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

[banditbdl]

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PokerBob,

You're pretty much screwed near as I can tell.

That said your best option is to try and work out something with TTWC and TNG. I'd agree your new schedule seems reasonable but in order to have a shot you are going to have to give away more, maybe something like this:

TTWC- Gets the 8 AP Chem quarters, 2 Chemistry Quarters and takes 2 Freshman Science (possibly physics if she really won't move)

TNG- Gets 4 AP Physics, 6 physics, and 2 Freshman

PB- Gets 4 AP Physics, and either 4 Physics/4 Freshman or 2Physics/6 Freshman

Focus on getting one period of AP Physics back above all, everything else is gravy after your initial anal-pounding. Talk/Beg with TTWC and TNG directly. Pray the two of them can find a little compassion to give you SOMETHING, this is really your only hope.

You are in all likelihood going to get nothing from TAP and the new principal no matter what you do. The more you raise hell with administration and publicly with students/parents/other faculty the digger hole you make for yourself with everyone you work with. Period. The administration who have to deal with it will hold it against you. Any students/parents who get involved will most likely be placated and told by administration there isn't much they can do because of... your leave/promises to TNG/TTWC seniority/whatever. (Not fair, but reality). TNG and TTWC might become true enemies and the other faculty will tell you that you're getting screwed but won't do anything about it cuz they don't wanna screw themselves.

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look at the schedule i proposed. in any other year TTWC would be THRILLED with it.

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I know, that's why I'm hoping you can pawn the 2 Freshman classes off on her by giving her all the Chemistry. Hopefully, she'd be all over your proposal or one like my suggestion.

The key is that TNG just as no real incentive to help you out here and your schedule while fair is looking a whole lot worse than the AP period and two regular physics every quarter he gets by standing pat. Plus you've already said he wasn't too keen on your proposed schedule.

Go to TTWC privately first and see if you can get her to agree to all Chemistry and 2 Freshman classes. Be nice and remind her the AP Physics class was yours before you left. Remind her she is the Chem expert and you're the Physics guy, it'll be good for the kids too. Beg if you have to, suck on her nipple ring, I don't care, do whatever it takes. If she buys it you are home free. Then its just a matter of how much you can get out of the new guy. Tell him TTWC has agreed to a compromise. (if she can, why can't he? put him in a position where turning you down makes him a "bad" guy) Ask him to take two of the Freshman classes, its a compromise from what you want (or at least what you've told him you want), appeal to your young male similarities, tell him you've heard he's an excellent teacher, you get the idea. If he won't budge at least you'll still have secured one period a day you can look forward to.

[PokerBob]

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Didn't bother to read past the OP, so it might be covered. One thing I know about new administrators (I used to teach, and my wife currently teaches) is that they have zero backbone with parents. Take up the students' offer and let the parents raise the hell.

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I think this is probably your best play. Multiple parents complaining will definitely get your opinion heard.

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the thing is, the kids who know i am a good teacher already had me and are gone, so they really have no incentive to do anything. i am not so well renowned as to have a following among parents whose kids have yet to have me.

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There are undoubtedly younger siblings coming into your classes where this could work.

I was the 3rd of 3 coming through the school system...my parents knew exactly what type of path they wanted for me, including some specific teachers along the way.

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there likely are, but how do i know who they are? how do i make them aware of the situation? also, they likely will find out on the first day of school when the kid shows up and sees who the teacher is, and then it is too late.

fwiw, some of my friends have told me that they have heard some students say that if TTWC is teaching AP Physics instead of me or TNG, they're dropping the class.

[AAAA]

PB, i will read the rest of the thread, but my suggestions are to make an appointment with TAP and have another teacher meet with you...for several reasons...if TAP is unfair, you have a witness, so TAP is less likely to be blatantly unfair. also, you will likely get some good input if you choose a good mediator.

how did the students find out about the new ap physics teacher? if you didn't tell them...let the principal know that you have been approached by a group of students who were concerned.

when you talk to the new principle who has never seen you teach...have your ducks in a row...document your expertise and do not downplay the other new teacher...

apologize for not getting this stipulated prior to your leave of absence, but emphasize your understanding that your classes would be returned since you were instrumental in developing the attendance.


practice a couple scenarios out loud, not just in your mind.
remember to mention how unreasonable it is for you to have all the freshman science classes...and get some other offers to put on the table, if you have any. let them know you won't leave this year, but that you would have to look elsewhere when they can find a replacement better suited to the introductory classes.


then do your absolute best and smile the whole time.

[sawseech]

I'd start politiking with TNP and become good friends with TNG and work towards getting TAP and TTWC eliminated

[PokerBob]

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I'd start politiking with TNP and become good friends with TNG and work towards getting TAP and TTWC eliminated

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the new principal likely won't be there very long, as he came out of retirement to take this job. word on the street is that he is grooming TAP for the job.

[AAAA]

the key with the new principal may be to allow ttwc to look the fool rather than you...you might want to accidentally bring this year's ap scores in, to show ttwc's weakness without being blatant.

talk with the new guy and be supportive of his work...offer to do some team teaching in the ap physics if possible?

as far as tap, it is really important not to have private meetings. anything you can do to find some good in the tap, please do so...any common ground at all will help minimize old hurts...go so far as to say something about the past and see if there is anything that you can honestly apologize for. if anything at all, she will likely take it to mean much more than it is, and perhaps work with you since you are asking her help...people like to be asked for help.

[MicroBob]

GL PB - hope it works out.
I can't really give any advice here as it is difficult to tell how far you want to take this.
Would you be willing to quit over this and just go back to poker?
Would you really be suffering THAT badly if you were teaching the freshman classes only all year?
How willing are you to tick-off the other teachers here?

I think these are Q's that only you can answer.


But the real reason I'm contributing to this thread:
After reading about the dart-gun stuff I'm pretty sure I want to take your class.

[PokerBob]

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talk with the new guy and be supportive of his work...offer to do some team teaching in the ap physics if possible?


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done. at the meeting i said that i hoped that we'd be able to alternate years. one year one of us teaches AP Physics B, the other teaches AP Physics C. i did not include TTWC in this, because frankly she is getting the best of it with 2 sections of AP CHEM. It is very unlikely that there ever would be more than one section each of AP Physics courses.

[PokerBob]

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the key with the new principal may be to allow ttwc to look the fool rather than you...you might want to accidentally bring this year's ap scores in, to show ttwc's weakness without being blatant.



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well the problem here is that her students likely won't do HORRIBLY. i gave her all of my materials (test, notes, assignments), as i am perhaps too nice of a guy. teaching the class should have not been difficult, as i was very well organized. some of the kids who end up in these classes are brilliant and will do well regardless. fwiw, her AP Chem students do OK on the test. not great, not poorly. just average.

[AAAA]

if tap is being groomed to be principal...you might wnat to find another job anyway?

i worked in a situation that is coming back in my mind and haunting me right now. i had a split job at two close schools...morning school had a great principal and an ap who was a real go getter, but had a great heart and cared for the kids under a gruff exterior...principal was a bit over the hill, but nice.

other school had very political priincipal and incredibly inept assistant principal whose goal in life was to make sure she didn't get in any trouble, but cared not a whit about the kids.

both of those at the same time was sometimes too much to bear as i would leave a nurturing learning environment in the morning and enter a shark feeding frenzy in the afternoon.

if you are half the teacher you think you are (and i am not doubting a bit) you will find a better place...start interviewing principals...find one you want to follow, and let him or her know that your goal is to have a great physics department.