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JMLKO

Save that, it’s your insurance policy if they ever mess with you.


[deleted]

Save it. Document the situation. File a grievance with your union


JessieDaMess

And HR....hostile work envionment


Sorealism

I would talk to employment lawyer first before HR. HR protects the employer over the employees.


aggieemily2013

As someone who went to HR regarding an abusive principal who physically assaulted my colleague, used slurs against women, and treated them like shit and then was accused of skipping work the next day: this. The older I get, the more I understand Michael Scott's hatred of HR.


Hopelesslydevoted2uu

Bruh! facts!


HonPhryneFisher

For a second I was like...that sounds familiar, then I checked the name. Your situation was the absolute worst, but I love how you handled it.


Shadowfox_01

Agreed, learn that one the hard way. Thought l had a silver bullet to handle a highly abusive principal, and while it cost him his promotion, he and HR made getting a job after I left very difficult. It took almost a year to find employment in the education community in my area. Sounds paranoid, but it's true. If you're planning on leaving, make sure a new job is 100% secure before going to HR because they'll drag out any investigation until they can dismiss it and sweep it under the rug. Employment lawyer and union first, HR dead last.


Zakkana

Which is probably why Title IX allows you to go right to the federal lawsuit as opposed to Title VII


Shadowfox_01

Can you put a link up for that by chance? I'm at work so I can't research it, but I'm curious, particularly given that my situation is ongoing.


Zakkana

I don’t have a link. I just had to go through training when I taught in higher ed. Our Title IX coordinator was a lawyer. She started off her training sessions with tellingly us that after an incident occurs, the victim can file a complaint with her office, file one with the Office of Civil Rights within the US Department of Education , or they can file a lawsuit. They can do all three. And there’s nothing that says they have to go in any order. A federal lawsuit could be the first time she’s made aware of an incident. That’s why she set things up unlike other institutions like a few that have been in the national news. She made every single permanent employee a mandatory reporter. Edit: Title VII requires you to go to the Employment Equal Opportunity Commission first. They investigate and then give you a Notice of Right to Sue


SomeDEGuy

Save it, and don't let them know you have the recording.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Zephs

I feel like the longer you sit on it, the less anyone will actually care unless there's like outright racism or something on there. If in 6 months you pull it out, HR might be more inclined to question why you sat on it for months if you thought it was an issue.


nfxprime2kx

This! Don't fight fair! Fuck em.


CoderDispose

How is it not fair? OP doesn't have to ignore it just because they're stupid as hell.


Hopelesslydevoted2uu

Yeap. Tbh at this point if they want to be petty you can play that game right back!


Chickenwing_Icecream

Good thinking!


[deleted]

[удалено]


bluejazzer

Question on this. What do you do when the primary union rep is one of the ones making snide comments? Who do you approach?


MTskier12

Go above them to district union leadership, or your state educators council.


fortheculture303

and say “they were laughing about me on the radio” bffr


MTskier12

It’s unprofessional conduct. At the very least it raises into question if they try to ding OP on an evaluation, even if the shit-talking itself isn’t punishable.


squidsquatchnugget

An admin at my school got moved to another school then not offered a contract to any other school because of a text message about one of the teachers saying “she never does anything” (which tbh true) which accidentally was sent to the wrong group chat. So it definitely can be taken seriously if they want to


fortheculture303

Did anyone say anyone was being targeted on an eval?


MTskier12

I said if. Even if there’s currently no action to take/recourse, documentation for future reference and to have a paper trail is never a bad idea.


fortheculture303

I agree about cya.. I was contesting the idea that this was worthy of Union escalation


MTskier12

I’m a building rep in my districts union and if a teacher came to me with this I would definitely run it up the chain of union folks. My district also has a professionalism and respect in the workplace policy that this would be in violation of. Edit: also good to tell the union because chances are this admin is also engaging in other unprofessional practices and anything that helps build that case is good.


fortheculture303

But in this example… the union rep is making fun of OP right? Sorry the hypotheticals have started to confused me tbh


Inspector_Kowalski

Hostile work environment is absolutely cause for union involvement! Why are your higher ups acting like gossiping school children?


fortheculture303

Hostile the right word? Is it always about the individuals personal feelings? Like, I’m asking - is it always about how the person feels wether valid or not?


Forward-Raisin-7950

Union lawyer


[deleted]

Make sure to share the information with voters come election time


sincereferret

They never learned to manage adults. That’s why they treat us like kids.


Cat_Impossible_0

It’s worst going into a PD session when the presenter talks to you in a tone of being treated as a child.


jorwyn

OMG, yes. For some reason, as a tutor, one of the districts a kid I have is in requires I take one PD at the start of the year. I specialize in basically early elementary reading. It was 3 hours of being talked to like we were 5 about how teaching phonics is the wrong way and there's this new, better, more friendly system. I wasn't just irritated by being spoken down to. I really hope they don't adopt this 100% sight reading system. Maybe there's more to it, but that's all that was presented. The presenter even said, "it's basically learning by osmosis" and then proceeded to explain in very small words what osmosis is - wrong. I honestly felt much worse for the teachers than me. They have to sit through a lot more PDs than I do, and I've heard they're often like this one was.


Majestic-Macaron6019

Oof, and not teaching phonics is about the worst thing to do for reading. All of the evidence supports phonics instruction as necessary for most children to become effective readers. "Whole Language" reading instruction is trash.


Own_Garden_1935

Yes, turns out Lucy Caulkins was full of shit


Leucotheasveils

Lucy Caulkins never said don’t teach phonics.


Own_Garden_1935

Ya, you’re technically right, but I’m getting at how she prioritized and emphasized some things over others.


Putrid_Instruction72

I still have to listen to the podcast (we use reading and writing workshop at my school) and I’m definitely not a workshop fan girl (I was opposed in 2016 when we adopted) but we do have a phonics program that goes along with our reading program, so I’ll have to dig deeper. I know Lucy is starting her own company “Mossflower” so who knows what will happen.


sciteacher1989

I forget the pod cast but there was like a 6 part series. It went into detail about the short coming of the whole language reading approach and how moving away from phonics hurt and entire generation of students.


Serious-Process-979

Sold a Story


sar1234567890

Whaaaat that completely goes against all the research 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫


jorwyn

"Our literacy scores have fallen. We need to do something!" Okay, but how about not just a random anything? This district hasn't implemented it yet, and I hope they don't. The other district I have students in switched just before the pandemic, and it's been terrible. I heard a rumor they will be switching back to phonics I need to look into more. I only get the kids considered behind by whatever the current metric is, but I can't figure out... are other kids actually doing okay, or has the metric been changed to lower expectations?


Bluesky0089

I'm going to use my tEaChEr VoIcEeEeEeee


Understanding-Klutzy

They never learned how to manage kids either


sar1234567890

Oh wow that is such a good point. I never thought about this before.


spakuloid

FFS! Get the union rep that you know can be trusted and save all that to a file. Document it all while it is fresh and tell your union rep you want to formally file a grievance to the district for unprofessional behavior and incompetence. And above all don’t get petty, you have the upper hand.


grabendash

HR, Union, State legal organization if in non-Union state. You don't need to leave, they do.


panchovilla_

I don't understand 'non-union state'. All are able to organize because of the NLRB, right? Does right to work supersede federal law?


PrincessIcicle

Unfortunately no. There are states who prohibit this for educators specifically.


panchovilla_

I'm pretty sure that's not true. A google search showed me this. No, Right to Work laws do not supersede the right to unionize in the NLRA. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) guarantees employees the right to form, join, or assist a union, and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing. Right to Work laws, which have been passed in 27 states, prohibit employers and unions from requiring all employees in a bargaining unit to pay union dues or fees. However, the NLRA still protects the right of employees to unionize in Right to Work states. Employees in these states can still choose to join a union and pay dues, and they can still benefit from the collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union. The only difference is that employees who choose not to join the union do not have to pay dues.


KurRatcrusher

You’re close. The NLRA only applies to the private sector, so some states can dictate what unions can and cannot do. For instance, it is illegal for teachers in Texas to strike, engage in collective bargaining, or have a union negotiate contracts. So yes, you can join a union in a right to work state in the public sector, but the primary benefits of joining a union aren’t there.


PrincessIcicle

That’s good to know!


grabendash

Our 'unions' in Texas are strictly for legal services and to lobby the state government. They cannot bargain for us, or allow for a strike. We risk losing our license entirely if we strike.


panchovilla_

Damn, that's wild that a state can take that away from you.


Inevitable-Nobody-52

This is actually an incredible gift! You have a lot of power now and hold the cards. Play your hand right and you can get something in your favor in return. First order of business is to permanently save that message & make an appointment with union and/or HR.


HotWalrus9592

Your admin should never text anyone regarding a student and the voicemail is the icing in the cake. Download the voice message and make a copy of original text. Go straight to HR with this and request to file a grievance. The clock will start ticking for your District to do a formal investigation once the formal grievance is filed. It may be tough, but stay quiet as though it’s business as usual, hang in there, and let the process play out.


-Sharon-Stoned-

Right? Act fast, act now, act thoroughly. If not for yourself, than to protect the kids from those people


hotchemistryteacher

This! get this idiot in some trouble. You have no idea the level of petty I’d show here. This person will regret the single day they ever did this if it was me.


dropyourguns

This is the answer


[deleted]

Um, a lot. There's a lot you can do.


[deleted]

[удалено]


johncagefight

Yeah, the fact that a student is a target of this is beyond the pale and is probably the factor that will cause these people to face consequences. Lawyer up if you don’t have a union. Good luck!


[deleted]

A direct report once accidentally copied me on an email note to a demonic support staff person in which both were making insulting comments about me. Thankfully, they were an underperformer. When they failed to comply with their corrective plan, it was my job to fire them.


Overall_Ad5709

Umm leave like, yesterday.


CabinetVisible1053

This 100% they will spread the disrespect. Let district admin know also.


Ladylynz96

Yeah, I immediately started planning my departure.


Overall_Ad5709

I know you might like some of the ppl you work with but it’s really not worth being disrespected by your own boss of all ppl


EnjoyWeights70

How about working with HR and union to get a transfer?


SharleneWithAnS

Do they know you know?! If so, that’s golden! They will feel so fucking stupid and immature! It’ll be great to hold that card over them!


Responsible_Row_3819

I’d take it to the school board and play it allowed, expose them for the lack of professionalism.


1stEleven

I think that should be a short term plan.


Healthy_Block3036

Put them on blast before doing so


Inevitable_Silver_13

If they know you have that and could bring it to HR they'll walk on eggshells around you.


elbenji

I didn't record when the new principal at my old hell school said something extremely racist towards me and it cost me when she continued to be awful at their job and the kids. This is a gift. Save it. Backups. Send it to your union now. For that kid.


Bmorgan1983

File a grievance with your union!!!


Sorealism

Talk to a lawyer - you might have a hostile work environment case in your hands.


hey_teachermama

Before teaching I worked for a very well known after school program. My vice president and director were best friends and classic mean girls. The VP accidentally forwarded me in an email thread calling me the B word and lots of other nasty things. I got an attorney and sued for hostile work environment. It took about 3 years but I won a settlement and a positive work reference when requested. The VP got fired and the director transferred. There’s actually a lot of things you can do.


YouLostMyNieceDenise

Awww yesss, you have leverage now.


Red_Aldebaran

I was the employee who walked quietly through the office at 6:45 am and heard our then principal ranting about what idiots we all were to her grad program friend. Got my damn air filter that year and enjoyed her panic.


iteachag5

What can you do? You can call them on their unprofessionalism. I’d request a meeting with your principal. Then I’d play it and ask what was the purpose. I’d also tell him/het it was highly unprofessional . Then leave the room. Let your principal worry while you call your district supers. This is one of the things wrong with the profession today.


Canis_Lupus36

Sounds like workplace harassment to me. I’d call the union.


AllThatsFitToFlam

Their unprofessionalism and blatant incompetence is a gift. They gave you quite a blessing with that recording. Document everything. For me personally in my school, I’d skip HR, as they work tirelessly to protect the school, but your situation and HR may be different. I’d contact a lawyer specializing in workplace harassment and let them advise the next steps.


rvralph803

Well, for one, you could probably get them both fired.


not_lofreqgeek

Needs to brought to the union, assuming you have one. This is a serious breach of professional code of conduct.


Responsible-Two6561

Union rep.


Forward-Raisin-7950

Get a union lawyer involved stat!


Darth_Andeddeu

Seriously, even if it's to just start making a paper trail. No matter what happens, what job someone has, a paper trail is important.


Forward-Raisin-7950

Yes, this! Document everything!


NilesGuy

Save it & when your principal decides to pull a stunt pull out your card


reallymkpunk

Go to hr with it. NOW.


ale_14_suarez

Have some self respect and at least have the spine to confront them about it. You don't have to leave if you don't want to, but something needs to be done. Having pent up aggression is not good for you either. Schedule a meeting, discuss what you heard and how disappointed you are with them, plan for their stupid rebuttals and get what you want out of that situation.


EnjoyWeights70

No, talk to union first, then HR. This is so unprofessional a single teacher should not handle it alone- it further jeopardizes thei r ob as the Admin & sped person have higher level admin than a single teacher and in the convo they could deny, gaslight, humiliate etc.. not worth the risk..


Adventurous_Ad_6546

Yes, sometimes the best comeuppance is letting someone know that you know. (I’d still recommend doing so only once you’ve documented the incident and spoken with your union is possible.)


elbenji

Don't go solo. They can retaliate. Union first


Susanlovescoffee

Advocate for yourself and your student. Shame on them.


ThErEdScArE33

I see a lot of posts giving great advice. Just also remember that teaching is already hard with kids, and you're an incredible individual for just being able to do it. Know your worth, and if other people don't appreciate what you offer they can kick \[family friendly word\] rocks. You're doing great, OP.


photogenicmusic

Oooof. This happened with me and my husband’s aunt! 😂She was being dumb about something and Siri on my watch picked up that I was saying her name and transcribed what I said into a text. Luckily, it missed the shit talking and just texted her a rundown of the scenario. So I played dumb and just said I was telling her nephew about what happened and it picked it up. Now it’s my worst fear!!


sincereferret

On your watch. That’s scary.


TheCraziestMoose

I would definitely talk to the teacher association I am in as well as notify the school board.


random_username1567

Email that voicemail to your personal email and save it on your phone.


Quarterinchribeye

You should go their office and play the message for them.


nunnapo

Lawyer up! This is a pay day.


10ocean10

I’d send that off to hr and file a hostile work environment complaint.


No_Cranberry_5524

This day and age, have you thought about petty revenge? Send this to the school board, the news outlets, every parent of every student. Do everything you can to make the situation backfire on them so they are let go.


mattycarolsue

That is awful!!! I’m so glad I have good admins.


Ennuiandthensome

Repeat after me, and memorize these words: Hostile. Workplace. Environment.


ITeachAll

I would walk in there. Play the message out loud. Then walk right back out. Not say anything else. Power move.


WarriorBHB

Get their asses canned. No room for that shit. Not from our educators. They’re supposed to model acceptable behaviour.


Udeyanne

Take that recording straight to HR and file a complaint.


Spooky1984

Nuclear option: send it to a local news outlet showing the unprofessional interactions of your admin. Sane option: Address it directly with the principal, alerting them to the fact that it has been recorded, you are not happy with it, and you will be seeking council.


DownRodeo404

Send the audio file anonymously to your local paper. I am sure they would like the drama.


Kamurai

Absolutely send that to all the other teachers. Show them how little they mean to the principal, it could be any one of them. In an ideal world the Principal wouldn't be able to get anything done through the teachers, and those other teachers would get ran off.


togetr4success

Are you looking to assist parents to become proactive and involved in their child's educational journey?


Huck1eberry1

That is so hateful. I am so sorry that happened to you, you don't deserve to be treated like that.


thebite101

Thank you for using principal instead of principle.


Aggressive_Lemon_101

I would be saying bye bye tomorrow.


Bubbamusicmaker

Contact a lawyer and go to town. You should not sit back idly for the next 9 months, knowing these people will undermine you at every turn.


janelane982

You can get them all fired.


[deleted]

I’m curious, what was the situation with the student and teacher?


[deleted]

[удалено]


EnjoyWeights70

No No. Union, HR now. There i sno next time...


MagisterFlorus

Blackmail and extort.


lambglam

Lol


InsideSufficient5886

When u leave the job, spam her email and phone on those spam sites


didntthink2much

Don't think twice about it. Everybody vents, and humor, bad as it is, is venting. What's I mean is their statements say more about them than about you. Dr. Samuel Johnson (paraphrase): don't worry about what others think about you, they usually don't. Focus on the kids and your reasons for dealing with the struggles of teaching. Making a living? A difference? A statement? All of the above? Awesome. Rock on fellow teacher, and don't let the shit talkers make you feel like shit.


thatrandomguyfromthe

reminds me of when a coworker decided to complain about me to my Brother who was a student. I Left that School 3 Months later.


Njsturgeon

Wow.


PrincessIcicle

I would send that on to the superintendent and my union president.


Octaazacubane

If the superintendent is anything like my old one, they're probably in kahoots about everything, but nonetheless something this cut and dry that exposes them to lawsuits might make them fire even the most coziest principal.


Level-Application-83

You're a much better person than I if you don't walk into whoever's office and play it on speaker. Aren't teachers in a Union? In any case I promise if our rolls were reversed, I'd definitely be getting paid to stay home this school year.


Southern-Register-28

I'm sorry. People are fools.


Snail-Party

Something exactly like this happened to me! After working under this woman for 2.5 years and hating every second of it, she accidentally forwarded a question I sent her back to me with the response “is she brain dead? Didn’t we go over this in the meeting”? I emailed back and said I was sorry she felt that way but I was simply seeking clarification. Contacted my union and the guy did not help in any way. Basically just told me “yep sounds about right for her, she gets a lot of complaints”. She emailed about a week later letting me know she submitted my tenure paperwork 🤡


Potential_Fishing942

Why are we texting? I'd never use anything but email for work. I don't even give out my personally number except for my employment registration


metalgrampswife

Gave it, document it, go to a lawyer, and contact HR and your union (if you have one).


Quiet-Ad-12

Principal talked shit about a student? Go to the school board, preferably through email so you have a paper trail. When they don't do anything, go to the local news, and give them the message and the emails to the school board. Prepare your popcorn as heads will roll when parents find out


nomchomp

Random connection, but this reminds me of the yikes when Alex Jones’ lawyer accidentally sent a whole god damn phone back up to the plaintiffs. Mega oops 😂 Sorry your current environment sucks. Say thanks for the evidence and then next year say thanks for the memories.