My job sucks right now...vent

[Rock'n Robin]

I teach at a high school. I never hear anything from the administration unless it is my evaluation every 4 years. I have been in the same classroom for 18 years. We are getting a major building makeover in the next 3 years. Science, career and tech teachers, all getting brand new rooms and facilities. The language arts department will get what's left. There will be a big new wing, then they will tear down the older two buildings of our campus and remodel the main building. No A/C, although the building will be "ready" for it.
I have the hottest room in the school. Even today, it was 42 out, I had every window open. I face the sun from sunup to about 2PM. It was almost 80 in my room today. In warmer months it flirts with 90. I also have carpet pulling up and I've tripped over it so many times (it is in a very high traffic spot) I have a very sore foot and a limp. I had to wear sneakers today because it is swollen up. No one wants to do any fixing up because the room will be all redone...in 3 years!
So I asked to switch to another room that is opening up when another teacher moves. It is on the same floor but another wing and most importantly, on the other side of the building (sun only after about 12). I found out today that the prinicpal is keen to get a social studies teacher moved to the main building, so he really wants this guy (who has been here 2 years) to get that room. Why can't he get MY room? I've been there 18 years, doesn't seniority mean anything? I don't care where they move me when the remodel is done, as long as it is NOT the room I am in now! I will move twice in 3 years, I am perfectly willing to do so, and not even get any help from janitors.
Now today I also find out that my pet project, a double-block English class where the kids have me for 2 periods and then get two years of English credit (11 and 12) in one year, will not be offered next year. Now for a couple of years I've heard the kids have been discouraged from taking it. I myself heard the guidance counselor explain it to the kids this year who will be juniors next year, and say "now there's really no reason to take this class unless you have special needs". Maybe he meant special needs like wanting to graduate early because you don't like school (I have 4 of those now) or because you are a senior who has failed a year of English (I have 2 of those) or you want to take marketing and have an earlier release in 12th grade (I have 3 of those). But when a kids hears "special needs" those aren't the needs he thinks about! I complained to the principal, but I only heard it during the last presentation. Last year 8 kids signed up, but I had 10th graders and could recruit, and ended up with 16. This year 5 kids signed up--and I was not given a chance to recruit, they just called those kids down and changed their schedules.
I've taught this for 12 years. We started it to be a little more progressive. Now it's back to 6 classes for me instead of 5, 25 more papers to grade, God forbid he puts me back with 9th or 10th graders....but he probably will because right now I think no one in administration gives a *)^$)(# about me. Why do I bother. I should get an administrative certificate so I can make adult's lives miserable instead of working and caring about my students.
Robin M.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'm soo sorry. It sounds pretty blucky.

I remember 9th grade English, reading selections from the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Canterbury Tales. Plus reading The Scarlett Letter. I wouldn't want to have to TAKE it again, much less have to talk about it all day, every day.

Hope things start looking up for you!

 

[mickeyboat]

Robin, that stinks! You work your butt off all those years, and this is what you get.

I have a couple of suggestions.

Ask the PTA for funds for a window A/C unit, and maybe even new carpeting if the school budget will not allow it. Our PTA has a ton of money, and for some reason none of the teachers are asking for it. I think we would fund something like the A/C.

Is it possible for you to generate some sort of flyer or informational sheet where you could describe your block program to the students? That way you aren't really doing any recruiting, and you are able to describe your program in your own words.

Good luck!

Denae

 

[Kitty 34]

Gosh I had a down day at school today, too. A lot of "administrative" hazzles if you catch my drift. Hope yours gets better!

 

[minniecarousel]

ooooh-eee!

I would write a letter *pronto* to the Principal, requesting the room that will open up next year! There is a definite "pecking order" on our HS campus, and you deserve that room. You MUST make your desire known - there is no reason for you to put up with a sub-standard room. It's a shame that anyone has to have a room like that, but it shouldn't be a long-time teacher. (let those young teachers deal with it!)

 

[Blondy876]

I'm having administration problems today too. We were given self-evaluations to fill out last week. Apparently now that they have all been handed in the administration doesn't like some of the answers they got. The teachers and assistants are all getting the silent treatment from them. Plus we are being called into the office for our evaluations which wouldn't be too weird except that it is really early for them to be doing them. Which makes me worry.

AND...my boss leaned his head into the teacher's prep area this afternoon and yelled at us because we were "late" to our classrooms this morning. Today was no different than any other day. When we pointed out that we just go by the clock in the room he said "Well, don't go by that one." OK, which one should we go by? He won't say he just says "Not that one." I almost asked if we are to gage the time by the position of the sun but I need my job.

It must be a full moon.

I hope you get your situation resolved quickly. It sure sounds like you paid your dues and deserve a better room. Good luck!!

 

[Cindy B]

Be happy you have a position and are tenured.

Our budget isn't going to pass and four instrumental music teachers, two resource room teachers and six different administrators in our 19 schools are being cut.

Yes, principals, teachers and special ed teachers.

I am going in to special ed since it is high demand and needed... now I'm scared that since resource room is being cut, what is in store for special ed?

That stinks about your room. Your building sounds newer than our IB focal point high school. The roof caved in during the recent snow storm. The building is 55 years old! So all classes were rerouted to another part of the building until the the repairs were made.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Oh Cindy I am happy to have this job, but just today I seem to be attracting crap, and I swear the principal (who is in his 3rd year) doesn't know my name. He just got a PhD and I swear, if he can get one anyone can. But no people skills!
The main building, which is being added on to and remodeled, is 51 years old. The two other buildings were built around 1930, but one was extensively remodeled 20 years ago(right before I got there). The worst one used to be an elementary until the mid 80s. The people with rooms over there have to put up with very weird smells, and one boy burned himself a couple of weeks ago leaning against an uninsulated hot water pipe. Those two buildings will be razed when the whole project is finished.
Sometimes I see other districts that have programs in place to appreciate teachers, and I wonder why the heck my district doesn't do that. We get a "breakfast" once a year (think the continental breakfast you get at a Comfort Inn). Where I live, teachers get a "service" pin every 5 years, and each building has a "teacher of the year" with one being chosen for the entire district. I can look forward to my golden apple when I retire in 15 years, I guess!
I just wish someone would talk to my face about anything, instead of letting me know by EMail that my class was cancelled--and only because I asked him about my numbers. The asst. principal said I could have the new room, but I hear through the grapevine I might not--I almost talked to the principal today but his door was shut which usuallys means a ticked off parent is present. I just have to keep my courage up and demand that room for my own instead of asking like a wimp. At this point I'll never be the guy's friend(after all,I don't coach), so I have nothing to lose.
Robin M.

 

[Cindy B]

My two favorite administrators that have really been helping me are looking to get cut. They are wonderful teachers, and now wonderful administrators.

My kids principal, some 27 year old chicky ( her name is even a chicky name) just got her Phd and is all hot stuff as well. I don't like her.


This high school building drives me nuts. It is very inaccessible to the wheelchair students. Yes, there are wings that are ADA accessible, but its always tricky to see if the elevator works, or where the best exit is. Now, in order to finish weight room things in the gym class, these wheelchair bound kids have to exit through a building garage, down the field and up another ramp. Yes, accessible, but very trickily accessible.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

It sounds like the room should be yours by seniority.
IF you don't get it fair and square, requisition reflective film to be taped to windows.
Good Luck!