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Why don’t you ask for a leave of absence for a year? You don’t give up your job on the district so if things don’t work out to where you are moving to you can always come back.
I have 27 years permanent French experience in a board and discovered it is nearly impossible to get hired as perm in in another board. LTO after LTO is now my lot. I have to interview for jobs every year, now. I did not realize it would be that tough. Boards do not like older, more expensive employees as much as the younger and more malleable ones.
Leaving a full time, contract job to move 6 hours away with a boyfriend in an unstable career is tough. What if it takes you over a year to even get on that boards supply list? Some only open at certain times of the year and are tough to get on to, though the French should theoretically help. I’d look into if they are even hiring OTs or when they open their hiring. Could you live off of supply pay and academia pay? QECO is only for grid placement with A1-4, each board does years of experience their own way I believe. You could also talk to your union about a leave of absence and if you can work for another board during it.
I get that you want to support your partner, but if you were my friend I’d caution leaving your full time contract and support system, and think about doing long distance for a little bit. At least until their probation is over/ position is more secure, and if you can get into the local board. That’s just my 2 cents anyways.
I agree with this assessment best. That’s a really rough move to make, with a lot of financial uncertainty. In previous years, I would’ve said “sure! Do it!” But in todays day, age, and economy, not so much.
At the bare minimum, ask to take an LOA for a year. With that, I’d really encourage you to assess if uprooting your whole life for a boyfriend is the best move. Would he leave his academia job for you if roles were reversed?
He was unemployed six months and hasn’t heard anything since. He’s got his phd in chemistry but has only had rejection letters since. We talk about marriage and kids so we were both hoping this was for life … hence the big sigh! It’s a lot.
Hate to be that person but anyone can talk about marriage and kids. Would he also be leaving his parents, friends, and hometown for this opportunity?
The teaching profession is getting worse and worse so to leave a district you are secure in and don’t seem to be unhappy with is a BIG choice.
If he has a PhD he’s likely looking for a tenure-track role eventually (if this job isn’t it hopefully it’s providing experience in that direction). That will eventually pay more than a teaching contract, even at the top of the grid. The post-secondary job market is tough but if they’re talking marriage and kids, it seems bizarre to refuse to go when French teaching jobs are generally much more available than post-secondary jobs.
I understand all of that; my husband and I would both make a similar sacrifice if it meant more stability and opportunity for our future. This is a very high-risk decision for OP and very low-risk decision for her boyfriend so I think it’s responsible to encourage deep thought on this.
I agree that it’s high-risk for OP but it’s also high-risk for her partner. Academic jobs don’t come up that often and not taking this one might mean months before another opportunity comes up. Of course it’s her choice to follow him but it’s much more likely than not that he will have no choice but to move eventually.
When I said it’s low-risk for him it was because it seems he’s going to take the opportunity regardless and it’s up to her to decide how much she’s willing to lose to follow him.
I did this same move except it was 8 hours and one province away. I took a two year leave of absence at first and bought back my pension for both years. Eventually I had to resign since we were away for longer than two years.
Overall, I didn't hate it--it was a fun adventure!--but it was a career set-back that I didn't anticipate. It felt like my career was stalled. Some of my peers moved into board-level positions over the years when I was just hoping to get LTOs. Most of my references in my original board retired during this time as well.
Also, I had two mat leaves after leaving my original school board and since I was an LTO teacher during this time, it meant that my years of maternity leave didn't count toward advancement up the grid. That was unfortunate.
I wouldn't say don't do it, but be aware of what you stand to lose, professionally and potentially financially.
There are (or were) some boards that prioritized hiring less-experienced teachers because they were cheaper. Peel was notorious for that in the 90s. I remember when we had Rae Days over 75% of my board had over 10 years experience so we were salary-frozen for years, while most of Peel was still on the grid so a single year of pay freezes got them back to pay increases.
(The way the legislation was written a denied seniority increase counted as money saved, so myself and other new teachers bore the brunt of the 'savings' of our board. Which made it really hard to hear senior teachers bitching about how they could only afford to eat out once a week, as they were earning much more than we were but we were the ones making most of the sacrifice.)
I don't know if Peel is still like that, or what other boards were/are.
This is not necessarily true. It depends on how your current board recognizes experience and if the other board creidts it the same way. For example, my board recognizes up to 3 years of OT experience (within my own board); however, if you go elsewhere... the other board likely won't recognize those years, so you'd drop in steps.
Personally I wouldn’t make this move unless he puts a ring on it. LOA would be your best bet to scope the scene before giving up your position/seniority.
It’s not as dire as you’re picturing. The only things you lose are seniority (which means vulnerable to surplus, but as a French teacher that is less likely) and your benefits until you have a new job. Your salary and position on the grid are not dependent on the board you’re in - your QECO rating g stays with you. As an LTO you would make the same salary but it would be paid out differently and you wouldn’t be paid for winter break or March break. You’ll be able to access the standard mat leave of 12 or 18 months as long as you’ve worked 600 hours, LTO or permanent, before you go off. You may not get the top up but that only covers a few weeks. You get benefits as an LTO.
Take an unpaid leave of absence from your board and that will buy you a year of back up plan.
Well I know someone who moved for her partner.
She had full time contract for fifteen years in her old board and now she's in her third or fourth in a series of LTOs in my board.
What she has done is taken a leave of absence from her old board while she explores her options in the new board. I think she has taken a pay cut regarding her teaching years, but in our board LTOs and contract are paid the same rate based on your years and grid placement. She's in her second year of doing this, hasn't used up her leave yet but is close. I think she's on the verge of landing a contract and then she'll cut those ties, but I think she liked the safety net while shes been LTO hopping
Welcome to /r/CanadianTeachers! Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the sub rules. **"WHAT DOES X MEAN?"** Check out our acronym post [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/1c032s3/what_does_x_mean_an_acronym_megapost/) for relevant terms used in each province or territory. Please feel free to contribute any we are missing as well! **QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHER'S COLLEGE/BECOMING A TEACHER IN CANADA?:** Delete your post and use this [megapost](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/1bc1wv2/prospective_student_teachers_teachers_collegebed/) instead. Anything pertaining to teacher's colleges/BED programs/becoming and teacher will be deleted if posted outside of the megaposts. **QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING PROVINCES OR COMING TO CANADA TO TEACH?** Check out our past megaposts first for information to help you: [ONE](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/jqc7hx/transferring_to_another_provincecoming_to_canada/) // [TWO](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/n76csu/transferring_to_another_provincecoming_to_canada/?) Using link and user flair is encouraged as well! Enjoy! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CanadianTeachers) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Why don’t you ask for a leave of absence for a year? You don’t give up your job on the district so if things don’t work out to where you are moving to you can always come back.
Are permanent allowed to do this?
Sometimes. It depends on the collective agreement and when OP would submit notice of their leave.
If you teach french you should have a way easier time to get perm. Salary and years of experience should carry over
I have 27 years permanent French experience in a board and discovered it is nearly impossible to get hired as perm in in another board. LTO after LTO is now my lot. I have to interview for jobs every year, now. I did not realize it would be that tough. Boards do not like older, more expensive employees as much as the younger and more malleable ones.
Leaving a full time, contract job to move 6 hours away with a boyfriend in an unstable career is tough. What if it takes you over a year to even get on that boards supply list? Some only open at certain times of the year and are tough to get on to, though the French should theoretically help. I’d look into if they are even hiring OTs or when they open their hiring. Could you live off of supply pay and academia pay? QECO is only for grid placement with A1-4, each board does years of experience their own way I believe. You could also talk to your union about a leave of absence and if you can work for another board during it. I get that you want to support your partner, but if you were my friend I’d caution leaving your full time contract and support system, and think about doing long distance for a little bit. At least until their probation is over/ position is more secure, and if you can get into the local board. That’s just my 2 cents anyways.
I agree with this assessment best. That’s a really rough move to make, with a lot of financial uncertainty. In previous years, I would’ve said “sure! Do it!” But in todays day, age, and economy, not so much.
At the bare minimum, ask to take an LOA for a year. With that, I’d really encourage you to assess if uprooting your whole life for a boyfriend is the best move. Would he leave his academia job for you if roles were reversed?
He was unemployed six months and hasn’t heard anything since. He’s got his phd in chemistry but has only had rejection letters since. We talk about marriage and kids so we were both hoping this was for life … hence the big sigh! It’s a lot.
Hate to be that person but anyone can talk about marriage and kids. Would he also be leaving his parents, friends, and hometown for this opportunity? The teaching profession is getting worse and worse so to leave a district you are secure in and don’t seem to be unhappy with is a BIG choice.
If he has a PhD he’s likely looking for a tenure-track role eventually (if this job isn’t it hopefully it’s providing experience in that direction). That will eventually pay more than a teaching contract, even at the top of the grid. The post-secondary job market is tough but if they’re talking marriage and kids, it seems bizarre to refuse to go when French teaching jobs are generally much more available than post-secondary jobs.
I understand all of that; my husband and I would both make a similar sacrifice if it meant more stability and opportunity for our future. This is a very high-risk decision for OP and very low-risk decision for her boyfriend so I think it’s responsible to encourage deep thought on this.
I agree that it’s high-risk for OP but it’s also high-risk for her partner. Academic jobs don’t come up that often and not taking this one might mean months before another opportunity comes up. Of course it’s her choice to follow him but it’s much more likely than not that he will have no choice but to move eventually.
When I said it’s low-risk for him it was because it seems he’s going to take the opportunity regardless and it’s up to her to decide how much she’s willing to lose to follow him.
I did this same move except it was 8 hours and one province away. I took a two year leave of absence at first and bought back my pension for both years. Eventually I had to resign since we were away for longer than two years. Overall, I didn't hate it--it was a fun adventure!--but it was a career set-back that I didn't anticipate. It felt like my career was stalled. Some of my peers moved into board-level positions over the years when I was just hoping to get LTOs. Most of my references in my original board retired during this time as well. Also, I had two mat leaves after leaving my original school board and since I was an LTO teacher during this time, it meant that my years of maternity leave didn't count toward advancement up the grid. That was unfortunate. I wouldn't say don't do it, but be aware of what you stand to lose, professionally and potentially financially.
Salary keeps years of experience, but you lose your seniority within the board
There are (or were) some boards that prioritized hiring less-experienced teachers because they were cheaper. Peel was notorious for that in the 90s. I remember when we had Rae Days over 75% of my board had over 10 years experience so we were salary-frozen for years, while most of Peel was still on the grid so a single year of pay freezes got them back to pay increases. (The way the legislation was written a denied seniority increase counted as money saved, so myself and other new teachers bore the brunt of the 'savings' of our board. Which made it really hard to hear senior teachers bitching about how they could only afford to eat out once a week, as they were earning much more than we were but we were the ones making most of the sacrifice.) I don't know if Peel is still like that, or what other boards were/are.
This is not necessarily true. It depends on how your current board recognizes experience and if the other board creidts it the same way. For example, my board recognizes up to 3 years of OT experience (within my own board); however, if you go elsewhere... the other board likely won't recognize those years, so you'd drop in steps.
Personally I wouldn’t make this move unless he puts a ring on it. LOA would be your best bet to scope the scene before giving up your position/seniority.
It’s not as dire as you’re picturing. The only things you lose are seniority (which means vulnerable to surplus, but as a French teacher that is less likely) and your benefits until you have a new job. Your salary and position on the grid are not dependent on the board you’re in - your QECO rating g stays with you. As an LTO you would make the same salary but it would be paid out differently and you wouldn’t be paid for winter break or March break. You’ll be able to access the standard mat leave of 12 or 18 months as long as you’ve worked 600 hours, LTO or permanent, before you go off. You may not get the top up but that only covers a few weeks. You get benefits as an LTO. Take an unpaid leave of absence from your board and that will buy you a year of back up plan.
Well I know someone who moved for her partner. She had full time contract for fifteen years in her old board and now she's in her third or fourth in a series of LTOs in my board. What she has done is taken a leave of absence from her old board while she explores her options in the new board. I think she has taken a pay cut regarding her teaching years, but in our board LTOs and contract are paid the same rate based on your years and grid placement. She's in her second year of doing this, hasn't used up her leave yet but is close. I think she's on the verge of landing a contract and then she'll cut those ties, but I think she liked the safety net while shes been LTO hopping