Teachers Can Be Bullied Too
http://www.tolerance.org/blog/teachers-can-be-bullied-too
Teachers Can Be Bullied Too
Editor's Note: The author of this blog wishes to remain anonymous.
I sat in the department meeting paralyzed by shock as the department head railed about an administrative “crackdown” on nonconformist teachers. Glaring across the room at me, she said, “We all need to be teaching the same thing at the same time. And people who don’t like it need to get out.”
This outburst wasn’t the first attack on my teaching. This teacher had gone out of her way to make me feel incompetent or fearful of losing my job several times. The practice of shutting my door and doing what I felt was best for students had earned me a reputation for being “not a team player.”
It is true my teaching style is different from that of most teachers in my department. But when I suggested technology-based projects or more diverse, relevant articles and novels during co-planning sessions, either my ideas were ignored or I was told they wouldn’t work. Very quickly I learned to keep my mouth shut and continued doing innovative, culturally responsive teaching behind my closed classroom door.
After an attack, I would feel depressed, physically sick with anxiety for days. These emotions were taking over my life—until I recognized what was happening. My veteran department head (1) had more power than I did, (2) aggressively tried to intimidate me, and (3) repeated her behavior over time. After several cycles of this I was able to call it what it was: bullying. She was bullying me.
Once I realized what was happening, I also realized I was not alone. TES Connect, an education website based in the UK, reports that one out of three teachers says he or she has experienced bullying at work. When we talk about eradicating bullying for our students, we also need to talk about confronting it amongst the faculty.
Identifying the bullying gave me direction and helped me put my self-doubt to rest. I started drawing parallels between my story and the bullying incidents I stopped in the school hallways and in my classroom. I realized that the same rules and ideas we give our kids to prevent and stop bullying apply to adult situations as well. And I started gathering my resources.
Bullying victims need allies. When I’m helping a student deal with bullying, I address the situation with school administrators and the guidance department to develop a comprehensive plan. I also provide the student with resources like the GLSEN website or novels like The Revealers. When targets of bullying feel supported, they are better able to empower themselves.
Armed with this knowledge, I sought out my own network of allies. From my research I knew that the principals and superintendent were responsible for ensuring a safe environment, so I called meetings with both. Although it didn’t create instantaneous change, I felt relieved I had taken a step to protect myself.
I also thought about the companionship and space I extend to my students who experience bullying; validation helps them to feel visible and stay solution oriented. To this end, I leaned on friends and family to help me remember who I was outside of school. They reminded me not to neglect my hobbies. They helped me laugh even when I felt it impossible. And they reminded me of the many times I’d helped others in my community.
Just like kids, teachers need peers to stand up and speak out. Principals and administrators can help by discussing adult bullying and implementing Speak Up training for youth and staff. In my case, a colleague who stood up for me publicly later asked me to be a witness for her in a harassment incident. This kind of support helps not only in the moment, but can help sustain us during what can be long struggles.
Many teachers who experience bullying at work simply leave; others detach so much from their work that their students suffer. I hope that including adult-on-adult bullying in our discussion during National Bullying Prevention Month and throughout the year can support a more comprehensive approach to creating (and modeling) supportive school climates for everyone. It behooves school leadership to protect the entireeducational community from bullying—teachers included.
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Comments
Submitted by mrscarterhla on 20 May 2015 - 12:55pm.
I have been bullied in my current workspace by other faculty members (not someone with more power than me, but peers). After over five years I was finally able to realize it was work place bullying, I am an emotional over-analyzer so while I have identified what it is it doesn't lesson the pain but it does let me cope. Teaching, when you are passionate and innovative, can be an incredibly issolating experience. This is why I have turned to online networks and edcamps to be around like-minded teachers to bouy me back up when I am in my shame-spiral. This was eye opening for myself and another co-worker who is experiencing something similar. Thanks for sharing, it does help to know I am not alone, teachers are so hard to get to share and reflect on both the positives and negatives, so it is no wonder that Teaching Tolerance didn't even recoginze it as a problem at first. Again, thank you for the post.
Submitted by Anonymous on 6 February 2015 - 1:02am.
I, too, have been bullied by a principal. I have taught for 22 years, and the bullying began a year ago. I have always received good ratings by 5 previous principals. Our school has seen a ridiculous turnover rate ever since this person has been in charge. I am one of the oldest teachers at the school, and I finally cannot meet the standard, apparently. I was "set up" last year with all ELL students and numerous behavior problems at the beginning of the school year. After enduring a year full of put downs by the principal and finally being "written up" because a child didn't bring home his homework folder, I began this school year on a peaceful note. But, low and behold, another teacher's "behavior problem" was put in my room in November, AND, ON THE SAME DAY, a new student(who the principal had already deemed a major problem) from another district also landed in my room. After having received several walk through evaluations this year, I have been told that my procedures are not in place. I have been set up, once again, for failure! What is most disappointing about this whole situation is that the children suffer. A teacher is sent back to their classroom to teach, after being reprimanded, time and time again, for such petty things. How is a teacher to teach and encourage beautiful children after being beaten to a pulp from the principal!
Submitted by Anonymous on 23 January 2015 - 12:06am.
I am not a teacher, but work at a Middle school. I hear and see a lot. I hear many complaints about the Principal. Some examples: If she has a problem with something they did, she does not pull them out of class, she goes in to class and yells at the teachers in front of their class, or during faculty meetings yells at them like there children. I had a run in with her about a pie. Yes a pie. She refuses to sign a recommendation letter for a teacher moving to another state. So on and so on. Last year she was put on a behavioral plan. At random staff members would receive an email,asking them to comment on the principals behavior. Most of the staff refused to reply. (except her buddies). Morale is low. This plan worked for a year. She's back to being her old self. Teachers don't know what to do. They think admin will do nothing and she will make their lives miserable.
Submitted by Anonymous on 15 January 2015 - 8:48am.
This happened to me a few years back. My department chair kept telling me she thought I would lose my job next year and that I needed to find a new job. She would tell me this weekly and emphasize that I needed to find somewhere else to work, because I was going to be fired. She refused to help me when I came to her for advice and would always reiterate that I was going to be jobless next year.
Never mind that she had zero authority to make that decision.
It made me physically sick for months. I stopped sleeping. I had nightmares. I thought I was going to lose my house because I couldn't pay my mortgage if I lost my job. I interviewed at several schools thinking that I was going to need to take any job offered because I was going to be jobless.
I asked my principal if it was true I was going to lose my job and she immediately called the other teacher in and asked her to stop. She reassured me I was not going to lose my job. The other teacher did not stop - and eventually the principal met with us together where she confronted the teacher and told her it was unacceptable to tell me that.
Today, I am at a different school (by choice) and I work with the best team. I love my job now - and I sleep well at night.
I had no idea that adults could be capable of bullying, but I definitely think I experienced it firsthand.
Submitted by Anonymous on 13 January 2015 - 10:19pm.
I wish that we would shift away from titles and simply say adults in schools. Adults at every level of schools can and are bullied. I have seen principals bullied by teachers, support personnel bullied by multiple titles, etc.
I am an admin who has intervened many times in bullying at work - part of the result is that adults then attempt to bully me. Most admins don't talk about it because dealing with "difficult" people is part of the job, and we are told to toughen up. However, we suffer some of the most vicious attacks - being physically assaulted and threatened, having cars tampered with, and being the targets of public campaigns to embarrass us, not to mention people who address our family members with their opinions.
The reasoning behind attacks on admin always have something to do with not agreeing with directives or vision. Attacks on other personnel are always addressed as cultural issues. The bottom line is that in schools, all adults are susceptible to bullying. It is even more dangerous in schools because there is a tendency for large groups to gang up on a few. This sets the tone for students.
Submitted by mscienceteacher... on 9 February 2015 - 11:00pm.
My name is Lori Evanko, I am the former principal, I.A. of JHS 125 Henry Hudson middleschool in the Bronx. I was bullied by my former Superintendent Timothy Behr, network leader Rudolph Rupnarain and cluster leader Jose Ruiz, because I refused to U-rate my 3 assistant principals and some teachers for no reason other then that is what they wanted. I also stood up for the school and did a comprehensive data analysis and found that almost 80% of our students entering 6th grade were reading significantly below grade level. JHS 125 Henry Hudson was slated to close but I wrote an action plan to the Deputy Chancellor in 2012 and he kept us open.
I moved the school from a F to a B in less then 8 months, and this year received Excellent in Reading. I was terminated in June of 2014 after I had to report a fraudulent act by one of my teachers.
I just want to say that I feel for all the educators that are bullied, harrassed and threatened. I know what it does to a person when you have to endure that day in and day out. My teachers and staff were amazing people who worked hard every day to help our struggling students My life could have been much easier if I would have just caved in and did the unspeakable things that they wanted me to do, but I could not live with my self if I did so. What this one teacher did to me, I hope that no one ever does to her. I commend all of you who stand up for our children everyday. You put your career and professional name on the line, you make yourself a target so the children do not have to endure the pain.
For me it is bittersweet that I fought for my teachers day in and day out and one teacher could do this to the school because she has connections has ruined everything me and my staff created virtually overnight. She is among many in education who either are supervisors, or are in other positions of power, or use others position of power to do wrong and not right. It is sad that NYCDOE is like this.
Principal says she was fired for reporting teacher‘s ‘fake’ internship
By Susan Edelman
December 20, 2014 | 11:33pm
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Kandis RiveraPhoto: Facebook
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A scandal over a teacher who allegedly falsified documents to get a master’s degree has ensnared a state Board of Regents member and a principal who claims she was fired for blowing the whistle.
Lori Evanko, ex-principal of JHS 125 in The Bronx, accuses teacher Kandis Rivera — the daughter of a retired city principal — of faking paperwork for a Fordham University internship last year, records show.
Kandis Rivera, 35, an English-as-a-second-language teacher under Evanko’s supervision, faked 275 hours of an administrative internship at the Soundview school, Evanko charges.
“An internship is rigorous,” Evanko told The Post. “You have to work with a principal and assistant principals on things like budget, curriculum, instruction, and be assigned certain responsibilities. She did none of that with us.”
Under Evanko, JHS 125 improved from an “F” grade in 2012 to a “B” in 2013. But the Department of Education abruptly fired Evanko on June 27 — nine days after she and two of her then-assistant principals met with agents of special schools investigator Richard Condon to report Rivera.
The SCI probe is ongoing, a spokewoman said.
Evanko has filed a claim against the city, saying she was fired in retaliation.
Rivera, a teacher since 2006, received a master’s degree in administration and leadership from Fordham’s school of education in May. The degree puts educators on track to become principals.
She has since gotten a big raise because teachers with Master’s degrees get bumped up the salary scale. She made $59,453 plus $9,138 in overtime for after-school tutoring in 2013.
Her salary is now $75,283.
Evanko’s complaint has entangled Kathleen Cashin, a member of the State Board of Regents, which oversees education statewide. Cashin, a former Queens school superintendent, is a Fordham professor and was Rivera’s internship instructor.
Evanko contends Rivera forged her signature on a document requiring the principal to agree to oversee the internship, but Fordham officials said that document is missing.
Another form stating that Rivera completed her internship was signed by PS 72 Principal Margarita Colon, described by Evanko as a “very good friend” of Rivera’s mom, retired principal Nilda Rivera. But Kandis Rivera never worked at PS 72, the DOE says. Colon would not explain when or how Rivera did the internship.
A DOE spokesman said Evanko’s termination was due to “school performance and her fit with JHS 125’s unique characteristics and needs,” and “in no way related” to her complaint against Rivera.
Submitted by Anonymous on 22 December 2014 - 10:06am.
I think that I have made some mistakes but it is clear that the department head is out for me. She's been teaching in the county for over 40 years, longer than I have been breathing. But she has done some nasty things where I am seeing a counselor/therapist to help me sort things out.
Being a Christian helps me to not lose heart or faith, because my students love me. She has yelled at me in front of them, and when you're working with at-risk youth, they know bullying behavior when they see it. She is a verbal abuser: instead of meeting with me on what is the issue, she'll pull me into a meeting with administration over the smallest things. Once they yell at me, (like a punch in the eye) she'll see me trying to explain why it wasn't necessary for me to lose teaching time over a small thing and then call me (try to bring me flowers) in that sense.
Lucky for me, I have a union rep involved. The latest development is that one of the administrators suggested that since I'm trying to sort out my emotions to be a better teacher, maybe I should look for a new job. That was fun to hear and brought me to tears. Then she waited for me to give her an answer!
Let me tell you in 2014 teacher bullying is real. I hope to get through this; friends and teachers say I should sue, but I'm waiting to meet with the district coaches on my "action plan" to bring this all up. At least my rep will be there; we'll see.
Submitted by Anonymous on 18 December 2014 - 11:13am.
I am a new teacher. First year. I want to be the best teacher I can be so my students get an excellent education.
I just feel like every little thing I do, I'm getting it shoved back in my face like I did something wrong. I'm one of those people who take CONSTRUCTIVE criticism well, but I have never had plain criticism before. It's really hard to deal with. I feel like I'm being compared to other teachers, and it's been taking toll on me.
At the beginning of the year, I felt like I could come to my principal without hesitation. For asking to leave a few minutes early for a doctor appointment or something like that, I would rather ask for permission than just do it. I like to ask about anything. My previous boss was phenomenal! I felt like I could ask her anything, even if she would say no. But now, with this new boss, I now feel like I can't come to her about anything anymore. I'm afraid to ask her something or even ask her for help because I feel like she will just find something else to "nit pick" about.
I guess, I just don't understand what I did that upset her so bad. I have made changes to asking to leave early. I've reschedule appointments so that I don't have to take time off during work. I am trying not to take any more sicks days (I only do those if I really have to - I really don't like taking off of work) because I will be out for my wedding in the spring.
I just don't know what to do, but now I have come to the conclusion that I am being bullied for some reason that I cannot put my finger on.
Submitted by Anonymous on 10 December 2014 - 11:45am.
I too feel bullied by the administrators at my school. So much so, that I am leaving the profession as soon as this school year is over. I am on my 22nd year and totally burned out. My administrator has called me into his office several times...the last time with a formal letter outlining all the things he doesn't like about me. I have missed a few after hours meetings and doesn't like the fact that I have gotten my real estate license. He cannot say anything negative about my teaching...I am a good teacher and I have all my lesson plans and grades in. He even gave me an assignment to talk to other teachers about him...which tells me he knows that he is not good with people. Anyway, it makes me feel physically ill...I have heart palpitations and feel nauseated. I HATE going to work!!! It is a shame because I am a really good teacher and have a good rapport with students.
Submitted by Anonymous on 28 January 2015 - 11:03am.
I didn't wait until the end of the school year, I resigned at semester break. My admin was relentless in bullying me and I had no idea what I had done to make her hate me so much. The bullying started my first year at the school 2 yrs ago then she gave me a break while she targeted 2 others to the point that one left last year at semester and one took early retirement after 27 years at the school. Then she started in on me again at the end of last year and put me on a collaborative improvement plan where I had to meet with her concerning the things she had issues with me about, and NONE of them had anything to do with my teaching abilities. She notified me that she wanted to meet with me and another person from the district office regarding putting me on a plan via email and in my reply I asked who the other person was and if I needed representation. She called me and told me that the other person was just someone from HR that wanted to be in the loop and there was no need to get the union involved. So naturally I got the union involved and all hell broke loose. Google bullying in the workplace and you'll find out that it's not you, it's the bully that has the issues.
Submitted by Anonymous on 21 January 2015 - 7:02pm.
I hear you!
Submitted by Anonymous on 21 November 2014 - 11:26pm.
Bullying is a common thing for teachers. There has been many times when I have had a concern. I ask for help or ideas, and a teacher feels I'm attacking them. There are teachers who are brushed off or cursed at for tying to do what's best for a student. Many come to a point where they don't care or quit. Sometimes that's a hard loss when a good teacher leaves. There are many teachers who have no respect. The many hurt the few because they don't want to try new ideas or, sadly, are threatened by a silly reason. Many teachers act this way in front of their students. We teach students that this behavior is bulling. This is not tolerated from students. We can't teach students that bullying is wrong until teachers stop wanting to hurt each other. All teachers need to practice what they preach for things to get better.
Submitted by Anonymous on 19 November 2014 - 7:56pm.
The question is: Why do public school principals have almighty power? They are paid with government funds, chosen by the superintendent who in turn is chosen by school board members, who in turn, are elected by the people. In my district, the reason is the “good old boys” policy: if you belong to that "club", you are immune. Why can one single bully principal make many people miserable to the point of them transferring or quitting? Shouldn't it be easy to fire a principal who has received several complaints, grievances, and his bully disrespectful misbehavior is well known through staff surveys and complaints? Why do those who are supposed to oversee principals not see that a principal's hiring policies are discriminatory? Why are schools like small kingdoms and the principals their kings who rule capriciously and tyrannically?
Schools are not private companies where the CEOs have the last word. Human Resource Departments are not complying with their duty. Bully Principals seem to always win. Teachers rather leave than stand for their rights. Staff is afraid of retaliation if they support the teachers who are being bullied, harassed and/or undermined. I cannot believe there is nothing that can be done to stop this problem.
It is so hypocritical to praise teachers on “Teachers Appreciation Week”, when the rest of the year teachers go through great scrutiny and are criticized and undermined by society and government. In most countries, teachers are revered. In Norway, it is easier to become a lawyer than a teacher, and teachers are better paid than lawyers.
I am standing for my rights. I am not giving up. I will follow through all the steps I must to stop this injustice,at least in my school and district. Bully principals must be fired. Principals are not kings, and if they act like such, they must be overthrown.
Submitted by tonysam on 21 May 2015 - 8:36am.
making it nearly impossible to remove them.
The problem in a nutshell stems from the fact principals are not closely supervsed and have ironclad job security. It takes an act of Congress to fire a principal.
The incompetent who fired me seven years ago has had five jobs in seven calendar years, counting the job she had when she dumped me. She should be in the unemployment line, but her mommy got her a job as a teacher with the district some 24 years ago, so she has never had to actually look for a job outside. She is a total incompetent, but she is protected. She is currently the president of her association, as insurance against a dumping, I am sure.
Submitted by Anonymous on 19 December 2014 - 6:28pm.
I was wondering if you have had any change in your situation. I am going thru a severe bullying situation and I cannot get relief. I have complained and documented and I am still not getting relief. I had to withdraw my son from my school because the administration started targeting you. Please tell me you have found a way to make things better.
Submitted by Anonymous on 2 February 2015 - 2:25pm.
I had been targeted for over 2 years. The only time my principal wasn't bullying me is when she went after 2 other teachers--one resigned at semester and the other one stuck it out until the end of the year and took early retirement after 27 yrs in the same school under a different admin. When this year started, she was back on me with a vengeance. And what made it really hard to take was she was so bi-polar about it, one day I could do no wrong and I needed to have as much confidence in myself as she had in me. Then the next day I'd get emails telling me everything I was doing wrong and that as a 3rd year employee, I should be able to do my job in my sleep! My colleagues knew what was going on but were too scared to do anything because they feared they'd be her next target. I ended up taking a leave of absence at the advice of my psychologist, psychiatrist and union rep. The union rep told me I needed to take a month to just get my mental health back on track and he'd talk to me about my options after that. When I went to talk to him, he pretty much told me there was nothing he could do and that if I went back, I'd be put on a professional improvement plan that would be monitored by the bully herself! I ended up milking them for all of my sick days and then resigned. The only reason I know anything about bullying is because I posted on a free legal advice board about my situation and the lawyer said it was my fault since I was going to be put on a plan when I got back. But someone else replied that I should google bullying in the workplace and workers compensation due to mental stress in my state. I did was cried when I read that IT WASN'T MY FAULT!! I fit the definition of the victim to a T and she fit the definition of a bully perfectly. When you think of bullying, you think of some big bad kid picking on someone weaker and smaller. That's not true when it comes to bullying in the workplace. Look into it online. Pretty much the only way to make things better is for you to leave or the bully leaves. May the force be with you :)
Submitted by Anonymous on 10 November 2014 - 2:41pm.
This writer is writing about a real problem. As the victim of bullying, gossiping, skilled liars, I find that I am not inclined to want to teach any longer. My idealist reasons for going into teaching were to contribute to the future of students and their families. I found that people who really want to contribute are not objects of praise but of criticism. I bought supplies and clothing for students. I encouraged students and their parents regularly to ensure that all was going well for all in my circle of educational influence. I spent over $1,000 per year and was never thanked. I chose not to gossip with other teachers; I chose not to listen to the negativity. I wanted to contribute positively to my environment. Positive is a bad word in the teaching profession. Play the game. It is all about playing the game and not about teaching. I have decided that the term "honest administrator" is an oxymoron as there are no such things as honest administrators. They do not pursue truth or justice.
Submitted by Anonymous on 3 December 2014 - 6:23am.
I left a school where I was bullied constantly. Why? Because I wasn't born here, didn't marry anyone from here. I was hired by a principal who was also not from here. My district is 10 years or more behind in many things. My principal (the first one) gave me the job of beefing up the technology. In two other counties I worked at, the principal told the teachers what to do, NOT the county office. She was fired, I was blackballed....for another nine years. That was the first principal. 8 years later, on of the teachers that was partially responsible for setting me up to loose my tech job became my principal. Then the real fun began.
Yes, I fought for myself. Yes, I used the union (hahahhaha). She would come in my room and scream in my face...Once I remember was being accused of YELLING at our CRT. I'm 50% deaf, and when very young persons are present, like on a sidewalk. I have no idea how loud I talk. At least I had a witness. Her stealthy visits continued. She massacred me on my evaluation. It is a good thing that for those two years (ESE three grade leves) my students test scores didn't allow her to sink me.
I left. I actually chose to teach at an alternative school in a pilot program. At least my superintendent understood. He called it "guilty by association" which is a pretty accurate way to put it. Since my ousting from Technology where I hold a Masters degree, I have been a reading resource teacher (that job ended when I was told I was bleeding too much money from the Title I fund-----and yes, I was very successful at it. Then I became an intervention teacher. Then I was told to get my ESE certification and put in a three grade level ESE Class.
I finally had enough and transferred to a pilot program. Usually general ed students do not go to an alternative school, only ESE children do, so this is brand new. I like it actually, If I wasn't teaching a six year class (K-5). I have a wonderful teachers assistant, full time, which I didn't have with the three grade level ESE class that I left. HOWEVER, when the principal saw my evaluation---even the superintendent knew it was lies--I was not the only victim, and she was finally fired. It is strange how principals believe what they read, and not reality. Before she saw it, I was treated very well.
The only exception is no one funding this new program. I spent well over $1000.00 in TEXT BOOKS just to get started. As typical, no thanks at all. Yet, she was still happy, still she saw, and apparently believed that evaluation. I work in a school with High-school, Middle School and Elementary. Elementary is new to the school, and she does not know much about. I have gone down the line to get textbooks in the proper fashion. Finally when I shared my problems with the Superintendent, things started happening. I was also called into her office and accused of "breaking protocol." I did what I did for my CHILDREN. When I talk to the principal, then the assistant principal......wait. Then call the woman in charge of Elementary Education Curriculum, the Assistant Superintendent before calling the Superintendent. I don't feel I broke protocol. I saw a list yesterday. I think I am finally getting books. Ever try teaching core without them? I have no computer either.
They brought in my old assistant Principal from my old school to take over the Elementary side of the school. He is a wonderful person, with a history very much like mine. He used to be a Principal. He has no idea why he was demoted. I am just thankful he is here.
I am seriously considering an early retirement, as I don't feel I can give a quality education to five grade levels no matter how hard I try. Especially with a shortened day. My kids leave at 1:00p. However I am in my 26th year, and would loose so much if I did, I have migraines, anxiety---yet I am in a better place. (shows my options!!!) I hope I can turn some of these severe behavior problems around, so they can go back to their home school. I just don't want them to get behind. I smell more problem I they do.
In this profession there are times when you can win for losing!!!
Submitted by Anonymous on 20 November 2014 - 6:14pm.
Amen! Administrators harass teachers & play "gotcha" games because if they didn't, there wouldn't be anything for them to actually do. Thus, bullying earns them hefty 6 digit salaries. Let's face it, most administrators are failed classroom teachers, who sought refuge in a higher paying job where they could deal with less or no children directly on a daily basis. Ten years of successful classroom teaching used to be a pre-requisite (in NY) for principals and assistant principals. Then that requirement was reduced to 5 years in the classroom, and now it's been chiseled down to 3 years or less. We must laugh at the IRONY! Inexperienced, failed classroom teachers are at the helm and overseeing teachers who've taught longer than most of these administrators have lived! Why don't these enlightened leaders do demo lessons for us benighted faculty so we can really see a Charlotte Danielson "Distinguished Teacher" in action! You are so right about playing the game. Teaching could NEVER be a profession which relied on MERIT pay because of all the favoritism & nepotism. I've yet to meet a principal who didn't have his or her "pets."
Submitted by Anonymous on 10 December 2014 - 11:47am.
VERY well-said!!! Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo true!!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous on 12 November 2014 - 6:00pm.
Is there an online support group for teachers who have been bullied out of the work place? I recently put in my resignation notice due to the fact that even after I notified both principal and vice principal that I'd been struggling with long term medical issues they continued harassment until I couldn't take being sick and the undue stress they were both putting on me by their unequal and unfair requirements.
Submitted by Anonymous on 26 November 2014 - 12:28pm.
I am sorry that this has happened to you. I had a similar experience and I have written a movie and I am looking to crowd-fund this movie that addresses the issue of #WorkplaceBullying and much more!
Submitted by Anonymous on 10 January 2015 - 11:02am.
I have always thought this would be a great movie idea. How are you coming along with the movie? I would love to contribute or support. Is it more of a documentary or a satire approach?
My email is emelauren@verizon.net
Submitted by Anonymous on 16 November 2014 - 1:58pm.
I agree,
I have recently been pulled out of work because of the undue stress and the anxiety that I have had build up since the beginning of the school year. Additionally, it does not help that the environment is really negative and that I am new to the school. This is not my first year of teaching.
Submitted by Anonymous on 22 November 2014 - 9:03am.
I'm also at a new school. I've been called in the principal's office recently to be told that a couple teachers have reported that I am mean and rude to them. It was such a shot from the dark. I had just left one of their rooms commenting how nice and festive it looked while she was decorating. The issue is, the teachers that reported this about me are mad at the world. The rant at the students, about policies, about the current principal, ... let's just say not happy with just about anything. Matter of fact, when I first started the school year - one of them told me the other one was crazy. In reverse, one told me the other one was a bitch. Now they are partners in crime, and I'm the victim. I have had some frustration this year trying to familiarize myself with all the procedures and policies, but not once have I used a cross word or lacked professionalism. I realize that I'm dealing with women that are wound-up tight and misery loves company, but even knowing the truth - the lies are hurtful. All I can do is continue being the friendly, hard-working, professional person I've always been described to be and pray for their dark hearts.
Submitted by Anonymous on 20 November 2014 - 11:11pm.
my principal is currently bullying me -
nitpicks about everything - I am a great teacher and am not sure what to do
Submitted by Anonymous on 20 November 2014 - 10:29pm.
I am having trouble with my principal-
I am looking up to see exactly what is bullying? - Accusing you of things you are not doing - like wearing jeans on the wrong day. Asking for your work earlier than other teachers- asking me to email extensive lesson plans each week of 10 plus pages. Watching and timing every move I make.
Submitted by Anonymous on 28 January 2015 - 2:16pm.
Google bullying in the workplace. You will find that you are not alone nor or you to blame.
Submitted by Anonymous on 8 November 2014 - 2:38pm.
What if a student is bullying the teacher, and the principal is a "gool ole boy" and simply tells the student that he/she needs to remember that women teachers sometimes get moody?
Submitted by Anonymous on 6 November 2014 - 10:28pm.
I read your post with interest, but it leaves me with questions.
Let's put the shoe on the other foot. What if this administrator were the one writing the post? I'll try to use some of your own words.
A veteran administrator has a vision for their department. She has the support of most of her colleauges, but there is one teacher who insists on doing things his(?) own way. Instead of working collaboratively with the rest of the staff, he tends to simply do things the way he thinks best. Sometimes, he tries to convince the group of his ideas at meetings. Often, the rest of the staff are too polite to disagree, so they tend to ignore him. Sometimes they tell him that his ideas are impractical. Over time, he has retreated to his classroom, often shutting the door (the department has an "open door" culture) and shutting out his colleagues even further.
The department head is frustrated with this situation, but she knows that the powerful teachers' union would side with the teacher and prevent dismissal or transfer. Her recourse? Tell the teacher what she thinks. Let her feelings out. Hopefully the uncooperative and uncollaborative teacher who thinks that his methods are better than everyone else's will just... leave.
I suspect the truth of the situation is somewhere in the middle of these two accounts.
Submitted by Anonymous on 17 December 2014 - 6:08pm.
I'm sorry, but you simply dismissed complaints and stated that the truth was probably in the middle. I totally disagree with you. These days for sure the truth is most frequently stated by the people in the trenches doing the daily work with the students. I work in a district that looks great on the outside, and they have quite the reputation, but if outsiders could view what is really going on they would be shocked. In local college circles we are considered a bit arrogant, and we live up to that assessment. We know everything and don't need beyond the county to bring the world to the students. National and international professional learning programs are not even mentioned or recommended by administration to the staff. The select few present at conferences programs that have been introduced, but were those listeners to visit the schools they would discover much is no longer as it was presented, and some programs have never been run as they were intended. We appear innovative, when in fact we are often manic in our behaviors. Once programs are introduced, they are not smoothed out, refined, or discarded before more are introduced.
This year there has been more teacher absenteeism than we have experienced in my more than 20 years tenure, and most of the absences can be traced back to teachers being stressed, overly tired, and too weak to fight off diseases. It is the first time I have seen teachers crying in meetings, and in the halls, because they are so overburdened. I see hard working capable teachers, who are literally drained, and these are dependable people who will try to do what is best for students daily. They receive words of praise, and then they are given more tasks. Collaboration does not exist. Opinions are requested, often from the favorites, and the district then does as the administrators wish. That would be fine, if our time wasn't wasted pretending that we have choices.
I have been bullied by administration for a very long time. Some of the problem is that I think differently. That is partially because I have different ethnicity, I have worked in business as well as education, plus I have extraordinary world experiences along with a fine education. Additionally I am an artist, but that is not my responsibility as an educator. I have taught in Asia in the 21st century. Those many experiences have provided a more complete understanding of what other countries are doing in education, and my mission is to ensure that my students are prepared for the challenges they will face. For those who have had more narrow experiences that can be threatening.
My Herculean task this year is that I, a teacher who is assigned to facilitate nonfiction language arts analysis for our entire 6th grade group, was informed at the beginning of school that I will teach with all lessons focusing on Africa. I am not to use the grade appropriate social studies text which contains that information more than 12% and the rest of the information should come from online--getting students ready for the PARCC. So, I am developing curriculum as I teach the students. There was no discussion about whether or not I know anything about the topic. There were no materials offered, and needless to say no training. What is not understood is that online articles are written based upon popularity of topic and writers' personal interests. Reading level appropriate content on Africa is hard to find--even in databases that have differentiated reading level materials. Since the curriculum person never checked, there is no understanding that wishes are not always realities. Nothing was brought to the meeting when I was told what I would be doing and the parameters of my responsibilities under this change. I had to argue for the text book, source a class set for my students, get materials from the library. I had to insist on a class size map for students to view, and it took 9 weeks for the only wall resource to arrive. The first rotation was over within three weeks after that installation. This might not seem like bullying, but developing a quality curriculum requires knowledge, reflection, refinement, etc. over time. My students deserve more than whatever their teacher can put together as the year flies by.
These requirements were made to make me retire because I am one of those costly experienced teachers, and it was justified because the students are going to be assessed in social studies this year by the state. I am also to use statistics with my students so they will be ready for the PARCC math test. It's as if I, a language arts teacher don't have obligations to focus on language arts components, which will also be tested. We are also going through the new teacher evaluation process this year. I am being evaluated on content I have only known about for 4 months rather than a fully developed highly successful program that I have developed over the past couple of years. I was not even allowed to attend the inquiry training that was offered earlier this year, yet the students start out gathering information about Africa (inquiry), but need to end up knowledgeable enough to defend issues about politics, economics, geography, or religion (persuasion/argument). A well established author, who is an expert on these topics and his students have taken the test, was here, but I couldn't attend. My class is rotational, and 1/3 of the students will not even receive most of the information before being tested. All of this magic is to occur within 12 weeks and the students enter with limited to no prior knowledge. I do not work in a poor district, and were the parents to become aware of this year's events, they would be livid!
Statements people have made about favoritism would be true in many situations. Administrators today do tend to have much less in classroom experience (or no experience) than when I attended school. It may have been long ago, but I had real savvy people who guided my academic development. My district has changed over time. Our superintendent used to be a source of information. He certainly appreciated our staff with seniority. Our curriculum director used to walk around with books in her hands. Now the most common response when content questions are asked is to direct us to the state department of education. The current super doesn't even visit most classrooms, but he has certainly taken advantage of many photo opportunities. If those in charge don't know answers to important questions, and they are unwilling to acquire the knowledge, that means classroom teachers are being evaluated on performance by people who really don't know what individual teachers are supposed to teach. That has happened every since the common core standards have been introduced. There has been so much back peddling and dissemination of incorrect information. Teachers have spent hours doing as instructed--only to be told later that they needed to do something else. Often it is because they were given the wrong information in the first place.
Please, before you dismiss other people's painful experiences, you can learn from them. If that is not your reality, you are fortunate. Schools cannot afford to lose quality and innovative teachers. It is never okay to belittle and/or dismiss others. The purpose of collaboration is to get as many ideas as possible on the table. It may not be feasible or desirable to use them, but at least there has been an opportunity to hear them. Otherwise, there is no reason for people who are denied a voice to attend any meetings or volunteer. Additionally, public schools cannot be run without teachers, and yet they are rarely given the proper respect that has been earned over time. There is nothing like working where you are appreciated--I am forever grateful for my Asian experience, because I was treated with respect, and thanked for my contributions frequently.
Submitted by Anonymous on 21 November 2014 - 6:24pm.
I was bullied for 8 years, didn't know thats what they were doing ,this had put me off teaching. Why i did i stay for so long because where i worked this was happening to students by teachers belive me i stuck up for them and by doing so i got it however i was more thick skined but that wares after a while until their bullying finally got to me and my health suffered and i had no choice but to leave, i couldn't work in an enviroment with these people as the saying goes" birds of a feather stick together" and i was the odd one who was out!!
Submitted by Anonymous on 2 November 2014 - 1:51pm.
Being abused on the job and witnessing abuse of children, especially those with problems, by teachers, can be really traumatizing, not only for the victims, but for witnesses of this sort of abuse, as well. Moreover, it'll come back to haunt the perpetrator(s), too, at some point, which, imho, would serve the perpetrator(s) right.
Submitted by Anonymous on 30 October 2014 - 12:19am.
Remember that many principals will do whatever it takes to bully teachers. I have personally experienced principals that have custodians monitor teacher's bathroom habits (seriously). I have seen principals use lunch ladies, paras, and bus drivers to dig dirt on teachers.
Remember to use your union. Know your collective rights. If you are in a difficult position with your principal, respond to EVERYTHING with a question.
Principal: I hear you were not on time for duty today.
Teacher: Really? I would like to know who said that. You will let me know who said it because I know you respect my rights to due process, right?"
If principal refuses to tell you who, then tell the principal that you have a right to face your accuser.
Always say, I that you are confused and you need PRECISE clarity. Keep asking questions till the principal gets frustrated. YOU DO NOTHING WRONG FOR ASKING FOR CLARITY!
For anymore advice/input.... eml me at ingmanphipsi@yahoo.com
Submitted by tonysam on 21 May 2015 - 8:41am.
That is the dirty secret in education. Administrative law is a joke. You have to have an outside lawyer to fight school districts, and, chances are, you will never get your job back if you are terminated.
Submitted by Anonymous on 29 October 2014 - 9:48pm.
Hello All,
I am a sped teacher and too have been bullied. I experienced the harrasment. I don't want to go too much into it but I am a moderate/severe teacher and we (the program) are new on the campus.The principal and the director of sped don't knwo what to do with us. I have a problem student who requires a one to one. Theyr efuse to give it to me. SO I did ask at least for a male iade since the student is strong and the aides felt threatened. I was told in a meeting these direct word, "Let's get this straight, you will never ever ever get a male aide. Do you understand?" I felt belittled. This to say since there are great problems I now have two male aides. Then they ( the principal and the director of sped) secretly tricked me into a meeting without my union rep to blame me for things I had no part in. I was able to prove them wrong to their faces and had emails to prove it. It was horrible and I felt defeated. We are low in staff in my class compared to the other SD Sped classes and well I am scared every day to go to work and have to talk myself into it. I feel bullied :(
Submitted by Anonymous on 20 October 2014 - 5:27pm.
Wow. Least I'm not alone. My principal has been slowly edging me out of a permanent job for the last few years. This year he gave me one class and has now decided to change me to resource work from Mid Term. He has off yet failed to give me a good reason for this. I no longer feel safe and secure going into work and I am just hoping I survive enough to last until June when with any luck I'll be on career break.
Submitted by Anonymous on 20 October 2014 - 5:26pm.
I have been feeling picked on by my principal this year. I recognize my own voice in the many messages posted here. Your description of feeling physically sick, anxious, depressed. My plan is to stick it out. I will request a new school assignment next year. In my field these transfer requests are usually honored. I am not sure how to handle all the questioning of my caseload numbers and schedule. I feel like asking the principal, what is she would like to see so that I can be sure to provide her with the information she wants in the way she wants it. A friend of mine left last year. She had a heavy middle Eastern accent and the principal was constantly questioning her lesson plans, her following of the paperwork requirements. A little racism perhaps?
Submitted by Anonymous on 6 October 2014 - 8:45pm.
I am a paraprofessional in a special ed autism classroom. The teacher I work for is abusive to the kids--she is constantly in their faces, nose to nose (literally touching noses with them), yelling at them, putting them down, pulling them, pushing them. She grabbed one boy by the skin under his neck and said he was too fat to feel it. She rolled one kid up in a weighted blanket and had another para hold his arms down while he was kicking and screaming, and when he spit at her she took a paper towel and shoved it in his face while his arms were still being held. She has yelled at kids until they cried, and then said, "I don't feel sorry for you" and made fun of them for crying. She has put her heads against students' foreheads and pushed back against their heads. She yells at them for not getting the right answers. The other two paras in the classroom worship the ground she walks on and are guilty of similar offenses. I reported her to the principal (twice) and asked to be removed from her classroom, and the princial always "talks to her", and then she hates me even worse. She has always been cold to me, and I am the whipping person in the classroom. They exclude me from conversations, never give me any work to do, and constantly criticize me (I have a special ed. teaching certificate). I am new in the classroom and can't believe this teacher has been there for four years without other people reporting her beahvior. All this has caused me so much stress--I have heartburn and am losing sleep, and I had a minor panic attack before work the other day. I am thinking about quitting, but I know if I can just stick it out until March she will be gone for the year (on maternity leave). My life is so awful right now, and I don't even make enough to pay my bills. I never imagined working for the school system could be so awful.
Submitted by Anonymous on 24 November 2014 - 6:05am.
I respect the teacher that's spoken up but this sounds like something that might need to be addressed above the principal these kids are vulnerable and right now you may be their only advocate think of it as your a God send they can not speek but you can on their behalf and you should
Sophia
Submitted by Anonymous on 4 November 2014 - 8:58pm.
The teacher I work for isn't that bad to the students...but to us para's she is just like the black plague...only I don't want to insult that disease. With the kids...she is just like an overprotective helicopter mother...but with us...we are to never tell the parents or anyone else if the students hurt us or another student. She doesn't like something you do...she will make an issue of this in front of the students and other employees. Then...with the parents...she will pit each one against us and each other.
In my second year at this school...we got a set of new students. One of these...the mother had sued the district and won by bugging his wheelchair with a hidden recording device. At the time...she said that because he was a student in the classroom...she was able to do this because he gave consent. Several people got fired because of this incident...while nothing was done to her for felony wiretapping.
Going up to this year...the mother hired some paid consultants to come into the classrooms and force the district to do whatever she wants. The worst part is she was bragging at the first of the year this behavior of this parent would never happen...since they are the best of friends. Actually...the teacher and the principal is getting it from the parent as well.
Myself...I was evaluated without my permission by these outside special ed consultants she hired and only knew about it afterwards by being some in the district. If this wasn't enough...a week or so after this...I broke down in the hall in tears (I'm a middle-aged man in my mid-50's) with this non-verbal student screaming at the top of his lungs...as well as throwing out random phrases from his tablet he uses to "talk" with because he was bored and disturbing every class. When the teacher came into the hallway where we were...I told her that there was no way I could deal with this student. Of course...she reported it to the special ed department...including my emotional breakdown and got me where I was working with any other student but this one. Immediately after this happened...was told to keep a journal of everything which is done and said in the classroom by a district employee who has worked with this student and teacher in the past at whatever schools they were in. I'm in the third month of keeping this journal.
Coming up to the present day...I am the one with him every afternoon and it takes everything I have to not walk away from this. To make matters worse...the mother is dictating what will happen in the classroom...so nothing can actually be done for/with this child than give him a time-out of three minutes and having it happen all over again for the period and the day...per the directions of the teacher. Anything else...she will sue. Have even applied for other jobs in the district...but never got past an interview a couple of weeks ago. Actually...am dreading the time with this student seems to fill my every waking moment...even when I am with students who I love teaching. The dread I feel has gotten so bad...especially after the interview...that I have had thoughts of hurting myself...if I can't find another position in the district. I was praying I could last until the end of the year...but with the thoughts I've been having...I'm not sure what I can do if some of the other positions in the district don't come through. As for quitting...being single with no other available support...that would be like hurting myself when I become homeless.
Submitted by Anonymous on 1 November 2014 - 12:46pm.
Document the reports you've made to the principal. Call CPS. Those children have no power and are in the hands of three adults who abuse theirs. CPS will thoroughly investigate. Then parents will be aware and it will be taken out of the principal's hands entirely.
Submitted by Anonymous on 18 October 2014 - 9:50pm.
A comment earlier mentioned verbal abuse; this woman has crossed the line to physical abuse the moment she came in contact with a student (pushing foreheads?!) The kids need to be protected from this harmful behavior. And you do, too! October to March is far too long to tolerate this intolerable situation. A person with your obvious compassion, skills and education deserves so much better. If there are really no jobs out there in your school board, consider applying to an independent school. Many have started to admit that, yes, they do have students with special needs and learning disabilities and hiring appropriately to offer support. If your doctor could write you a note recommending a stress leave, that might help you get some perspective and start a search for a more rewarding (and sane) job. Good luck!
Submitted by Anonymous on 17 October 2014 - 9:21am.
If your principal won't do anything about her, you need to report her to CPS or maybe the state board of education. At the very least, this is verbal abuse.
Submitted by Anonymous on 12 October 2014 - 3:47am.
I would be careful about how you report. I would record it if possible and then leak it to the local news. I would like to tell you to talk to HR about it...but that can be iffy as well. If the principle is not going to do anything about, you can do that.
Submitted by Anonymous on 8 October 2014 - 2:02pm.
I can tell you, from experience, that waiting it out until March will do you absolutely no good. Your teacher may going on maternity leave, but her minions will still be there, which means your life will still be a living hell. I was SPED (Autism) para until I was dismissed by my psychopathic principal 2.5 years ago. I was fired because I actually had the gall to report her for illegal sexual harassment and violating her own "no-touch" policy with the kids. Her minions, including several SPED paras, reported me for everything and anything that I did "wrong"; they essentially workplace mobbed me out of a job.
I thought that I would just "stick it out" until my principal retired at the end of the school year, but I was fired 1 month before the end of the school year. I now am coping with PTSD and the inability to live a normal life without several emotional and psychological problems. It sounds like you are getting towards the same place I am with losing sleep and panic attacks. Please for you own sake, get out now. It will save you much pain and suffering in the end.
Submitted by Anonymous on 10 November 2014 - 9:17pm.
I am so sorry this is happening to you. Last year I quit after being bullied by my principal. It was a hard time. I was sick, felt worthless and wanted to die. It has taken a year for me to feel better and gain my confidence back. I think you are definitely experiencing PTSD. I know I did. Please know that you are not alone. Please know you have worth.
Submitted by Anonymous on 14 October 2014 - 8:40am.
Leave now!!!
Submitted by Anonymous on 14 October 2014 - 8:06am.
Leave...if you can leave leave. You will get another job. Special ed teachers are in demand but if you stay there it will just get worse. I agree with the comment of get out now!
Submitted by Anonymous on 12 September 2014 - 4:03pm.
I am a first time teacher. I have a license in SPED and that is what I wanted but after applying all over the state I finally received a job. The other schools did not want to hire me because I had no teaching experience and I understood but also how do you get experience. Well a county about an hr from my home called and in the interview they wanted me for my computer skills to teach the computer ICT1 class for 7th graders and she told me there was a ICT1 class I would need to take. Well I love computers and I thought awesome! I can do this. The pricipal told me I would have tons of support and a coach assigned to me. Well I did not sign the contract for about a month waiting to see if something closer came and it did not.
I took the job and they gave me a ICT1 curriculum book for me to teach from. Then the next time I went to the school she proceeded to tell me that I would have some students in the class who needed reading help and they would be on a computer program. Ok I can see that because they are a D school and many can't read. Well the first week of school I was told I was not teaching ICT1 and all my students were going to be doing reading horizon and plato programs. Now the students are getting credit for ICT1 but I am not teaching them and then yesterday I was told I was giving them a grade in ICT1.
To top it all off I get yelled at and scolded if we have a hard time with the internet. She says there are no excuses and we have no time to waste because when testing comes we want to be an A school. Well we are working off the schools guest internet! She came in the room one day and a few students were trying to log back on while I was helping another log on. She looks at me and asks what time is it, I told her and she said this is not acceptable you have been in class for 10 min and students are still logging in. I explained what was going on and she gave me a dirty look and waked out.
The students see how she treats me and they make comments but I tell them they need to pay attention to their computer program. I am at such a loss and do not know where to turn. I do not feel right about giving grades for something they have not learned but I also can't loose my job! or be on the do not hire list?
Any suggestions would be so helpful. thanks