Principal Control Freak

[juliew]

:mad:

Hello,

I am new here. I hate to start out by complaining and venting but I think it will make me feel better to write, although maybe a journal would be better?
I amnot a teacher but a child and youth worker in the school system. I have been with the school board for 20 yrs now.
I love what I do.
However I just switched from a Behaviour Consulting position that required LOTS of driving from school to school - did that for 6 yrs - got tired of the commuting and driving. SO I left that and am now back in one school. This school is much closer to home and is a K-8 school. Lots of students.
I should be busy right?:confused:
My job is primarily to help with behavioural issues through out the school.
However - my Vice Principal seems to be doing my job - leaving me - bored out of my skull.
I have initiated many meetings with admin. to address this. I have memos on paper that state that the VP will hand over behaviours to me. He still continues not to.
When the behaviours don't come to me - and there are plenty - sometimes he has a line up at his door - I am supposed to "monitor" classes. DO you know how boring this? I must do 40 laps of that school a day. The thing that annoys me is that I am quite skilled in what I do - I have a lot of experience that should be utilized.
Teachers complain that behaviour is not being dealt with or that there is a lack of follow through from admin - yet my hands are tied.
When I have nothing to do and I feel guilty I am cautious of getting caught doing NOTHING - yet what can I do?
The principal is a control freak, a bully, manipulative, talks about others behind their backs (even her VP). She has been awful with me lately. We started off with a good rapport yet I always felt that I had to cautious around her. This is emotionally exhausting! Anyhow - she has told me off 2x lately over the most stupid things. I have tried to discuss the matters with her professionally and calmly however the response I get is "I am the principal and you better watch who you are talking to" I once replied with " I realize that you are the principal but we BOTH deserve respect." I think my saying that pretty much ended it for me. She barely looks at me.
I just cannot stand someone being condescending to me.
I hate going to work - which is a shame because I love the kids and the staff.
Seems like lately I am only used for bus and yard duty.
I average 1 sick day every 2 weeks right now because I can't face going in and doing nothing....

Any thoughts?
Julie

[Chef Dave]

First - allow me to express my sympathy for your very difficult position. Nobody likes to feel unwanted and it's a shame that your school isn't using your skills to its best advantage.


I average 1 sick day every 2 weeks right now because I can't face going in and doing nothing....


Please stop doing this. I understand the concept of taking the occasional mental health day ... but in any conflict like this, you need to take and maintain the moral high ground. Do not give anyone ammunition to use against you. Do not give your building administrator the opportunity to suggest that you are anything less than professional.

Does your building administrator understand what you're actually supposed to be doing? If you've already had previous meetings with her and can document this, I would suggest going over her head to the district office.

Do you have someone at the district office who oversees your program? If so, talk to that person. If not, talk to the superintendent.

Be aware that if you take this concern to the district office, it could very well become a no-win situation. Even if the district office supports you, the building administrator is bound to resent you.

On the brighter side, it doesn't seem as though relations could possibly get any worse - so at this point the only thing you really have to lose is your job ... which you don't seem to be enjoying anyway.

So - if you really feel strongly about this, take the matter to the district office. Regardless of who you wind up speaking to, please observe the following:

1) Document dates and times when you've met with the building administrator.

2) Be professional. Be objective. Don't let your emotions or your personal feelings get in the way. What do you think you should be doing? What are you actually doing?

Avoid suggesting that your building administrator is a "control freak," a bully, and a gossip. Stick to the facts.

Best wishes!

David

[juliew]

Thanks Dave.
You are very right.
I do have to maintain the higher moral ground here. I will keep telling myself that. Thank you.
Unfortunately my particular role does not have a defined and updated job description. However - I do know that others in my position are doing a lot more in regards to behaviour.
I have had multiple meetings with my admin and have gotten no where most of the time. However on our last meeting in February as I mentioned in my post - the expectations with printed out.
My VP is not following through and giving me as much as he should.
Does my principal know this? Yes.
I have spoken a few times to my union president who has also been in my role - she is very supportive and has offered to intervene on my behalf - however - I thought that I could handle this on my own as I didn't want any ill feelings between me and my principal.
At this stage my union has suggested speaking with the superintendent. I worry what impact that will have on me at work however.
Next school year - I am only half days at this school and half at another. Maybe that will help. The reason for the half days is my principal must have told the superintendent that I am not busy enough there to be full days. This frustrates me - as you can imagine.
Its the super. that places us within the schools.
If I tell the super. how things have been this year for me would I be shooting myself in the foot?

[Chef Dave]

If I tell the super. how things have been this year for me would I be shooting myself in the foot?

I guess it depends. How badly do you need this job? Ultimately that will be the final deciding factor. If you were to lose this job, how easy would it be for you to find gainful employment?

If you don't really need this job and are already thinking about leaving because you don't like what you're doing, then you really don't have anything to lose by talking to the district superintendent.

From what you've said, the building administrator already doesn't care for you. You're already unhappy. I really can't see how things could get any worse for you short of losing the job altogether.