What makes people so mean?

[MushyMushy]

I posted a few days ago about how difficult it's been at work because of how I've been treated by some of the so-called adults. Well, today was my last day in the classroom. Tomorrow is a field trip day, so I'll be floating around the building covering for other teacher's prep periods, which is why I consider today my "real" last day.

It wasn't bad enough that my "coworkers" continued to ignore me and shun me. No, that's just not enough to make a person feel completely rotten.

Today they brought in a cake at lunch and presented it to the inclusion teacher I work with and made a big deal over it (you know, celebrating *her* last day with me). She was completely mortified by this and didn't even eat a piece. They were just laughing and snickering the whole time.

Totally unrelated to that, I got sick during a later period. I either caught the stomach virus that's going around or lunch didn't sit right with me, but I was feeling horrible. The inclusion teacher came to my room and just went on and on about how I had to take it all with a grain of salt and ignore that kind of behavior. I thanked her for it and explained that I wasn't upset, but truly physically unwell. I don't think she believed me. I mean, yes, I'll admit to you that I'm upset and really hurt and I'll probably go to bed and cry it out.

What gets into people? Why would you do that to someone? Anyway, I just wanted to vent.

 

[KyraS]

Oh Mushy that's horrible. I'm so so sorry. Are you going back there next year? You are a better person than I am because by now I think I would have let them have a major piece of my mind.

 

[NMAmy]

Thank heavens you are out of there. What a terrible situation to be in. I can't believe that grown adults would treat a co-worker that way.

 

[MushyMushy]

Oh Mushy that's horrible. I'm so so sorry. Are you going back there next year? You are a better person than I am because by now I think I would have let them have a major piece of my mind.

As of right now, no I won't go back. If I'm ever asked, I'll say no and tell them exactly why. Subs are hard enough to find, so hopefully it'll be a nice wakeup call. I'm not saying anything right now because I'm hoping for a decent job reference this summer.

 

[KyraS]

I can't blame you at all! Good Luck in whatever you decide. No one deserves to be treated like that!

 

[Robinrs]

Don't cry, don't let them win. They want you down... you're so much better than that.

You've vented, that's what this place is for. Now, consider them in your rear view window and wonder how do they live with themselves instead of what makes them mean. Just be glad YOU aren't.

Hang in there... you deserve much better.

 

[Chicago526]

Gee, that reminds me of how I was treated....in grade school!

You'd think adults would know better. Not everyone gets along, that's fine, but at least be profesional to your co-workers, even if you don't care for them!

OP, I'm sure you're a perfectly lovely person. It sounds like there is an established clique there and they just decided to gang up on an outsider, unfortunatly that was you. It likely would have been anyone in your situation so try not to take it personally. Easier said than done, I know!

 

[Stitchfans]

Really sorry this is happening to you. I know what you are saying. I'll never understand why some people love to see others miserable? must be as I called the teachers I worked with- "pure evil".

 

[lovetoscrap]

Wow! That is just horrible! I absolutely can't believe they would do that.

Do you have someone in the district that is in charge of the Subs? I think I would let them know the problems. I would probably also speak to the principal or asst principal. You are right, subs are very hard to find, especially for middle school and I have a feeling they would be very interested in knowing how you have been treated. These are professinal adults and they should be acting that way, not harassing their fellow professionals.

to you. You are a wonderful teacher and person and don't deserve this. You know you are doing a very valuable job. It is nice that some have stood up for you. Sure wish they would go to the administration and let them know how their co workers are acting.

Get some rest. I am getting over the stomach bug also and slept until 1 today. Keep in mind if you are still not feeling well there is no need to go in tomorrow. Wonder how these teachers would feel if you weren't there to cover their prep periods???

 

[Cantw8]

I'm sorry that happened, Mushy

 

[MushyMushy]

Wow! That is just horrible! I absolutely can't believe they would do that.

Do you have someone in the district that is in charge of the Subs? I think I would let them know the problems. I would probably also speak to the principal or asst principal. You are right, subs are very hard to find, especially for middle school and I have a feeling they would be very interested in knowing how you have been treated. These are professinal adults and they should be acting that way, not harassing their fellow professionals.

to you. You are a wonderful teacher and person and don't deserve this. You know you are doing a very valuable job. It is nice that some have stood up for you. Sure wish they would go to the administration and let them know how their co workers are acting.

Get some rest. I am getting over the stomach bug also and slept until 1 today. Keep in mind if you are still not feeling well there is no need to go in tomorrow. Wonder how these teachers would feel if you weren't there to cover their prep periods???

Fortunately, I'm not covering for any of them tomorrow -- they'll mostly all be on the field trip. That's a nice relief.

My DH just got home from work and I was already crying. He's furious and wants to complain to the school board (he works with a board member). I talked him out of it. There's really nobody in charge of subs. I might wait until later when I've gained some perspective and speak to one of the principals about it. But I don't know how much credibility I'd have, you know? On one hand, I want to just sweep it under the rug and forget all about it, but on the other hand I think I should at least mention it.

I'm sorry that happened, Mushy

No pictures to cheer me up?

 

[PrincessMom2002]

That's terrible. So it was other teachers treating you this way? If so, I know teachers are humans just like the rest of us, but aren't they supposed to be setting a good example for the students they teach? I wonder what their children act like. You know the old saying "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". Anyway, yes their treatment hurts but in the end, YOU aren't the one with the problem. They are.

 

[DMickey28]

I am sorry ... You are almost done.

I have no idea why people can be so mean and how did it get to be a group of them! Horrible ... Love to think about what they are teaching. Just be thankful that one of your kids isn't in one of their classes.

 

[DelaneyRose]

I am so sorry this happened to you. There are places I don't sub much b/c I don't feel welcome and there are places where I've cried when a job was over b/c it was so great and everyone was so wonderful to me.

Today they brought in a cake at lunch and presented it to the inclusion teacher I work with and made a big deal over it (you know, celebrating *her* last day with me).

That is wicked nasty. Maybe next year when these people can't find anyone to cover their classes she will remind them of this incident.
Are you sure that district doesn't have someone in the central office who coordinates subs? In our area the subs are recruited and paid by a temp agency but every district still has a person who is the liason for subs. It's hard though if you need a reference and have to be careful not to step on important toes!!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I posted a few days ago about how difficult it's been at work because of how I've been treated by some of the so-called adults. Well, today was my last day in the classroom. Tomorrow is a field trip day, so I'll be floating around the building covering for other teacher's prep periods, which is why I consider today my "real" last day.

It wasn't bad enough that my "coworkers" continued to ignore me and shun me. No, that's just not enough to make a person feel completely rotten.

Today they brought in a cake at lunch and presented it to the inclusion teacher I work with and made a big deal over it (you know, celebrating *her* last day with me). She was completely mortified by this and didn't even eat a piece. They were just laughing and snickering the whole time.

Totally unrelated to that, I got sick during a later period. I either caught the stomach virus that's going around or lunch didn't sit right with me, but I was feeling horrible. The inclusion teacher came to my room and just went on and on about how I had to take it all with a grain of salt and ignore that kind of behavior. I thanked her for it and explained that I wasn't upset, but truly physically unwell. I don't think she believed me. I mean, yes, I'll admit to you that I'm upset and really hurt and I'll probably go to bed and cry it out.

What gets into people? Why would you do that to someone? Anyway, I just wanted to vent.

I just happened upon this thread and read the treatment you have had to endure. I don't know why people are so ugly and mean sometimes. There is no reason for it to be that way. I hope your tears let the pain flow away and you can go on to the next school with no fears of bullies. Shame on them.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Can you call out sick tomorrow?

I am so, so sorry they treated you this way, but you need to stand up. Maybe not now, but after you get a reference. Print out what you wrote here as a reference when you do write a formal letter to the board.

They'll just treat the next person just as bad.

That cake thing would have put me over the edge and someone would be wearing it.

 

[bluefairy13]

I have a friend at another school that this happened to last year and for the whole year they treated her like a leper. (For some reason they think she "told on them" for ducking out when they were showing kids a film, but I really believe that she didn't do it.) This year it is like it never happened, so take heart.

I really is shocking the stuff that happens "behind the scenes" with teachers and staff. We have had at least one major soap opera a year, with sexual harassment complaints, wars between teachers, and horrible gossip that actually damaged an art teacher's career.

I think parents would be pretty surprised to know about what is going on in that teacher's lounge!

 

[CathrynRose]

People make themselves feel better by being shallow and cruel to others.

They can deny it all they want, or exclaim theyre not like that - but thats it. It makes *them* feel better.

Mushy - YOU are the better person!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Mushy I'm sorry you had a rotten time of it. Some people are just idiots.

 

[DevilDuckie]

There are some truly awful people in the world and I am sorry you had to work with some of them.

It is all but over. Hold your head high for one more day and you'll be out of there.

DO speak to the principal. Cite specifics- the cake thing is creating a hostile work environment and would be grounds for a suspension or termination in most workplaces.

Sadly, teachers are not immune to nastiness. My son's kindergarten teacher disliked him (we were never quite sure why) and he came home crying 2-3 times a week. It was horrible and it took a lot of extra love and care from a wonderful 1st grade teacher at a new school to undo the damage this awful woman had done. Women who bully you like this are almost certainly going to be doing something equally unkind to the children who don't fit their ideal.