Advice #1: Be humble. Go in there alone, explain yourself, and leave. No big whoop. He's not the kind of guy you want on your bad side.
Advice #2: Make sure you bring a union rep.
Advice #3: If it's not a union rep, make sure it's at least somebody else.
Advice #4: The reason why people like him stay in power so long is because no one stands up to them. He's being a bully. Don't let him. Go on the offense.
Advice #5: Ask for the job threat in writing.
Hmmm. Still not sure how I'm going to approach things tomorrow. Considering that I teach all day and am leaving at the start of 7th period planning for a game across town, there exists the strong possibility that I won't be able to see the guy at all.
The key in my mind is that I've done nothing wrong. That's what I will repeat during the meeting and that's what I hope brings some semblence of control to the situation.
What I know in my mind is the following:
1. I love my job and don't want to leave it.
2. I'm good at my job and people know it. Even this year, a rough year because I'm floating, I was one of only (I think) two other teachers in my department to get 100/100 score on my midyear evaluation. The other two are National Board certified teachers. I've never had a flair-up with administration and never have been seen as a problem-maker or rabble-rouser. Plus, I work my ass off for these kids and this school.
3. Even though he has no grounds for firing me, the school system - or at least my school - has a way of dealing with teachers who piss them off. I've seen it done to others in my five years at the school. For example, I don't think that the contract protects coaches, and therefore that job could be yanked from me simply because they want to get my goat. I would probably quit if they did that, because it would make me irate, but I don't want to be placed in that position.
4. I'm not going to be bullied, and will make as big a fuss as necessary if I do indeed leave. but I have no problem being reasonable with someone who is reasonable back with me. Maybe things last week are overblown. I don't know.
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5 comments:
schedule a meeting with him and bring a union rep. take control of the situation.
Would you do this even if the union rep has a bad relationship with the guy? The union rep started shaking in anger when I was telling him the story. Bringing him into it would immediately make the situation combative.
Do not take control of the situation. I don't know what this meeting is about but by "taking control" you are going to be usurping the authority of a superior. Is this what you want? Sure it might make you feel great for a minute, until the powers that be in the school system inevitably make your life a living hell. You do want to have a job next year, don't you? The Philipines are teeming with desperate people who would love to work in the BCPSS and coach baseball too.
Never make an ass out of yourself unless you have a firm back-up plan in place, or enough cash in the bank to live off for a couple of years. From what I get from your blog you can't afford financial trouble right now.
My mom has been a teacher for 30 years, she's been through this type of thing more than once, most teachers have. Learn to work the system.
Cham's right. You might win the battle, but you're not likely to win the war. And I question your chances of winning the battle.
You say that he has much experience in a union environment. To me, that means that he knows of a myriad of ways to screw you. Ways that you probably haven't even thought of.
If you can avoid meeting with him, do so.
Stick with the facts. Approach the situation from an intellectual front instead of an emotional one, because the truth of the situation will deliver you from all the drama.
-Amy
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