chatboard - Teachers.Net

by Nichole

Sep 29, 2011

I am a second year teacher and on my yearly evaluation last school year my principal stated that I " foster a warm, friendly and safe learning environment". I also believe I have great classroom management as I am a strict teacher. I am not being arrogant, I know I still have much to learn. I do not feel the advice given to me by my administrators was fair or just, and other teachers tell me to just "deal with it". I want to know how to prevent another incident like this one, this year.

The incident: last school year round April I had an incident in my classroom. I work at a notoriously "rough" middle school with gangs and many fights occur weekly at my school. The incident last year occured with my 6th grade class. This class was a great class, no problems all year. I was giving a written exam that day and all the students were silent, working on their exams. The day before I had rearranged the seating chart and put two boys next to each other. Both boys were quiet and good ...See MoreI am a second year teacher and on my yearly evaluation last school year my principal stated that I " foster a warm, friendly and safe learning environment". I also believe I have great classroom management as I am a strict teacher. I am not being arrogant, I know I still have much to learn. I do not feel the advice given to me by my administrators was fair or just, and other teachers tell me to just "deal with it". I want to know how to prevent another incident like this one, this year.

The incident: last school year round April I had an incident in my classroom. I work at a notoriously "rough" middle school with gangs and many fights occur weekly at my school. The incident last year occured with my 6th grade class. This class was a great class, no problems all year. I was giving a written exam that day and all the students were silent, working on their exams. The day before I had rearranged the seating chart and put two boys next to each other. Both boys were quiet and good students.I haden't had any probelms with either of them all year. I was walking around the classroom making sure that noone was cheating when all of the sudden the one boy in the very front row seat turned around ( without being provoked) and stabbed the boy behind him with a pencil. Thank the Lord it ony left a bruise. I followed protocol and he was taken to the nurse. That very day I was called into the principal's office to meet with the parents of the boy who had been stabbed. There was also an administrator there who had spoken to the boy who did the stabbing.

The administrator started off by explaining to the parents that she had spoken to several students who where in the classroom during the incident, and that yes, the class was quiet and the boy, without warning, turned around and stabbed the other boy. When asked why he stabbed him, the boy explained that " he does not know.....he just snapped". Well, the parents ( of the boy who had been stabbed) looked at me and asked how long I had been teaching. I explained that this was my first year and they laughed at me. The mother was actually a person who worked for the school board in the school district in which I worked. The mother stated to me that if I had better classroom management the one boy would have never "had the nerve" to turn around and stab her son. My principal did not say anything and just sat there. The mother continued to lecture me on getting training for better classroom management until she felt vindicated. The principal ( in front of everyone) agreed to "get me into training as a new teacher".

What?! This statement coming from my principal who had just given me a glowing evaluation. I am upset because I personally feel that I could not have done anything different to prevent what happened. Can I control what other students do to one another? How do I prevent this again? I am seriously considering quitting my career after this year. Any advice? Thanks, Nichole.

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Tom Nichole,

What your principal did/didn't do was such a copout. It sounds like you're doing a brilliant job and should be commended up one side and down the other. If your principal had been on the side of fairness and objectivity (not even "your" side), he would have said something like, "Even though she has only been teaching a short while...See MoreNichole,

What your principal did/didn't do was such a copout. It sounds like you're doing a brilliant job and should be commended up one side and down the other. If your principal had been on the side of fairness and objectivity (not even "your" side), he would have said something like, "Even though she has only been teaching a short while, Nichole has one of the best and safest classroom atmospheres on campus. Her reviews are glowing, and the kids love her."

If your principal had a backbone, s/he would said that this had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with the stabber ... who needs professional counseling.

There is no way to prevent such instances from occuring again. The teacher is NOT THE ONE IN CONTROL of each student when you get real about it. Who's in control? Each student is in control of him or herself!

If your classroom is both safe and warm, you have the best of both worlds. Keep up the good work--your kids are lucky to have you as their teacher.

What you might consider is getting a few more letters of recommendation from other administrators, teachers, parents, and (even) students, documenting your classroom atmosphere. While I can't imagine anything punitive could be done on the basis of this isolated (and bizarre) incident, it wouldn't hurt to cover your bases. Especially since the principal is so concerned with covering their *ss rather than fairly representing you.

Best of luck!

Tom

On 9/29/11, Nichole wrote: > I am a second year teacher and on my yearly evaluation last > school year my principal stated that I " foster a warm, > friendly and safe learning environment". I also believe I > have great classroom management as I am a strict teacher. I > am not being arrogant, I know I still have much to learn. I > do not feel the advice given to me by my administrators was > fair or just, and other teachers tell me to just "deal with > it". I want to know how to prevent another incident like > this one, this year. > > The incident: last school year round April I had an > incident in my classroom. I work at a notoriously "rough" > middle school with gangs and many fights occur weekly at my > school. The incident last year occured with my 6th grade > class. This class was a great class, no problems all year. > I was giving a written exam that day and all the students > were silent, working on their exams. The day before I had > rearranged the seating chart and put two boys next to each > other. Both boys were quiet and good students.I haden't had > any probelms with either of them all year. I was walking > around the classroom making sure that noone was cheating > when all of the sudden the one boy in the very front row > seat turned around ( without being provoked) and stabbed > the boy behind him with a pencil. Thank the Lord it ony > left a bruise. I followed protocol and he was taken to the > nurse. That very day I was called into the principal's > office to meet with the parents of the boy who had been > stabbed. There was also an administrator there who had > spoken to the boy who did the stabbing. > > The administrator started off by explaining to the parents > that she had spoken to several students who where in the > classroom during the incident, and that yes, the class was > quiet and the boy, without warning, turned around and > stabbed the other boy. When asked why he stabbed him, the > boy explained that " he does not know.....he just snapped". > Well, the parents ( of the boy who had been stabbed) looked > at me and asked how long I had been teaching. I explained > that this was my first year and they laughed at me. The > mother was actually a person who worked for the school > board in the school district in which I worked. The mother > stated to me that if I had better classroom management the > one boy would have never "had the nerve" to turn around and > stab her son. My principal did not say anything and just > sat there. The mother continued to lecture me on getting > training for better classroom management until she felt > vindicated. The principal ( in front of everyone) agreed to > "get me into training as a new teacher". > > What?! This statement coming from my principal who had just > given me a glowing evaluation. I am upset because I > personally feel that I could not have done anything > different to prevent what happened. Can I control what > other students do to one another? How do I prevent this > again? I am seriously considering quitting my career after > this year. Any advice? Thanks, Nichole.

Sep 29, 2011

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Zodea In my opinion this is not about you but about the parent. The principal has probably been dealing with her for years and has determined that the easiest way to deal with her is to just agree. The mother works for the school board and has probably been causing "problems" for years.

Why is this bothering you now? Has something happened this...See MoreIn my opinion this is not about you but about the parent. The principal has probably been dealing with her for years and has determined that the easiest way to deal with her is to just agree. The mother works for the school board and has probably been causing "problems" for years.

Why is this bothering you now? Has something happened this year? From what you say it sounds like you are doing fine and shouldn't be worried about it.

Even if you do get sent to a classroom management training, that doesn't mean you are doing a bad job. Most new teachers go to some form of training their first year or two.

Zodea

On 9/29/11, Nichole wrote: > I am a second year teacher and on my yearly evaluation last > school year my principal stated that I " foster a warm, > friendly and safe learning environment". I also believe I > have great classroom management as I am a strict teacher. I > am not being arrogant, I know I still have much to learn. I > do not feel the advice given to me by my administrators was > fair or just, and other teachers tell me to just "deal with > it". I want to know how to prevent another incident like > this one, this year. > > The incident: last school year round April I had an > incident in my classroom. I work at a notoriously "rough" > middle school with gangs and many fights occur weekly at my > school. The incident last year occured with my 6th grade > class. This class was a great class, no problems all year. > I was giving a written exam that day and all the students > were silent, working on their exams. The day before I had > rearranged the seating chart and put two boys next to each > other. Both boys were quiet and good students.I haden't had > any probelms with either of them all year. I was walking > around the classroom making sure that noone was cheating > when all of the sudden the one boy in the very front row > seat turned around ( without being provoked) and stabbed > the boy behind him with a pencil. Thank the Lord it ony > left a bruise. I followed protocol and he was taken to the > nurse. That very day I was called into the principal's > office to meet with the parents of the boy who had been > stabbed. There was also an administrator there who had > spoken to the boy who did the stabbing. > > The administrator started off by explaining to the parents > that she had spoken to several students who where in the > classroom during the incident, and that yes, the class was > quiet and the boy, without warning, turned around and > stabbed the other boy. When asked why he stabbed him, the > boy explained that " he does not know.....he just snapped". > Well, the parents ( of the boy who had been stabbed) looked > at me and asked how long I had been teaching. I explained > that this was my first year and they laughed at me. The > mother was actually a person who worked for the school > board in the school district in which I worked. The mother > stated to me that if I had better classroom management the > one boy would have never "had the nerve" to turn around and > stab her son. My principal did not say anything and just > sat there. The mother continued to lecture me on getting > training for better classroom management until she felt > vindicated. The principal ( in front of everyone) agreed to > "get me into training as a new teacher". > > What?! This statement coming from my principal who had just > given me a glowing evaluation. I am upset because I > personally feel that I could not have done anything > different to prevent what happened. Can I control what > other students do to one another? How do I prevent this > again? I am seriously considering quitting my career after > this year. Any advice? Thanks, Nichole.

Oct 1, 2011

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Sara On 9/29/11, Nichole wrote:

Did this happen last year or this year? It seems it was last year. But you returned to teaching despite that disturbing experience but you're still considering leaving teaching.

I think I summed it up. Except to say your principal is a wuss because he surely wussed out on you. He should have interrupted...See MoreOn 9/29/11, Nichole wrote:

Did this happen last year or this year? It seems it was last year. But you returned to teaching despite that disturbing experience but you're still considering leaving teaching.

I think I summed it up. Except to say your principal is a wuss because he surely wussed out on you. He should have interrupted the mother to say, "The length of Miss Jones' experience is not an issue here."

You cannot prevent random acts of seeming insanity. I once had a student go out the window of my classroom - on the second floor. I never dreamed any middle schooler would do that but I never again let the windows unlocked. Who could have thought??

You can't make a rule that says 'no stabbing' - it gives them the idea of stabbing. 'No stabbing during tests'.... ridiculous.

Your principal caved - he chickened out in front of the angry parent. It happens, it shouldn't happen but it does. > The only thing you could possibly do is build as strong a relationship as possible with your students' parents so if something happens, they don't want to blame you. I one time lost my temper completely and shouted at a student in a very unprofessional way. When the parent called me to ask what had happened, I had no reasonable explanation and only offered an apology for my lapse in appropriate behavior and the parent said, "I can easily and happily forgive this one bad thing you did in this school year because of all the many good things you did throughout the year."

Wish I could help more. In teaching and with kids, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Ask yourself - what bothers you more? The incident or your principal's response to it? Maybe you don't need to leave teaching - maybe you just need to be working for a different principal and then you could let yourself put this behind you. > > What?! This statement coming from my principal who had just > given me a glowing evaluation. I am upset because I > personally feel that I could not have done anything > different to prevent what happened. Can I control what > other students do to one another? How do I prevent this > again? I am seriously considering quitting my career after > this year. Any advice? Thanks, Nichole.

Oct 4, 2011

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nichole Sara, yes you did sum it up. After prayer I realized that I cannot prevent every little thing from happening in my classroom. I am bothered by the lack of support from my principal. I am currently teaching and looking at other schools near my home that have great reputations and not as many fights within the school. Funny last week one of my studen...See MoreSara, yes you did sum it up. After prayer I realized that I cannot prevent every little thing from happening in my classroom. I am bothered by the lack of support from my principal. I am currently teaching and looking at other schools near my home that have great reputations and not as many fights within the school. Funny last week one of my students fell asleep in another teachers class and the teacher called the parent, and the parent explained ,very rudely, that the teacher should work on being more "interesting" in class. LOL. I might keep a diary of these funny things to look back over when I retire one day. And yes, I am going to continue to teach. Thank you for your support. On 10/04/11, Sara wrote:

> On 9/29/11, Nichole wrote: > > Did this happen last year or this year? It seems it was last > year. But you returned to teaching despite that disturbing > experience but you're still considering leaving teaching. > > I think I summed it up. Except to say your principal is a wuss > because he surely wussed out on you. He should have interrupted > the mother to say, "The length of Miss Jones' experience is not > an issue here." > > You cannot prevent random acts of seeming insanity. I once had > a student go out the window of my classroom - on the second > floor. I never dreamed any middle schooler would do that but I > never again let the windows unlocked. Who could have thought?? > > You can't make a rule that says 'no stabbing' - it gives them > the idea of stabbing. 'No stabbing during tests'.... ridiculous. > > Your principal caved - he chickened out in front of the angry > parent. It happens, it shouldn't happen but it does. >> > The only thing you could possibly do is build as strong a > relationship as possible with your students' parents so if > something happens, they don't want to blame you. I one time > lost my temper completely and shouted at a student in a very > unprofessional way. When the parent called me to ask what had > happened, I had no reasonable explanation and only offered an > apology for my lapse in appropriate behavior and the parent > said, "I can easily and happily forgive this one bad thing you > did in this school year because of all the many good things you > did throughout the year." > > Wish I could help more. In teaching and with kids, sometimes > things happen that are out of our control. Ask yourself - what > bothers you more? The incident or your principal's response to > it? Maybe you don't need to leave teaching - maybe you just > need to be working for a different principal and then you could > let yourself put this behind you. >> >> What?! This statement coming from my principal who had just >> given me a glowing evaluation. I am upset because I >> personally feel that I could not have done anything >> different to prevent what happened. Can I control what >> other students do to one another? How do I prevent this >> again? I am seriously considering quitting my career after >> this year. Any advice? Thanks, Nichole.

Oct 4, 2011

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DL With everyone in the media blaming all of education's woes SOLELY on the teachers, I am not surprised that parents are reacting that way. It was sad that your principal chose to say what he said too.

On 10/04/11, nichole wrote: > Sara, yes you did sum it up. After prayer I realized that I > cannot prevent every little thing from hap...See MoreWith everyone in the media blaming all of education's woes SOLELY on the teachers, I am not surprised that parents are reacting that way. It was sad that your principal chose to say what he said too.

On 10/04/11, nichole wrote: > Sara, yes you did sum it up. After prayer I realized that I > cannot prevent every little thing from happening in my > classroom. I am bothered by the lack of support from my > principal. I am currently teaching and looking at other schools > near my home that have great reputations and not as many fights > within the school. Funny last week one of my students fell > asleep in another teachers class and the teacher called the > parent, and the parent explained ,very rudely, that the teacher > should work on being more "interesting" in class. LOL. I might > keep a diary of these funny things to look back over when I > retire one day. And yes, I am going to continue to teach. Thank > you for your support. On 10/04/11, Sara wrote: > >> On 9/29/11, Nichole wrote: >> >> Did this happen last year or this year? It seems it was last >> year. But you returned to teaching despite that disturbing >> experience but you're still considering leaving teaching. >> >> I think I summed it up. Except to say your principal is a wuss >> because he surely wussed out on you. He should have interrupted >> the mother to say, "The length of Miss Jones' experience is not >> an issue here." >> >> You cannot prevent random acts of seeming insanity. I once had >> a student go out the window of my classroom - on the second >> floor. I never dreamed any middle schooler would do that but I >> never again let the windows unlocked. Who could have thought?? >> >> You can't make a rule that says 'no stabbing' - it gives them >> the idea of stabbing. 'No stabbing during tests'.... ridiculous. >> >> Your principal caved - he chickened out in front of the angry >> parent. It happens, it shouldn't happen but it does. >>> >> The only thing you could possibly do is build as strong a >> relationship as possible with your students' parents so if >> something happens, they don't want to blame you. I one time >> lost my temper completely and shouted at a student in a very >> unprofessional way. When the parent called me to ask what had >> happened, I had no reasonable explanation and only offered an >> apology for my lapse in appropriate behavior and the parent >> said, "I can easily and happily forgive this one bad thing you >> did in this school year because of all the many good things you >> did throughout the year." >> >> Wish I could help more. In teaching and with kids, sometimes >> things happen that are out of our control. Ask yourself - what >> bothers you more? The incident or your principal's response to >> it? Maybe you don't need to leave teaching - maybe you just >> need to be working for a different principal and then you could >> let yourself put this behind you. >>> >>> What?! This statement coming from my principal who had just >>> given me a glowing evaluation. I am upset because I >>> personally feel that I could not have done anything >>> different to prevent what happened. Can I control what >>> other students do to one another? How do I prevent this >>> again? I am seriously considering quitting my career after >>> this year. Any advice? Thanks, Nichole.

Oct 8, 2011

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