How To Deal With A Problem Principal
Tuesday March 18, 2008
Teaching is challenging enough even when your school environment is peaceful and cooperative. However when you start to sense growing tension with your administrator, it's time to be proactive. Here's what I recommend you do...
Comments
In December 2007 I gave our principal complete info (a Bio, phone numbers & address, email) on a excellent speaker/educator that would have given our kids worthwhile presentation for Black History Month in February. I spoke to the presenter & told him to expect a call from our Principal, since he did tell me he would be contacting the speaker after State exams were over at the end of January-he never did. He never contacted this excellent educator & speaker …and now this person feels that my word is NOT my bond (which is the rule that I live by-I feel that nothing is more important than your word & your good name). I feel embrassed to face this speaker ever again or ask him for anything. I ve seen the principal at the school since & he ignores me -does say a wrod about this incident…even though we’ve had to speak on a separate issue.
I’m disappointed & feel a loss for the children & my child who knows what happened. I dont have trust in this teacher.
Your thoughts, advice ?
Thank you
Marie
I am a Headteacher (from a different educations system - Europe). If your Administrator is anything like me, he will receive hundreds of emails, letters and papers in the course of a week. Inevitably, some things can get missed (especially the non-essential items). A friendly reminder would have done it, I am sure. Why not drop him a note reminding him about the speaker? If you don’t get a reply the second time, I would telephone him and remind him about your two communications with him. Hopefully, he will have the grace to apologise and feel guilty enough to book the speaker!