I have swine flu and might get fired...?! Please help me *UPDATE*

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I have swine flu and might get fired...?! Please help me *UPDATE*

Yesterday I started feeling really dizzy and faint in class (8th period - we have 9). I called the main office from my room phone and told them that I wanted to get my temperature taken because I'm feeling really ill. My secretary told me to go now, but I said I would wait until 9th period to go because I co-teach with someone and I would be able to get it taken then when the class is covered.

So at the beginning of 9th period I ran across the street (our nurse is in the building across the street from us) and found out I had a temperature.

So I came back across feeling really dizzy and weak, and popped my head into the main office (not the principals office, but the main office). I told the secretary that I had a fever and she told me to "get the hell out of here now!" So I went down to my classroom, told my co-teacher who is my friend that I couldn't function. That I was dizzy and had a fever, and I grabbed my stuff. On my way out I told all of my 6th grade teachers I was leaving.

I never told the principal or any admin. I didn't know I had to (first year teacher here). Not only that but I wasn't thinking clearly.

I came to the doctor immediately. Sure enough, I have swine flu and am not allowed back at school. So I faxed my school the note from my doctor, and called to tell my secretary.

Apparently one of my 6th grade teachers told my principal that I left early.

Today I woke up with my 101 fever to 8 missed calls from my union rep, and other teachers. My principal is apparently seeking to take away my license for leaving early...or is at least threatening it.

I am sick to my stomach. I received satisfactory ratings all year. I am well-liked and respected in my school. How can this happen?! I'm sick with this flu and now I'm worrying that my job is going to be taken away. All for leaving 15 minutes early with the swine flu.

Are there any union reps out there?

What can I do? Chat Icon

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UPDATE:

Yesterday afternoon I spoke with my principal. She started off by saying "First, I hope you feel better." Then she let into me about school policy, how angry she is with me, and how she - if made to give an answer right now - would seek to take away my license. But she told me that she needed to think about it. It was if my health and my well being were irrelevant.

She essentially was dangling my whole career and future in front of me, while I'm at home with a fever and the swine flu. She then said "don't think about it until tomorrow. Feel better." At this point I'm bawling on the phone, essentially begging her for my job, and explaining how I've never done anything wrong this year. She tells me to "stop crying" and not think about it. I laughed at her. How am I supposed to concentrate on getting better when you can't even TELL ME if I will ever be able to teach in NYC DOE again until TOMORROW!?

I'm speechless. How someone can actually be ok with doing this to someone is beyond me. I'm just really going to focus on getting better and hold onto my belief in karma.

And I wish there was more of an underlying story....but I have honestly never had a problem with her until i mentioned I was leaving at the end of the year. It's just really erratic and bizzare.

Oh, and did I mentioned that she actually CALLED MY HOUSE AT 10:45 LAST NIGHT!? I'm JUST getting to finally lay down and go to sleep and she calls me?! Needless to say I didn't answer.

So at the end of it all, I get a text this morning from my union rep saying that I'm just getting a letter in my file. She isn't going to take my license. Can't wait to write the rebuttal for that one.

But I just can't believe the leadership style at my school. Scare someone who is in tears, break them down as much as possible, and then essentially tell them that you are doing them a favor by just giving a warning. Unreal.

Thanks for all the support.

Message edited 6/4/2009 11:51:56 AM.

Posted 6/3/09 12:30 PM