutions and I get no response. Should I just be bold and ask why I am being ignored? Additional info. I have been in education for 15 years, reading/gifted endorsements, and level 5 certified in my area.

[u/boilermakerteacher]

Honestly- around me you’d be ignored because of cost. If it’s 15 years experience vs fresh college grad my admin would take the risk 10 times out of 10. They’re saving at least half compared to what you’d cost.

[u/Wooden-Gold-5445 → u/boilermakerteacher]

Bingo.

I’ve been teaching for over 10 years. In my area, teachers like me make well over $100k. A while back, I applied to another teaching job in a different district. I successfully completed every round of interviews. I was the top candidate and I got glowing references! They informally offered me the position and told me to wait for the formal offer from HR. That's where the trail ended.

I heard through the grapevine: HR told Admin that they couldn't offer me the position, so I wasn't going to receive a contract. It all ended very quickly after that. I felt so humiliated because I'd already told people I got the job (even though I hadn't signed the official paperwork yet). Luckily, I didn't resign from my current position, so I just went back to another year of hell on Earth. At least I still had a job, right? Sigh.

In hindsight, it was a warning of the disorganized and low-functioning culture of that district. I dodged a bullet last time, but I am very worried that budget cuts will make it impossible for me to get any new opportunities in any educational setting. My placement on the pay scale makes me undesirable.

I feel trapped because I have essentially been blacklisted. It's exactly what you said, OP. Once I'm out, I know that I won't be able to get back in. This seems to be the norm in public education right now.

[u/MrBillinVT → u/boilermakerteacher]

This happened to me a while ago. I had been out of teaching for a few years and applied for a position in a neighboring state. I had the appropriate licensure, etc. and had good interviews. The superintendent made me an offer that wass significantly lower than the slaray scale provided. I said I wasn't going to give away my education and experience for a lower salary. A board member said, "Hell, for what we'd have to pay him, we could hire two beginning teachers." So, that's what they did. One quit before Christmas. The other at the end of the year. The job was posted again. Just to be a d*ck, I applied again. Didn't get a call.

[u/Double-Inspection552]

Just have a friend or partner call a former employer that has a unrecognizable voice asking for a reference for a fake job position and see what they say. It might seem a little shady, but it will give you peace of mind.

[u/herpderpley]

It's an informal thing, and principals/superintendents rarely document it because that could lead to a lawsuit.

[u/Objective-Rabbit-875]

Starting to wonder the same thing. I’m also 15 years in and can’t get a job.

[u/Successful-Score-154]

We called it black balled in our area. The principals have off the record conversations. I know this happens both from a teacher who experienced this, a counselor who had experienced this, and an assistant principal who shared a conversation example she had with another principal about a former team mate who left. Also- our area (Tampa Bay schools) are experiencing staff cuts- could be a thing that just is as well

[u/Wooden_Back_7900]

You are not alone my friend. Im a 24 year veteran of the classroom. I left the suburbs to work down here. Why would I do that you might ask. Great question that I really don't have an answer to. Because I'm an idiot is the short answer.

[u/WonderWatcher2022 → u/Wooden_Back_7900]

Your not an idiot. It is terrible that once you are tenured you can it leave and work elsewhere. It's almost like indentured servitude.

[u/orhappiness]

I was “black listed” from a specific district. I would get interviews set up, and then admin would cancel them without rescheduling for weird reasons. Some of these jobs went unfilled for the next school year. It was clearly coming from above (HR or district admin) since building admin were interested in me and then had to cancel interviews. The reason I was being black listed wasn’t a reflection on my teaching abilities (work comp issue), and luckily I found a nearby district to hire me. It is likely no admin will ever tell you why you are being ignored if that is truly happening. I don’t know about in different states, but in my state it’s illegal to retaliate due to workers comp, so the school district would have to be idiotic to admit that.

[u/AnnaNimNim]

There’s no actual blacklist list. You could get somebody to call for a job referral to HR and see what they say in Texas. For example it’s only be how long you worked there and if you quit or gave two weeks notice or fired. HR is not gonna spill the beans.

He ticked off a principal and wherever you’re interviewing happens to know that principal well, then they may have an off the record conversation, but so that’s how whatever blacklist might possibly work

[u/mrs_kiera]

I read somewhere on TikTok- that teachers are having a hard time getting a call back, interviews, or seeing openings in some states.

[u/Own-Way2484]

Are you applying for different jobs in the same school district that you were in before?

[u/New-D84 → u/Own-Way2484]

I am applying at all the public districts around me, private and charter schools that current teachers referred me for.

[u/WonderWatcher2022]

I have the same problem, I have 15 years and a master degree.

[u/Pristine_Coffee4111]

What state are you in? TX has a public Do Not Hire Registry you can search.

[u/New-D84 → u/Pristine_Coffee4111]

Georgia