My dear friends!
Today I want to discuss an article that I just read: “I am a bullied teacher (https://talesofateach1987.wordpress.com/). This story is taking place in a lot of districts throughout the United States. I cannot believe that this teacher is being bullied by the ones that should be helping her and guiding her if that’s what needed so that her students can be successful.

The article talks about her fears and insecurities that she has gained due to the constant walks-ins and negative comments from those you expect to help you. I was in shock when I read this story. Her courage make me come out of my shell and write to you, my friends about this caring and loving teacher that fears to even enter her school because the administrators continuously criticize her. “Your lessons plans are not good enough, or your way of teaching is not strong enough…” never a word of encouragement, but always being judged by those who should be supporting and helping her if they feel there are areas that need improvement. That is the job of a good principal.

It’s so funny because when I got my Masters in Principalship and was taking my 34 credit hours in Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS), which is the system that is used in Texas to appraise teachers, I was in shock when my professor said that the PDAS should be more of a positive tool, where the principal meets with the teacher, asks for areas that the teacher believes she needs to improve or might be weak. Then she agrees to meet–more as an interventionist to help that teacher. This is done in this way, he explained, because your bottom line are the students. If the teacher is unhappy, scared or doesn’t know how to approach some problems in the classroom, it will hurt the students. The principal needs to support him/her. I’ve always felt that the PDAS is a tool used to intimidate teachers. I have never had anyone asked: “when do you need me to come to observe you and what areas do you need me to help you with?”

Did you all know this? Of course NOT!

Principals need to remember that if you help the teacher to do better, you help your students and your school to achieve! By scaring a good teacher and making her life miserable there is nothing to be accomplished but a negative outcome! The BEST PRINCIPAL I ever had was one that believed teachers were professionals, that felt embarrassed to go to our rooms to check on us or do walk-ins and always believed in us. I tell you what, I gave 200% for that woman. She was amazing! Everybody I knew wanted to work for her. Unfortunately for me, good things don’t last long and we had to move out of town.

Where are we heading with this kind of situation in our schools? Teachers are so overwhelmed that they want to quit their jobs because the pressure is too high and there is no back up from the administration and the district.