Dealing with a DIFFICULT in-class support teacher. I'm going insane. HELP!

Discussion in 'Secondary Education' started by LittleShakespeare, Feb 28, 2018.

  1. LittleShakespeare

    LittleShakespeare Comrade

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    Mar 5, 2018

    Thanks so much. To be honest, I was happy at my old district....sort of. I was teaching wonderful works of literature, and I didn't have to work with a co-teacher who insulted me on a daily basis. I love teaching, more than anything. I love those kids. Maybe it's because I will never have kids of my own, but I want to educate students on the importance of the written word. I just think I need to find a better school.

    Thanks for your help, everyone.
     
  2. LittleShakespeare

    LittleShakespeare Comrade

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    Mar 5, 2018

    I just wanted to post an update. I tried talking to her again today. She cursed me off and told me she has never been this unhappy working at this school until I showed up.

    I asked her to stop with the inappropriate comments about me being a librarian, and I asked her to stop undermining my authority in front of the kids. Today, she said to me, "Do you know the amount of disrespect I have tolerated from you? Calling me 'the master'?" I think one time in passing, when I needed help with the copy machine, I told her jokingly, "Show me thy ways, master." Apparently, that counts as harassment.

    She was cursing me off, saying my love for books is "bullsh*t", and that I shouldn't be here at this district. She says I make up excuses for deaths in my family and my illnesses. I tried to maintain my cool and act professional, but I'm not sure what to do at this point.

    I have March, April, May, and June to go, and then I'm putting in my resignation letter. Or if I'm offered renewal, I'm not going to take it. Is there anything else I should do at this point aside from sucking it up for four more months?
     
  3. TrademarkTer

    TrademarkTer Groupie

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    Mar 5, 2018

    This is tough. I do think there are probably two sides to this story, and that your co-worker isn't solely at fault.

    I think all teachers should have to spend at least 3 years co-teaching as it teaches us to be flexible and to work well with someone who has a different background from our own. When I co-taught, my co-teacher knew NOTHING about math, but I still learned to work well with her, and to appreciate what she could offer in terms of classroom management, organization, etc.

    Just make sure you are ready for the possibility of co-teaching wherever you end up going because it is very much the trend in schools today, and new teachers usually get these classes. If you are put in a co-teaching situation in the future, you need to start the year (before the students even arrive) with a discussion about roles, expectations, procedures, etc.
     
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  4. futuremathsprof

    futuremathsprof Phenom

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    Mar 5, 2018

    Show her the death certificate(s) and doctor’s notes to show the severity of your situation. Then, say, “Next time I’ll tell me relatives not to die and my immune system to not be compromised.” This will substantiate your claims that you were not making excuses.

    Also, report her to the principal. Now. I don’t care if your supervisor said not to. This person is not handling the situation and you need to elevate it to a higher level. Please do this already. It’s not difficult. I guarantee if I were in your situation that I would have handled it the first time and it would not happen again.
     
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  5. LittleShakespeare

    LittleShakespeare Comrade

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    Mar 5, 2018

    Thank you for all your help.
     
  6. Teacher234

    Teacher234 Cohort

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    Mar 5, 2018

    Well, you have a few options.
    It would be best to talk to your union or district supervisor.
    You could take the individual to court.
    It may be beneficial to confront this individual with the help of your supervisor.
    You can also report your support worker.
     

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