I am at odds with my current team. Honestly, I feel like I’m back in middle school more days than not. I don’t engage as much as I can avoid. I just keep doing me, as best I can. It’s a case of retaliation and sabotage. I’m documenting as best I can. It’s frustrating. The principal said next year she thinks I would be a much better fit in x grade. Here’s the thing, I like my grade. This isn’t a new issue. People have quit due to this issue. People who have stayed have moved to new grades due to this issue. In fact, the team she wants to move me to is rejects from the current team. The P said she expects us to be professional and keep the focus on the kids. She encouraged me to count down the days, she’d move me now- but it wouldn’t be fair to the students. I agree I don’t want to leave my students over an adult acting like a middle schooler. So how do you manage? I have had to plan all lessons and activities for a certain subject. Our unit celebration was today. All classes must be alike. I gave the info for each teacher to make their own sign up. They didn’t want that- they wanted a grade level. Ok done. Send it out, asked them to proof. Team lead said great. It got sent out. Now, the parents were supposed to prepare the food items themselves (it involved some cutting or washing). Well gosh, had I know that was the preference I would have added that to begin with. So I spent the morning cutting up stuff for 100 students. It wasn’t good enough. I also sent gloves and plates. One teacher said “why would I use gloves?” Hello, food? Sigh. As if that wasn’t enough- a few hot button issues: - Team lead wants to see my progress reports even though the P already approved them and I send them home. She said “well, there are things I need to verify and it’s your first year here I need to make sure they’re correct. P doesn’t really look at them.” I told her she could look at them; they were in folders (original). I couldn’t get them because I was cutting produce. She said no. And the P did read them because she added specific glows and that she wished all teachers had such wonderful, detailed comments. - I was told I was planning abc, then told last min (a day before break) I actually need to plan this different subject area that is the most difficult area to plan and provide centers for 100 students. Centers that they don’t like ever, but won’t tell me what they want. - told me “this is how we give this test (on sight words).” They had to spell from memory. Come to find out, they gave a word bank. I redid the test today. This happens all the time. With our Cvc words they stretch the word out and told me I had to say the whole word and couldn’t stretch it out. They say no small group or 1-1 if they don’t get it during whole group, they get it wrong. But they do that all the time. I give my kids an unfair advantage if I do the same. - team meetings are spent scolding me for an hour either directly or indirectly. - came into my room and told me I spilled something in her room and needed to fix it. I haven’t been in her room. Second of all, if I did I would have fixed it. She said I spilled out all the contents in a cabinet in her room. I told her I wasn’t going to fix anything and her tone was not OK. She told me I was being petty and it wasn’t a big deal. BUT it is- I haven’t even been to her room. The cabinet in question was 2 weeks ago- and it was perfectly fine when I left. I’m always accused of doing things I haven’t done. I typically just fault back and apologize. I’m tired of being run over. We all have to be “clones” of eachother, but they aren’t communicating and when they are it is false information or talking at me in an unprofessional way. Or I’m being required to do things that are not appropriate for my class. I mean, I got scolded for using plastic folders and zipper pouches to organize student materials instead of doing what they do. Huh?!
Send this post to administration and ask them when they plan to do something about this toxic situation. Apparently, they are aware but are sitting on it.
Swansong1 - I will be speaking to admin again and request a formal plan of how this will be remedied and that I want the behavior documented. I have already spoken to them twice about this issue. I'm just nervous to take a step further with a formal complain of harassment and retaliation.
IDK how you have done it this far. I have never worked w/a team like that, but a couple of rude, controlling teachers over the years. Just from my experience, stop apologizing. Stop caring what they think. Do what your P says: Count down the days until you'll be working w/ nicer people. Do what you want to do w/ your kids and don't even try to "please" them b/c they will never be happy. Admin at my last school would not intervene either when needed. It takes too much energy to do what others want you to do especially when they do not appreciate or acknowledge the work you put into it. Be polite and stay away from them as much as humanly possible. The 1 who wants to see your progress reports is a clone to 1 I once worked with. She always wanted to see my LP's and gradebook to find a fault. Nope! She is not the P! I was probably too nice for too long and the controlling ones take advantage of the fact that you care. It took a really cool assertive teacher to come along and show me how to shut those types down. It really comes down to this: You can drive yourself crazy trying to please people who are never going to be happy. Since they are going to give you grief no matter what, why bother? Think up some good sayings like: Why do you ask? Sweet voice:: Oh, do not worry yourself for my sake! That is an interesting way to do it. I am glad that works for you! Then if part of your job is to put units together for everyone, do it your way...not their way! If they don't like it, oh well! You do, so you haven't wasted your time. You are almost 1/2 way through the yr. It is worth it to change grades and have a much better team! Best wishes! I do know these types of people are a PITA!
Tired teacher- I have no idea how I’ve made it so far. This is the most messed up situation I’ve ever dealt with. In previous schools, we may have had personality conflicts - but we tried to find ways to work together and understand each other’s perspectives. We all had to be one the same lesson, but we had freedoms to implement in a way that meet our students needs. We could talk openly about different strategies we implemented. It is so hard not to have these collaborative discussions. I mean, I guess I feel for the individual who can’t adapt to someone doing something that isn’t her way. I mean it must be miserable to be that set in their ways they can’t tolerate something different. Shrug. I was challenged this past week to define what a team is, and asked if this is truly team. It isn’t - it is a dictatorship. But they consider themselves a team. Next year, the P plans to have 8 classes in my grade level. Surely this individual won’t be able to control 7 other individuals. Having an ally on the team would make a huge difference. Maybe? It wouldn’t be me against them….unless she finds 4 more people who are clones of her. (Teachers interview then the P approves, the P is not always on the interview - that’s part of the problem is that I didn’t interview with her and she didn’t get to choose me, I was placed on her team. She kept denying candidates and ones she liked declined offers. I would have to if I meet her first. She has talked openly about summer interviews.)
This reminds me of a shirt I saw as a teen. It said: There is no "I" in team, but there is a "U" in suck ! It'd be hilarious to wear that shirt some place they'd see it. OK That is my bad immature self talking. I'd never do it! Yes, a new team mate ( ally) could help if you got the perfect 1 like I did at a certain time. It was funny to see her assertively corner the control freak. She sent the control freak into a wild frenzy often. The new teacher was about 5 steps ahead of everyone. I wouldn't bank on her not being able to control 8. I'd get to a new grade level. You'd be working w/ some that have already been through what you have been through. They probably have some hilarious jokes! You may instantly bond w/ them too having a common experience. I was in a school for years where most of us got along really well. Then I moved to a school that had a couple of control freaks in it. It was not fun until we got the assertive one. The P probably did it on purpose b/c he was getting sick of all the problems, but afraid to confront them.
Tired- that’s part of the issue. The P refuses to confront. I’m not willing to just back down. I mean, I’ll be professional. But I’m not OK with her coming into my room screaming at me, accusing me of things I didn’t do, especially in front of another teacher. I’m not OK with her changing things last minute, not telling me, then expected to just know. I’m just really saddened. I know it’s probably best to move grade levels. The culture of this team doesn’t fit me. I can’t work 12 hour days like they do. I can’t spend hours cutting crafts. I don’t like being the teacher to send homework just to send a bunch of work. Let them play. Read books. Sigh. I would totally wear the shirt….I do want a sign or door mat in my new room that sends a message (to her). We move to a new building soon.
