The Intrepid Teacher Hits The Road
March 9, 2008 by Intrepidteacher
Due to the sensitive nature of what has happened, I will only post my official statement at this time. I am only posting this statement, because I feel I owe it to my newly created network of educators to keep them in the loop. I was in the midst of several great projects, and so I want you all out there to know why the train that was full steam ahead just last week, is now at a dead stand still.
I hope to write more about the details of what happened in the near future, but for now you can find my official statement to my students here, and my official statement below:
Due to a lapse in my judgment regarding material posted on my personal blog, my school has asked me to resign. I want you, as the readers of this blog, to know that I am agreeing to this decision without reservation, and I understand the steps taken by the school to protect its reputation.
There are many lessons to be learned here about: online identities, teachers as role models, institutionalized education, and much much more, but please allow me to find my footing, stabilize my life and get back on track, before I get into all that. Right now, I am trying to be as professional as possible, so as I can find a new job and get back to where I belong as fast possible- The classroom!
If you have any leads or contacts for job, I would appreciate you sending them my way.
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I feel so sad. I have looked at your note to your students, and read the student’s reaction. There were tears in my eyes. That could be any one of us. My thoughts are with you and my best wishes. What a great teacher you are!
So sorry to hear this. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry about this - your letter to your students was excellent. I can’t even imagine how hard this must be for you - you’ve presented a situation that every educator fears. I’ll be thinking of you throughout this difficult time.
What a loss for your students, clearly. I wish for you there had been another resolution to this issue that was less severe.
Good luck in your search–I have no doubt you will find a new classroom. Your honesty and mindfulness here in dealing with your students is admirable.
Your students comments are an amazing tribute. I hope you find a job where you get the support you so deserve!
I am sorry that this has happened to you. Without knowing the details, I can only say that I hope you continue to grow in your career and make a positive contribution in education.
Good luck, new friend.
Jabiz,
I am sorry to hear about your news. Your students will miss you.
Your letter to students was touching and deep, and will no doubt be a lasting legacy for them.
Sorry to hear of your situation.
Kevin
Hi.
I came to your blog via a comment on Twitter.
As a teacher who was fired very early in her career (I was 24) I can relate very personally. My situation resulted in a new career, then grad. school, then a return to the classroom after seven years’ hiatus. I landed on my feet, as I know you will.
I don’t know what you teach, or where you would like to be, but, if there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Be well.
I am so moved today by your students’ comments about what they’ve learned in your class, and what they will carry with them.
It is clear you have given them so much that they can always keep.
Good luck and our thoughts are with you.
I’m so sad this occurred. Your school and its students will feel your absence - you’re such a great teacher. Carry on Intrepid - whoever employs you in the future will gain lots.
I’ve only known you for a short time, but in that time, you’ve inspired me and taught me. I hope we can continue this exchange of thoughts and ideas and growth.
I will send you my good Hawaiian vibes.
Your student,
Lindsea
Our teacher has been teaching us to do blogs too now and told us all about you and how she couldn’t wait to teach with you. She told us that you had resigned and I think that this is really sad and I hope you can find a new job quickly and effectively.
Best wishes,
Phliiz
Mr. Raisdana,
I want you to know I am shocked and dismayed by this entire event, especially by the severity of the consequences. We have had no notification from the school about what is going on; if you hadn’t written to the students I would be entirely in the dark! I intend to speak with the principal about all this because I can’t imagine you have done anything so awful that it justifies disrupting the school year in this way. Please know that the children miss you, Natasha is really grieving. You touched lives. Good luck to your family, remember you are intrepid and you will get through this tough patch.
I am a teacher in New Zealand and a huge consumer of Web 2.0 and the comment made earlier on by Jo that it could be many of us is so true. Still, given that you say the material on your personal blog wasn’t put there to purposely insult, I must say that the outcome seems extremely severe. I can’t begin to imagine these kinds of consequences happening to a teacher here - I’ve never heard of anything like it. I think the comments from all the students are a testament to your abilities but out of all of your students, Will’s comment particularly shows the positive impact you had on those kids. You sound as if you were born to teach and I’m sure you’ll find another rewarding job.
[...] a member of my network was just asked to resign from his teaching job because of his personal blog. Head on over and learn more about his situation - it’s exactly what we ALL worry (or should worry) about. [...]
Wow! Such moving comments from your students reflect the impact you’ve had on them. Truly moving. You are a powerful educator and I am so disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to work with you in Doha. ..Full steam ahead, intrepid man!
One hopes that, as one door closes, another door opens - wider. Your students obviously learned much more than blogging from you and it will them that ultimately lose out in the long run from your departure from the classroom. Please keep us up to date with your “intrepid journey” through this time as all our thoughts are with you. Kia Kaha! (Stay Strong!).
Good look in your road ahead Jabiz. Life is full of these adjustments and calibrations … you’re just getting better aligned and positioned for wonderful opportunities. This realignment will also make you more sensitive to the future of your students, who will have 14 jobs in their lifetime, according to many estimates. Much luck to you.
Many of us have been keeping an enjoyable eye on your blog; and I plan to continue to do so.
[...] to Jabiz Raisdana for the link - and best of luck to a young and highly committed teacher who has fallen foul of some closed minds - as recently as 1st March, he was able say Full Steam Ahead - today he is out of a job! How any [...]
[...] #2: around the same time, but for very different reasons, Jabiz Raisdana agreed to resign from his school in Quatar due to objections raised over an art project he posted [...]
[...] help education, seems to me impossible to achieve within schools. And we can point to people like Jabiz and Al Upton as examples of why: they tried to improve things, but their systems shut them [...]