How Do You Resign From a Teaching Position in Arizona? | Teacher Resignation
Today, I’m answering the question: How, as a teacher, do you resign from your position?
There’s no simple way to address this. If you want to quit, meaning that you would like to fulfill your contract and you’re not renewing your contract for the next school year, that’s the easiest way to resign. You would meet your requirements for the school year.
Let’s say the school district or the governing board presents you with an Arizona teacher employment contract for the following year. In that case, you give them notice that you will not renew that contract and don’t sign it. That’s the easiest way. You fulfill your school year, meet your agreement, and let them know that you’re not going to renew it, and there you go. That’s the easiest way.
Links of Interest:
Complicated Way to Resign From a Teaching Position in Arizona
The more complicated ways are when you are in the middle of the school year or if you have signed and would like to resign that previous summer.
So, you’ve already signed the contract stating the school will employ you with that school district for the coming school year within the specified date, and now you would like to resign. School districts vary from public, charter, and private schools. But you’re really at the mercy of the school district to be released from your contract. So, they must release you.
Most teaching contracts have no without-cause termination, which means there’s no way to get out of it. You have to fulfill it.
What Should You Do if You Want to Terminate Your Contract?
Some exceptions exist, and school districts may list them on their teaching contract. Still, I’ve seen a family leave for yourself or someone, one of your close family members, because of a medical issue or if you’re moving out of state. I’ve seen that on a contract, but it just varies. And sometimes, there are no exceptions whatsoever. It would help if you give as much notice as possible to help mitigate your damages.
It would be best if you let them know that you’re leaving. And you may need to specify the reason if it’s within one of those exceptions, and then you’re waiting for the school board to release you from your contract.
I’ve also seen some school districts where they will let go, but not until your position is filled. So, you may have to be there a little longer until they can find a suitable replacement.
What Happens if You Resigned During Mid-Year?
You also want to be careful resigning mid-year. Some public school districts in Arizona have a liquidated damage clause. If you break your contract mid-year, you may have to pay them back a portion of your salary, bonuses, or just a specific amount. It can get high, even $10,000 or $5,000. These are severe consequences.
So again, if there’s any way to fulfill your contract for the school year, I would do that first. You must ask the school to be released from your contract if you can’t do that.
Now, suppose they’re still giving you a hard time, and they’re not releasing you. Then, even at the beginning of the onset, if you are trying to terminate your contract after signing it, I would recommend advising an attorney familiar with these situations, like myself. We do this daily.
What is Considered Unprofessional Conduct?
You want to ensure you do what’s best for you and mitigate any financial damage.
Also, suppose you’re terminating your contract after you’ve signed it and asking to be released, or you’re breaching it. In that case, your school district can also report you to your licensing board, Arizona’s State Board of Education. It may be considered unprofessional conduct, and there may be consequences against your license. Now, there are a lot of factors that play into this.
Are you abandoning your class mid-year? Or is this during the summer you’ve given them notice? Is there some family emergency? All these things are factors, and they’re very fact specific to your situation.
So, you want to be careful.
Summary
Again, the best way to resign from your teaching position is to fulfill your contract for that school year. And then, give them the intent that you will not renew for the following year. Suppose you have signed your agreement and are under a contract with a school district, charter school, or private school.
In that case, you want to read your agreement carefully and see if there are any financial consequences if you terminate your contract.
And then also you’ll want to consider speaking with the school district if they report you to the State Board of Education. On the other hand, you don’t want to be investigated or punished for your teaching license. You want to be careful about that. I know there’s a teacher shortage here in Arizona, and school districts try hard to hold onto their educators. So, it’s a tough time to resign right now. You want to make sure you’re being very careful.
Arizona Board of Education Attorney
Reach out to us today to learn more about our Arizona Board of Education License Defense Attorney.