Horrible Boss Rant (sorry...long) [updated 6/24, post #100] About This Page:

[joelsmom]

Really, for a long time now I have known that our school's principal is not good to the staff, but Friday was the icing on the cake for me, and I am at my wits end.

A little background...I have been teaching middle school for 25 years, 15 of those in my present location. Literally 23.5 of my 25 years (save the first 1.5 years when I was starving and would take any job) I have taught social studies. I am tied for seniority in my department within our building, I've taught 6th, 7th, and (currently) 8th grades. I don't brag. I don't complain. I show up on time (i.e. early) and prepared. My students' test scores have traditionally been among the highest in our county, in a school where they have every reason not to be. I work hard to do a good job. However, I also keep my head down and try to stay away from the drama that seems to fill our front office. Nobody worries about me, because they know I'm solid, and my co-workers love me, and vice versa.

Now, fast forward to Friday, March 11, roughly 3:28 PM. The principal came to me and asked if she could have ten minutes of my time before I left for our week of spring break. I told her I was in a bit of a hurry, because I had to get my son from work and then head to my second job (trying to get my kid through community college without debt). "Ten minutes, I promise." "Okay, but that's really all I've got."

I beat a hasty path to her office as soon as the last student was out the door, feeling a terrible sense of dread. She assures me I shouldn't worry...liar. She proceeds to tell me that she "needs" me to move back to 7th grade...okay, not my preference, but I can deal with that. She's not done. She "needs" my strength, my organization, my leadership on a newly created team consisting of me and two teachers currently in their first year teaching...me and two second-year teachers? I'm not so enthusiastic about that. Ah, but the best part is still to come. The final shoe drops with the news that I would not be teaching social studies, but science. What? I don't know how that could be. The last time I opened a science book was in college. I won't bore you any further with the details, but suffice to say that technically I am "highly qualified" to teach any academic subject in middle school.

I, the least likely crier I know, cried on my way out of the building. Then I got angry. How dare she do this to me? The simple answer is because she doesn't care about me (or anyone else), and she has the power. I certainly expressed my feeling that I don't want to do this, and it isn't actually a done deal yet, but she told me something had to be finalized the first day we go back after our week off. I gave her many reasons why this isn't a good move for me or the school, but ultimately the decision is hers, and I am not optimistic.

So, of course my head is spinning with the what ifs. All I can do for now is wait. If she insists that the move is necessary, I intend to exhaust every resource at my disposal to secure a transfer. If none of that works, I am considering applying to be the director of my church's daycare. It would be a big cut in pay, and my son would probably have to drop out of community college for the next year and earn more money. The irony is that if it comes to this...I apply for and get the daycare director job...said principal is back to square one looking for another strong, organized leader for her new team. All I know is the only circumstance under which I will be teaching 7th grade science next year is if I have no other full-time job available to me.

There are just so many potential dominoes to fall. I think if we could tighten the purse strings, then maybe I could get back into the school system in a year or two and finish my 30 years for full retirement. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that, didn't I. I am only five years from retirement, and my principal wants me to learn an entirely new subject matter!!!!! All I want is to do my job for five more years and then retire in peace. Is that too much to ask?

I need to stop before my head explodes. If you made it this far, thanks.

[Ariel&Alice]

Pixies for you. Hope she re-evaluates her descision, and you don't have to worry much longer.

[GingerJ]

Aw, that stinks! I feel for you! You're probably too early in this thing to really think things through. And what a witch to ruin your school break that way!



I know you're just venting, not asking for advice, but...

My advice for when something I dread may happen (like when I had to have a repeat mammogram, fortunately nothing bad): If you can do this, try to schedule a time, say Monday or Tuesday, to worry about it. You'd write down all the pros and cons, possible reactions to whatever she comes up with, and how you'd deal. Then decide you've done all the worrying you need to, and try to enjoy your vacation.

Oh, and do you have contacts at the local high schools, so you can start to discreetly find out what may be available and look into transferring there?

My inclination, personally, would be to tell her calmly and unemotionally that you cannot teach science, period. No arguing or drama, just calmly repeat that you cannot teach science--don't know if that would go well with her, but it's what I think I would try.

If you can't transfer from the school to another teaching job, I think in your position I would try to do something else to keep from what the military calls a "break in service" as it could be nearly impossible to come back in--and if you can't get rehired, what happens to your retirement? What would coming back do to your tenure? Could you be a "lunch lady" for a year and have that count toward retirement, or would you have to be a teacher?

Does your district allow sabbaticals...a year off without pay, but returning to the same or similar position with the same seniority and things? Maybe that would be the answer if you can swing it--way better than leaving the system and trying to get back in, especially if your principal poisons the well by bad-mouthing you. Maybe check the district policy on this, if anyone is around to answer your questions during break.

Is early retirement doable if worse comes to worse?

[Pris]

Aww, that is awful! for some peace for you over your break and that your principal comes to realize what a terrible position this would be for you and, thus, the students and school.

[cattailmarsh]

Oh Susan, I'm so sorry for what you are experiencing. I realize that this is all a shock to your plans right now but remember how strong & level headed you are. I second not dwelling all of your spring break on the matter but do make some notes - pros, cons, options you may have. Trust me (my mom was recently fired with only 2 years til her retirement) you do not want to jeopardize your retirement. Do you have any other viable options? I am sure you could teach the science - not that it would be best for you or the students but you could do it. Perhaps you could keep your position and help these 2 "new" teachers get organized. I am assuming that was the principal's intent that you impart your wisdom to this next generation of teachers. Maybe you can find a workable alternative to the suggested plan. But like another has said you didn't ask for advice right now. So feel free to rant & vent all you need. We your PP family are here for you. Many [emoji14]ixies for a workable solution. Keep us posted.

[Her Dotness]

Used to be a teacher, so I know all too well what your situation feels like, particularly your technically being well-qualified to teach virtually any subject. Qualified by means of college hours on a transcript doesn't begin to prepare a person to switch to an entirely different discipline like this change from social studies to science fer cryin' out loud.

Sadly, I hear you that you're most likely stuck with quitting or teaching science despite feeling horribly out of that loop.

Makes me wonder if your district is hurting for funds so badly that this principal has been told (or decided) to push out the highest-paid teachers in order to hire newbies who'll come in at the lowest rung of the salary schedule. Just the way she broached the matter sure sounded to me like that sort of a backhanded compliment on your leadership skills.

For what it's worth, I do empathize deeply with what an impossible situation you've just been handed.

[PatV]

Wow, you are right about everything. Your principal waited until right before Spring Break for a reason. Obviously her job description doesn't include caring about her staff - no doubt the school has someone else for that.
Does your district have a job fair over Spring Break? Are there any jobs available in the district outside of the classroom that you might be interested in? And if you are in a teacher's union, of any size, you might consider speaking to a union rep.

I definitely would not recommend you give up that retirement - unless it's in a 401K that you can roll over. In which case, you might be better off. Seeking out the advice of a financial advisor is free. Knowing more about your pension plan gives you more strength in your position.

You mentioned the community college - have you considered expanding your role with them? Or any college in your area. Adjunct positions are often available, both part-time and full time.

You have every reason to rethink your dedication to that school. And it's doubtful you are alone. While STEM teachers may be hard to come by, forcing you to become one counters all the efforts by everyone.

Good luck....

[Cam22]

You've made me glad yet again that I've retired from teaching as too often we are at the whims of administrators who are only out to make themselves look good. Sending lots of that this works out in your favor.

[notjustamom]

Do you have a union rep that you can contact and see what your options are? I am sorry for what you're dealing with.

[CinderAbby]

Wow!!! Apparently she's not caring of the students either. If she did, she would have a science teacher teaching science. I remember when I was in High School, our history teacher retired and they replaced him with the football coach. I hated the class in the first place but was fine with taking it because the first teacher was nice. Once "Coach" came in, I hated the class even more and then suddenly my grades weren't as good. Kids that were fit (not overweight like me) and knew him? They suddenly started doing better in class. I couldn't drop the class because it was required for me that year but after that I refused to take any more history classes.

Good luck and hopefully she comes to her senses and leaves you with the class you've been teaching and obviously teach well.

[Fortissimo]

Susan, I'm pretty sure we have the male version of your principal at my school. Someone once told me that a good teacher can outlast a subpar principal.

I have 3 years left. 3. I can do this.... I hope.

Fight her decision. Have your staff fight her decision because I'm sure you're not the only one she doing this to. You can outlast her.

[joelsmom]

She wants me to say that I will do it, but that isn't going to happen. This proposal is a bad idea...bad for students and bad for me and my son.

As for the union, I am and have always been a member. My very first principal told me 25 years ago that he suggested I join, because the truth was that "---County Schools doesn't care about you." How right he was. Sadly, he is now deceased and the teacher's unions in my state have been stripped of almost all of their influence, thanks to an unsympathetic state legislature. In a situation like this, there is literally nothing they can do. Principals have near complete discretion in staffing.

I am actually surprised how calm I am (though I'm sure it doesn't seem that way). I have a plan. I intend to tell the principal that if she insists on this move, I will be looking to transfer. If that doesn't work out, I will in the meantime apply for the daycare director job. I want her to be aware that the only circumstance under which I will teach science is if I have no other viable employment. I could be wrong, but I don't think she will want me to leave. I think if she knows that I am prepared to resign, she will back down.

Here's what I can't do. I can't continue to support my Asperger's son through school, work a second job to financially support that, and study a whole new curriculum to successfully implement it in a 7th grade classroom 3 classes a day for 180 school days. My son wil come first, period, and as far as I am concerned if that means leaving the school, then that's what will happen.

If I have to resign, I won't lose my retirement. It will stay put. People come and go all the time, switch schools, switch districts, resign, come back, and years of service remain intact. If pushed into it, I could leave and come back into the system in a year or two and finish my 30 years. All it would do is delay retirement.

Can you tell I'm getting all my thoughts together?

The good news is that this week I have a whole list of non-school related things to tend to. Those will keep me busy, and that is a good thing. Tomorrow I'm painting a bedroom. That will be good therapy.

[Eeyoresmom]

that she does the right thing and think of the kids first. Having a social studies teacher teach science seems crazy!

[cattailmarsh]

I'm so glad you have a plan. You definitely are pulling your thoughts together and doing so very consisely. And how nice that you can leave & return if need be. And your first priority is correct - your son!

Can I ask how old he is Susan and what he is studying? My boyfriend is currently training a young man with Aspergers. He is doing very well with the detailed nature of the work (map making). Darren was so surprised how well organized & schedule oriented he was.

[Her Dotness]

Yes, it's all too true that unions are toothless tigers that anymore only say, "mew mew."

When I served as a negotiator, I used to joke that the process was nothing but an elaborate game of "Mother, may we?" with the school board. We had no actual recourse at all if the answer was no. In fact, we might be locked into the existing contract or worse.

Dedication to the students and to one's colleagues, loyalty to the school, commitment to excellence--these basically count for nothing these days other than lots of lip service from administrators. When push comes to shove, anyone may be shoved out of their job and can be quite easily.

I've heard too many similar stories.

I think your gameplan sounds wise. I wish you luck.