Saturday, September 25, 2004
The Nice and the Nasty
Adjusting to a new job is never easy. In my Interim Principal position at a medium-wealthy district, I expected some difficult parents, but I never expected impossible teachers. Since the outgoing principal will not relenquish a laptop, I am forced to go elsewhere to check email. Today I went into a computer lab where the teacher was friendly enough to invite me to use one of the units.
As I was getting used to it and checking my mail, he asked if I had done any military service, which was the catalyst for instant conversation. He told me about all his experience with covert operations and where he was sent all over the world. We segued that into weapons and then the Civil War and he told of his membership in the Sharpshooter brigade and the reenactments he attended. I enjoyed talking to him.
I read on of my email between talks with Tony and found a disgruntled teacher complaining about the tar smell in his classroom (they are repairing the roof). I suggested that he call me when there is a problem rather than email since it might take a long time for me to respond to an electronic message. Eventually he did call and I went to his room to find him eating his lunch with no children present. I did detect the odor of tar and asked why he would want to eat in a room that smelled like that. He explained that he wanted to read and write his email. I found that rather silly. I asked if the smell was in the room when children are present and he said they are here in the mornings and the odor is not present then.
I found this incredible that a grown man would complain about a problem that he can easily solve by moving during lunch and doesn't exist when children are there! Some of these tenured young male teachers think they are smarter and more capable than administrators, but they don't have a clue.
As I was getting used to it and checking my mail, he asked if I had done any military service, which was the catalyst for instant conversation. He told me about all his experience with covert operations and where he was sent all over the world. We segued that into weapons and then the Civil War and he told of his membership in the Sharpshooter brigade and the reenactments he attended. I enjoyed talking to him.
I read on of my email between talks with Tony and found a disgruntled teacher complaining about the tar smell in his classroom (they are repairing the roof). I suggested that he call me when there is a problem rather than email since it might take a long time for me to respond to an electronic message. Eventually he did call and I went to his room to find him eating his lunch with no children present. I did detect the odor of tar and asked why he would want to eat in a room that smelled like that. He explained that he wanted to read and write his email. I found that rather silly. I asked if the smell was in the room when children are present and he said they are here in the mornings and the odor is not present then.
I found this incredible that a grown man would complain about a problem that he can easily solve by moving during lunch and doesn't exist when children are there! Some of these tenured young male teachers think they are smarter and more capable than administrators, but they don't have a clue.
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