Fair?

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Home : 2003 : July : 22

Fair?
By Brendashooz

No, IMHO, it's not fair. But it's done over and over. The principal will say "you're the only one who can teach these kids. You have a way with them..I can't give them to Joe Sloppy," etc. Admin. will use the line "it's in
the kids best interest to have you." I'm 60, with 26 yrs. teaching exp. and next yr. will be my last one. Just to give you an idea...in the beginning, most teachers are given the toughest classes. It's sooo not fair. You will also notice after a while, that certain teachers have a way of understanding the whole picture, the ..I can't give them to Joe Sloppy," etc. Admin. will use the line

"it's in the kids best interest to have you." I'm 60, with 26 yrs. teaching exp. and next yr. will be my last one. Just to give you an idea...in the beginning, most teachers are given the toughest classes. It's sooo not fair. You will also notice after a while, that certain teachers have a way of understanding the whole picture, the plan, as it were...and manipulating their way (by brown-nosing) into getting the best classes year after year. My history of teaching includes getting some of the toughest customers in the school. And you know what? I decided that teaching the "regular" classes suited me better than teaching the so-called "gifted." But sometimes I wanted to say to these teachers "I know your game." You can have an excellent year with a tough class as long as you have good back up and are consistent and fair with your rules. All these politics can frighten a new (good) teacher away. Stand up for yourself and shine where you are, but don't be afraid to talk to your administrator and offer a few good ideas.