Job Discussion Forums

[regmcm]

Hi there.

I would like some advice on what to do about the following situation:

This year has been my first year as a TEFL teacher in Cadiz Spain. It has been both an enjoyable but also stressful 10 months!

Enjoyable because all of my students have been a joy to teach (and all 16 who sat their Trinity exams passed with flying colours!)
Stressful because of one reason. My Centre manager!

She is a fiery Irish woman who has only been a teacher for 4 years, but has somehow been elevated to the role of centre Manager (not DOS as i teach in a satellite academy of the main centre)

She has made my life absolute hell from the first day.

She rules the school with a rod of iron, everybody including the students are afraid of her. She shouts and screams not only at other teachers but at students too!

Her idea of observations are to enter my classes without warning - sit at the front of the class with arms folded, tutting and shaking her head at any mistakes i make. Her idea of feedback is to tell me that I am a terrible teacher and "that was the worst lesson i have ever seen"

She reprimands me in front of students, in class with comments like "this boy is going to fail his exams and its going to be your fault" and "see my in my office during your break!"

It got to the point after Christmas where i would feel physically sick if she came into my class, and my whole lesson would go pear shaped!

I have had one official observation which was in December (which surprise surprise she slated me and gave me a fail!)

After one "heated discussion" with her about her style of management in March after she had yet again stormed into one of my classes without warning i threatened to report her to the DOS and she promptly gave me an official warning for "refusing to take feedback"

I have spoken to a previous employee of the school who went through exactly the same process with her 12 months ago, he was also the only male teacher at the school (as am I) so maybe it is sex discrimination?

I refrained from reporting her and she apologised to me and said she had not realised the effect her "observations" were having on me. I accepted the apology but stated that I would not accept her coming into my classes without warning, and wanted a full observation, with feedback to be organised. This was planned (and i spent 3 hours planning and checking my lesson) only for her not to turn up!!!

Despite all this i was considering returning to the school next year (mad i know but i love Cadiz and their are not many decent schools with positions) and she had actually asked me 6 weeks ago if i would be coming back.

I was given my end of term assessment yesterday and was told i would not be invited back next year and was then given a written reference with a D for lesson execution and C- for organization and paperwork!!

This despite having only one official observation 2 months after starting as a teacher for the first time, and after having some glowing peer observations from some experienced teachers!.

To say I am angry is an understatement! Any advice or comments would be welcome, as i feel that the reference she has given me will damage my chances of obtaining work elsewhere!

MickyMack

[spiral78]

This is very unfortunate, and I am afraid that your practical options are quite limited.

Hindsight's always best - I think you should have reported this behaviour to the DOS from the onset - or at the latest, when she did not show up for your observed lesson as agreed. Then, you would have a leg to stand on to protest your 'reference.'

I think that the only recourse you have at this stage is to get some direct references from some students, and if possible, from a fellow teacher or two.

I am quite sympathetic. I too have a wonderful job, but the boss from hell, and have had some very heated negotiations regarding my own work processes over the past few months (I've had the job for 6 years - 5 of them fantastic).

In the process of considering what other jobs might be available out there, I have obtained references from others. Fortunately, my boss is not a teacher, nor is she in the field of education by either experience or quals. The referees I've got are highly qualified teachers, so I basically feel no need to worry about the manager.

[denise]

Report her. You're protecting her by keeping quiet. Her half-assed apologies are worthless.

And if you move on and start looking for other jobs, using references from fellow teachers/students, as spiral78 mentioned, hope that other schools in the area are familiar with her and her reputation--if that's the case (which wouldn't surprise me, TEFL being as close-knit as it is), then not having her as a reference shouldn't hurt you at all.

Good luck!

d

[Sashadroogie]

What sort of ref includes grades? Or have I been missing something all these years? And what criteria is she using? Have you seen them? What quals does she herself have? (From what I know of RELSA, she probably isn't up to much herself as a teacher, let alone observer.) Have you observed her?

In most countries it is illegal to include negative or damaging comments in references. I don't know about Spain, though I can't imagine it being different. I'd go back and demand a proper reference. Give her fire right back at her, in public, and show the school how crappily she handles the situation.

Do not accept her nonsense.

[johntpartee]

Shoulda told her to get off your back from the outset. If that didn't do the trick, walk. Couldn't have turned out any worse and you would have saved yourself an ulcer. An unfortunate facet of human nature is that those in authority tend to abuse the authority.

[evolving81]

It sounds like she needs some training. She may be a good teacher (although that's debatable) but she doesn't seem to know how to motivate teachers or provide constructive feedback.

[Glenski]

Lots of truth in what you see here for replies.

That is an awful boss, but feel good knowing that she is new (so she is probably mostly wrong about you) and that you won't be returning to agonize over her again.

I agree with others about reporting her. You have nothing to lose. Take your post here and make it as professional as possible.

1. poor observation technique
2. poor feedback
3. unprofessional behavior in front of students, inside and outside classes
4. unprofessional management (missing a serious planned meeting)

Then rest assured that you probably won't ever see the likes of her in future jobs.

[Mrs McClusky]

Pack your stuff and do a bunk

[ETA]

Go to her boss and tell him/her what's going on. If that doesn't work better head for another school.

[dave3br]

I agree with the comments the others have made about reporting her. It may be too late to help you but the DOS needs to know there is an issue at your school.

Glenski gave excellent advice about how to make your complaint. Keep it professional. Be specific.

Her conduct in front of other students is completely inappropriate regardless of any faults you may or may not have.

Future employers may or may not look at any evaluations from your current job. Be careful on your next interview. Even though it looks like you were really abused, the last thing a prospective employer wants to hear is you ripping the last place you worked. If it comes up, describe the situtation and then move on to the positive lessons you learned from working there.

Just a couple of suggestions that might help in the future. Observations do not have to be scheduled. I don't like unannounced observations either but they an accepted and reasonable practice. Also be honest with yourself about your teaching. Even though this person was an idiot, try to see if she had any valid points. I was in a somewhat similiar situtation my first year of teaching. My curriculum director was completely lost on how to give useful feedback but she was correct in her assessment of some areas I needed to work on.

Sorry you walked into such a bad experience. It happens, don't let it discourage you. Good luck on finding a better place!

David

[PC Parrot]

[Sashadroogie]

Too right. The only thing an unannounced observation can show is that new teachers tend to perform badly under unexpected pressure. Why go to the trouble of an observation to establish that obvious fact? Unless one really only wants to establish dominance, perhaps?

[regmcm]

Many thanks for all your words of advice..


dave3br, I take on board your comments about being honest with myself about my teaching ability. I am aware where i need to improve as a teacher (mostly from the wonderfully constructive feedback from other teachers)

Unannounced observations are unheard of (certainly form the teachers i have spoken to over the year from different school and countries) But to be honest i wouldn't have had an issue with them if they had been carried out professionally and with formal constructive feedback.

Anyway some good news. I had a meeting with the DOS on Monday. She was, as i expected, very protective of my manager but was also shocked that i had only had one pre arranged observation in the whole year, and that my final OB was not attended.

She has agreed to make significant changes to my reference and remove the negative comments.

Although the first year has been extremely difficult, i have also learnt a hell of a lot from other teachers and from the experience alone. As a 47 year old with with zero teaching experience before this year it would have been an easy option to just walk out when things started to go bad. But i was determined to stick it out to the bitter end and i think i am a better teacher and certainly a stronger person for it!

One things for certain it can only get easier from now!

(anyone know of any decent schools in Andalucia please let me know!)

Cheers MM

[Sashadroogie]

Good for you! I felt that a negative ref wouldn't fly with the real DOS or boss. You did the right thing, and now you can move on to a different, better contract having learnt a lot not just about teaching, but also the silliness that surrounds lots of school administration and how to deal with it.

[dave3br]

To the OP,

That is wonderful news about the reference! I think you will find the next year to be much easier now that you have some experience.

Best of luck to you!