Re: Principal Issue

Try being a student in a school like that and see how it
feels. I am in university now but I went to a junior high
like that; the VP, a woman, was even worse. My parents
complained about something they had done improperly and they
launched a vendetta against me. I got my first detention for
nothing and they made my life a living hell. They put
comments on my grade book, they accused me of slouhing in my
chair and using a rude tone of voice.
Not one teacher helped out so I'm sorry I'm not sympathetic.
Joe
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"...