|
|
Re: Condescending coworkers
Posted by jennifer on 9/01/08
On 8/27/08, anyone dealt with this? wrote:
> I have several coworkers who are extremely condescending,
> rude, and generally not pleasant. They're all on my grade
> level, too. I'm not entirely sure what to do with them. We
> don't ever plan together, we have "meetings," but they're
> just a waste of time. Anytime I try to share something I've
> done/created or some idea I had, it's just brushed off with
> a fake smile and or a snide comment. I'm younger than the
> rest of the department and I am constantly told "how we do
> it here." They treat me as if I know nothing (and while I'm
> young, I'm not dumb and I'm not inexperienced/uneducated
> either).
>
> Frankly, I feel like they treat me poorly because of their
> own insecurities. We are under intense pressure this year to
> raise test scores and this has just exacerbated the
> situation. It's to a point where I don't want to open my
> mouth and share anything anymore because of their poor
> attitudes and snide gossip (not always behind my back
> either). It's quite ironic that at the exact moment we're
> being pressured to "collaborate" and "work as a team" I feel
> like hiding out in my classroom and not saying a word. The
> thing is... while I have ideas and things to discuss, NO ONE
> ELSE ever does. None of them discuss anything they do in
> class, what works, what doesn't, what they feel is
> important, etc. They sit around and just talk about how
> they've always done things or mock the fact that we're
> having a meeting. None of them are open to discussing or
> even having a slightly professional conversation about how
> to best teach our kids.
>
> Got any ideas?
>
> -Discouraged
Sorry you are experiencing this. I have gone through it
before and found 2 options. Both require a hard look at the
paradigm in force within the district. Take a good look at
the history of the school &/or district to see if this is a
long established pattern. Usually this is best found at the
top of the administration. I have left the district and I
have waited for administration to change over. Both work.
The key is to work at a place where your philosopy of
education is in line with the districts/buildings
philosophy. This means the people in charge and the
teachers. If there is no push to collaborate or work as a
team- it won't happen. Sooner or later the legislation, AYP,
and regulations placed on school performance will force the
issue -- willingly or not.
I'm a HS special education co-teacher and waited at my
current schol for the administration to change hands. Things
are really looking up now - but it took patience. I kept my
mouth shut for a year. I was a sounding board for a year. I
was mad and crabby and seen as a troublemaker for a year. Now
I listen to what the new administration says it needs to do
and I present options that I have held waiting in the wings
for years. I had to realistically look at the patterns in my
district to make this decision.
Keep true to yourself and you will find satisfaction in your
job. It may mean going to another district. Know that you
have to honor your professional needs and rights to be happy
were you teach.
Hope this helps in some way.
Jennifer
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Condescending coworkers, 8/27/08, by anyone dealt with this?.
- Re: Condescending coworkers, 8/27/08, by Nicole.
- Re: Do this, 8/28/08, by L. Swilley.
- Re: Condescending coworkers, 8/28/08, by question to OP.
- Re: Create a new group is my recommendation!, 8/29/08, by marjoryt - look at other teachers.
- Re: Condescending coworkers, 9/01/08, by jennifer.
- Re: Condescending coworkers, 9/05/08, by OP.
- Re: Condescending coworkers, 9/09/08, by why does being the only white teacher matter? nfm.
|
1996 - 2008. All Rights Reserved. Please review our Terms of Use, Mission Statement, and Privacy Policy.
