Comments | loradona: How to Win Friends and Influence People

loradona

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dec 15, 2009 17:09

This week I received a letter from my principal outlining the ways in which I have been "insubordinate and disloyal" (actual quote).

As you can imagine, this letter makes me feel horrible. I like to imagine the letter I would rather get from him:

Dear Loradona ( Read more... )

drama-queening, complaining, there are no words

Comments 12

anonymous December 16 2009, 03:32:12 UTC

Disloyal?!? Seriously? It sounds like you're giving away the secret recipe for coke or something, not choosing to disagree with choices he makes. Please remove drama-queeing from the tags list. He's the one with issues.

-mickelle

loradona December 16 2009, 06:30:10 UTC

Thank you. I do feel a little drama-queenie, though, since I mentioned a possible job switch to guinea pig farmer. But, yeah. I don't know where he is getting ideas about my loyalty. Sigh.

What the ... anonymous December 16 2009, 03:46:07 UTC

Okay, I don't get it. I am absolutely floored. I wish I knew what to say - but look for a job in another district or state (I recommend Utah, but i am totally biased).

-Alisha

Re: What the ... loradona December 16 2009, 06:32:55 UTC

Oh, Utah. They don't pay as well as Oregon, but... who knows. I don't like the thought of leaving my students here. I don't want to. I love them, and they are great. But if he makes it difficult to stay, I might not be able to endure it. And Utah might start to look pretty good.

Oh no! ext_209233 December 16 2009, 04:08:52 UTC

All of your move and get a new job proposals involve changing CAREERS. Please don't do that. I'm not sure how long you've been a teacher? I think you really have to give it a good three years before deciding it isn't for you. Maybe you have. The profession just can't keep losing strong, cutting-edge, think-outside-the box people. Our schools will die on the vine. Sleep on the beach for two months next summer and then go back. Or trade schools, but please don't leave the profession.

Re: Oh no! loradona December 16 2009, 06:36:39 UTC

I happen to be in the magical year three. I don't want to change careers. But I am frustrated by what I see as disrespect for me as a teacher. It becomes increasingly apparent that I have very little power in the educational world. I don't want to leave the profession. I really don't. And thank you for your support. Maybe Eugene needs teachers...

Re: Oh no! themabbi December 20 2009, 20:14:54 UTC

I'd watch out for this clown to try and non-renew you in March. It sounds like he's decided that you're "a problem", and in my experience administrators like this try to get rid of problems rather than try to resolve them.

I've worked with a lot of Principals. Most of them are good folks, but unfortunately there are more than a few who are not. I wouldn't judge whether to stay a teacher or not based on this one bad administrator, but unfortunately you're right; you don't have much power. A good Principal will give you a lot of freedom to run your classroom your way, but as long as you stay in the classroom you're going to be subject to the whims of the administration and curriculum folks.

Re: Oh no! loradona December 25 2009, 06:05:55 UTC

Thanks, Ben. I don't want to leave this school, or the profession. I will sooner leave the school, however, than seriously contemplate a change of career. The biggest problem, however, is his lack of experience and knowledge of how to be a good administrator. I want a principal who at the very least has finished his administrator's license.

summersnowburn December 17 2009, 00:58:19 UTC

I just want you to know that I think it sucks that you are going through this. I think you deserve better than the way this guy is treating you. Unfortunately he's not going to change his mind and suddenly decide that you were right all along. I think it's time to start looking for a new school to teach at where you can be respected appropriately.

loradona December 17 2009, 02:20:39 UTC

I know that is highly likely. But I am really hoping to stay. I love my job and my students. And thank you muchly for the support. It really means a lot.

cheeriothrower December 17 2009, 04:23:04 UTC

Dear Loradona,
I love you. I think you were (and are!) and awesome sister. I learned so much from you growing up, and I think you are basically amazing. You are a wonderful example to me, and I hope your kidneys are treating you nicer.
Love,
Jeanette
P.S.-You're probably right about the Leaning Tower of Pisa thing. Work on that.

loradona December 25 2009, 06:06:50 UTC

My kidneys are behaving themselves nicely. Thank you for the pep-up letter. And I will tackle the leaning tower as soon as I return.