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

[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?

[MaxPower]

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]

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.

[CrazyEyez]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

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]

[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

[dalston]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

[/ QUOTE ]

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.

[PokerBob]

[ QUOTE ]


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



[/ QUOTE ]

well, they are not all weak-willed.

i spoke to a friend today who spoke to Mr.X. Mr.X is one of the other science teachers (not affected by this). Mr. X went and spoke to TAP today and expressed his concerns at the way it seems I have been given the shaft. apparently he came away disappointed as TAP seemed indifferent to his concerns.

[The DaveR]

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this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

[/ QUOTE ]

You asked them if the arrangement was fair?

[PokerBob]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

[/ QUOTE ]

You asked them if the arrangement was fair?

[/ QUOTE ]

i didn't really have to. once i laid out my proposal, TNG said he was not comfortable with it, as it is not what he was promised. one of the teachers not affected (he teachers other courses) then asked TNG if he thought my proposal was fair. TNG balked at responding.

the other teachers in the department who teach biology, anatomy, etc. don't seem to want to get involvled. i'm guessing because they simply don't want to deal with TTWC.

[CrazyEyez]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

this all happened at the meeting we had last week.

[/ QUOTE ]

You asked them if the arrangement was fair?

[/ QUOTE ]

i didn't really have to. once i laid out my proposal, TNG said he was not comfortable with it, as it is not what he was promised. one of the teachers not affected (he teachers other courses) then asked TNG if he thought my proposal was fair. TNG balked at responding.

the other teachers in the department who teach biology, anatomy, etc. don't seem to want to get involvled. i'm guessing because they simply don't want to deal with TTWC.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know if I'm being a nit, but it seems like you should have put the onus on them to explain how the original proposal was fair, given other facts you've laid out. Such as historically not shafting one teacher with all the undesireable classes.

Edited to add: "So you guys see nothing wrong with giving me 100% of the classes that none of us want, while simultaneously giving me 0% of the class that I created and have been wildly successful in? Don't wait for the translation! Yes or no? I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over!"