Mindgames repeated

[Mindfull]

Thank goodness there is a place that I can just blow off steam. Not at school that is for sure. I was warned by my union rep today that I need to clear the history on my computer because principals can read old emails that I have sent. I sent one to my union rep during Christmas Break telling her about the huge blow up our principal displayed during our staff meeting. 40 min. of hateful words and threats. I was so upset that I wrote the union to see if this was normal. I was told by others in the school it will blow over, don't sweat it. Well, now my principla got wind that I was the one who called a union rep about only being allowed to have 1 ream of paper per month to do all of our copying. We were told to buy our own paper! Can you believe it. I couldn't so I asked my rep. This morning there was an announcement over the loud speaker for all to hear about our staff meeting coming up this Monday and how we would talk about supplies and the totaly inacruate email and how to follow the chain of command. Needless to say I had a rough day. I am expecting to be yelled at for this next meeting. I think I will be sick on that day. My union rep said she would be there and to come but I don't want to. Our principal might watch her p's and q's while the rep is there but the min. she is gone all Hell will break loose and she can make my life miserable. I am not tenured and am due for my evaluation next week. ARGHHHHH!! I hate the politics of teaching. I think the principal knew about me ratting her out and so the new student I got on Wednesday is really sticking it to me. He is in 1st grade and he has had 12 suspensions at his previous school and the mom removed him because it was all the teacher's fault. Her little boy is innocent. HA!!! Uses the F word, threw a chair today, threatens other students with his fist. I am going crazy. If I didn't love the kids so much I would walk out and GET A LIFE!!!!
Sorry, but boy did I need this. Thanks for all of your eyes. It helps to know I am not alone. I have no one to talk to at school. My only friend in the building is on indefinite stress leave. Duh!!! I wonder why????

 

[Carolyn]

e-mails

We have been warned repeatedly about using the e-mail system within our district. We have been given strict rules governing e-mail usage, also. We are not allowed, under any circumstances, for example, to contact a parent by e-mail to discuss behavior issues or grades. We are required to contact parents by phone for this. The reason for this, I am told, is that the e-mail system is part of public domain, and that we should not write private or confidential e-mails on them. Readers here might keep that in mind when writing e-mails at your school.

 

[Mindfull]

Eyes Opened

Thanks for the warning. I did not think of that. The internet and email are great but they sure have opened a new can of worms to deal with. Privacy is almost a thing of the past. I hate feeling like I am spied on all the time.

 

[bertie]

emails

Just like in the business world of office memos etc, when emails are done on a school computer, school network, (and they'll assume school time) they are free be read by the admin if they so choose. Simply do your emails at home.

 

[Tounces]

principal

I feel so bad for you. I think you should reconsider not having your union rep with you though. Yes, the principal will mind her ps and qs but that's good. I would want some support. I believe there is action you can take if you feel your principal is "getting back" at you for contacting the union for help. Keep in contact with them. You cannot get into anything worse by backing down now. Maybe the rep could help explain how you were worried about not being able to do your job effectively without the copies you needed. You got upset, but most of us do. I think the rep might be more helpful than going it alone. They have been through this before and that's one reason we have unions. Some are better than others. But since they're offering, I think I'd take the help. Hope all goes well. Hang in there.