I substitute at a school once a month. Today was a great day -- until the principal approached me at end of day and said he got an email from a parent last time I was there ....saying a child said to another child that I said something inappropriate in class. I was shocked since i hadnt been at the school for a month. I said I dont remember the teacher I subbed for...nor do I remember saying anything inappropriate. I told him...i would never say anything like that to students and I treat kids equally. He said the school enjoyed having me there. That was it. I dont know what to think? In deciding if I should go back to the school to sub anymore.
Kids sometimes misinterpret what people say. Or they make things up. If the principal had no further issue with it then it will probably be fine.
That’s nothing to leave a school over. Sounds like the principal is just giving you a heads up, just in case. I’m sure if there was an issue, you’d have heard before now and the principal would have talked to you more in depth.
I like the school, but it is annoying that kids could get you fired for a "he said, she said" ordeal. I never said anything inappropriate -- and if I did ok I will own up to it. What about the 99.9% of good things I say and do? Does that not matter? We live in an oversensitive culture that every single word is put under a microscope, examined, and cross examined. I need to be a farmer or roofer instead♂️
Unfortunately, parents will mostly believe anything their kids say even though there's a good chance it might not be true. The principal might know the student and if he/she has a history of behavior issues or "tattling" on teachers then he might have realized it was bogus but just wanted to mention it to you.
If you no longer feel comfortable at that school, and if you have other options open to you, then skip assignments from them, at least for now.
I wouldn't give any meaning to it either. Sounds like he told you just so you know in case something else comes up. To avoid stressing yourself out over such a remark from your principal, just ask next time how he meant it, if he expects you to do something now or if he just wanted to inform you. Then you know right away and don't have to keep yourself busy with thoughts about it.
Just remember they need you more than you need them. If they want to make an issue of it they will. I don't know what it is like in the US but in the UK schools are desperate for Subs (desperate for all teachers).
