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

[IggyWH]

I see private meetings with TAP and the AP as the route to go. If that does not work, round up students, both former and current (and their parents if possible), and attend a school board meeting.

[MikeNaked]

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PB,

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If I were you, I'd be the best damn freshman science teacher that I could be, get the young ones excited about science and learning, you might be doing them much more of a service than just getting them higher scores on an AP test.

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Exactly. This isn’t rocket science. Actually it is, isn’t it? Seriously though, it is just HS science. Let’s put things in perspective. I assume one of the reasons you took off last year was to take a shot at going pro. If that is the case then let’s not act like teaching AP is the be all and end all.

You know as well as I that a different school will have a different set of inbred teachers. It is the same all over. The problems will just be different is all. Same story, different details, different location.

You taught 6 years so far and took a year off? (Not criticizing that - obviously you needed to do that). Now OOT wants you to quit here and look for a job elsewhere? Hey, do what you want. There is a good chance that I am the oddball here.

I think good teachers are a rare commodity. Just be a good teacher. If you decide you want to work elsewhere because the staff are idiots that is one thing. But, to leave because you can’t teach what you want - well, if you find Shangri-La, let me know.

Best wishes to you.

RJT

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Both these responses are good.

I am a freshman, mainstream English teacher by default. I landed the freshies a couple years ago because no other English teacher wanted 'em. 'Regular' freshmen are surly, uninspired, immature, and lacking in study skills. Thus, most teachers fight for the AP kids.

I realized, however, that while I don't always engage in stimulating, philosophical discourse in the classroom, I make the biggest impact by teaching these freshmen. Not only do I teach them basic English, but I try to get them connected to school, organized, and fired-up about learning and experiencing the world.

It's tough, no doubt, trying to teach kids who don't want to be there. But when you break through to them, it's magical.

As for your principal and department, that seems to be a big problem. If you can't respect your collegues and enjoy the right to a equitable, collaborative environment, then I say GTFO.

[PokerBob]

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Bob,

If you're not resigned to being [censored], which it seems like you aren't, I still vote for going over TAP's head.

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well, i am attempting to schedule a meeting with the principal and TAP. at this point i cannot think of any reason for being treated this way, other than that it is something personal. i intend to find out what is behind this.

[RJT]

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[ QUOTE ]
Bob,

If you're not resigned to being [censored], which it seems like you aren't, I still vote for going over TAP's head.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, i am attempting to schedule a meeting with the principal and TAP. at this point i cannot think of any reason for being treated this way, other than that it is something personal. i intend to find out what is behind this.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now you're talking. Keep us posted.

[PokerBob]

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Bob,

If you're not resigned to being [censored], which it seems like you aren't, I still vote for going over TAP's head.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, i am attempting to schedule a meeting with the principal and TAP. at this point i cannot think of any reason for being treated this way, other than that it is something personal. i intend to find out what is behind this.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now you're talking. Keep us posted.

[/ QUOTE ]

i shall. this could get interesting, as if i do not get a reasonable explanation for what has transpired, i will most likely call out TAP and ask her what her personal beef is with me. at this point, i have nothing to lose.

[banditbdl]

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[ QUOTE ]
Bob,

If you're not resigned to being [censored], which it seems like you aren't, I still vote for going over TAP's head.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, i am attempting to schedule a meeting with the principal and TAP. at this point i cannot think of any reason for being treated this way, other than that it is something personal. i intend to find out what is behind this.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, no, no. This is the most sure-fire way to ensure you end up with the [censored] schedule and/or burn all your bridges and wind up teaching somewhere else.

First you need to talk to the Cryer face-to-face and ask/beg for her to give you the AP Physics class in exchange for the regular Chem. and Physics/Freshman. You've said yourself she is emotional and wants to feel loved, for god's sake use this knowledge, play to her insecurities and make her feel like she'll be loved if she helps you out.

If she agrees you might be able to leverage her compromise into convincing the New Guy to take a couple Freshman quarters off your hands in exchange for regular Physics.

Then and only then do you go to the administration with the a new schedule that the three of you teachers have agreed upon.

Also, it's entirely possible your being shafted just because you were gone. The ol' out of sight, out of mind. TTWC and TNG might have put these class schedule requests in while you were gone and the administration just stamped them through since they'd forgetten about you. And even if TAP is really out to get you confronting her and her boss will do absolutely nothing to improve your situation. It will just make her dislike you even more and give the new principal a bad impression of you.

[turnipmonster]

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You find another job or you eat it.

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[turnipmonster]

if you're set on having a meeting, just make it obvious to principal and TAP that if you don't work this out you're not coming. in the meeting, something like, I really like teaching here, I really think physics program/kids are great etc, it's really a shame that we're not going to be able to work this out as I'd like to come back this year, etc.

don't out and out and threaten anyone or try to call anyone out or anything, just let them know in the nicest way possible that you won't be coming back unless the schedule changes.

[*TT*]

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at this point, i have nothing to lose.

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Your dignity?

I don't think calling out the person is the correct move unless it involves the district superintendent.

Remember - everyone has a boss. Go to hers.

[PokerBob]

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Bob,

If you're not resigned to being [censored], which it seems like you aren't, I still vote for going over TAP's head.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, i am attempting to schedule a meeting with the principal and TAP. at this point i cannot think of any reason for being treated this way, other than that it is something personal. i intend to find out what is behind this.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, no, no. This is the most sure-fire way to ensure you end up with the [censored] schedule and/or burn all your bridges and wind up teaching somewhere else.

First you need to talk to the Cryer face-to-face and ask/beg for her to give you the AP Physics class in exchange for the regular Chem. and Physics/Freshman. You've said yourself she is emotional and wants to feel loved, for god's sake use this knowledge, play to her insecurities and make her feel like she'll be loved if she helps you out.

If she agrees you might be able to leverage her compromise into convincing the New Guy to take a couple Freshman quarters off your hands in exchange for regular Physics.

Then and only then do you go to the administration with the a new schedule that the three of you teachers have agreed upon.

Also, it's entirely possible your being shafted just because you were gone. The ol' out of sight, out of mind. TTWC and TNG might have put these class schedule requests in while you were gone and the administration just stamped them through since they'd forgetten about you. And even if TAP is really out to get you confronting her and her boss will do absolutely nothing to improve your situation. It will just make her dislike you even more and give the new principal a bad impression of you.

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TTWC isn't going to give me [censored]. why would she, as she has her dream schedule, and knows damn well it will be difficult to wrestle the new AP Phyiscs course from her once she starts teaching it (although she likely will [censored] it up, but that will take years to come to light). besides, she had the chance in the initial meeting to play the good soldier and balked at the idea. never mind that before i left last year, i gave her ALL of my AP materials. tests i had written, my schedule of how much time to spend on each topic, assignments, lecture notes. the whole deal. she is an ungrateful, self-serving bitch. i am done pussyfooting around her and considering her fragile feelings. when she [censored] up, and she will (does) often, she's gonna hear about it from me.

as far as buring bridges, i agree that one should never do it. however, there is clearly no bridge here to burn. it is becoming more and more obvious that TAP is out ot screw me. i cannot damage a relationship with her, as it is already soured. so i am going to calmly, cooly but firmly and articulately speak my mind and put her on the spot. In the past, when TAP was still a science teacher, she had made disparaging remarks to me about TTWC. She KNOWS I am more qualified, but apparently did not let the new princiapl know that. i intend to find out why.

it is unlikely that i am being shafted because i was gone. other teachers from other departments have taken leaves, and they get thier classes back. the screw job that i have recieved is almost momumental. not only did they take from me a course that I built from the ground up, but they stuck me with a class that i have never taught before. this makes no sense.