Re: Principal Issue

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.
>
I understand your problem. I recently completed my Masters
and Education Administration degree but have decided to stay
in the classroom becuase of a bullying principal. In my case
he not only bullied and threatened me but victimized my
daughter. She had been raped and molested repeatedly when
she was 8 years old by a 16 year old neighbor and had just
recently gone through an trial with all the revictimization
(the perpatrator was convicted). She needless to say was
very vulnerable. She had never been in trouble and was
accused of giving drugs to a couple of boys. The boys, known
drug users were just trying to get back at her for some
perceived insult as we know druggies seldom give up their
sources. I was serving as assistant principal and Athletic
Director at the school at this time. When she was pulled in
I didn't ask for any favors. I simply asked for him to be
sensitive to her vulnerable state. Instead I was shocked by
the aggresive and brutal treatment my daughter recieved at
his hands. At one point I had to stand up and step between
them and bring the interogation to a close. She was
suspended and received threats and poor treatment from him
for the rest of the year.He in the meantime was a little to
chummy (if you get my drift)with the two boys. I resigned at
the end of the year and enrolled my daughter at another
school. Since then I have set through numerous counseling
and treatment sessions with her. The damage this man did is
horrible. She has been on suicide watch and has been
medicated. Some of that I am sure came from the sexual
assault but the therapists agree the majority of her trauma
comes from the unresolved bullying by this principal. This
principal uses subbtle and not so subtle bullying to get his
way and solidify his power. I had been at that school for 23
year. It was only his first. Turnover has been rampant since
then and the terror continues. As they say power corrupts.
He is the kind of leader I NEVER wish to become which is why
I have returned to the classroom.