feelingsofaneducator

[feelingsofaneducator]

Hey Admin people,

I don’t ever want to be in your shoes, much less be one of you.

It’s typically expected that your admin, such as your principal or AP/Vice principal, have experience from years of teaching. That they should understand what it’s like to have to meet curriculum needs, deal with parents, find the reason behind the most unreasonable behaviors, be the advocate for 24-30 young people who look up to you, all while struggling to have something resembling a life.

That they should have worn the hats we stack up and have some sympathy and kindness for their fellow teachers and staff.

But they aren’t, and have clearly detached from whatever they once were to do their job.

Admin is important, I often think of becoming an admin like being a politician. Your job should be to represent your people and help them, to protect them from those who want to interfere in their lives, to keep chaos from their doorstep.

I’ve yet to meet any like that.

I’m packing up my classroom, the very first classroom I ever had and finally had as I wanted, a space I love, to move one classroom over. A change I’ve been given 4 days to be prepared for, to pack up everything I had set for someone to use my room for summer school, and move *20 feet to the left*. Not because of a grade change, not for a building change, no, they think this will be the solution to students trashing the bathrooms. Literally the only reason I’m moving into the worst room in the building. Busted univent, a window that opens to a brick wall and busted lights.

I asked my principal for other reasons and he said just that.

The AP came by my room multiple times, the same AP that said my room is incredibly 504 friendly and made for students to love learning, and told me to tone down my style and now the decor will be a nightmare and damaging for any kid with ADHD. I haven’t changed a thing since her compliments, and I’m sorry I don’t match your ultra minimalist/spartan room preference (she showed me pics of her old room). Same woman has lied, both to families and staff. Tried to gaslight me when called out about switching my student of the month choice. Magically we got two that month and “you probably weren’t listening to the announcements well enough”

I’ve had admin gaslight me, voluntell me for things I’m not trained for, tell me I don’t need the help I’m asking for, once I had a kid sneak a knife in my room and no one ever asked me if I was okay after all of that. I taken 3 years of this and been given another bad turn despite doing all I’m told and never making waves.

On top of everything I’ve bitten my tongue about, I’m tired. I’m tired

I’m a 3rd year teacher but congrats, you’ve killed my love for this place. Make me pack up my entire room, expect me to leave all the school stuff in a pile for whoever takes my place. My stuff will be all packed up, so I might as well get the hell out of dodge.

The best advice I ever got for being a teacher was “Be the teacher you needed”. I’m sure Admin can take inspo from this to figure out my message. If you’re one of those rare admin, the good ones that actually give a hoot about your staff, I applaud you. You’re a unicorn and so rare, and I wish more were like you.

Others….the words I have for you I can’t say in front of my students.

I=