Tips for Dealing With a Problem Principal
Tuesday November 18, 2008
In light of this week's conversation on the role a principal plays in a school's negative atmosphere, I think it's appropriate for me to offer these Tips for Dealing with a Problem Principal. Broadly, I recommend that teachers avoid being in denial about the quality of their relationships with the administrators in the front office; the most effective way to maintain a positive connection to your school's principal is to work proactively before any problems arise.
What are your top tips for getting along with a principal? Or, if there are any principals reading this blog post, what would you recommend teachers do in order to foster cooperative working relationships on campus?
Comments
I like to think that a healthy relationship always begins in the realm of respect. As teachers we must look into ourselves first, and set the tone of the relationships that come into our lives. The relationship depends a lot in what you are giving into it. Abusers grow stronger as we let them. If you can keep focussed and enthusiastic, and if you can surround yourself with the light posts of your school, you´ll be fine. When you can hang long enough amazing things happen.
Principals need to consider that many teachers have the same amount of education as they do. When principals treat teachers as subordinates and incapable of making an intelligent decision or having a worthwhile opinion to express, the negativity begins and ends with them.
There is not ONE way to do things, say things, teach things, or learn things. Objectivity negates negativity. That’s a lesson “high powered principals” need to learn.
During her 36 years of teaching my wife had a great way of dealing with problem school administrators of all levels. She’d pleasantly agree with whatever they wanted today or this week and then immediately go right back to doing what she felt was most effective and right for her students. Sometimes the administrator would ask her again, but more often than not they’d forget, get some new hot idea, move on to another problem or even to another job, (the assistant principals all wanted to be principals, the principals all wanted to be Superintendents). She kept her sanity and enjoyed her job. She is very, very good at this technique and we both laugh when I realize she is using the same technique on me in our marriage.
After my first year of teaching with a principal who had a “bad” reputation in the community, I decided that I wanted to improve my relationship (and reputation) with this principal. I looked at what she thought was valuable in a teacher and tried to incorporate that into my professional persona. She admired very professional attire, so I really put a lot of effort into dressing up. I also sent her thank you notes for any effort on her part that made my job easier or better. I begin to know her beyond her “bad” reputation and now look back at her with gratitude as the best principal I have worked with over the years.
Greetings,
At the first sign of any trouble, report what happened to your union rep. Next, document what has happened, Keep very detailed notes, but not on hte school compputer about what happened, who you talked to and how the incident was concluded.
Never meet with an administrator alone – try to bring a union rep, have the rep or whomever you brought take minutes about what was discussed and what future actions will be on both parts.
If their is a concern over lesson planning, behavior management or any issues that you can have support for ask for a mentor, and again doucment your request.
For your own sake start familiaring yourself with Administration law – it is a
whole different world.
Make sue you know what your being evaluated on, keep copies of all lesson plans and communication with anyone related to school issues.
It is a lot of work to cover your butt, but if you don’t, I have learned the hard way there are administrators and teachers out there willing to make your life miserable just because they can.
Any advice for dealing with a problem principal in a state without union representation? Has anyone gone to their Human Resources department and received any support?
I’ve dealt with different types of principals, and I think the most important thing we must remember is that they are not our friends, but our bosses. I stay on a strictly professional level with my principals and that has helped me to succeed in my schools. The principal is not supposed to be my equal, or my friend, and I plan on keeping it that way.