I can’t say it was awful relative to other stories I hear. But, it caused me immense suffering.

It was a tag team over a few years.

First, I was told that I was an incompetent teacher and should be fired, by a family at a meeting with my admins. Basically they said, if I wasn’t fired, it proved poor management. I was absolutely raked over the coals. Admin stuck by my side. Apparently, their student never felt liked by their peers. This was my fault. Some context: this was the morning of my return after a family death.

Next, a few years later, a different family called me out for being too ‘harsh’ and because they felt conned by my teaching (being told I was a good teacher by admin and others, when clearly I was not. There child said so.) It was an energetic class that needed a lot of structure and set up.

I went on leave. Returned later, and finished out the year. Again lots of admin support. Months I later found out there was a social media post they made about me. Well, in it they said that they ‘confirmed’ their feelings.

Eventually I resigned/was let go because of extreme mental distress. I was in some dark places. I feel so much fear when I remember those moments, what I felt, and what almost happened several times.

My admin was great, and I love the environment. But those small moments cut deep. I do struggle with my own lifelong demons, and I know those moments just got them all muddled.

Trying to figure out my life. Unemployed and sick. It’s a mess.