D
dsny1
Guest
Illinois -I am a teacher with 22 years in the same district. We have a new principal that has been making our lives miserable by talking about us negatively to other teachers and administrators, as well as embarassing us in front of parents and children. We have gone through many processes to help reach a better working environment, but the thrust of the need for correction has always been aimed at us. As a result, seven teachers requested a transfer to another building. Because this is only a 3 building district, this would be difficult without disrupting others. However, the superintendent repeatedly asked in his newletter if anyone was interested. Now the seven of us that reqested the transfers are being generally harassed by the administration and board of education. Two of us that have always been vocal and have represented the rest of the staff in this and many other matters have been the target of slanderous remarks. As I am one of the two, I want out. The most recent offense was when my principal apparently discussed with the principal of the other building an email I sent her requesting advice on where to send children that are to be kept in from recess by parental request. That principal then announced at a faculty meeting that my principal had received a "most disrespectful email from a teacher, and if one of my teachers had sent me that email, I would send them to Jay (the superintendent) immediately".
I sent this principal an email asking if my email was the one in question, so that I could clarify my intentions since we might be working together next year. This was at the advice of my IEA rep who saw nothing wrong with my email.I received no response. I then asked the principal in person if she had received my email. She said yes and started to walk away. When I asked for an answer to my question, she said she didn't wish to discuss it, and continued to walk away.
Parents have come to us complaining that they are being contacted by the one ally that our principal has and she is telling them that we don't know how to teach reading and that is why she has so many students (40 out of 500). Perhaps the most upsetting for me is that a board memeber whose child is in my class has told parents that we are being unprofessional by contacting parents about this situation. None of us have contacted or talked to a parent about this. We have been very careful to try to remedy the situation within our building and then within the district so that the children would not be affected. Our secretary of 18 years was the first to quit. A fellow teacher is retiring at the end of the year because of this. I want to resign, but I am five years from retirement as I will only turn 50 this July. As a result I will lose a huge amount toward my pension. Do I have any recourse? What I would like is some type of settlement, because I really feel that these statements have damaged the repuation that I worked 22 years to build. I will be unable to find another teaching job, first because there will be no recommendation from superiors, and secondly because I have experience and my Masters plus hours. I apologize for being so wordy. I wanted to include any info you might need, although there is so much more. This is a very emotional issue for all involved. Thank you for your help.
I sent this principal an email asking if my email was the one in question, so that I could clarify my intentions since we might be working together next year. This was at the advice of my IEA rep who saw nothing wrong with my email.I received no response. I then asked the principal in person if she had received my email. She said yes and started to walk away. When I asked for an answer to my question, she said she didn't wish to discuss it, and continued to walk away.
Parents have come to us complaining that they are being contacted by the one ally that our principal has and she is telling them that we don't know how to teach reading and that is why she has so many students (40 out of 500). Perhaps the most upsetting for me is that a board memeber whose child is in my class has told parents that we are being unprofessional by contacting parents about this situation. None of us have contacted or talked to a parent about this. We have been very careful to try to remedy the situation within our building and then within the district so that the children would not be affected. Our secretary of 18 years was the first to quit. A fellow teacher is retiring at the end of the year because of this. I want to resign, but I am five years from retirement as I will only turn 50 this July. As a result I will lose a huge amount toward my pension. Do I have any recourse? What I would like is some type of settlement, because I really feel that these statements have damaged the repuation that I worked 22 years to build. I will be unable to find another teaching job, first because there will be no recommendation from superiors, and secondly because I have experience and my Masters plus hours. I apologize for being so wordy. I wanted to include any info you might need, although there is so much more. This is a very emotional issue for all involved. Thank you for your help.