No good deed goes unpunished (long rant)

The parking lot incident...

This occurred at the school your children attend, on a campus where you've subbed and volunteered, where you have presumably parked many, many times, and you didn't know where the buses parked? You're blaming the admin for getting boxed in, but it seems that you should have known where you could park for a quick get-away.

 

thank you, guys, for the thoughtful words! I wished when I joined this forum some 8 years ago I were reading threads about school politics and such. Unfortunately, I wasn't "smart" back then. I switched to education from computer programming. And I only worked at one job, it was a start up, very unusual one, full of young enthusiastic people. I didn't really experience any politics there. Also, I grew up as an only child with a mom who was (and still is) absolutely horrible at any work politics, and she believes that she cannot learn it. So, I kind of had this unfortunate influence from the start.

When I got disillusioned with other teaching positions and switched to substitute (and I've done quite a few things), I was under the wrong impression that substitutes were not so much affected by politics. Again, I didn't have plans for a long time to do anything but substitution.

Now, yes, I do realize that I have to take a "course" on work politics based on my own mistakes. thanks for teaching it!

 

This:thumb:

Although we are not supervised every moment of the day there's a certain level of expectation/productivity we are held accountable for. And you never know who is watching!!!!

Once my principal walked in my room and I didn't know, as I was working with a small group intensively in one corner of the room. The rest of the kids were in partnerships working through their assignments. I went over to redirect a kid who was off task and there was my P talking to another partnership about their work. I was like, oh, hello. I was totally on task doing my job so I wasn't worried. Twice this year my AP popped in without me realizing, except that my room got quiet real fast so I looked up from my small group and was like hmm ok.

Funny thing is that I'm ALWAYS in that one corner of my room working in small groups when this happens, a d I'm never looking at the door :lol:

 

it's a HUGE ever-growing school. 4 buildings by now, getting bigger each year. The parking situation is absolutely horrible there. For the staff at least, a substitute staff at least. For the parents they print maps every single year on what a pick up procedure for multiple building is. I know people (parents) who are horrified to pick up their kids a little early, because it's a living hell there at dismissal.

As my example shows (hopefully) even regular people in that school often have no idea where is the best place to park. After the parking incident, someone just happened to point out to me, that there is a "designated" UNOFFICIAL place where some subs park. '

If the officials, or whomever, showed me that place before, I would've avoided this whole incident.

 

that makes me laugh when I remember 2 incidents from this year. Two separate schools, one is this school where I no longer work, I mistook an assisant principle for an aide, because he didn't introduce himself as he walked in and I was busy teaching a class, and then he was sooo good redirecting the disruptive behavior of that kiddo, as if he was his aide.

And at a different school I took a woman PRINCIPLE for an aide that I read was supposed to come and help me for a part of math. Again, I was too busy teaching, and she didn't have that air of a principle about her as she started talking.

I do hope none of them got offended.

 

Exactly! and after reading what came next (begging, letter writing, etc) I would be leary of placing her in any school because she comes across as unstable, even if she is not, no school will want to take a chance on having someone like that in their classroom, just my 2 cents.

 

even so your antics because of that situation should have been different...you should have reacted calmly and gone inside to speak with an adult in the building and asked kindly if a car bus or whatever could move so that you could get out.

This is what you said you did

hmy:

 

I should, I know! but we all have our weaknesses. Mine is a driving anxiety, everything connected to driving or unpredicted driving situations. (hey, it took me 15 attempts to get a driving license back in the 90s!)

 

Again, you're still blaming the admin. It's not even a designated spot for subs to park! It was an unfortunate situation to which you reacted irrationally. That is your fault.

Also, I checked the CCIU sub handbook (cuz I'm nosy :haha and it states:

 

Anna...your struggles aren't due to school politics. They are more a consequence of choices you are making that send a message that you aren't engaged in the work you've been hired to do. You aren't setting a professional message.:sorry:Still trying to figure out what the 'good deed' was.

 

Great commend! seriously!

No matter how good I'm with kids, I still somehow manage to send a message that I'm not engaged in the work. You know, you are right! I'm not engaged with the work, because I'm engaged with the students, I guess!

 

again not understanding what you are saying because if you are engaged with the students then you are engaged with the work.

As someone else has already asked, What was the good deed?

 

No, you were engaged with your knitting and reading.

 

you see, I think of kids when I work, not what admins/other teachers want me to behave. And I do realize that it's wrong. I do a lot with kids at home (camp, classes, etc.) that's where I can offord to think only of kids. Gotta learn to think about adults when at the school

 

can we get over that episode, please! it was 4 years ago, I reconsidered/learned a few things since then

 

I hate to point this out, but if you are going to continue to pursue ESL, I suggest you work on English grammar. ESL kids need teachers who are strong in proper English grammar.

Regarding your comment, you were thinking about knitting, not the students. Sure you decided they didn't want your help or interaction, but you didn't remain engaged in observing them. That is not thinking about the students. That is ignoring students.

 

Wait, that was 4 years ago?

What got you banned from the district this time? Your thread has been terribly hard to follow.

 

guys, I'm not going to answer that one! I still have my Soviet mentality, I'm not good at praising myself. I'm learning to do it for the interview. But for the forum, I don't feel I should.

if you want to believe I'm "evil", I'm not going to dissuade you.
****************

there is actually ONE admin that actually likes me a lot. Well, she actually became admin after she knew me as non-admin.
Again, the same charter school where I was kicked out. We have to volunteer our time as parents. 2 years ago I and another mom spend quite a few hours cutting in a huge amount of foam shapes for 5th graders, so that they can practice fractions. This woman, a curriculum person at that time, was our "supervisor." I talked to her a lot about education, she was REALLY greatful for the 2 of us for the hours we spend doing.

this year she became a secretary at middle school where my son goes. I did go once to sub in that building, but then realized Middle schoolers is not my favorite age, I'd rather be with elementary. Well, the secretary pleaded me a few time to reconider and come and sub for them. Also, whenever i have a p/t conference she likes to brag how dedicated I was to help out the school.

 

I think the real problem is that you can't accept responsibility for doing something wrong. There's always an excuse, or it's someone else's fault.

 

Maybe the parking lot incident? She said that was a month ago.

 

Nope, found it. It was in a post that talked about the letter she sent about the parking lot incident.
"ok. Now, a month later. A complaint from a ESL teacher comes about me. You know, it's the same thing as knitting-reading situation, I admit! I let my guard loose. I work by butt off with those students, beyond of what I'm supposed to do. But yea, when I have free time, I go on and read my favorite russian forum. "

I had to get off the knitting-reading thing because the new one that anna compared to the knitting-reading thing that she learned from was reading the Russian forum instead of observing the students....

 

Oh reading the Russian forum, means she was on the computer and was supposed to be working........her personal things should be done during her lunch break/break.

Perhaps she does do good deeds as a parent volunteer...but subbing in the classroom is where the trouble comes.

 

I'm sorry about the confusing rant. Yes, my rants usually are confusing, because my thoughts jump around

There is no point in discussing why I was laid off this time. The theory goes that the ESL teacher complained about me not following lessons plans (which I'm usually meticuous about) and being on russian forum. I agree, I was wrong!

Let's just move on.

Here is another good example to see if I was doing something wrong, perhaps.

I worked for years in the high school Life skills class. We've had pretty good relationships with the teacher. She was the only one I admitted I have a teacher's liscense. The aides (3-4) didn't know about it, and I guess, they treated me accordingly. And then, one day, when I found enough courage to do the teaching I picked up the teaching job in this class. You should see the condenscending look the aides were giving me. I had almost no control of them. Not of the kids. This class functions in such a way that it's almost led by aides, the teacher is the conductor here. Almost, of course, she does do a little direct work with the students.

But when I tried to follow the plans that the teacher left me, which was first do #1, then #2, the aides ignored me and just went ahead and did it in the order they liked it. I didn't argue, I just don't come back to that classroom any longer, even though I like the kids.

Now, do you think I should've done something different in this situation.

 

I'm wondering if anna completely understands that in the US, we are not as straightforward as eastern european cultures like Russia - we tend to hide the meaning of things behind... words - like saying someone is a difficult parent, which might mean anything from "involve admin in all communications with this person" to "don't annoy them or they will scream like a banshee." Also, with difficult parents, you have to pick and choose your battles - do you really want a parent to cause a ruckus parent about their child disliking a snack (Although I think phrasing was key in this, it was most likely said blunter than most would appreciate)?

Honestly, it might help if you talk with some first generation Russian-Americans - ones born and raised in the US.

If they don't tell you where to park - just park in the main lot that everyone (any visitor to the school) uses. Don't know about around you, but here, buses tend to park in an area where cars are not legally allowed to park - only stop & stand momentarily to drop kids off when buses are not there.

Being engaged with the work would be being engaged with the students wholeheartedly. Not sitting next to them and doing activities not related to the education of the children.

You don't have to think of adults when at the school - you just need to remember the proper way to conduct yourself in a professional setting.

 

Yes. You didn't follow the plan. You should have told the aides no matter how many glares they gave you that Mrs. Jone's lesson plan was to do things in the following order. That lesson plan determines what they are supposed to do and by not following the plan they are not following Mrs. Jone's plan.

Your avoidance of conflict results in a lack of leadership.

So, yes, you were wrong.

 

Yes you should have done something different...you were the TEACHER in the room and was left a plan to follow, the aides in the room were your ASSISTANTS and were to follow your instructions.....you should have continued with the plans the teacher left for you to do and if the aides had a problem they could take it up with Admin, the SPED lead and the teacher.

Who is to say when the teacher returned and asked why her plans were not followed those same aides blamed YOU and said YOU chose to do things differently.

 

I can honestly say, my school doesn't get quality subs, if we even get them at all. When I leave my lesson plans I expect them to be followed if another teacher in the building is covering that has actually taught in my classroom, which is usually the case. Teachers that cover for me I know are quality teachers. If I knew for a fact that I was getting a sub (for a PD day) I don't leave plans that I expect to be done, usually something my students have already learned as a refresher.

With that said, teachers in that school may view you as a quality sub. Probably only under the assumption that you are a familiar face who has worked there for years. That you should be able to get the job done. Of course, teachers talk, aides talk.

The very few subs we do get we check out and tell admin if they are good or not. We have that privilege since usually every class has another adult in the form of paras or a co teacher. If we get a good quality one we speak up. If we get a horrible one we speak up.

Point being you build a reputation the more you work in one school. Ask any sub here. If the school cares about their subs, teachers fight for the good ones. However if your reputation is sullied by some questionable acts teachers won't want you to sub for them, or be annoyed if you are covering their classes.

Point being, you come to do a job. So do it as best as you can, follow directions left to the best of your ability. Assert yourself in the role even if it's just for one day. If you really wanted to be an educator you would take each job as a learning experience, as a whole, in the classroom, in the building, with any professionals you cross paths with.

 

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR READING THIS THREAD and all my long-winded hard-to-read rants!!!

Let's call it the end!

After some pretty deep reflection, and talking to friends and family, the main thing that I realized is that this was A BLESSING in disguise that I was thrown out of this school. Seriously, ever since the whole incident started about a month ago I'v been slowly going crazy analyzing it, loosing sleep at night, getting tense with my kids. And I didn't even know it until Fri night (after I was told not to come back)

A sub job (in one of 5 districts) is not worth it! I have plenty of schools left where I can practice my skills, being smarter in politics, more aware of administration and all those wonderful things

SO, THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

Anna, you first wrote of school struggles in 2008 and it seems your difficulties have continued.http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=74469
Take some time to reflect on what you have learned from this latest experience and over the past six years. What will you change?

 

wow, thanks czacza for taking the time to find the first thread and to actually listen to what I say!

it was very interesting to re-read that 7 year old post. See, I was almost a different person back then (too much happened in my life in 7 years that I joined) If you read it, you'll see I'm so docile there, I don't blame anybody but myself, and that's not necessarity so good for me..... fast forward to 2015, I still have pretty similar problems even though I'm now a different person and the way I write MOSTly get critical reaction.

Hmmm, it's time to reflect! I won't do it "outloud" here any more, VAHistory is right, it's not the place for it. I'll do it in my journal, and maybe I'll give you a link to read it

thanks again!