Job security

Yep. I’m a teacher at the top tier of the pay scale but I’m on contract and not permanently attached to a school. I’ve just been told I won’t have a job at the school I have taught at for the last 6 years (after moving interstate and giving up my permanent position in my home state 6 years ago) because I’m too expensive and the budget won’t stretch to keeping me when they can get a grad for 30K less. I have 20 years experience and am multiple degree and post grad degree qualified in science and law which allows me to bring high level skills and depth of knowledge well beyond that of most teachers. I’m also a published scientist and a practicing artist with works in public and private collections. I’ve never been performance managed and have a great rapport with colleagues, students and parents at the school. I do all the extra things experienced teachers do - committees, mentoring, coordinating etc. I could work in the other fields but I like teaching. It’s diverse and rewarding. But apparently all that I bring to the classroom and the school is not worth finding the extra 30K to keep me. I’ll probably be able to find work somewhere - most likely at hard to staff schools - but at my age (53) and pay level I’ll probably never be made permanent and have that job security till retirement. So yeah, my job security is a bit shaky at the moment. I’m actually considering leaving teaching altogether due to the ‘ageism by budget’ fallacy which principals embrace and is rampant in the education system.

/r/australia Thread