bess

Posted on 6/29/09

thank you so much for the response. the head of school just spoke
with me be phone and feels that he is right in deciding that i
am not "lead teacher material". i'm so angry i could spit. i
was not given a chance at all in this situation. i appreciate
your story. it is full of hope.

n 6/26/09, mrs wrote:
> Dear Bess,
>
> I know this is really long...but final advice is GET OUT while
> you can!!!
>
> First, I am very sorry you are going through all of this! I
> understand how stressful, emotional and difficult it can be as
> I went through a similar situation. Except I taught elementary
> at a public school WITH a union - and it did no good!
>
> I had worked with children over 10 years in various capacities
> before teaching elementary school, and have always had glowing
> reviews from supervisors, colleagues, parents and children.
> After completing the teacher program, I began work at a very
> large urban school (in L.A.) with a fairly new principle (who
> had never taught!) whom was hated by many teachers and parents
> (I didn't know this at the time). By befriending certain
> teachers who welcomed and supported me, the principle quickly
> put me in the enemy category and made my first year of teaching
> hell.
>
> I taught 4th grade that year, in a school where violence,
> weapons, and misbehavior were tolerated by administration. I
> was unsupported, "observed" often (with no constructive
> feedback), and even told I would be most likely fired by the
> end of the year by the administration. Also one parent (who has
> a history of badmouthing teachers, taking child out of school,
> won't put child in special ed. classes, etc)did the same thing
> as you were mentioning (going to admin. instead of me for
> any/all issues). My principle took her side when the parent
> was present, then told me that she really hated this mother and
> the woman is crazy.
>
> I welcomed any suggestions, was open to learning how they
> wanted me to teach, contacted parents daily, integrated a
> special ed. class into my schedule (while team teaching with
> their teacher), organized field trips, taught to the best of my
> abilities.
>
> As the year progressed, it was clear that a few targeted
> teachers would be fired - and we sought help from our union.
> Our representative did what he could, teachers supported our
> cause, even public protests from parents occurred. But because
> of our status of probationary (new) teacher I had no rights. So
> before I was fired, I was advised at the end of the year to
> submit a letter of resignation from the school AND district in
> order to not have a nonrelect on my records.
>
> LUCKILY - and this is where my advice comes in!!! - I had
> teachers from that school I knew had observed me, write letters
> of recommendation - the more the better! It doesn't hurt to
> ask parents for them as well. I had letters from previous
> principles and supervisors as well, and used them during my job
> search. Use any of these as references!
>
> Interviews were tough, as a question is usually asked have you
> ever been fired? Even "if I called this principle what kind of
> things would she say about you?"! Advice for this is PRACTICE
> at home what your answers would be. I said I resigned (legally
> I did) and that the school was under great strife with a new
> principle unsupported by parents in the community and veteran
> teachers...things like that. Then I would focus on all the
> positive things I did at that school for the kids and parents
> and working with the teachers.
>
> That said, I was offered three different jobs (during a time
> when almost NO schools are hiring b/c of budget) and accepted
> one at an award winning charter school in the same area (South
> LA).
>
> I am sure with all of your experience and good standing with
> parents and teachers, you will not have a problem getting
> hired. Even if it is for a position that pays less - it will
> be worth it to get out of such a stressful and spirit depleting
> environment!!! And if NO teaching jobs are available, work as
> a nanny for a year (check out teachercare.com) or privately
> home teach or tutor...you can get a lot of money for those and
> you can have more time to find the school that's right for you!
>
> Sorry so long - I feel your pain! I know things will turn out
> to be better (in a year from now you will be sooo happy you
> left!!).
>
>
>
>
>
> On 6/25/09, Bess wrote:
>> I really need some advice. I work at a private school as a
>> lead teacher. I have been there for three years.
>> Previously, I taught in a public school in another state
>> for 7 years. My recomendations are excellent and I am still
>> missed by my previous school peers.
>>
>> My "Head of School" (which is like a superintendent)
>> requested a meeting with me today to inform me that they
>> are considering making me an assistant next year instead of
>> the lead teacher. He felt that the department needed "great
>> teachers" and said that I am a "good" teacher.
>>
>> This is June 25th. I signed a contract as the lead teacher
>> in March of this year. I have not received any written
>> documentation regarding my performance this year. I have
>> not received any emails regarding my performance this year.
>>
>> I teacher pre-k and our numbers are down for next year. I
>> don't know why. I do know that I have a positive report
>> with almost all of the parents that I've worked with here
>> in the last three years. This year, I had one set of
>> parents that decided not to trust me in Sept. They spent
>> the rest of the year having private meetings with the head
>> of school which were then trickled down to me verbally as
>> "they didn't feel their child was physically safe in
>> school". All of their worries were based on the behavior
>> they had witnessed by the classmates at various
>> out-of-school birthday parties and accounts of their own 4
>> year old. They did not believe me when I, along with my
>> assistant and my director, gave differing accounts than
>> their child.
>>
>> In the beginning, the director (read principal) and head
>> arranged for another "specialist" (early childhood
>> educator) to observe and report her findings. I welcomed
>> her visit. She found that the classroom was well run, the
>> children within the normal range of 4 years olds, and our
>> discipline structure sound. Her only reccomendation was
>> that I work to get the trust of parents quickly and early.
>> It was too late for this family.
>>
>> These parents tried to convince other parents that there
>> were horrible bullies in my classroom and that I was doing
>> nothing about it. They continued to speak only to the head
>> of school. He supported this action. In April, they decided
>> that the only way they would feel safe to have their child
>> attend is if I would meet daily with the head of school to
>> list any and all discipline issues for each and every day.
>>
>> I taught this year in fear for my job. Everyday, I was
>> afraid a single child might misinterpret actions by other
>> students and I would end up hearing about it from my
>> superiors again. I was definitely not myself this year. I
>> was a little less happy and loving, but I tried to stay
>> positive and always treated this and all families with
>> politeness and respect. I understood and understand that
>> although they made my life hell, they really thought that
>> they were protecting their child.
>>
>> Now, back to the job. So we are low in numbers. I was
>> expecting there to be a cut back and have my assistant
>> taken away. I was not expecting them to offer me a
>> demotion. I was asked to consider if I think that I could
>> work as an assistant there. In my eyes, this is basically a
>> wimpy olive branch and they are just hoping I'll quit so
>> they can cut their losses.
>>
>> Do I demand that they honor the contract (which says that
>> it can be changed upon "financial, legal, or enrollment"
>> issues...none of which are the case here) or fire me. Or do
>> I take the pithy assistant job for one year since it is so
>> late in the hiring season upon the condition that they
>> honor my previous pay scale (2x that of assistant, and
>> depended upon for my mortgage) and just refuse to answer
>> any questions when parents who signed up to have me as
>> their child's teacher ask me what happened next year? And
>> then plan a more orderly retreat following next school
>> year?
>>
>> If anyone actually read through that entire post. I thank
>> you for your patience. I am so angry and confused right
>> now. I miss my union. For those of you just starting
>> out...really, think twice before you go to private school
>> for work. I have practically no rights in this situation as
>> far as I can tell.

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