Fed up with Special Education

[May]

I have been teaching in my school district for five years and have always received good-excellent evaluations until this school year when we got a new principal. Prior to this, staff was treated for the most part equally. This principal has his favorites and is very condescending towards others, especially the special education department. I have a hard time listening to him criticize my teaching methods when he has never personally been in my classroom or talked to me about my teaching methods. Because I have done well in the past, I was assigned a very difficult bunch this year (thirteen boys and 1 girl that have disabilities ranging from emotionally disturbed to those with learning disabilities). At the same time, I am expected to team teach in the "inclusion" classrooms (a class with 8 general education students and my 14 special education students).

Out of the blue today, the principal called me into his office to say that he noticed how stressed out I was this year. I was honest and expressed that I was very stressed. He then asked if I saw myself in the same position 25 years from now. I said "no." He then went on to say that if my heart truly into it, then I should look into a different field/position. He also went on to talk about his favorites in the building and compared my teaching style to theirs despite the fact he has no idea what I am doing. The principal also added that he noticed other teachers having the same problems as me. He even named specific teachers and their individual problems. I feel that this was totally unprofessional. I am afraid that he is pushing me out of the building. Even if he is not, I no longer want to work in this district. Am I being overly sensitive?

 

[conniep]

sounds familiar

May,
Your principal's management style sounds exactly like my former principal's style. He left for another school in September, did he end up in yours?

You're not being overly sensitive, and the principal is unprofessional. I lived this nightmare for three out of the six years I taught. I still feel the ill affects. My principal had favorites and he frequently told us (me and the other teacher in my grade), how wonderful they were and how we needed to be like them. He told us we were stressed. It's the same old song you're hearing. Having given you the background let me tell you how we tried to work through it.

Think of all of the positive evaluations you've had. Think of all the parents who've said, "good job." Think of all of your former students who are delighted to see you when they see you. Look back at letters, cards, etc. that your former or current students have sent you. If there's another teacher who is subject to this management style then commiserate with them. In desperation I needed to start what I called a self-confidence journal; writing thoughts and feeling that kept me on the right track emotionally.

Your principal's comment about looking for another job was directed to my team teacher. She's absolutely the best of the best. Remarks such as these are not constructive but destructive. When your job fair comes up you may want to look outside of the school. The three years I spent working for this man were very destructive to my self-image as a teacher. We work hard enough without having to give ourselves pep talks because our boss has an agenda of his own. Best wishes, my heart is with you.

 

[conniep]

do you work in barrington?

May,
I showed your post to my team teacher. She agreed this is too similar to our past experience. Do you work in Barrington?

 

[shapingminds]

professionalism

I can not believe a principal would do this. Even if he does have favorites; even if he thinks someone does things better, even it he has noticed other teachers feeling the same way --- there's no excuse for him naming and comparing teachers. This is TOTALLY unprofessional in my book. No, you are not being overly sensitive. Hope you will seek a better district instead of leaving special ed. I'm a special ed. teacher of 9 years. Please don't leave special ed. It is worth it when you have good support. Good luck!

 

[gurgle]

A professional team leader supports their teachers to help them develop them into the best teachers they can be.We all have skills based on where we are at the current time in our professional development.

When principals favour certain teachers and demean others you see unprofessional behaviour which is actually a form of discrimination. This inturn is a form of bullying which needs to be stopped.

You need to address this issue as it will never stop unless you do.Teachers need to become more proactive against bullying.You and others are role models for others and if the head of a department is doing this it needs to be addressed.Otherwise the role modelling of its ok to belittle individual permeates the entire establishment.

Remember bullying can be physical , verbal and it also includes exclusion which is also an effective strategy used by bullies.

Good luck from jeanie in Australia