Read this resignation letter from a Knox County Teacher...,she says it all!! We must address these concerns, the loss of this great teacher breaks my heart! Executive Director of Elementary Education Knox County Schools P. O. Box 2188 Knoxville, TN 37901 Dear Ms. Maland: It is with a strange mix of sadness and joy that I tender my resignation with Knox County Schools effective May 23, 2014. This decision was reached over time and with great difficulty. I entered kindergarten at Adrian Burnett Elementary School the year the school opened, and soon after decided that I wanted to be a teacher. My dream was to return to my school and teach third grade. I have now given twenty years to the students and families of Adrian Burnett, nineteen of those in third grade. To some, this dream may seem small, but it was my dream, and it came true. I am ever so thankful for the opportunity to teach the grade I love, in a school I love, with teammates and staff members who have been as close as family. My calling, my mission in life, was to work with children; to teach not only academics, but also the importance of having good character, to show love and respect, to be kind and expect kindness in return. My class has always been called the Durfee Team because we found that working together is what makes us most successful. I have tried to instill in my students my belief that we must respect and take care of one another. I have aimed to be a positive role model in the lives of my students--smiling, laughing, encouraging, giving hugs, keeping my word, believing in them so they would learn to believe in themselves. Over the years, I have watched my students ballgames, frequented birthday parties, sat among families for baptisms. I have received countless high school and college graduation invitations, attended weddings, and for a few young friends, made the changeover from Mrs. Durfee to Susan. These are sweet memories that I will always treasure, and I have been changed for the better because of these relationships. I am saddened beyond measure to leave this chosen work that I hold dear, to leave my precious Adrian Burnett family and friends. I cannot, however, remain in a profession where children are treated as data measurements rather than tiny humans with real needs, and where teachers are treated with blatant disregard and disrespect. As a former Teacher of the Year, a respected school leader and colleague, it has been shocking to find myself in a position of having to fight for my professional life and reputation as a Conference of Concern teacher. More upsetting still is the lack of support offered in light of this situation. My confidence has been shaken as I wonder why I wasnt worth saving, why promises were made and not kept. The constant threat of losing ones job creates a wearisome work environment. The joy of teaching is gone. It has been replaced by discouragement, anxiety, and fear. There is little to no encouragement; this job can be thankless. I certainly did not enter this profession thinking it would be easy or filled with glory. Teaching receives little respect from the public in general, but more upsetting still, is the fact that teachers receive such a lack of respect from our very own educational leaders. Teachers are viewed as expendable rather than valuable, incompetent rather than intelligent, and scorned rather than honored. While I am committed to the continuation of my desire to help children, especially those in need of extra support, encouragement, and love, it will not be as an employee of Knox County Schools. Even in light of all that is flawed within our system, I continue to believe in the high calling of teaching as a profession, and I wish those who remain true to their calling the very best. Sincerely, Susan C. Durfee, Third Grade Teacher Adrian Burnett Elementary School RichardRegina Turner and 43 others like this. Mark R. Bullen A tragic representation of the whole. Godspeed, Miss Durfee. Im going to hit the like button only to forward the message. 3 · 6 hours ago Brandon Childress My heart broke for this woman as I read that letter. This is truly sad. Teachers are an asset and they are wonderful people. They give up making much more in corporate America out of care for the needs of others. God bless you Miss Durfee. 5 · 6 hours ago Chelsea Gillis We lost yet more experienced teachers again this year. In 2 more years basically all our seasoned teachers will be gone from my school I predict.. We have lost like 25 teachers in the last 2 years... 1 · 6 hours ago Robin Newcomb Bell The citizens of Knox County and of the state of Tennessee should be outraged at what is going on in this county and all across our state. If you really care, and Im not sure why you wouldnt be, you must take action. 3 · 6 hours ago Rob Taylor This was the goal of the reform plan from the get-go. Inexperienced new teachers cost far less than seasoned and experienced Human Capital. 8 · 5 hours ago Mark R. Bullen ^true that! and If Im not mistaken, TFA receives a stipend for every new teacher that they place, too. 2 · 5 hours ago Lizajean Holt Time for action. I dont to send more communications to politicians who turn a deaf ear. What else can we do? 1 · 5 hours ago Vote Gloria Johnson The state of TN pays $9,000 for each TFA recruit and the county pays $5,000. So while we are paying $14,000 for these folks with NO degree in Education, who are mostly from out of state to stay here 2 years, we pay nothing to recruit Tennesseans who want to make teaching their career in Tennessee. Does that make sense to anyone besides Kevin Huffman (Former executive for TFA with a law degree and no Education degree)? 10 · 4 hours ago Rena Carmony Miller New, inexperienced teachers are cheaper on the school budget. Irregardless of their benefit to student education. Thats the bottom line on the current wave of terrible treatment of our seasoned teachers. SHAME ON KNOX COUNTY and Superintendent whats his name. 1 · 4 hours ago Vote Gloria Johnson Lizajean Holt, one parent suggested a sit-in at Huffmans office...its sounding better and better! 2 · 4 hours ago Linda McDonald Oglesby So sad to see KCS lose their best teachers. 1 · 4 hours ago Terry Pitman Depp Are you saying TFA is bringing people to teach that dont have education degrees or no degree at all? 1 · 4 hours ago Vote Gloria Johnson Dont have education degrees. They have degrees, and they are generally great kids who really want to help...unfortunately they dont have the necessary skills to work with our neediest population, which is exactly where they are usually placed. Edited · 2 · 4 hours ago Terry Pitman Depp The power of money 1 · 4 hours ago Darlene Hunter so sad. This is why I have concerns about my daughter entering this noble profeasion. She was also inspired by her kindergarden teacher. I am fairly sure she will not be teaching in KCS when she graduates. 1 · 4 hours ago Lisa Summerhill Rinehart So sad 3 hours ago Kathy Morash Same reasons I quit..... Its all just a sad sad mess. 1 · 3 hours ago Rachel Fawn Mashburn Gloria Johnson this is why having more people like you in politics is crucial. 1 · 2 hours ago Lynn Harrison I am so blessed that I retired when I did, after 30 years and at the age of 54. That was almost 7 years ago. I have watched the school system go down the tubes and watched many wonderful, outstandingl teachers leave in disgust and in total sadness. I have 2 nieces that teach in Illinois, in different school systems, and they dont have any of the situations that KCS personnel have to deal with. What is it going to take? Edited · 2 · 2 hours ago Don Johnson What a calamity, Gloria 2 hours ago Melanie Boruff Lamberson This is far more common than it should be 2 hours ago Carolyn Greenwood My kids have graduated but a good education is vital for all kids and for the good of our communities. We need to stay informed, show up, continue to speak out, and continue to vote off School Board members who are not pushing back against these attacks on our teachers and our schools. 2 hours ago Barbara Stevens You are such a good teacher. Thanks for your service. 2 hours ago Joel Darnell We, as parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts etc need to organize and demand our teachers receive the pay and respect due them. I have seen so many teachers leaving their chosen field due to the lack of support and the attacks made on their character. Its time for the PTA to get angry! I know I am! God bless you Ms Durfee for speaking out. 56 minutes ago Rita Layman This is horrible to have a great teacher leave because children must perform on a certain level so educators can keep their jobs! What is wrong with these idiots!
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 01:10:44 +0000
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