Written up for leaving classroom

[ctwith3]

I BEVER leave my classroom alone, but I recently needed water and to take my blood pressure medicine or I was going to pass out- I have hypotension (not hyper tension), and I knew I was in a crisis situation, so I went to the classroom around the corner to our fridge (that teacher's and mine), borrowed a cup since I was so disoriented I forgot to take mine, took me medication, drank about four cups of water (heavy hydration raises your blood pressure), leaned on the other teachers desk for support while doing so, and returned to class within 3-4 minutes. My classroom is in the basement, the only other teacher is that teacher whose room I went to- and he had a class- there is no telephone on our level, cell service is poor at best, my 16 oz bottle of water had been finished 2 periods before- I have 4 classes in a row and as I teach computers, some students stay till the last minute to finish there work, and by that time students for the next class have come in- and I know that leaving the room with them alone is improper.
The new principal was in my vestibule talking to the tech guys, told me what I did was illegal and not to do it agin- but he didn't stay with the 7 working students in my classroom either. Those students were still working just like I left them, and I ended my medical emergency.
He tod me to meet with him regarding my conduct, I explained my medical emergency and how I've been carted out on a stretcher and rushed to the ER in the past, and he stated I should have sent a student up the 3 floor to the office for help. I explained that by the time the student got half way there I probably would have been passed out (and my class would have been unsupervised). He wrote me up anyway. I was out sick the next day and told me doctor who knows very well the severity of my problems- I'm also a severe asthmatic, and the low blood pressure decreases oxygen which can trigger a major asthma attack.
We all know there are good and bad educators out there, but what about a sense of humanity?

[Chef Dave]

We all know there are good and bad educators out there, but what about a sense of humanity?

Administrators don't have a sense of humanity. It's a prerequisite for their wretched jobs. :)

Seriously though ... I'm sorry this happened.

Last year I was written up for leaving my class even though I had WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PRINCIPAL TO DO SO. When the state director for Culinary Arts asked if she could meet with me during my 3rd period class, I sent an e-mail to my principal. I passed on the request and asked if it would be possible for me to observe my class from my office. The office looks into the classroom and I told my administrator that I would stay in line of sight with the students. I would also leave the door open so that I could hear the class.

The principal told me to go ahead and do this ... but I was subsequently written up on my performance evaluation for "meeting with a state official without prior notification to the office" and "abandoning my class."

When I produced a copy of the e-mail that authorized me to do this, the principal got mad. She refused to change the evaluation and told me that it was against state law and district policy to "abandon students." As to why she gave me permission to do what I did remains a mystery to me ...

[ctwith3]

From my research at NY Stat Ed's website there is no such law. A Google search I found a case where the judge ruled in the teacher's favor in a case of liability- the judge said that the policy is ambiguous at best. I asked the principal (a 31 year-old know it all) to produce a copy of the law and he didn't after saying he would. Regardless, medical necessity comes first, and your written permission covered you- did your union file a grievence?

[Boxcar]

This is an unfortunate situation. However, I do note something you should have done. You seem very knowledgable about your body and needs. This doesn't sound like it is something new to you. If you thought you would have any problems in the classroom, you should have come up with a plan before the emergency arose. You should have mentioned something to someone if you have passed out in the classroom prior to this incident. I believe every room should have a first aid kit. If you need water, keep a bottle with the kit. Replace it if you use it.

Yes, your principal could have been more understanding. I know things do happen. However, you could have done some things as precautions.

I hope you are feeling better.

[hweber]

Could you move the small refrigerator to your room to keep water in it?

[ctwith3]

Boxcar- I agree with you.
I unfortunately finished my water earlier, had 4 periods in a row, and although I try to move students out quickly at the end of the period so as not to be late for a colleagues class, but that never happens and I have students coming in for the next period, and logging on to their computers before I can sy wait outside, lock the door, and replenish my water supply. More importantly, I haven't had an episode in a very long time, and I started a medication for a different medical issue the night before- and unbeknownst to me, some of the side effects are dry mouth, increased thirst, and the lowering of the patient's blood pressure. That doctor states it is odd that it had such an effect- but I guess that's why it's called the practice of medicine.
The school is very familiar with my medical issues, seeing that I have been rushed out of the building via ambulance and raced to the ER. My union has asked for a telephone be placed in my room many times- but the business office said it's too expensive. One of my doctors wrote a note stating a phone is needed in my room due to medical neccesity, so their ignoring a reasonable accomodation for 2 medical conditions considered adisabilities is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and I may file charges.
Regardless, Boxcar, the humane thing to do would have been to ask if I'm feeling better and request that I keep a larger supply of water in my classroom- not to write me up. What makes it worse is that he didn't write me up until after he heard my reason. He said I should have had an IT dept. person who is down the hall watch over my class, but then he would have to address my having unqualified people cover my class- so why did he mention it? And if leaving my class alone shouldn't ever happen, why didn't he stay with them when he saw I wasn't there?Sometimes an emergency occurs and we just have to say- it was an emergency, he was in distress, he was scared, and it's a fair excuse- unlike other teachers who leave their classes to go make copies.

[ctwith3]

To hweber:
I'd love to, but I don't have the room, and I teach computer technology so the electrical draw is an issue as is the having a lot of liquids in a computer lab (as per an administrative directive). They tried to take away our right to even have the fridge and microwave in the art room around the corner, but we are 34 flights down and on the opposite side of the cafeteria & faculty room. FYI- there are only 2 working water fountains in the building, are 4 flights up. I have access to the elevator, but it's slow.

[Boxcar]

It does sound like you have done your part in this whole situation. You've addressed the various ways to make a plan. You have cooperated as much as you can. I can fully say now that the principal is being awful.

A phone does sound like a very reasonable accomodation. Not just for your safety but for students' well-being too. Why does the business office say it is too much? Don't computers need to be hooked to phone lines in order to work on the Internet? Therefore, the room should already have phone jacks and the needed wiring. Of course, I understand that it is two seperate lines but nonetheless...

I really am starting to think this is even beyond your situation. Thirty-four flights down without communication to the rest of the school is a huge issue in my book. That is just so inadvisable. There are very basic and cheap intercom systems available for this sort of purpose. It needed be something that costs the school much... Wouldn't even a baby moniter work?

[hweber]

I too think the principal is being unreasonable. How about walkie-talkies? I totally understand the admin not wanting you to have a fridge in your room, it is the same with us. But that far away from running water or help cannot be safe for you or the kids. Let us know if anything else happens.

[ctwith3]

He came into my classroom and asked if I had a call button since 2 of my doctors (Cardiologist and Pulmonoligist) gave me notes stating I need a telephone in my classroom. The principal came in my classroom during my prep and asked if I had a call button. I showed it to him, and then let him know my classroom is connected to the empty writing center next door, and it doesn't work. Of course he didn't believe me and called the office with his secretary waiting and found out I was right. My attorney told me to file charges with the EEOC and to notify the district I won't stand for being harassed, and if they continue I will file charges against them every time and sue them as well. I hate to go this way, but they've stressed me out 2 times over this and I had an asthma attack each time.

[hweber]

Thanks for keeping us updated. I can't believe that this has gone to these levels. Unreal.

[War_Eagle]

I BEVER leave my classroom alone, but I recently needed water and to take my blood pressure medicine or I was going to pass out- I have hypotension (not hyper tension), and I knew I was in a crisis situation, so I went to the classroom around the corner to our fridge (that teacher's and mine), borrowed a cup since I was so disoriented I forgot to take mine, took me medication, drank about four cups of water (heavy hydration raises your blood pressure), leaned on the other teachers desk for support while doing so, and returned to class within 3-4 minutes. My classroom is in the basement, the only other teacher is that teacher whose room I went to- and he had a class- there is no telephone on our level, cell service is poor at best, my 16 oz bottle of water had been finished 2 periods before- I have 4 classes in a row and as I teach computers, some students stay till the last minute to finish there work, and by that time students for the next class have come in- and I know that leaving the room with them alone is improper.
The new principal was in my vestibule talking to the tech guys, told me what I did was illegal and not to do it agin- but he didn't stay with the 7 working students in my classroom either. Those students were still working just like I left them, and I ended my medical emergency.
He tod me to meet with him regarding my conduct, I explained my medical emergency and how I've been carted out on a stretcher and rushed to the ER in the past, and he stated I should have sent a student up the 3 floor to the office for help. I explained that by the time the student got half way there I probably would have been passed out (and my class would have been unsupervised). He wrote me up anyway. I was out sick the next day and told me doctor who knows very well the severity of my problems- I'm also a severe asthmatic, and the low blood pressure decreases oxygen which can trigger a major asthma attack.
We all know there are good and bad educators out there, but what about a sense of humanity?

Get a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and ask to have it attached to the reprimand in your personnel folder.

[looneyteachr]

write a letter of rebuttal to put in your folder with his - some people are just power hungry haters

[ctwith3]

Here is the update:
After 3.5 months I was given a walkie-talkie so I coud call for coverage, however that is of no use if I have to talk to my doctor, because it would be a violation of my rights under Fedreal health policy law. Now they want me to test my cell phone to see if they can get a call out of my room using it; however, I told my union president (who isn't doing anything more than playing politics and worrying about what the district Deputy Supt. wants) to sit in on an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) meeting with my principal, Deputy Supt. and I, and they want to move my room because in-between the medicine incident and now they moved the music room behind me- and the only thing separating our rooms is a 1/16th - 1/8th" metal wall. My students are finding it hard to concentrate, and they didn't move he room behind me until I provided the district with a letter from my Psychiatrist informing them I have Major Depression and Anxiety disorders, and then a letter stating that the music room noise is having a serious impact on my anxiety. All of a sudden after 50+ years, the music room isn't big enough for them. I love being in the basement because it is/was unbelievably quiet, and no students stick their face in the window of my door, etc. The music teacher hates it in the basement and wants his old room back, but they no longer want the band and chorus practicing on the stage because they want to be able to use the auditorium for BOE meetings, assemblies, etc.- the Deputy Supt states the auditorium is not conducive for teaching. so now they are asking me to move,but I reminded my Union President that the room was actually built for me and my needs (I worked with the architect), that I have been in my classroom for the last 6 years and haven't had any problems until the new Principal started, and the Deputy Supt. violated my rights as protected by the EEOC and the ADA; furthermore, let them bring a cell phone that they can let me keep in my room to test, and it will only be used for emergencies and contacting student's parents as needed. The IT guys have 2 phones one of which is cordless and they can attach an additional cordless extension in my room so I don't have to bother the IT guys to charge the phone- cost $30, cost of adding electrical lines and networking equipment with drops, installing my overhead projector, fixed projection screen, and removing the blackboards to install my sliding white boards, and putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls- thousands of dollars (which was not included in the budget). Moving the music room is 2 days labor for the custodians -$0 since they're already on the payroll.
I called the EEOC and a bunch of ADA advocacy groups and they all told me the same thing: they should give me the phone, return the classes to their original rooms, and file charges against the district withe the EEOC, and file complaints against the administrators with NY State Ed, since their decisions were immoral concerning their knowledge of my health issues, and refusing requests from my doctor to move the music room, never providing me with a phone, and taking so long to even get me the walkie-talkie. The new principal taught a whole 4 years, spent a year as an Assistant Principal, and the Deputy Supt.'s history is similar except that he's been in administration longer, and has never worked on the building administration level.

[Plado]

LOL...your post reminded me of something...totally unrelated...kinda...duh.

I had a job teaching 7th grade math. My principal used to be a math teacher, and would come into my class and basically take over, and start teaching math. Problem was...I guess he hadn't taught math in so many years, that he no longer really knew how to teach math. So, I would have to reteach the stuff he had taught wrong to my students. But it really irritated me that he would come in and take over my class. So, one day when he came in to teach, I simply walked out. I walked down the hall to visit with another teacher who was on conference period. At the end of the school day, my principal demanded that I come talk to him. He asked why I walked out of my classroom. I told him I didn't appreciate him interfering with my instruction, especially when I had to correct the mistakes he had made with my students. He never interfered with my instruction again.

[David Brown]

I can understand your problem as I have diabetes and need sugar straight away if I have a hypo, luckily my office is attached to the classroom and I don't need to leave the class to have jelly beans or drink juice. I think knowing your situation you should definitely have your medication and plenty of water on you, and also have your principal aware of the situation. If administration is turning a blind eye or not being helpful then they're going against policy and could be reported themselves.

[Dedicated_Teacher]

I'm sorry this happened to you. Maybe you should consider buying a case of water and living them there. I have a 3 gallon water container in my room. I don't like tap water and its cheaper than purchasing bottle water all the time. It was a gift a few years back, it was about $50 and it holds 3 gallons of water. It even heats up the water or keeps it cool.

You shouldn't have signed the write up (if you have to sign). You should've taken a doctors note, that is unfair. What grade do you teach?

I normally cover for the teachers next to my class, but sometimes its an emergency and they leave to the restroom or whereever they have to. I don't blame you, I am so sorry!

[yeongo saem]

What age are these children? Why do they need supervision any time they're in a classroom? Is theft or vandalism so prevalent?

I forget stuff at my desk down in the staff room or suddenly realise that I need more photocopies all the time. I'll send a student if it's something easy to get but if the students are working on something I'll just leave them and go get it. I can't understand what the problem with that could be at all as long as the class doesn't go completely out of control while I'm gone.

When I'm returning to a class I've left I like walking back right against the wall of the corridor so that students can't see me returning from the classroom windows. Then I'll open the door really quickly to see if any of them have been using my absence as a time to goof around.