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

[luckychewy]

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Challenge TAP to HU 30/60 at Canturbury.

Play your best.

Lose 50 BB and hope she will be mollified.

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This made me laugh hystericaly, probably because it is your second best play next to...

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Use former students to your advantage as much as possible, that's for sure. Otherwise, if they are unable to incite change, raise bloody hell and if nothing happens then let me stake you in poker.

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How is this even close? Fold school.

FWIW on a more serious note if you seriously like teaching then just deal with it, although I agree it is far from fair. But it seems like you've tried just about everything and they're just being bitches about it. I probably would just threaten that you will leave if they don't spread out the undesirable classes like you suggested, and if they just make you leave then get staked, no doubt.

On a sidenote, with the unfair scheduele, you have chemistry classes assigned...can you even teach chemistry and it's just that you never have had it assigned before?

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I started teaching at the school 6 years ago. I teach Advanced Placement Physics, “regular” physics and freshman science. I have never taught chemistry in my life.

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You should probably argue that you will be a terrible chemistry teacher and then threaten to leave, and if all else fails fold school as already stated.

[durron597]

In my school the driving force in everything was the parents. They are the only way you will get your classes back. Do you tutor on the side?

[RJT]

PB,

Not so much your physics/AP physics situation, but regarding the chemistry part…I think this might actually be a good thing. Look at it like a new form of poker. They say one should learn poker other than just hold ‘em (stud, etc.)

Too, when things like this happen (again, the chemistry part) often it turns out to be a blessing in disguise. You might end up enjoying it as much (more) than physics.

RJT

[hyde]

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PB,

Not so much your physics/AP physics situation, but regarding the chemistry part…I think this might actually be a good thing. Look at it like a new form of poker. They say one should learn poker other than just hold ‘em (stud, etc.)

Too, when things like this happen (again, the chemistry part) often it turns out to be a blessing in disguise. You might end up enjoying it as much (more) than physics.

RJT

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Excellent point. If one enjoys sharp objects in flight, just think of what one can do with flammable chemicals....

[Michael Davis]

Bob,

TheDaver's reply is best so far. Make sure everyone is in the same room and, despite the fact that you apparently work with five-year-olds, try to handle the situation professionally.

If that fails, you should seriously consider quitting or going to work for another (private?) school.

-Michael

[CrazyEyez]

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

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Good idea.

Lay out these simple, irrefutable facts:
- you have an absolutely stellar track record, and have taught the class from the beginning.
- the less desireable classes have historically been spread out.
- you are getting stuck with basically all of the less desireable classes

Then put it on the others to explain why that's fair.

If you're still there in 13 years, I'll make sure my daughter takes your classes (I'm south of the river, guessing you are too).

[PokerBob]

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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.

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i don't want ALL of the AP classes. I don't think that is necessarily fair. I have no problem with a "distribution of wealth" in terms of courses that we teach. IMO we should all have a little of everything. Having several teachers being able to teach several courses would be good for the department. It appears, however, that I am the only one willing to compromise.

[PokerBob]

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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.

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this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

[dalston]

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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.

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this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

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Ouch. What an unpleasant and/or weak-willed group of characters you have to deal with here.

One option would be to suck it up for this year, send a respectful memo to the Principal and AP reminding them of your past success in building the program up and asking for a commitment that the classes are more equitably distributed in future years. Say you understand that the timetable is now set for this year but you would like a commitment that your past experience and success will be reflected in the timetable from the next year onwards.

If the Principal has an ounce of sense, he will realise you are politely saying that you will be looking for other jobs if he doesn't agree.

You probably want to explore other options first, but it is a strong possibility if you decide nothing will change for next year and you don't want to storm out completely.

[mindless]

Bob, I taught HS physics for 3 years (including AP physics) before I made a drastic career change, so I think I know what I'm talking about here.

Obviously, you're getting screwed here at some level. While teaching freshman is an interesting experience, you'd rather teach the more advanced classes with more mature students. My suggestions/thoughts:
1) Having students come in is a terrible idea. I think that it's unprofessional to bring in students to a teacher-related argument. No matter how well they say you taught, there's no way that the arbiter will say that you're more worthy of teaching an AP class.
2) The TTWC is a bit of a wild card, but reason with her at an emotional level to explain how you feel. She'll probably cry, but then maybe get your back.
3) (My actual suggestion) First, talk to TNG. Acknowledge that he was told he got to teach AP Physics, but ask if you can split the AP load since you did bring the class into the school. Offer him his pick of the B or C class, since maybe he prefers the calculus version to the survery version, which some teachers feel is less prestigious. Tell him that you'd like to sit down with him, and an arbiter to figure things out, but you'd much prefer to hash out a plan beforehand.
4) Where is the science department head in all of this? In the two schools I taught, the department head was in charge of the scheduling, not the AP.
5) If all else fails, can you get a promise to teach AP physics in the following year?