If you interviewed and they followed up with references, does the school usually let you know whether or not you have the position or do they go quite if you don't have it. How long does it usually take?

Thanks PsyGuy!

I get where you're coming from and understand that the principal would know certain information that others would not be privy to and that's why I went ahead and gave the director the contact information.

As I have never done this before, I was worried and a bit hesitant. It's not common in the US, for employers to speak directly to your current boss.

Wonder wrote:
> I completely agree with Dredge. If you are in a public school in the US,
> and probably even if you are in a private school, you have nothing to worry
> about. For one thing, you are not leaving your school to go to another
> school in the district, which might indicate that you are unhappy with your
> school or your admin. You are possibly leaving your school to go abroad!
> There is no insult and anyone worth their salt would be supportive of you
> doing that.
>
> The first time I went abroad I had just gotten hired on by a school in my
> dream district. Before I took the job abroad, I explained the situation to
> my new principal and stated that I would stay on if my leaving would put
> him in a difficult spot. He said if he had the chance I had, he'd go as
> well.
>
> At my current school, I told my principal before I started looking. In
> fact, I had to tell her so she could complete the confidential reference
> with my agency. I told HR as well, though I still have not resigned, and
> won't until I have a contract in hand. Everyone has been very supportive
> and even envious.
>
> I do agree with you, though. In every school I've worked except the one I'm
> in now, the principal would be the last person to ask about me as a teacher
> and often as a person.

New to the process and the principal lacks knowledge of much of what goes on in her own school.

Dredge wrote:
> Are you in a public school in the US? If you are, I would assume you have
> nothing to worry about. Usually, in US public schools you have to sign a
> letter of intent in say, April, before you sign your contract in June for
> the following school year. To me, as an Admin, if you cannot provide the
> reference we are asking for then 1) you are hiding something or 2) you are
> not seriously considering the job.
>
> If you have some complicated story as to why you can't or prefer not to
> supply a specific reference, it then appears overly dramatic, which is a
> red flag.
>
> I hope you make the choice that is best for you.

Yes, I'm in a US school - and no I'm not hiding anything. This is my first time going through such a process and it just felt old that they would want to speak to a principal. I especially didn't want to cause friction, hurt my position by stating I was looking to go abroad. I have had excellent observations and great feedback from administrators. However, the principal is hardly around and wouldn't be the best reference.

Thank you, PsyGuy!

It is quite a difficult dilemma and your insight and knowledge have been helpful.

Yikes! I have received a lot of feedback regarding this situation and it's such a sticky one. I did give the recruiter several references but he seems to be inclined to speak with principals - which is odd because my principal has very limited interaction with me, is barely around, and can be hard to read. I have done really well during observations and am well liked by my colleagues, peers and students - and I don't think she would enjoy the fact that I am considering leaving. There have been several teachers who have left in recent years. As you said, I don't want to jeopardize my good standing by requesting a reference. The interviewer said very favorable things and gave me many inclinations that things will move forward - but you never know and I don't want to do harm to my position or have my principal give a less than spectacular reference because she wants to keep me.

I just had an interview and the employer requested references from my current employer, in particular my principal. I'm not sure how to approach the situation since I haven't told anyone in my school that I'm applying elsewhere. I'm not sure how my principal would take the news and if it would hurt my standing by telling her I am looking elsewhere. I am working in the US and the opportunity abroad is a great one - but I'm unsure what to do in the situation.