Ugly Perceptions
Today, I’ve had the pleasure of having one of those crying jags that pretty much lasts all day and leaves the eyes swollen and a headache behind.
The thing is, the principal jumped my shit this morning over stuff I thought was really unfair. There’s some weird stuff going on that I don’t feel comfortable even writing about here, but I’ve seen this coming. I just want to quit. Right now.
I’ve been so fortunate not to have EVER had a boss who acted ugly to me since I was a 20 year old nanny in New York. When she did, I quit on the spot. I’ve always felt blessed when I’ve heard other people’s nightmare boss stories, because by and large, I’ve been spared. I’ve had a couple of losers, but nothing like this sort of disrespect.
I’m not one to just shut up and take it. I also find it difficult to change my entire personality, which is pretty much what I’d need to do to get along in this situation. My mother suggested becoming more of an ass-kisser, which is good advice, but advice that I am loathe to take.
Weird. Since my old principal quit, I’ve went from being an expert to being a meddler, from going above and beyond to “shirking my duty” and I’m doing the same things I did last year. Ah, perceptions.
I’m so frickin’ depressed. I want OUT.
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I would start trying to look for other options. It sounds miserable, and unlikely to improve. This kind of insecure environment will damage your physical and mental health. Sadly, if you leave, the kids will lose–you care about them and are an excellent teacher for them.
Margaret’s last blog post..Settling for less
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Sleep on it and see how you feel tomorrow. And then, maybe what Margaret said.
Kelvin Kao’s last blog post..Joe the Plumber
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Margaret is right, time to look at other options. If this new principal thinks you’re “shirking” your duties… then it’s time to find something else. Somewhere else that will appreciate all you give. You work hard, you care, and you’re not apathetic. Don’t change YOU, change the job.
I know, easier said than done.
Wende’s last blog post..Unexpected
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Before totally giving up on it, perhaps the enw principle won’t last long? Maybe next year he will be gone and you’ll get another good one that appreciates you and all you do for those kids. Also, keep in mind that you only have to deal with him for a small portion of your day because the rest of it is spent in the classroom with your students
Nick’s last blog post..Sunday Snapshots – 008
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That sucks! I’ve only had one awful boss (when I was in Bosnia) and ended up getting fired perhaps cause I was naive, perhaps because I totally failed to appreciate just how much another human being can suck! Anyway, I would agree it’s a good idea to look at your options, so if things really get unbearable you won’t be stuck.
I hate how other people have the power to totally ruin things for others. I’m currently stressing out due to an over zealous supervisor but I know it’s only temporary, apart from this one individual my job is great! But yeah, I guess in Bosnia I refused to keep quiet and let things go bad, and it didn’t get me very far. Now I’m too scared to speak my mind. Sometimes there’s no way to win!
Hope things sort themselves out and if they don’t that there are better things on the horizon!
Kamsin’s last blog post..Raining…
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Oh wow…I am probably not the best one to say anything on this subject. I have had my share of jerk bosses. I always left the job for the most part. I will say one time I stuck it out as long as I could and finally gave up. On my exit interview I told them everything. There were people leaving the department left and right so obviously something was wrong. I also encouraged a few others who were leaving to do the same thing because if no one ever spoke up then the problem never would get fixed. I heard via a friend 2 months later they had removed my old boss and made her head of the “Mail room.” Ha! How is that for justice. Just too bad I had to leave a good job that she was the only problem with. But I am also a firm believer in everything happens for a reason so my leaving got me into a new career path that actually took me great places.
Who knows…just go with your gut and you will be fine. If you feel you can stick it out to see if someone else takes their spot in the future then do so. If it is making you that miserable I would look elsewhere. Life is too short to be that unhappy and be someone else’s whipping post.
Lee Anne’s last blog post..Look what I did…
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Bosses are like cops. For every one that wants to actually do the job, there’s another who just wants to throw their weight around.
Pacian’s last blog post..Beautiful Plumage
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But are we having fun yet, Michelle? Ah, the joy of dealing with asses in education. Over the years I have had a couple of “principals from Hell”. It is good that in your last post you are a little empathetic about your principal’s problems but it still doesn’t change the fact that we are all responsible for the way we treat others. Having a rough time doesn’t give any administrator the right to treat others like crap.
Try to focus on the positive things you are doing in the classroom and don’t let the stupid aspects of education poison your feelings. Just ignore the garbage since it really doesn’t matter anyway when it comes to teaching. I hope things improve for you. You deserve it!
Ken Albin’s last blog post..What I’ve Learned From 30 Years of Teaching