Co worker issue...Need your advice

[DisneyJen0504]

So I have been teaching Kindergarten for the last 2 years with a colleague in an inclusion classroom (I am a regular ed teacher, she is a special ed teacher, we have 8 students out of 20 who are classified students with various learning, social, or emotional needs). She has been a special ed teacher in K for 5 years.
Okay so with budget cuts and the economy, the district made some changes and ultimately, I have been assigned the K inclusion class for next year, only difference, since I am special ed certified as well, I will be the special education teacher. My coworker is being moved to another grade. I will be working with another colleague who currently teaches a regular ed K class. I am very friendly with her as well.
Problem is my current co worker is really opposed to having to move (happens all the time) and our once close relationship is turning sour....fast.
I feel terrible she is unhappy with the pending change, but I can't help that they decided to keep me in K. She has become very negative and is barely doing her share of work, and taking her frustrations out on me. I have tried to be supportive.

What would you do? Talk to her? Try to salvage what was once a friendship? Or just let it go as there are only 19 days of this year left?
Thanks.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Classroom placement is beyond your (and your colleague's) control. She is being childish and petty if she is taking it out on you, and unprofessional if she isn't fulfilling her duties with her current students. That being said, I would probably just suck it up and be thankful there are only 19 days of school left. You won't have to work with her next year, so I wouldn't invest a lot of time trying to mend fences when you weren't the one responsible for them being damaged in the first place!

However, if your colleague is really your friend, she will get over it. I would let things lie for a while, and then approach her again next year after she's settled into her new class to see if you can rekindle your friendship.

These situations are really hard. I'm glad you have someone compatible to work with next year.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thanks BCDisney. I think that is a great way to look at this situation. Thanks!

 

[disykat]

Have you given her some sympathy and let her know how much you'll miss working with her? In your post, you're pretty matter of fact which is understandable, but it might be hard for her if you're that way in real life.

I would definitely talk to her and let her know you value her friendship and don't want this to hurt your relationship! Obviously you can't change the work assignments and she would be unrealistic if she was expecting you to, but as a friend I think acknowledging that her situation stinks would be helpful.

If you've done all the friend things and she's still taking it out on you that's her loss. I would expect her to do her job, but cut her some slack because it's really hard not to get a short timers attitude when you are leaving. It's almost like a teenage "make it easy to move on" ritual.

 

[minniecarousel]

She sounds petty and unprofessional. Unless you had something to do with the reassignment, she's in the wrong. That said, I'd level with her, but also let her know how much you'll miss working with her.

I think you're just going to have to "suck it up".

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Im also a kindergarten teacher and am waiting nwo to see if im in my same position next year or being moved....that said, its not your fault that they are switching people around. I would say just hang in there and get through the next 19 days

 

[minkydog]

She can't help but be upset about this. Sure, she's acting badly but IMO she's been treated badly. Most teachers like to stay in the same position because they like teaching there. Nobody wants to be moved against their will, but it's necessary to meet the needs of each new school year. She's just unhappy that it's happening to her. I'm sure you can sympathize with her, but you don't need to feel guilty about it. You didn't do anything wrong.

Let it go. Reconnect at the beginning of the next school year. Offer to take her out for coffee and let her get her feelings off her chest. Do what you can to be supportive of her in her new position.

 

[Stacerita]

I can't beleive she would act like that towards you when its not your fault she is being moved. You don't have control over that. Very childish if you ask me. She should be thankful she is being moved and that's it. Many teachers are probably going to lose their jobs out here. I am sure they all would have been more than happy to be moved to another class.

 

[horseshowmom]

Class reassignments take place all the time. I was in a meeting today where the teachers were told that there would be some changes before the next school year, and they would be notified as to who/what when the decision was finalized.

Generally, nobody wants to be moved, but there's no reason that she should take it out on you. If it were me, I would probably be annoyed. Try to be sympathetic and just count the days down. However, I would remember her behavior and try to avoid being assigned with her again.

 

[MM27]

somebody needs to tell her that she is lucky to have a job with so many teachers being let go because of budget cuts in many places.

Moving is part of the job. We get the announcement at a faculty meeting every year about now that we can be moved not only within the building but to other schools in the district if that's where we are needed. Special ed teachers seem to move around the most.

I try to avoid toxic co-workers. I have one that works on my grade level (maternity leave replacement) and I am counting the days until the real teacher returns. For now, I go about my business and let her spread her garbage to the other people that will entertain her.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thanks everyone.
Yes I have been very sympathetic to her situation. Like I said, up until this point we have had a great friendship in and out of work. As others have said, I have had nothing to do with her change in assignment.
I appreciate your thoughts...and it definitely makes me feel better to know I am doing all that I can for her. All I can do is be supportive and if that is not enough, oh well.

 

[kirbsam]

She can't help but be upset about this. Sure, she's acting badly but IMO she's been treated badly. Most teachers like to stay in the same position because they like teaching there. Nobody wants to be moved against their will, but it's necessary to meet the needs of each new school year. She's just unhappy that it's happening to her. I'm sure you can sympathize with her, but you don't need to feel guilty about it. You didn't do anything wrong.

Let it go. Reconnect at the beginning of the next school year. Offer to take her out for coffee and let her get her feelings off her chest. Do what you can to be supportive of her in her new position.

how has she been treated badly?