Due to uncontrollable circumstances I was asked to temporarily switch positions at work. I have been working with special education students and the classes are small. I was asked to take on another subject, grade and class size. My original class is being split up amongst other special education teachers. I am happy to help out until the teacher is able to come back but I am trying to adjust to this abrupt change. I now have seven class periods with 30 children in each. Behavior issues are an all time high for these junior high students. I understand it is an adjustment to them as well, not being use to have me in the classroom. Recently, a colleague across the hall walks over during passing period and asked a student standing right in front of me do you think you all are better or worse since Ms. Saleh is here. The student who has behavior problems herself replies “oh I think we are way worse” the teacher shakes her head and say “oh”. I was completely shocked this teacher asked this student a question like that with me right there in front of her and I felt that was unprofessional. This is a Title 1 school and behavior has always been an issue for many teachers with years of experience including her. For the past three years, I have personally witnessed behavior issues. Since that statement was made I find myself putting distance between myself in this colleague. I talked with another colleague who is a teacher assistant (TA) and comes in during a few class periods to work directly with the special education children. I explained how my feelings were hurt because this colleague made it appear I am doing a horrible job. The TA reassured me it was not my fault and that I was doing my job. She also told me behavior issues have always been a problem for the class since the first day of school. The original teacher did not enforce the rules as much as other teachers. Also, she told me I should speak up more when there is something I do not like. For me I think I did the best thing by not saying anything originally because my feelings were definitely hurt by what she said. Sometimes when we get hurt our initial thought is to say something back that is hurtful. Now that I have time to think and especially after this week I could use the NVC principles and the three R’s. I can talk to her an address the issue to stop the casual verbal attacks and remind her we are all there for the same reason. Through that conversation I can implement respect and be able to get her response on the matter. There is a possibility she does not even know what she said was hurtful.
Corso, R. M. (2007). Practices for enhancing children’s social-emotional development and preventing challenging behavior. Gifted Child Today, 30(3), 51–56.
O’Hair, D. & Wieman, M. (2009). Real Communication: An Introduction. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.Martin’s
The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/
Corso, R. M. (2007). Practices for enhancing children’s social-emotional development and preventing challenging behavior. Gifted Child Today, 30(3), 51–56.
O’Hair, D. & Wieman, M. (2009). Real Communication: An Introduction. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.Martin’s
The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/
Wow - I am also shocked that a professional teacher would treat another colleague this way - and especially in front of an including a student. However, as we have learned this week, there may be underlying reasons for this behavior that we do not understand. I think that you are right that the best thing to do would be to approach this teacher with an I statement and let her know how this made you feel, then allow her to explain her side of the story.
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