Re: Principal Issue

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"...