Want to start applying for other teaching jobs but I don't want my Principal to find out!

How do I handle this. I am teaching in NYC right now and HAVE TO GET OUT!!

I HATE IT! I want to start applying for jobs but I don't want to get screwed if I don't get one.

I have asked people at work to be my references BUT I don't want my Principal to get wind of this incase I have to work there next year (which is good possiblity )

HELP!!!

When I changed teaching jobs I didn't tell my principals until I was just about certain I was getting the position and I was going to take it. They were surprised to hear my news and I only told them just before my new district was going to speak to them as a reference. My administrator in Sp. Ed. kind of knew (he said all along that he wasn't going to be able to hold onto me long term and a very good friend to both of us did us the favor of letting him know I was looking but I knew this wasn't going to impact me negatively! He was so truly happy for me when I got the job I wanted!).

Most districts won't speak to your principal without you giving them as your reference. That said, some districts will do it anyway and others are just so friendly amongst themselves that they will bring it up casually and think nothing of it. I know this happened on 2 occasions with my Sp. Ed. supervisor...good thing he kind of knew I was looking and that he handled it professionally w/o it negatively impacting me, like I said before.

That said, you never know what will happen. If you are switching from NYC to LI you are probably less likely to have the principals and administrators just bring it up in casual conversation or call out of the blue w/o you knowing. But you also never know who knows someone else.

If you could tell your principal without it having a negative impact on you, then I might bring it up.

I would be prepared if your principal gets contacted without you contacting them first. I'd make sure that your reason for wanting to leave is nothing bad about them, the school, the DOE, etc. Sure, they may guess to themselves what your real reason for leaving is, but it's not what you said. Also, depending on your principal, I'd be ready for some not so warm and fuzzy treatment until you leave. My principals were great about it and, if I pass one in BJs we'll give each other a friendly hug hello and catch up!

Good luck in your search!

The other thing is that I am in the Mini School....which is better than the regular population at the school and which is supposed to be a 3 year committment. And if she finds out that I am looking and I have to be at this school again next year I will be out of the Mini School and with a horrible class..I feel that she is spiteful!! I am between a rock and a hard place