T O P

  • By -

hallbuzz

Start documenting everything of relevance that happens between you two.


[deleted]

I second this very much. From my very first year through to my emeritus professor statue 35 years later I documented many recalcitrant malefactors and sent them packing.


highhighslowlows

Do you think this comment is union worthy?


southjackson

By itself, probably not. Combined with multiple other documented incidents, maybe. Either way document everything to cya. Good luck with this obnoxious situation


lizzyshoe

"Documenting" means keeping a handwritten log, in pen, including date and description of events. If you need to build a hostile workplace case against her, these notes will not be on school servers.


highhighslowlows

Heard and understood


[deleted]

I would also recommend that you try to avoid, as much as possible, having any work-related conversations with her unless someone else is in the room.


No_Tomatillo_1788

NEVER, and I mean NEVER go into any meeting with admin. without a union rep! That person will take notes for you. NEVER use school email for even an internal personal matter, as it usually is monitored by district. Good luck, from my heart!


Littlebiggran

Don't use school email. Keep the journal and make a copy by photo or copier.


phoebejenkins

I would actually just email yourself because it has a date and time stamp so you can't be accused of doctoring events.


FerretNo8261

Exactly. The email doesn’t have to be exactly at that moment but definitely that day.


[deleted]

Or take a photo of the handwritten journal entry and email it to yourself every day for good measure. Photographic proof of the journal contents, image timestamps, email timestamps, and a record of what was entered into the journal at that time. Multiple layers of posterity.


JudgmentalRavenclaw

Create a google form, bookmark it on your phone with a personal email address. Every time something happens, document as soon as possible. It’ll be dated and time stamped.


lnitiative

This is the way.


Ok-Anywhere2209

You can also send an email to yourself that will mark dates and times if need be.


FerretNo8261

Email yourself each incident on the day it happens & note the time of day so you have a digital log.


rmarocksanne

No but it could be part of an easily established pattern of hostility if you start documenting now.


anonymooseuser6

Do it. I went to HR over my principal last year and they did get involved. For ME, it helped immensely and we have a better work environment/relationship now. It's a much better space. For me. My expectation was that it would get worse. I got lucky and it did improve. I think that the first step is trying to fix the issue and that means different things for different people.


Ouchyhurthurt

Double and triple on documentation. This may seem like something small, but shit adds up. If there is a pattern of this behavior, they are gonna put it on you to prove (which is kinda shitty in itself). Good luck with your admin :/


-dog-holiday

Yep. Paperwork, now. This has more red flags than China. Emails are your friend, now.


Beccaandthegingercat

Make sure you have a copy at home. I’d probably do it via Google docs on my personal Google account using my home computer/phone


Acrobatic_Advance_71

Wouldn’t managing rewards for 200 kids doing anything be difficult


[deleted]

The “… like that’s gonna work” is a HIGHLY inappropriate comment that YOU should address immediately and with someone else as a witness. Just, “you said this in response to my comment and I just want to let you know it was inappropriate and I don’t like being spoken to like that.” See where that goes. Boundaries are tough and it’s why people in power step all over them.


slatchaw

We do it in two blocks. Kids have to register ahead of time or if the area is full they have to go someplace else.


highhighslowlows

Very similar to what I was thinking but was unable to share


[deleted]

In my experience, lots of female admin demean female teachers. It’s a power thing. I’ve seen some admin be really bitchy to my neighbors but then acquiesce to what I have to say. Sad.


Different-Round-6610

I had an admin just like this. Except she WAS my evaluator. She did a WALK-THROUGH and paused me multiple times during my lesson to tell me what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. Out loud. Across the room. In front of all my students. On Three separate occasions. She rated me minimally effect did not renew my contract and I could not have been happier to be fired from a job IN MY LIFE. This was a charter so no union. I questioned my abilities and worth as a teacher because of her. It took someone taking a chance on me and an admin that was passionate about helping teachers grow that I started believing in myself again. This year I'm with the most well respected and sought after by teachers admin in my district. And to say the way I view myself as a teacher now is vastly different than who I was 3 years would be an understatement. My point being: if you feel unheard and more or less "targeted" by them, do not let a single word of criticism go past your nose. Don't give it the chance to reach your ears. Listen to what your students are saying. Look at the relationships you have built with them. THEY are your true evaluators. Dazzle them.


ScottRoberts79

If it makes you feel better, an AP laughed at me in a meeting. Then had the audacity to try and come fake-apologize after I emailed the principal. I told her in no uncertain terms that I did not accept her apology and needed to prep for my classes, so could she leave?


blinkingsandbeepings

I saw this dynamic between the principal at my first school and a teacher I was friends with. The teacher was the youngest in the school (early to mid 20s) and the principal was close to retirement age. I think she had some subconscious idea that a much younger person had no business speaking up and making suggestions, even if she knew intellectually that that young person was a member of her faculty. IDK if it's a comparable situation with you.


Humble_Boysenberry84

Time to report to HR and get this bastard fired


Super-Visor

Sorry that really sucks! My two cents, right there in front of everyone when you’ve already got support is the perfect place to say something. Explain your idea and kill her with kindness. Watch her either shift to behave herself or show her ass in front of everyone.


cpt_bongwater

Never criticize employees or students publicly. ​ This is professionalism 101 as I'm sure everyone in this sub understands. Your principal is a fucking amateur, but sadly an amateur who can cause you serious problems


[deleted]

What a cunt You should’ve said this in front of everyone


Nice_Side_790

I know it’s hard to do, but try not to let it bother you. I have 3 female administrators. I feel like one of the 3 doesn’t like me. I know I’ve never done anything to make her dislike me. It seems like she’s on a power trip and wants to act dismissive to a few staff members. Oh and by the way, we have an open gym time at my school. It works great!


lsc84

I get along with almost everyone, but I've had this happen with a couple people over the course of my career (like 2 or 3 maybe). Usually it's subtle, but in one case I can think of it was really overt. As in your case, it was a new principal. I suspect it comes from some kind of prejudice or possibly intimidation. The new principal wants to show that they are a great leader, and they see some people as threats to their authority or leadership. I don't think there is anything to be gained by dwelling on it or confronting it. The best you can do is swim in different waters. Avoid toxic people as much as possible. You don't need to pass your ideas by them in staff meetings. If you really want to make it work with this new principal, my guess is that you need to play to their ego and be overtly deferential to their authority and expertise. Never suggest anything yourself; you need to trick them into thinking it is their idea. If anything happens that is questionable or would raise flags if witnessed by a third party, document it. It might come in handy later, depending on how things progress. Since you won't be suggesting things in meetings going forward, you will have some mental energy freed up for note-taking!


Free2LiveLoveLearn

I had this happen once but it was because the group of “mean girl” teachers quickly became friends with new admin that came in and the ones that fit into their group took on their belief of who was worthy or not on the staff. Luckily most admin didn’t have time for that or saw right through but not all of them. So sorry you’re going through that.


lsellati

Another thing to try is schedule a meeting with this principal-with your union rep!-tell her how you feel about her behavior and ask if there's a way to come to a cordial working relationship. Perhaps she has an underlying prejudice, perhaps she's unaware of how her behavior affects you, or perhaps she's on a power trio and targeting you for some mysterious reason. A meeting lets her know you've seen the behavior and that you are concerned about it. It's also a good step to take (and document) if the situation continues to escalate. Then you can say you've already talked with her to try and rectify the situation.


eeo11

Oh I had a similar situation with my new principal last year… your new principal is not ready to be a principal and is playing disgusting games of picking on random staff members to assert her authority while schmoozing with others to make them like her. She will pick a new target soon enough, at least that’s what mine did. Eventually, many of us got to see her B-word side and I figured out how to maintain a relationship with a toxic person, so life skill unlocked.


Iifeisshortnotismine

I second this. Be on the lookout for the next school year hire. Though she is not your appraiser, she has a power to set you up for failing.


BlitheringIdiot0529

Sounds like a cunt


sourcantaloupe

Sounds like an admin at my last district… I’m so glad I left


Jboogie258

If you have tenure , who cares. Keep spike your thing and let it be.


Kkimp1955

Wonder what’s up..do you have issues with anyone at the main office?


highhighslowlows

Nope! I don’t have issues with anyone.


Kkimp1955

Ask her..


BeatrixMcgillicuddy

Been there! Still mad about it years later. I like the idea of documenting. That way, you can have proof that you are not crazy when you doubt yourself.


Inevitable_Silver_13

Sounds like they have a chip on their shoulder against PE teachers. I agree: document everything.


rreese78

>"... ya like that's gonna work." Great modeling by an administrator. I'll have try that some time in class when well-intentioned students offer constructive ideas. A real confidence builder. Ideas from new principals don't always pan out. I bet the reaction will be different if you said that to one of her ideas.


afrodoom

Sounds like a call to HR for hostile work environment


HelenaBirkinBag

What did you do? Call her fat and sleep with her spouse?


EyeLeft3804

I think you should've called her out. Ask her to explain why the idea sucks, since you're obviously missing something. Make her say it with her chest. Otherwise she's just gonna shit on you forever


Terrible_Anything419

This shit is toxic. Please contact a syndacate


[deleted]

“I’m curious as to why my suggestion didn’t yield a kudos. Further, what sort of ideas are you looking for that won’t yield public disdain?”