Job Discussion Forums

[BOBBYSUE]

Hi everyone

My purpose in this post is to find out what makes a bad supervisor and what makes a good one at HCT. I hope that if you are prepared to give me your opinion, I'll be able to use the insight if I get an interview for a supervisor position. More importantly, I would then hope to use the same information to become a good supervisor if selected for a post.

So thank you so much in advance for your real life examples (though of course, i don't need any names!).

B

[veiledsentiments]

I don't think good or bad supervising is any different at HCT than anywhere else in the world of work.

We all want the same thing in a manager... honesty and fairness... and an avoidance of micromanagement.

Plus I think that you will find that most of the things that the teachers dislike most about the management system at HCT are beyond your control in an overmanaged bureaucratic place like this. But you won't understand this until you actually get inside it.

I had a few victories over the bureaucracy there because I always fought for what was best for the students - which was my goal. The managers who are the most respected are the ones that stand up for their teachers.

VS

[BOBBYSUE]

Thanks very much VS

That's just the kind of personal insight I wanted and is very valuable to me.

I'd be very interested to know about some specific HCT- type unpopular measures that supervisors are unable to do anything about

Please keep 'em coming everyone

[globalnomad2]

As an addendum to VS's post: in my five years at HCT, most supervisors harassed teachers and were unresponsive. "Point taken, point taken!" they'd say in reply to your concerns, and then nothing would happen unless it was to the detriment of the teachers. They were like line supervisors in a factory and we were educational contract workers.

[veiledsentiments]

But, as I mentioned, even the well-intentioned supervisors were trapped into the system, which truly does consider teachers nothing more than cogs in the wheel. And considers those supervisors just the cog who directly controls the factory line.

One thing that drove me crazy about the place was the obsession with meetings where our input, if asked, was ignored. Generally speaking 90% of the meetings could have been handled with a one page memo of the 'new rules.'

VS

[WD40]

Know the way, go the way, show the way
A good supervisor is the first to do and the last to finish
An effective leader contributes and expects like for like by colleagues
A decent manager treats you like he/she expects to be treated away from the the confines of the college
A supervisor is a brother or sister, father or mother, never an enemy, never a threat, never harrassing
A good co-ordinator provides you with the tools and resources to ensure you teach effectively and the students learn progressively
A excellent director empowers staff and students, is always seen and heard, extends the hands of friendship, staying positive and encouraging in a supportive and professional manner
A colleague fights the battles that can be won and is supported by those with responsibility to win the wars
Anyone who takes on a role that influences other people must be honest, direct, competent, able to gel a team and ensure they play the same game while allowing for individual skill and flare.
If you possess such attributes then you should apply. If not, perhaps you are not ready.

[BOBBYSUE]

All excellent advice...thank you. Please keep coming with good and bad examples (as specific to HCT as possible). It will really help me to be the best I can if I get a job.

B

[like2answer]

At HCT -

Some supervisors want teachers to be at work, in the building, from 8 to 5. When classes start at 8, it means teachers come in earlier. That makes for a long day.

Some supervisors know their teachers work hard so don't care about the hours in the building as long as the teachers do their jobs.

Some supervisors want teachers to sign in and out of the building, so they will know where their staff is at all times.

Some supervisors try to change working hours to be more flexible.

Some supervisors don't do their job and look at google earth for hours.

Some supervisors make fun of their teachers' teaching in front of other teachers.

Some supervisors thank teachers for going beyond what is expected.

Some supervisors get a joke.

Some supervisors don't.

Some supervisors "pop" into class to see if the teacher is doing his job.

Some supervisors ask the teacher what time is best for the teacher to see how the teacher teaches.

Some supervisors have pet staff members.

Some supervisors have a lot of meetings.

Some supervisors never have any meetings.

Some supervisors promote teachers who don't work hard.

Some supervisors are kind.

Some supervisors have to be right no matter what.

I could go on for hours, but you get the idea.

You decide what you think is good and bad. The above are just some of the things that go on.

P.S. If anyone can "name those supervisors" and write me the names in an email to this account, I'll send you 100 dirhams if you get them all correct. LOL