PokerBob gets screwed at work. What would you do?(tl;dr) - Page 10

cdxx · #91 06-08-2006, 02:07 AM

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A student who I had as a junior and just graduated was appalled to hear that TTWC will potentially be teaching all the advanced classes, and offered to get some of the best kinds in the school to go piss in the principal's ear about TTWC's incompetence. Do I accept this offer?

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Yes. This sounds like a better play than doing it yourself, imo, since they would be perceived as far less biased.

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PB,

i was in a similar situation where i was being screwed by the prof teaching a course and i was one of his TAs. my strongest defense was that no student could ever complain about me, or even prefer a different section over mine.

in the end, i felt that it was very unethical for me to ask the students to rally for me. if they chose to do that, i'd thank them, but i couldn't advise them to jeopardize their own status at the school. and even if they could, that would only perpetuate difficult relationships between you and your colleagues.

i think the best course of action is to firmly bring this matter to TAP, TTWC, and possibly TNG. first privately, then collectively if needed. if your grievance is not resolved, i would seriously consider quitting.

PokerBob · #92 06-08-2006, 02:11 AM

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A student who I had as a junior and just graduated was appalled to hear that TTWC will potentially be teaching all the advanced classes, and offered to get some of the best kinds in the school to go piss in the principal's ear about TTWC's incompetence. Do I accept this offer?

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Yes. This sounds like a better play than doing it yourself, imo, since they would be perceived as far less biased.

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PB,

i was in a similar situation where i was being screwed by the prof teaching a course and i was one of his TAs. my strongest defense was that no student could ever complain about me, or even prefer a different section over mine.

in the end, i felt that it was very unethical for me to ask the students to rally for me. if they chose to do that, i'd thank them, but i couldn't advise them to jeopardize their own status at the school. and even if they could, that would only perpetuate difficult relationships between you and your colleagues.

i think the best course of action is to firmly bring this matter to TAP, TTWC, and possibly TNG. first privately, then collectively if needed. if your grievance is not resolved, i would seriously consider quitting.

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fwiw, the kid has contacted me. i just said, "i can't tell you what to do. do what you think is best. this is my problem, not yours. besides, it is summer and you should be doing things other than worrying about what happens at a school you don't go to any more."

DarkForceRising · #93 06-08-2006, 02:30 AM

TAP sure is one major league fccking cnnt. Willfully denying kids the best educational experience possible as a vehicle for her personal power-trip/gripe is disgusting.

Hire a private detective to gather some dirt on her (there has gotta be something). Forward said dirt to the appropriate authorities and destroy her career. It is the right thing to do.

PokerBob · #94 06-08-2006, 03:02 AM

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TAP sure is one major league fccking cnnt. Willfully denying kids the best educational experience possible as a vehicle for her personal power-trip/gripe is disgusting.

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in all fairness, this may not be her actual intention and i may just be paranoid. but those i have talked to cannot come up with another plausible explanation for why she would remain silent about TTWC's competence.

zephed · #95 06-08-2006, 04:29 AM

Bob, I think you are screwed here. I guess you can let your fellow science teachers know how pissed off this makes you.

Tell them you don't appreciate them bending you over and applying the KY. I really think if you mention the act of ass [censored] around them, they may get your point and will be willing to reschedule.

If it fails, I would put zero effort into anything for the department. Just teach and explore other options. Chances are another school in the area is aware of your success with the physics program.

jaybee_70 · #96 06-08-2006, 05:46 AM

PB,
You won't like to hear this, but when you took the year off you were only guaranteed a position. You were not guaranteed the same administration, staff, or schedule. Obviously a lot can change in a year. For your own peace of mind you must make the best of this situation and make it work or move on. You are lucky enough to have options, evaluate them and proceed accordingly.

1) Do not give up yet on trying to reason with TTWC and THG. You still might be able to work out a compromise as a staff that you can bring to the new principal and/or TAP. You have a few months still to get this done.

2) Accept the challenge of your new schedule. Teaching chemistry can be a fun learning experience. You will become a more rounded teacher and a better hire if you must move on. Schedules can be revisited at the end of the year.

3) Look for a more satisfactory position at another school or district.

4) Is your heart still into teaching? Could you be taking the changes harder because there is reluctance to go back to teaching?

5) Change of career. Science, Poker, car wash, whatever floats your boat.

Whatever you do, don't become a malcontent at work. It isn't good for you or the kids. If you do have legitamite concerns about TAP, or TTWC then report facts not opinions to the principal. Thats what is best for the kids and respectful to your coworkers. Change is difficult, but you're a smart guy with options. You'll do fine. (damn, hope that doesn't sound patronizing. It's late for me.)

Joe

RedBean · #97 06-08-2006, 10:38 AM

Bob, tell the new principal you want at least one AP physics class in order for him to be able to make a comparitive decision when it comes to next year's schedule.

When he sees the difference between your AP Physics results versus TNG's AP Physics results...then if you are as good as you say, you should have a full slate in year 2.

MaxPower · #98 06-08-2006, 10:57 AM

Bob,

I think the people who would influence the new principal the most are the AP students and their parents. Those kids and their parents will want the best teachers that give them the best chance of scoring well on the AP Exam.

If the word were to get out that you were not teaching any of the AP courses and a few of the top students and possibly their parents talked to the principal about it, I bet the situation would change in a hurry.

The parents just need to let the pricipal know that he cannot allow any politcs to get in the way of their childs education.

The questions is, how do you make this happen without personally getting involved? I don't know.

The DaveR · #99 06-08-2006, 11:01 AM

Bob, get the teachers and principals in the same room. Tell your version of the story. Keep it positive. Explain how in years past intro classes were evenly distributed for fairness. Explain that you would like to teach AP Physics--you started the program, the students test well, you enjoy it. Explain that it seems fair, given these circumstances, that you get AP Physics. Explain further that it seems obviously unfair that you were given nothing but intro classes. Say, "Look at the schedules. Doesn't this seem unfair?"

The key here is getting them all together and putting them in a situation where they have to justify the inequity.

Cry Me A River · #**100** 06-08-2006, 11:10 AM

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but those i have talked to cannot come up with another plausible explanation for why she would remain silent about TTWC's competence.

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It's the path of least resistance. She knows she can't get rid of TTWC. She knows TTWC is always 30 seconds away from making a big scene and crying. TTWC has been pissing in her ear the entire year.

You on the other hand were on leave and now that you're back you're far less likely to cause a fuss.