Screwed over by someone you trust.....
I spent 2011 working as a TL at my local primary school 3 days each week. This was as a NIT (Non-Instructional Time) provider, meaning the class teacher did not accompany the class during their library time. It also meant there was very little planning & collaboration time between class teachers and myself, and in the words of the French teach (also NIT provider) - "They don't really care what you do with the kids, as long as they get their NIT time". I don't actually believe that to be true for all staff members, but it was a bit of a wake up call.While I knew this was not an ideal situation, I tried to make the most of it and was enthusiastic about incorporating aspects, ideas and theories I was exposed to during my CSU study. Very little time was given to the admin side of the role, and so I felt I was always just keeping my head above water with regards to the actual managing of the library itself. I did on numerous occasions investigate and report to the Principal that the time allocated for admin (and even for SSO - School Support Officer - time) was inadequate, but was met with a brick wall and told that under the new agreement/award I was entitled to the same amount of non-contact time as an ordinary classroom teacher! You now have some idea of what I was dealing with...... but wait it gets better..... oh so much better!
It was hard and frantic work but I really did enjoy what I was doing, even though I knew it was not my "ideal situation". The school needed to fit more into their program for funds allocated, and so towards the end of the year the Principal made noises about changing the role of the TL to more of a "Design & Technology (D & T)" focus. I objected strongly to this, and voiced my opinion as such.
The end of the year came and I prepared myself for the fact that the TL that was on leave would be returning and I would be out looking for other TL/relief work. To cut a long story short, she decided not to return (long illness, close to retiring age, probably disillusioned with the system/boss/school) but I was not informed of this, nor given the option to return to the job. Instead, another member of staff who has spent the last x number of years filling various positions within the school was offered the position. Interestingly - she was also one of 3 members of the PAC (Personnel Advisory Committee), the other 2 being the Principal and another member of staff. At the time the decision to appoint her was made, the 3rd member of the committee was away on holidays (with me as it happens) and knew nothing of the decision! Does that sound incestuous or what?
I was absolutely devastated at the time and could not believe that such political, self-serving, dog-eat-dog actions could actually happen in real life! When I approached the Principal about the matter he told me that I had already indicated to him that I was not interested in the position if it was to focus on D & T. That may well have been the case, but I was offended that I was not at least given the option to return - I felt that I had done a pretty good job of it, had built great relationships with students and staff and really felt like I had been "kicked in the guts". When I asked if there was anything about my practice that was not satisfactory, I was reassured that they were very happy with my performance, but that they really thought I was not interested in the job.
END OF PART 1 - Feeling as though my life as a TL is over!! Confidence shattered, very, very, angry with how the system can treat you and not wanting to set foot in that school ever again!!
PART 2 - things improve, get worse and then improve again. Coming soon.......
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