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Joy in the Journey

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Furious

I managed to survive my 2nd week somehow.

However, the very worst part of the week was not caused by my students for once, but my principal. I am still so angry and upset about this whole thing it makes me want to cry.  Bus students are dismissed first in my school, and for the past week and a half, they make an announcement when to release them and then you release your other students. Well, Wednesday there was no announcement so I kept waiting for it and obviously did not release them, well all of a sudden, she says to release your other students because the buses were gone!!!  I flew down to the office with them were she proceeds to get very angry and tell me that when I hear the bell, that is the signal to release them! I asked why I wasn't told this as well as the fact that they had given a fricking anouncement every other day! Well she didn't have an answer. Then, she calls the buses back, in front of me, the students, as well as some other parents, and I hear "Yeah, it's that new teacher, yeah, she didn't let the kids go for SOME reason (Like I had done it on purpose!!!!!!!!)" Blah blah. I  was ticked but apologized for the inconvenenience and left.
But it gets worst, on Thursday, right as I started taking lunch count, the principal walks into my room and proceeds to YELL at me infront of my class about how I need to release them when the bell rings, I should have known that, BLAH BLAH BLAH. I have never wanted to cry out of anger before so much in my entire life. I was so angry. And of course, the students were just enthralled with this scene.  Finally, he finishes and leaves and I'm supposed to have a good day now??!?! I did not, for obvious reasons. It was like the kids knew then that I was having a bad day and just acted out more.
I told several other teachers about this at my school and they were just astonished that he would do this, but apparantly he has done this before to other teachers so at least I'm not the only one. It's so incredibly unprofessinal though.
 It was just missing the bus. It's a small school, they turned around and came back 5 minutes later. It's not like I was trying to be mean! Personally, I think he should be apologizing to me for this whole thing because it's his fault!!!!!
GRRRRR
 I am not sure I am going to survive this year at this point if this is how he is going to treat me everytime something minor goes wrong!!!

Published Saturday, August 30, 2008 8:30 AM by Joy08

Comments

# re: Furious @ Saturday, August 30, 2008 9:04 PM

I hope your principal does not do that again to you.  It WAS very unprofessional and let's hope it was beginning-of-the-year stress and not a personality deficit on his part.  I think being the new teacher is very stressful, because people forget what you have not been told yet.  Have a good rest-of-the-year!

emptynester

# re: Furious @ Saturday, August 30, 2008 11:19 PM

Sounds like someone has a control issue and it isn't you.  People like that should not be in charge.  I am very sorry that this happened to you. It was very unfair.  With a person like this, you are going to need to be on your toes.  No matter what, keep a positive attitude at school.  You can vent all you need to here.  But, if you pretend that everything is OK, maybe he will leave you alone.  Then switch schools next year.

MysteryTeacher

# re: Furious @ Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:25 AM

Wow!

I've never been yelled at like that, but many other teachers have.  When I see that happen, it's usually a sign of a VERY ineffective principal.

I don't agree that you should say nothing - bullies become emboldened by that.

What I've found effective, when I've had interpersonal clashes with someone, is to write a letter.  Send it in an email, if you'd like.  State, calmly, that, although you realize that this was a mistake (it helps to take the blame), it was an inadvertent one.  You made an assumption, based on the previous days' announcements, that they would continue to announce the bus departures.  (Next time you're confused, don't assume - check with the teacher next door).

Apologize for the inconvenience, and promise that you'll not let it happen again.

Last, state that you hope, in the future, that any discussions about your performance (yeah, that's what we're going to pretend his screaming rant was) would take place out of the range of the children.  (that last part is a subtle reminder that he was WAY out of control, without saying so directly).

Why is it important that you phrase it so diplomatically?  He IS the boss, and bosses seldom like you to call them on their failures.  We call that diplomacy - to pretend that they are wise leaders.

Whatever you do, don't get ugly, and call his tantrum what it was.  He'll never forgive you.

lfox368806

# re: Furious @ Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:02 PM

I have also been reprimanded in front of my students.  It is an awful feeling.  Try to stay positive and realize that it is about him and not you.  Some people think it's okay to show their anger in front of others.  Usually it just makes them look bad.  

Betty

# re: Furious @ Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:17 PM

I agree with lfox368806, you can't just let it go. If you choose not to do or say anything, it is like giving your principal tacit permission to treat you in such a way again. It also sets a very poor example for the kids. At least, write down, for yourself, exactly when both incidents happened, your actions/responses, the principal's actions/responses, etc. so that you have a record of the incident while your mind is fresh. This will help back you up if he decides to make you a target. Remember, it's like the lions and the antelope...if they sense weakness or fear, they'll cut you from the herd and attack. Stand up for yourself in a calm and respectful manner and take this as an example of the kind of person you don't want to be. :^)

MsP

# re: Furious @ Sunday, October 19, 2008 6:33 PM

It may not help, but please realize that some principal never apologize or accept responsibility and that STINKS!  I have been at this for over 20 years now and have had some wonderful leaders and some down right awful ones.  Keep your head high.....accept that he/she is the way they are.  You do what's best for your students and try not to get into that spiral of negative feelings.

Cheryl

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