Thread: Big Vent:Got scolded today by another teacher

Keeping up with the calculators is very likely the hardest part of my job. I've had two go missing after nearly the whole year was gone. I'm very careful with them and actually wince when one is dropped in class. I emphasize the importance of taking care of them to the kids on a daily basis.

Some of my students have their own and bring them to class to use. Occassionally, one of those kids will accidentally take one with them and later bring it back red-faced and apologetic. I am understanding about the whole situation.

It irks me to no end that I don't know what happened to the two I've lost. I know other teachers have lost a few over the year, and that brings me a little comfort, but not much.

Something interesting.... While we were conducting our state testing, I found a calculator on a student that belonged to the school and had been missing for over a year! I confiscated it and returned it to my department head. I believe they are pressing charges on the girl.

I'm sorry you have to deal with such a difficult person. I hope your relationship will improve.

Thanks for your reply. And I hope Idon't come across too rude about losing a calculator... I think her attitude bothered me me than the calculator itself. She just acted like it was an expectation. kids WILL remove them from my class but I usually know what period it disappeared in and I will givethem the cold shoulder and make them work EVERY problem out until it returns. She makes it sound like there is no repercussion if one disappears. UGH>

Sorry you have to experience such hostility. There is usually at least one teacher in a school who is hard to deal with on multiple levels.

You might consider how you word your comment. Perhaps in a situation like that, you might just come right out and say that the principal has spoken to you three times this past week about not losing any calculators as the school cannot afford it. Has the principal mentioned that to her? This deflects the whole idea away from you and to the administration, so it is not like your are chewing her out. Just a thought.

yeah, I think I learned my lesson. from now on I will definately tread lightly. i hope she was just having abad day.

What a great idea, Tom. How much did you have to pay for them?

What a great idea.... Where would I look for those?
My other thought was to give her 100 calculators for HER to care for and I'll keep my teams 100. if she loses them then she can deal with it and she won't have to "answer" to me.

Hurts doesn't it ?
Over the years I have realized that some persons simply ARE like the one you did describe.
I have several times vented my frustrations to the board - simply because this works as a safety valve . No need to drop to her level and shout back. (But sometimes holding back is hard. I wonder what these teachers are like in their privat spheres.)

i hope she was just having abad day.

My thoughts were the same , but I fear that she ONLY has bad days - so why not pray for her having a GOOD day ?

:wink:
Olav.

I don't think there is ever a time when it is appropriate for a school staff member to treat another staff member that way. Regardless of who's who, whether it's teachers or admin, I think professionalism should always win out over crankiness due to a bad day or anything like that. We are all adults and should have the self control to maintain an atmosphere of respect when dealing with our colleagues, regardless of our personal feelings toward them. Rudeness, scolding and condescension are inappropriate and unprofessional. If we can't maintain self control, how can we ask our students to. I recently eperienced something similar to your situation, and I too held my tongue and came to the boards to vent. There is never a reason for a teacher or administrator to treat another staff member like they are a student rather than a colleague.