I'm not going to repeat all that I said before about my recent 2nd grade LTS position that I was screwed out of by a FORMER principal who gave me a negative reference. If you didn't read about it before, you can find it a few posts down.

I just wanted to give an update by saying that I have continued to be in the position until the principal found a permanent teacher, which is all of this week (totaling 12 days). Everything has gone extremely well, and the students have responded to me at such a high level that I can't even put it into words.

The principal has continued to thank me for my contributions to the position, including today as he brought in the new hiree to observe the class. He continues to remain firm that he can't hire me because of my negative reference from my former principal, even though it was completely unjustified. I went through hell with this woman last year.

I have been in contact with my union rep from last year, and he told me that he spoke to the superintendent of last year's school district, who is now backing up his principal despite offering me a positive recommendation at the time. My union rep believes that my former principal may have said more than she was supposed to (opinions versus hard facts), and that it probably constitutes defamation of character. But since there is no way to prove what she is telling prospective employers, he strongly suggested that I don't spend my money on a lawyer.

Furthermore, he said that I shouldn't leave last year's experience off my resume, because that is considered falsifying information, and if caught, that is a felony.

So, after consultation with family members, I have decided to leave the profession. I hate to do this because it's all that I ever wanted to do, especially my dream grade (2nd grade). Everything was going so well. I had moved on from a very bad experience last year, and I had impressed very many people.

I just can't take the weight that is on my shoulder of trying to fight this situation anymore. My former principal has ruined my career, and my life. One person against all the others - that is all that it took. At this point, I am finding it more comforting to just give up.

I will not be posting here anymore. I am sorry that it had to come to this. Thank you to all of you who actually replied to my original post(s) and offered your support.

May you touch many little hearts along the way, as you create your magic and help shape the future.