Q: I’m trying to land a job in a new city because we’re relocating for my husband’s job. I got an interview at a school in the county where I want to work — even the exact town where I want to live! — but word on the street is that there’s an extremely high turnover at this school, supposedly because the principal is known for being mercurial and playing favorites. I interviewed with this principal on Zoom, and he seemed rational and calm to me, but maybe that’s part of the unpredictability. I know all of this, and got the interview in the first place, because I have a friend who works at this school, and she put my name forward. She has been honest with me that she is looking to get out, and she’s one of the more even-tempered people I know. She hasn’t had any personal run-ins, but she’s seen others struggle with him. She wants out because she feels invisible and thinks he plays favorites.
It’s hard to break into this county, and a short commute matters to me — it doesn’t get much shorter than living in the town where you teach — but I’m not sure how to factor a moody principal who plays favorites into the equation. For what it’s worth, I’m very easygoing and have never had a run-in with a supervisor, ever, but I recognize that I’ve never worked for someone like this before either. I guess I’ve been lucky. It’s looking like he’s about to hire me, as he already has called my references. Should I consider the attrition rate a deal breaker? Try it for a year? I’m hesitant to let the “bird in hand” go, not knowing if I’ll get hired by someone else. I can’t visit the school in person because of COVID, and I’m really conflicted.
A: You need more information. Is the principal the only person who interviewed you? Did you get a chance to talk to the chair of the department, or other teachers in that department? What has their experience been? Examine the more subjective data with a critical eye and take a closer look at how this school’s attrition rate compares to others in the county. Keep in mind, though, that even if this school loses a lot of teachers, it may not be an outlier. In the United States, 8% of teachers leave the profession annually, and a lack of administrative support is cited as one of the most common reasons for why they leave the field.
You don’t have much to go on at the moment, other than the one conversation with the principal and your friend’s observations, so I’m not surprised that you’re confused. It might help to have a follow-up conversation with the principal, too. You could ask questions that are likely to reveal more about his philosophy and temperament. For instance, what kind of teachers are successful (or unsuccessful) at his school? How would he advise a teacher who is new to his school? Remember that his personality isn’t the only thing that will influence the quality of your experience. For example, does he steer teachers toward professional development opportunities? What kinds of duties are teachers expected to perform outside the classroom? You might also want to contact the district’s Human Resources department. You could ask them how hard it would be to transfer within the system if you’re unhappy. Also, let’s say the worst-case scenario comes to fruition and you’re absolutely miserable. Would you be willing to endure a year or two of frustration or interpersonal conflict in order to break into this district?
Leaving aside your reservations for a moment, you do cite a few compelling reasons to work at this school. It’s in the county where you want to work and live, you prioritize a short commute, and you don’t have any other options. That doesn’t mean another job won’t materialize, but I can appreciate why you feel pressure to accept this one if it is offered to you. Some people make career decisions based on a gut feeling, while others are more methodical. You strike me as somewhere in the middle. No job is perfect, and only you can weigh the relative importance of factors such as commute, supervision, and school culture. So, collect as much information as you can, rank your priorities, and continue to look for other positions while you wait to hear back about this one. And don’t discount your own interpersonal strengths. You might be right that you’ve never had to work with someone difficult before, but it’s equally possible that you’re adept at keeping the peace — even with a mercurial supervisor.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phyllis L. Fagell
Phyllis L. Fagell is the school counselor at Landon School in Washington, D.C., a therapist at the Chrysalis Group in Bethesda, Md., and the author of the Career Confidential blog. She is also the author of Middle School Matters and Middle School Superpowers, available at https://amzn.to/3Pw0pcu.
