Describe, rather than label, tends to be a more easily received approach in many interactions.
In my line of work there has a been a good deal of discussion recently about “peer review” which is not disciplinary, but a non blaming way to hold oneself and others to standards in a workplace, especially a care-taking workplace. You want to work in a school where children can learn, are not shamed and you can all have pride in your school.
However as mentioned above, if your goals are not in line with the approach of others, or the administration, this is perhaps not something that can be remedied.
I would recommend that OP take a read on the culture of the school. Is the offensively berating teacher in some way connected to the principal? Does the principal rely on this person? In other words, does the offending teacher have political power within the school? The internal politics of schools can be insidious, akin to middle school social behavior, sad to say.
I have been a K-5 elementary school social worker/counselor for 25 years, in eight different elementary schools. I have seen such bullying behavior by adults toward children. Often the teachers who get away with it have some sort of political clout within the school or the school system and if the complaining person has little standing, he or she will not be heard. In fact, a comment to admin may be perceived as a criticism of the administrator’s ability to supervise. Parents may be reluctant to speak up because they do not want their own child to be targeted. Unless you have a continuing contract (tenure) I doubt that your perspective will be welcomed. Talk to a peer that you trust. If there is no one, you will not find support for your position. Very sad. My perspective is based partly on my school experience and on my knowledge of group norms.
This week, I saw a new teacher be told that her contract will not be renewed. The lead teacher did not like her noisy classroom or the fact that the new teacher spoke up with new ideas. This teacher was new to our school, but not new to teaching. She simply did not fit in with the social structure and acted as if she did not care. In a different school, she might be valued as creative and independent. During the first three years, a teacher can be cut loose with no reason given. You do not want to become the pariah.
So what do you advocate, Merlin? That this situation be ignored, rather than make an effort on behalf of 7 year olds? Everyone should just button up and not make waves? That’s acceptable and oh, well? Yikes.
OP here…I think Merlin’s point is only that sometimes whistleblowing isn’t heard, for many reasons we can’t control., and that I shouldn’t think that it’s all about the presentation of the facts. Like every workplace, schools have a dynamic and culture and that is pretty much set by the principals and those above them. 95% of the teachers I know are dedicated professionals pouring everything they have into helping children be successful and creative and happy. They are doing it in a society that is trying to privatize and trivialize their work but somehow also wants to blame them for not being more inspired or innovative.
I don’t have any illusions about this. I also have nothing to lose, so that works in my favor. Someone upthread said it pretty well: what I want is for these children to be treated better. That won’t happen if someone doesn’t take this small risk of speaking up. (it may not happen anyway)
Merlin’s point is to get a realistic read on the culture and politics of the situation before acting. If OP has some financial stability and is not afraid of losing the job, then asking questions and bringing questionable behavior to light is much easier.
Politics and power are always in play, whether you notice it or not. Understanding who holds the strings before you start messing with the puppets is a good idea.
The Atlanta area public school test cheating scandal is playing out in the courts right now. There were many teachers bullied into cheating to avoid losing their jobs. It appears the pressure tactics came down from the very top administration.
Figuring out the power structure in the school is a smart move.
@powercropper Quote of the Day and one that applies to many situations. Thank you, I’m going to be borrowing it…
@greenbutton I really feel for you in this situation. Your concern for those children comes through clearly in your posts and I hope whoever you bring this to can listen carefully to what you have to say and act accordingly. One of my sisters pulled her children from a school because the culture was one she found distasteful. She is a credentialed teacher who has taught in two different states so it didn’t take her too long to figure out the culture wasn’t what she wanted for her kids. Not all families have that option however.
As other posters have stated, how young children are treated by those in authority can have a lasting impact. I am a 55 year old woman but I remember clearly, even though it was 49 years ago, how verbally abusive my 1st grade teacher could be. I learned never to raise my hand or volunteer for anything because of the possible ridicule.
As someone else said, those kids are lucky to have you. Best of luck next week. Please come back and let us know what happened.
Agree wholeheartedly with the “quote of the day.”
What I advocate is to role model respectful behavior at all times, with students and staff. If you can identify kids who have been treated especially poorly, make a point to interact with them in a positive way, like when you are on recess duty. I try to say supportive things to kids, who I know are struggling, even if I do not know the child well. Maybe that is easier for a school counselor to do-- more expected?
OP, Are you familiar with PBIS? Positive Behavioral Support Strategies is an evidence based program that is implemented in many schools. It is used schoolwide, usually, and is based on rewarding appropriate behaviors, ignoring inappropriate behaviors. Of course, some behaviors cannot be ignored. PBIS is effective in helping teachers change their approach to kids. It is being implemented in my large school system. I have seen some teacher curmudgeons change their ways! Do some research and consider presenting PBIS to your administration.
Yes, GreenButton, you need to let someone know what is happening. Are there other people in your department. Ask them for advice. Do you have a teacher’s union? Maybe your school’s rep could help you. I am very surprised no parents have complained.
I remember S’s second grade teacher taught the class about tattling vs. reporting. She said you’re tattling if you’re trying to get someone in trouble and you’re reporting if someone needs help. It sounds like these children need help.
Our D was the brave one who let our principal know about a teacher who was making kids cry. D was only 10 years old. The Principal became a friend to D and S and me. She was delighted that D was invited to join the GT program and accepted. After a few weeks, D tearfully told the principal that she gave it her best but couldn’t remain in the program. The Principal was surprised and concerned and begged to find out why. Sadly and shyly, D said she just couldn’t take the GT teacher reducing the class to tears every day. The Principal looked to me for confirmation and I said I’d never known D to be inaccurate about these types of situations. Another faculty member confirmed the situation and the principal counseled the teacher and got her to transfer out of the school, to the great relief of many, many, many.
I was very proud of D but felt it had been a very heavy burden for her and was sad no one else spoke up before D, even tho the situation was common knowledge. I was pleasantly surprised the teacher transferred elsewhere (due to her tenure, that was the best that could have been hoped). It took a lot of hard work by the Principal.
It sounds like you have a situation similar to what D and her classmates suffered through. Some people simply should not be teachers. I wish you the very best.
Merlin, one of my buildings (I work in 2) has this in place. We work with an acronym for the positive behaviors, and carry little adhesive neon stars so we can stick them to children with those behaviors. At the end of the day, names are drawn and read at dismissal, at the end of the week, more names are drawn and those students get breakfast with the principal the following week. There’s no limit to number of stars handed out; it can be hilarious to see a child who is having a great day plastered with stars! Or a whole class…
In The Other School, the PBIS is implemented by each classroom teacher choosing one student who exemplifies the quality of the week (there are 21!!) , a certficate is filled out and presented two weeks later. There is no immediate reward or possibility of multiple recognitions in a classroom or even for a student (i.e., if you are awrded in week 2 for Integrity, that’s it for your year). No one knows who was recognized until the weekly assembly.
School #1’s approach, happily, is in the process of being spread to most of the district’s schools
OP here again, the meeting was today. I think it went about as well as I could have hoped for. I practiced with DH and in the car!
Some changes in the whole department are in fact reaction to parent complaints about my room, masked as overall change. Not that there were many, but there apparently was one very determined Mom who was not going to quit until she caught the ear of someone with power, and she did. So brava for her, whoever she is.
I presented my observations and left out any evaluating or judgement. Thank you all for giving me that idea. Notes were taken, ideas for moving forward were discussed, I was offered an open door for any further need to share. Lots of head shaking and such. My view of this being really unacceptable behavior was very much validated. I was told to continue to do “the hardest work” of modeling better choices and being the cheerful, friendly, safe face while people with power try to finagle a better attitude. The information will be passed along/up with a report a student teacher gave to her mentor, after she was in the room as a visitor. (The student teacher was asking “is that NORMAL?” and the conversation has been passed up the chain).
So while it may not guarantee any solution for this year, I am encouraged that the issue was taken very seriously.
And a 7 yr old jumped out of line to give me a hug. Some job perks are priceless.
Sounds like things went well and that the observations you described echo what they’ve heard from a student teacher and a parent. Hopefully, the administration will get to work making changes sooner than later. Pat yourself on the back for stepping up and doing the right thing.
Thank you for speaking up! I hope they send more monitors in there - unannounced! Good for that mom! I’d have insisted on yanking my kid out of that class too!
Greenbutton, you may have saved children from learning to hate school. Glad (and sad) there were other reports to validate what you’re saying. Hope the administration continues to take it seriously.
when I got to work today, She was agitated and upset. People Above Her apparently had a sitdown with the person I spoke to last spring, and She has been put on notice to clean up her act, or else. Her union steward was in attendance, they were that serious.
but – She was told “this information comes from someone who spends hours with you every week” and when she asked me if I was the source, and if I ever had a problem with her to justcome to her, I said I would not bring problems to her boss (which I wouldn’t, Her boss is half the problem)
I technically honestly answered that I hadnot gone to her superior – and I hadn’t, it was a well-placed influential department member – but she would have to be stupid to not know it had to be me. But it seems we are opting for both of us pretending we don’t know that. On the brightside, radical changes have been made, and my kiddos are much happier, 15 days in. Fingers crossed.
