Re: Principal Issue

On 5/21/06, rene wrote:
> Unfortunately your story is not all that uncommon. Newport
> Elementary in Newport Beach Ca. is having a tough run with
> it's current principal. the teachers, parents and children
> have all been subjected to unacceptable behavior. The
> district has been made aware of it, the teachers have tried
> to tell their stories and yet she is still there. We have
> families leaving because of her, children who have been put
> in harms way because of her and noone seems to listen.
> Teachers are in the worse position. If they complain any
> further their jobs may be on the line. That is unfair and
> unjust. To have a successful organization the "fear" needs
> to be taken out. FEAR is a form of bullying! We would love
> to hear of anything that you find may help. We are at a loss.
> Signed,
> Parent who sticks up for families who have been wronged,
> only to have to fight retaliation from the principal.
>
> On 8/25/05, Anon wrote:
>> I have an issue, and I was hoping you would be able to
> give
>> me some feedback or advice.
>>
>> Our principal is a bully. He is rude and demeaning, and
>> the whole staff knows it but everyone is afraid to speak
>> up. Unfortunately for me, I am not one to keep my mouth
>> shut. I tend to be a caregiver kind of person, someone who
>> advocates for respect for all.
>>
>> First of all, let me give you a clear view of this person,
>> and if he's on this board, hopefully this will be eye-
>> opening to him although, in my experience, these sorts of
>> people are not just unknowingly unprofessional.
>>
>> I know of at least four times that he has commented to
>> female teachers about their weight, saying they should not
>> take the elevator but better opt for the stairs. Now, I
>> know there might not be a certain rule set in stone about
>> this kind of comment, but it is offensive. These women,
>> however, said nothing. (If it would have been me, I would
>> blown and been written up for insubordination.)
>>
>> On quite a few other occasions, he has involved himself in
>> conversing with teachers about a certain other two
> teachers
>> who he thinks are bad teachers. He says things
>> like, "Well, there's a reason why so-and-so has 75&37; of
> her
>> kids failing," or "You'll be a good partner for her.
>> You'll be exactly what she needs to see the light," or
>> after hearing a presenter talk about poor teaching
>> strategies/styles, "Gee, that sounds like so-and-so."
>>
>> In team meetings, he asks for feedback but very obviously
>> ignores what people say.
>>
>> I don't know what to do. I am starting to keep a "paper
>> trail" on his unprofessional behavior, and I know the
> staff
>> is starting to band together, but being teachers
>> yourselves, how would YOU think one should go about it to
>> be effective? Having this principal on staff really brings
>> down morale for so many people. Two awesome, and I mean
>> awesome, teachers left us because he is so mean. Another
>> teacher went home mid-afternoon quite a few times because
>> of things he said to her; she was actually physically
>> getting sick. It kills me to see so many people being
>> treated this way, and I am not even involved in any of the
>> situations. They are just things I have observed, heard
>> him say, or that other people have told me. Whatever the
>> case, it really needs to stop.
>>
>> Thanks for "listening"...