Thread: Strange Incident

I was teaching my students today, the day before the holidays. The students were assigned to write a short paragraph thanking their favourite teacher. The door to my classroom is solid wood. I had it open a crack. Was helping one of my students when another student noticed my supervisor standing just outside the door. I thought it odd that she would do this because I have honestly never done anything that would cause her to worry about whether I am doing my job well.

This is quite disturbing.

Would I be in the right to go to the principal to complain about this? I feel like this is totally out of order. When I was doing my year teaching course after uni the prof said it is always better to go and talk to the person if you are having any troubles. I tend to agree and think this is the professional way of doing things...not being sneaky and standing outside the classroom door.

I want to go complain, but would like some input from others to make sure I am justified - which I think I am...

Thanks...

id let it go. im not a supervisor, but if i was, id want sometimes to see the real deal- looking in a classroom window if i could be discreet.

i think the difference is in looking to see whats going on and moving on....versus, looking to watch and watch for something to happen. as it is, they are your supervisor, and have every right to see you in any way you perform in school.

if this was just you and a student in the classroom, maybe they came to your room to talk to you, and was seeing what you were doing with the kid

really mate, blow it off. its nothing to worry about....

if this happens more often and they are watching you all over school (i dunno) then take note of it. remember bro, schools are public places. and supervisors are there to supervise. its not always given to you as you might have expected.

let it slide and take notice of any patterns

^ Thanks for the advice. Problem is, it happens quite often with this particular supervisor. Strange thing is that she doesn't seem to be doing this with other teachers in the department. I don't think she likes me and I think this is just an excuse to try and "catch me" doing something wrong.

To be honest, there is a lot more to this story. This woman is a complete nightmare to work with. Two teachers quit this year because of her overbearing and obnoxious behaviour. A few other teachers have complained to the principal, but he is the one who appointed her to this position so it seems he doesn't want to lose face by demoting her back to being an ordinary teacher.

A couple of weeks ago I was passing by her classroom when I noticed "Fuck your family" written all over her door. It was done by a student. All the students in her classes absolutely hate her.

If this was a one off I would tend to agree with you and let it go. However, like I said, this seems to be a regular thing with this woman. It's the day before the holidays...I cannot imagine why she would feel it necessary to scrutinize at this stage of the school year.

I have another five days "in-service" before getting a couple months holiday. I will do my best to avoid her and not let her silly antics get to me.

Cheers!

^ Haha...I would have done...but it's to the point now where I honestly can't do that...just seeing her makes my blood pressure go through the roof.

But you guys are right, I shouldn't let it bother me. It can be so hard at times. She is the kind of person that can make even the most gentle person go off...which actually happened - my Chinese assistant screamed at her one day...and my assistant is such a gentle person...that was the only time I saw her get so angry.

Oh come on holidays!!! I need to get away from her!!!!

well...i take it back...let it bother you. let it crawl at your skin....

the difference is what you do with that energy. my advice is for you to let it propel you to do the damn best job you can do. shove it in her face man. "HERE! BAM. you aint got nothin' on me. im dressed to the nines. shoes polished. lesson plans with capital letters mothertrucker...got my kids in communicative activities...BADDDA BING!!!"

^ Right...sound advice. I'm doing that already. That's why I am disturbed by this incident today. I am doing all that is expected of me - and more!

So if I am doing my very best - all administrative work done on time - lesson plans - newsletters - classroom teaching is solid and all according to the curriculum - would you still say to chill and let it go?

Anyway, I am going to take your advice and continue working hard so that she will never have anything to complain about.

And yes, next time I catch her snooping outside my door I will go and ask her if there is anything I can help her with...hopefully if I do that every time she will get the message and piss off.

Thanks!

Panny: Funny that you say that. I said the exact same thing to her a couple years back. Hasn't stopped her from coming though. It's funny, my students will not even greet her (and I have never mentioned my dislike for her). I guess other students in her class have told other students what a complete idiot she is...so whenever she comes in my students snub her...and I end up having to get them to greet her and give them trouble for not respecting a teacher....

Originally Posted by Futile

would you still say to chill and let it go?

hell. yes.

and get some sleep while youre at it.

bro, theres nothing you can do aside from your best. and i know that sounds like a Hallmark Card cheese...but its the real truth.

Originally Posted by Futile

And yes, next time I catch her snooping outside my door I will go and ask her if there is anything I can help her with...

but remember to do it politely. thais can take a tad bit of aggression to the Nth level. do it with a soft kiss of roses...."hi there is there something you need me for? "


teaching and work for that matter, is a marathon, not a sprint. beat her with the long haul. dude, you can do it.

I should have mentioned that I am in China. The supervisor is 68 years old and from Ireland. If that makes any differnce....

I know you have to kiss ass from time to time...but I hate doing it with this particular person. I'll try...I guess I can focus on something else while I'm being a complete prick by bowing down to her shite.

You're right though...I should focus on the long run and beat her by always doing my best.

All are welcome to come and observe me. I like being observed so I can learn what I did right and what I could improve upon. She has come to observe me a few times and never once said anything positive about my lessons. The principal has also come to observe me and gave me some good suggestions, but also gave praise on things I did well.

Guess it's just one of those things...I will do better to try and learn from this...

no. and no.