Placed on Probation

Parent Cafe
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<p>This is a really hard thing to write, but I need some help. I have been teaching in my school for 30 years and have never had a complaint of any kind filed against me. I am always on time with my reports, have volunteered to serve on committees, and have been told by many, many people how much they love what I do. Students love me, they do well in my classes and their parents consistently thank me for inspiring their kids. Really and truly there has never been any sort of problem.</p>

<p>Two months ago my department chair observed a class (just a drop in, basically, not a formal evaluation) and the students were doing presentations. Well, they didn’t do a very good job; it was not a great class. The dept chair didn’t say anything at all to me, so I thought she realized that it was just one of those days.</p>

<p>The other day I was called to a meeting with her and the Division Head and was told that as a result of that class I am being placed on probation for the rest of this year and the first semester of next year, and that I have to do a course of at least two weeks’ duration for professional development (preferably, they said, out of the country-- I teach foreign languages). </p>

<p>There is a formal process of evaluation which happens every five years, per the staff handbook, and I went through the process two years ago to very good reviews. I have never had anything negative said about me at any evaluation or performance review. The stated process which is clearly spelled out in our Staff Handbook for a concerned teacher was not followed at all in this case.</p>

<p>I would not at all have minded if they suggested, as a way to grow and develop my craft, that I should take a course. I wouldn’t even have minded if they said that they were concerned about that observed class; I was too! But this seems to me not the way to go about making someone want to develop professionally. It makes me want to quit the job. I can’t because of health insurance and my age, and really don’t want to give up. I received my contract for next year, and I have already submitted lesson plans (which I had already made and are not required of us to submit) to the department chair. She didn’t ask for any of this, but I know that’s what I would have asked for in her place. And although I’m planning to fight this, I will fall into line until a determination is made. It’s easy for me to do anyway-- I did most of the paper work of curriculum and scope and sequence already.</p>

<p>We are not a union shop-- it’s a private school. I have an appointment with my principal who, I think, really doesn’t know that this happened to this extent, in a few days. At first his assistant told me that he wouldn’t be able to see me for a couple of weeks. Then I think he realized what I wanted to see him about and made time for me as soon as he could. So I’m thinking that’s a good sign. </p>

<p>My heart is broken and I feel totally blind-sided. I really don’t know what to do, except bite the bullet and comply. I don’t want to be told that I have to go out of the country for training. To complicate matters, we are getting a new division head (I think this all is a parting shot from the Div. Head because she’s leaving… don’t know what I ever did to hurt her…) and this will mean he or she will start out with me on probation. That’s scary. I don’t think the principal can make it go away, but maybe he can help reach a compromise which in my mind would be to take a course in the summer closer to home than Europe, and to be removed from probation at the end of this year, if the probation can’t be removed entirely. Does that sound reasonable and doable?</p>

<p>Sorry this is so long, but I feel that there is often great advice here, and I need all the help I can get. Thanks so much, in advance… :(</p>

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<p>My experience in employment matters (which is probably skewed, because my only involvement is as a lawyer, which means that things have gone bad) is that if you think they’re out to get you…they’re out to get you. </p>

<p>Sudden bad reviews out of nowhere are a stock element in a termination which is really based on personality conflicts - and it’s not unusual that you wouldn’t know that such a conflict even exists. I’ve seen it before.</p>

<p>I don’t know what rights you have - you may actually have very little recourse regardless. The laws (and courts) in most states are not at all employee-friendly. (Apparently anything which might give employees a little fairness with regard to their employer is a “job-killer.”) But if you do have any legal rights, I’ll tell you what I would have told you if you’d called my office: document, document, document. </p>

<p>Keep a diary. Note every little thing. Keep copies of everything. Make a memo to self regarding every conversation you have with any employee of your school. I don’t care if its the janitor - make a brief record of what you talked about.</p>

<p>Go back and do this for every conversation you’ve had with your supervisors and fellow department teachers for the past 2 years. Don’t rely on your memory.</p>

<p>Don’t be defensive with the new department head. Be friendly, open and cheerful. That’s your best bet all around.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>P.S. - I just noted that you’ve been teaching for 30 years. Are you older than your department head? That’s a common problem area.</p>

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<p>Thanks, kluge! Yes, I’m older than both the department chair and the division head. I’m really a nice person, but somehow these two women don’t like me, which is their right, of course. There’s been a huge amount of weirdness between and among us for a while. Also, I’m a better teacher than the dept chair, and that’s another kettle of fish. Your advice to write everything down is good. I have already begun a file…</p>

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<p>On the one hand… a European vacation ? How bad can that be? Do you have to pay for everything? A new division head (is the new person replacing the person that observed your class and put you on probabtion?) and a chance to start fresh and see if you get along with the new person.</p>

<p>On the other hand, after 30 years can you retire? You could probably start your own tutoring business and make more money if you need the money. Sounds like you have been doing this job well for too long to put up with this BS.</p>

<p>oh, let me guess… (I am a little slow sometimes) carefully looking at your username… do you teach French? A little continuing ed in Paris? Sounds good to me!</p>

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<p>French and Spanish… I would have to pay for most of it, which is also wrong in my mind, but most of all I don’t want to be bullied into going, and I don’t want to go alone. My hubby couldn’t go with. I can’t retire yet. About 6 more years. (Yikes… I feel old now)</p>

<p>The new division head will replace the person that put me on probation. The department head dropped in on the class, and obviously gave a negative report on the snap shot of a class she saw.</p>

<p>Can’t freelance-- health insurance… it’s my policy for the family. Grown daughter, one husband, and me.</p>

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<p>Yeah… that’s bad. Look, I may be overly negative, but this is sincere and it’s based on many years of experience: expect to be fired. Don’t fret about it, because that won’t help. And by all means don’t get defensive or belligerent about it, because that won’t help and will hurt. In fact, the more positive upbeat and cheerful you can be, the better. But financially and psychologically, get your house in order.</p>

<p>Also: don’t give up. By doing the things you’ve done well over the years, and continuing to do them well, it will be hard for them to move forward with what they’ve probably already decided to do. At this point it’s kind of like siege warfare; they’re waiting for you to make a mistake they can capitalize on. Any sort of (entirely reasonable) defensiveness or “speaking out” can and will be used against you. On the other hand, if you keep going about your job cheerfully, there’s not much for them to use. Eventually, they may give up (or move on.)</p>

<p>If not, your notes about what actually was said in that conversation on October 12 in the lunchroom are your insurance against them trumping something up (usually a matter of blowing some minor thing out of proportion.)</p>

<p>But seriously: take some time to clear your mind, come to terms with the fact that you may need to make plans you hadn’t anticipated, and figure out a positive alternative going forward.</p>

<p>Good luck. Unfortunately, you are far from alone.</p>

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<p>Franglish: It is really a bummer when this happens! I think the other posters are quite right that if you think something is fishy, it probably is.</p>

<p>It’s good advice to keep documentation about what is happening and try to reflect on the past few months to see what might have triggered this.</p>

<p>This has happened to me before (in another occupation), but it is the same situation. Sometimes someone new will come in and just want to clean house. Sometimes people carry their own issues around and it causes an upsetting situation for you.</p>

<p>Are you able to look around and see what other employment might exist at other schools? It is always a good idea to jump ship before they decide to let you go. (And I’m speaking from experience here, as I have been known to wait it out, and nothing good ever comes of it.)</p>

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<p>What will franglish do with the notes she keeps? Is this so she can demonstrate that the events her district manager alleges were not the true events? </p>

<p>In terms of waiting it out: if you would receive a severance package if they terminate you, it can sometimes pay to wait for that eventuality. If you can stand it.</p>

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<p>Your contract with the school, as well as the Staff Handbook, govern how/if they can terminate you. If there is a procedure that they are not following, they are going to have a hard time justifying a termination. As others have advised, make sure you document everything that is going on. If they do terminate you, then I’d consider hiring an attorney. There may be some age discrimination going on. Not saying there is, but consider that. Also, be pretty careful about what you say to the principal, and after the meeting write down what was said.</p>

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<p>There are two reasons to document everything. First, allegations may be made in the future about seemingly minor things that happened. (I’ve seen this.) Having a very good record of what actually happened puts you a step ahead. Second, as Suzy100 notes, if franglish has any recourse at all it will come from the terms of whatever contractual documents exist such as handbooks, manuals, etc. If it gets down to the nitty-gritty the school’s failure to follow those rules (common, and appears to have happened here) can give the employee some leverage. Documenting what happens creates a record of everything that has been done (or not done.)</p>

<p>You never know what will end up being helpful (or essential.) So document everything.</p>

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<p>As someone who has been wrongfully accused a few times at work, I have grown accustom to have to defend myself. I think this is a way for them to get rid of a more seasoned/expensive employee for someone cheaper. It is very strange to me that they could put someone on probation over one informal evaluation. I would speak withe the principal and department head, ask them to do multiple evaluations of differenct classes. Ask them to share the evaluations with you - so you could improve. Let them know that you are concerned about being put on probation, and if necessary, you may want to bring in an independent evaluator. </p>

<p>Going forward, you will need to make sure you do not do anything out of line - show up at work on time, don’t take any time off without prior notification - cross your T and dot your I. Be carefule about anything you write in your emails, especially any disparaging words about your boss or the school.</p>

<p>This issue about getting training outside of the country, is that in your employment requirement? If it is something you need to do for your job, shouldn’t the school pay for it?</p>

<p>Since it is a private school, I don’t think they would have a lot of money or time to have labor dispute in court. Without coming out to say it, let them know that you would take them to court for age, sex, (maybe racial) discrimination if you should be wrongfully dismissed. They better have a very tight case before dismissing you. Don’t admit any wrong doing (like, maybe I should have done a better job of teaching those kids) in writing.</p>

<p>I have always walked a very straight line at work - never took any expensive gifts, never charged anything personal on my corporate credit card, always had another employee in the room if I was having a difficult conversation with someone. Every time someone has put in a complaint, I have been cleared. I am also very careful about what I say and what I write in emails.</p>

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<p>Any chance a trip to South or Central America or Mexico would work for the Spanish this summer and then review the need for France next year? That gives you the chance to do what they asked, in part, but if you are being targeted and if you are going to lose your job, you are not out the extra money!</p>

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<p>Hugs to you franglish.</p>

<p>Document, yes, all those wonderful things over the years, grateful e-mails from students, parents, etc.</p>

<p>Thirty years of good has to outweigh one bad class.</p>

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<p>gloworm is right. If you have any awards, letters, emails of good job you have been doing, put them together now. One bad evaluation can’t outwieght job well done over 30 years.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry about this. Kluge is right in noting what many of us have experienced in corporate life. But, to fight for your job, you need to somehow identify what the actual issue is or might be.</p>

<p>You say, as a result of that class that was observed- but did they tell you what it was about either your performance or where the kids stand in their learning and skills? Any idea? In theory, there should be some “issue” that you have a chance to address. Eg, instead of submitting your usual lesson plans, this would give you the chance to, perhaps, alter them to make targeted improvements. If the probation is only vague, this is info you could ask the principal for. Then you respond in the appropriate ways.</p>

<p>An important part of keeping good notes is to be able to show you are not being targeted for “good cause.” But also to show the steps you take to improve- whether it’s something about your teaching or interactions or if it’s about improving the students’ mastery. </p>

<p>It’s positive that you can point to many parents’ praise- also if you can point to the kids’ achievements on standardized tests, etc. (Also something you might start collecting, if available to you.) Right now, as oldfort says, be sure to “dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s.” And, make sure your attitude and interactions are faultless. Smile, even when it’s tough. Good luck.</p>

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<p>You’ve gotten some good advice here. I think you’re being singled out because of your age. Legally, they can’t do this and they know it. I’m not sure if they are trying to get you to quit or if they really think they can collect enough material to dismiss you. The part about them telling you to take a professional development assignment out of the country at your own expense makes me think they are trying to get you to quit. Just keep doing your job and maybe the storm will pass. It’s hard to work for bad management.</p>

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<p>Time to go to the “Why Are So Many People Difficult to Work For?” thread.</p>

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<p>Just wanted to say sorry you are being treated so badly after your many great years of awesome service. Please follow the great suggestions in this thread and hold your head up.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for this support… I am really having a hard time at the moment and even though this is the internet, it feels good to know that I’m not crazy. Also at the moment I really don’t feel very sure of myself at all. I’m so afraid that I will not be able to measure up. They said that the principal was on board with all of this, but I always thought (in his year and a half at the school-- he’s new to us) that he was very reasonable. Maybe meeting with him will matter, but more likely maybe not… I will try to do the right thing on Thursday at my meeting with him. It’s pretty hard for now. Maybe it will ease as the days go on. Thanks, guys…</p>

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<p>Read this excellent story:</p>

<p><a href=“Opinion | Confessions of a ‘Bad’ Teacher - The New York Times”>Opinion | Confessions of a ‘Bad’ Teacher - The New York Times;

<p>You’ve gotten very good advice above re documenting, being careful not to play into their hands, and so forth. If I’m reading your story correctly, the new person isn’t involved in this…the old one will be history soon. Keep your head, and remember that this may pass. There are worse things than spending some time abroad! :)</p>