Today, we’re posting a teacher’s story in their own words, narrating their experience in the Newberg-Dundee School District and explaining why they had to leave. The teacher reflects the passion of educators who feel like they have no choice but to leave, despite their love for children and this community. Stories like this are being replicated throughout our community, resulting in the loss of almost 200 educators from Newberg-Dundee schools.
Here’s their story in its entirety:
When I was fresh out of teaching school, I received my first job at Newberg School District. I was SO excited to begin the calling I’d had my whole life. I couldn’t believe I was FINALLY going to be working with kids every day! As we all know, time washes away the rosy color on our glasses, and we begin to see clearly. The reality is, on good days, being a teacher is hard. On the bad days, it can cause tears, anger, stomach aches, heart aches, sleepless nights, and the ability to make you question your career choices. I have seen, heard, and experienced things that no one ever prepared me for in all of my education classes. But never, even in my wildest imaginations, did I think I would experience what we were/are experiencing in Newberg because of the decisions the ultra-conservative board made to pursue their own agenda.
First came the banning of BLM and LGBTQ flags. It was confusing and felt like it came out of left field. Why? Because I didn’t know one teacher who displayed such a flag in their room. Why were they banning something that doesn’t seem to be an issue? Then came the firing of Dr. Morelock. We were exhausted from coming off a pandemic and trying desperately to bring normalcy back to our students and to ourselves. Now we have no leader and no real explanation of why the board fired him except “he’s doing a bad job.” It was a sucker-punch that left many reeling.
Things kept getting worse. Bad adult behaviors, infighting, scandals, spying, firings, mass resignations, student behaviors escalating to a level I had never seen before, a sub crisis, staff and student mental health plummeting, and so much more. Outsiders began calling us groomers and accused us of indoctrinating. The worst part was that the people claiming so had never been in my (or any other teacher’s) physical or Google classroom to corroborate their belief. I’m not sure many of them even had students in our schools. I actually quit saying “It can’t get any worse” because I knew the next time it did I would be further disappointed and disgusted. It was embarrassing to tell people where I worked.
But it did get worse. Really. Great. Staff. continued to leave. Baffling decisions kept coming from the board and the district office. My teaching partners – my friends – gave their notices. Partners who were exceptional at teaching and caring for kids. Together, we regularly increased student state and district scores. My school was decimated with resignations. I understood why they were leaving. And yet…my plan was to stay. My tipping point? That will remain personal.
Leaving was an agonizing decision. I wanted to stay for the kids I’ve taught and loved all these years and for those who were still to come. I wanted to stay to fight for the students who couldn’t fight for themselves. I wanted to stay so that I could continue to do what I’ve always done, even though many in our community believed that my days consisted of teaching everything but what I actually did teach. I wanted to stay because I know that many POC and LQBTQIA+ don’t have the ability to leave when things get tough. If I’m being completely transparent, I felt guilty for knowing that and STILL leaving. Critics have said that those who resigned abandoned the kids we claim to love and support. They don’t get it, and I’ve made my peace with the fact that they are never going to.
Unfortunately, my problems didn’t end when I gave my notice. NSD didn’t play nice with my resignation. Teachers in Oregon are required to give a 60 day notice, and districts can choose to hold them or not. I know and accept that – if it makes sense. NSD decided to hold me and many others, yet some they let go. That made no sense. At the time of my resignation, I had a position that did not have direct responsibility for students. Children would NOT be sitting in a room without supervision/learning if I wasn’t there. The day we had our district Welcome Back! assembly, we were told to be ALL IN and were given poker chips to remind us of our commitment. I cried. I wasn’t ALL IN. I didn’t want to be ALL IN. I wanted to go to my new district and start the year with my students. It’s my understanding that some districts tried to negotiate with the NSD district office for a trade of employees – we’re holding your employee, you’re holding our employee; let’s just trade and be done with it. NSD’s response? Nope. To this day, I don’t understand why you would want to keep people who don’t want to be there for SIXTY days. Was it retaliation? I don’t know, but it sure seemed like it.
My current district was nothing but professional and supportive. They repeatedly told me how excited they were to have me and that even though this was not an ideal circumstance, they would take care of everything until I could arrive. Even after I fulfilled my 60 days, problems from NSD continued. I won’t go into them here; suffice it to say it was bad. My new district jumped into action to help me resolve it. I’m saddened that my final experience with a district that I dedicated many years to was so negative. If you want to hang onto the staff who have remained in Newberg, vote for a new board. In spite of what the district would like you to believe, it has not been an easy year. No matter what “side” an employee falls on, the turmoil is taking its toll. It has to stop.
In the end, I do wish the best for Newberg and its schools. I pray for healing, and I pray that all the things that make Newberg such a great place will shine brightly again. If you are on the fence about how to vote, please think about my story. Think about the many stories that are not being told. Vote for Sol Allen, Deb Bridges, Jeremy Hayden, Nancy Woodward, and James Wolfer. Level heads and a balanced approach have to prevail.
Do you work in the Newberg school district or did the Newberg school board compel you to leave this district? We would love to hear your story, and can publish it anonymously on our site. Your voices, and your words, matter to us, and to the transformation of our school board. Feel free to email us at betternsdschoolboard@gmail.com.Newberg deserves better. Your vote by May 16 matters.
Newberg Neighbors for a Better Community 