Every story will be submitted to the blog by me, but will be written by anonymous (or non-anonymous) authors who have submitted the story. Enjoy!
Story submitted: 02/19/2013
Type: Hardships
Place: Urban
School: Public
Author: Anonymous
No, this is not a story about the movie (check title) but in reality this could be a movie.
Nearing the end of my first year of teaching, as a teacher in a subject like dance, music, or science, I am required to submit a letter to the school administration stating why I would like to return to the post as dance teacher. Automatically near the end of the school year all positions (that I stated above) are posted as available jobs.
As far as I knew, I was doing a great job teaching. I hadn't heard anything, nor even gotten a visit from the principal, since the beginning of the school year. I was getting along with all the classroom teachers very well, as well as the students. I did a decent job putting on my first holiday show, and had gotten great reviews from mentors regarding my classroom teaching. Although I hadn't always gotten along with the principal and vice principal, I did really enjoy teaching the students in my classroom environment. Once I found out I had to write this letter, I was very thoughtful (albeit, stretching the truth about how great the administration was) about what I was writing, and stressed that I would love to return the following school year. I handed the letter in on time, keeping a copy for myself, and went about my week.
Weeks pass and I get a call from the person who is head of the local teacher's union at our school. She is in charge of receiving the letters from the administration regarding the "specials" job postings. She asked if I had handed my letter into the administration. After I explained to her that I did, and that it was on time, she told me that she did not receive it from the principal. She then asked me to hand in the copy I had saved for myself. At this time she also approached the principal, and the principal states "Oh, I must of lost it."
Weeks pass again, and I have yet to hear anything from the principal about the next school year. I do know at this time she has already been talking to teachers about returning to their posts. She asks me to come into her office, and then begins to tell me why I am not a good fit for the school. I ask why she believes that, and she states "the children are not happy, the teachers do not seem to like you, and frankly, I do not think your a good teacher." I am flabbergasted at this point, never once did she say anything about my teaching, the kids always seem to have fun in my classroom, and I get along very well with all the teachers. I state these matters and she doesn't have much to say, except "I just don't feel you have a 'spark' or 'fire in your belly.' You don't seem excited and lively when you teach." I continue to state my case by saying that she hasn't seen me teach since the first month of school (this being my very first year teaching in a public school system). She continues to explain that she brought another dance teacher in behind my back for a demo lesson (this I had earlier found out from my students) and how this teacher "was so excited to teach and the kids were having a great time. She taught a hip hop combination, and they loved it! They are never like that coming out of your class."
At this point I was getting more angry then upset. Not only has she never given me feedback from my whole year of teaching, she hadn't once come into my room (only in the first month of teaching), and of course the kids enjoyed the stranger's class. They love hip hop, but teaching dance is more then just teaching a hip hop class! As I was shouting in my mind, I remained calm. I once again reminded her that she hasn't seen me teach in months, and that it is quite unfair to judge me based on what some children may think and what some teachers may think (later on I did talk to teachers about parts of this conversation, and I know that none of them bad mouthed me to the principal. They were actually very upset that she tried to blame them for her thoughts and misjudgments). She agreed to come and view two of my classes, a fifth grade and a kindergarten class, eventually. But at this point I was ready to start looking for a new job.
Cutting to the end of the story, the principal was finally able to see me teach and wrote me a fantastic informal observation letter to go into my file. After all of the drama, she came to the realization that I was a great teacher and had great "potential." She agreed to keep me on for the next year. Of course there was even more drama following the end of the story, but that is for another day.
In Conclusion, I am sickened by the power that many principals have over the staff. When it comes down to it, they have all the power in the world to get you fired, to lie, cheat, and misjudge. I see why so many do not like teacher unions, but without them teachers could get the can just because the principal does not "like" them. It is also sad that people like this get hired into such a powerful position. Is there anyway to weed out the "bad" seeds from the "good?" I guess we will never know.
Sincerely, Anonymous
