The first two years were fine but this third year has been hell. I am an assistant principal in a tough school, inner city, even though technically the city where it is located is a suburb. We have had run-ins because she basically sees me as doing something I shouldn't when in fact I didn't or it needed to be done and she was upset that she didn't think of it I guess. The last thing to happen was this:
She apparently emailed one of the grade levels in my school with whom I had had a difficult meeting to discuss student performance and some poor attitudes exhibited by the teachers. It is one of those difficult aspects of being in a place of authority. Well, some piece of crap meddling instructional specialist went to my principal and said that the whole grade level was po'ed at me and that I was unprofessional with them. This couldn't be further from the truth. Anyhow, she sent this email without her even discussing this with me nor did she include me in the email. This caused one on the grade level to email me giving me a heads-up because he knew it was wrong. Here is the email she sent. The names have been protected. I've put in parentheses a general term instead of using the name we give our district's assessments. Notice the word, threat. You would think that something so serious would necessitate that she talk to me if I were really threatening people.
I would like to apologize for not being at the curriculum meeting on Tuesday, first, because I always enjoy the opportunity to dialog with you and second, because I have just learned of a remark that was made that I myself would have taken as a threat. I want to assure you I did not ask this person to share that message and additionally I recognize the {my district's assessments} for what they are, one piece of a big puzzle. Once we have our {math assessments} completed we will have a much better picture of our students based on improvement. I have asked some individuals to come and help in 3rd grade not because I think anyone is doing a poor job but to lift some of the burden of preparation for {stupid state assessment} and maintaining the push in Math. Please do not read negative intentions into this assistance. It is intended to be a gift so you can spend time with those that need it most. Please respond should you have strong feelings that I should hear.
So after this was forwarded to me I immediately confronted my principal. Needless to say she flies into rage saying that I had no right to say what I said even though what I said was not what she was told I said. I tried to explain to her that right after the meeting I gave her a debrief of all that was said. A district coordinator was at the meeting, the other assistant principal was at the meeting and furthermore, two teachers came up afterwords and thanked me for saying what I had said which was, in a nutshell, and I paraphrase, 'We know that you (the teachers) are doing a great job with some tough children. A 70% percent passing rate at this school reflects more on what good teachers you are than XXXXX district saying that they scored 90%. I realize the tough situation we are in, but I need for you to put personal differences aside and focus on the children. I am tired of being a referee. All of our energies need to be focused on student learning and performance. If not there will be changes, most of which unwanted.' She pays no attention and storms out of her office in tears. She's mental. I never raised my voice. I stayed calm, but I wanted to slap the crap out of the woman. The assistant principal backed me up, but I wish he would confront her like I do. He is too timid with her.
The "changes" part was taken unilaterally poorly by this meddling instructional specialist. Everyone there knew that I meant that the school would receive a poor rating, the state education agency would be on our campus continually, more paperwork not to mention meddling district personnel. Nobody took it as a threat on their jobs. My crazy principal takes the word of one person over mine, her assistant principal!
Anyhow, before speaking to the crazy lady, I went to the grade level chair and asked him if he had a problem with me or what I said. He looked at me dumbfounded. He said that he never at any time was upset with me nor was anyone else on the grade level. His frustrations were with the district (and its emphasis on meaningless rounds of assessments which barely give enough time to actually teach) and the students' performance. In fact, he was angry with the instructional specialist who tattled for no reason and at the principal. This is nothing new. This principal is so unstable she has done nothing but wreck morale all year and the other assistant principal and I have picked up the pieces. Even her secretary hates her and they have known each other 17 years, but she can't stand her any more.
To put an end to this, the grade level all responded to her either in person or by email stating that I was in the right and had done nothing wrong which caused her to give me a half-ass apology. She said something like: "Well I guess I'm the bitch. I suppose I am sorry." :mad: Here is one of those emails from the grade level chair.
I just wanted to set the record straight that I did not feel threatened or upset by our meeting last Wednesday. I do not think Mr. Maestro was out of line in any way. The reality is that our students have done horrible on {stupid district assessments} this year and, of course, administration has to address it.
I feel that the whole grade level has been upset by our students' lack of success on {stupid district assessments}. We all take pride in what we do and we expect our students to be successful. I also know that {stupid district assessments} are just a piece of the puzzle and not a lone indicator.
I also know that you know we are using the {stupid district assessments} to guage where our students are and help us see what needs to be done. I know that you know that we are working hard. I can tell you that we are working smarter than last year and I fully expect to see the results of our efforts with better {stupid state assessment}results.
I thought Wednesday's meeting with {district coordinator} was very productive. I hope that nothing said in that meeting was taken out of context or blown out of proportion because I don't feel anything said was inappropriate.
I know that the administration and staff are all in this together. We all want the same thing and we agree on how to get it.
So I am vindicated but I am still so mad I can bite nails. Is something wrong?
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