Re: Help! Bullied by Principal

I had something like this happen to me years ago (for very different
reasons). My principal was a jerk, and there was a group that were
being sexually harrassed. [Prior knowledge: He tried his magic on me
one time with this comment the Monday after honeymoon: "I didn't
think you'd come in today. I thought you'd stay home because you
couldn't stand." I told him very clearly not to make comments like
that to me again or I would write him up.] When the others were
meeting with the union, they asked me to support them, and I did. He
was pouncing on one at a time writing us up. I was written up for
something very stupid (he snooped through my room for something when
I had a sub - he thought my SS notes were my LA journals). The day I
was written up, I did a little homework and said, "Do I have
guidelines to go with this so I can improve? I'm not quite sure if
this is clear. Can we talk about this?" He said, "Don't let it
happen again." I called the union, and they set up a meeting the
next day. Because he didn't have a face-to-face meeting with me or
give me guidelines, they had to remove the write-up from my file. He
was mad and said, "Don't let it happen again." The union rep told
him the same thing and said she would write him up for improper use
of power and invasion of privacy at the work place.
Do your homework and be represented. Know what the expectations are
and do them. Your years of experience are not as strong as the
wisdom in your voice when you know your job and your rights. This is
your job.
On 1/18/11, sped wrote:
> I would hate to speculate but you might be at the higher end of
> the payscale after 14 years and this harassment might be their
> way of trying to replace you so they can go out and hire someone
> at the low end of the payscale. If you walk you can't collect.
> This happens all the time. Everyone is very quiet about it but
> they want to prune away the people at the higher end of the
> payscale. Go to your union if it is strong; otherwise quietly
> speak to an attorney. You might have a case.
>
> On 1/15/11, Ella wrote:
>> On 12/21/10, Texas Teach wrote:
>>> I've been an elementary teacher for 14 years,and I've had
>>> an excellent record of service for all of those years. This
>>> year I transferred to a new school, and within a month, I
>>> was written up by my principal. I was shocked, but I rose
>>> above the situation and continued to focus on the reason
>>> that I was there...the kids. Then, just before Thanksgiving
>>> break, I was written up again. Both of these write-ups were
>>> entirely bogus, as I'm an excellent teacher and employee.
>>> After the second write up, my self esteem was suffering,
>>> but I've maintained a good attitude and work ethic, hoping
>>> that I had seen the last of my principal's bullying. Last
>>> week just before Christmas break, my principal called me
>>> into her office and put me on a "growth plan". I don't know
>>> what to do, or where to turn. I can't deny any longer that
>>> my principal wants me gone. I contacted my state ATPE
>>> attorney, but he pretty much told me that I was a goner.
>>> Can someone give me some advice? Please...
>> Call your union NOW! Look at your contract - scrutinize it.
>> You should ask your union rep to call your principal and
>> arrange a meeting with the three of you and during that meeting
>> the principal should be asked to produce documentation that
>> supports or justifies the reprimands you've received. Some
>> management will try to take advantage of their power. If you
>> have literally done nothing wrong, you can file a grievance.
>> Unfortunately, it might take awhile to oust this power tripping
>> principal, but stick with it; you're not alone!