Yesterday I came home, opened my e-mail and saw that all my future assignments at a particular middle school had been cancelled by the principal. I called him and he said, a parent had called and said I hit her child in the back of the head because she was passing lip gloss back & forth. I told him this was 100% not true, and a total lie. He said he couldn't take the chance of her going to the newspaper with the story. Neither he nor either of his asst. principals ever even talked to me about the incident. Another teacher on the team has 4 reliable students who said it didn't happen. What can I do?
You could contact a lawyer. I'm sorry this happened to you but your recourse may be more against the student for 'slander' than the school- they get to hire who they want as subs. I've had subs who I've requested never teach in my room again because they made my class miserable yelling, or disregarded my plans and did their own thing...while it sounds that your situation is different, it's unfortunately part and parcel of the 'at-will', non-contracted work conditions under which subs work.
No, not really. I did talk to an attorney--I have no legal recourse. Then I had a meeting with the Asst. Superintendent and the head of Human Resources. I learned that the principal didn't ever really think I hit the kid, but he's just a spineless (my word) principal who wouldn't stand up to the parent. The two admistrators said they'd get back to me, but they haven't yet. A regular teacher at that school went to the two administrators mentioned above and told them she wanted to request a transfer out of that bldg. after 17 years because she simply cannot work under this principal (this is his 2nd yr.) She also sang my praises which I really appreciated. And he had some problems with teachers (a no confidence vote was held) last year in the spring. Most of the teachers in that building think he's an a--h---. So I'm just going to bide my time, and maybe add'l things will surface that could get him transferred. If that happens, then I'll request to be allowed back in that bldg. Thanks for asking.
