The Worst School Administrator Stories
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- Опубліковано 29 кві 2023
- You WON’T believe some of the things our admins did…
Get ready to laugh out loud as we confront school culture on this episode of The Teachers Off Duty podcast.
Tell loves the idea of the idea of a 4-day work week, and Gabe is quick to praise the amazing culture at his school.
Lauran chimes in with her own experience of decision-making in administration and how it affects teacher's lives, while Bri gushes about the positive culture in her school. But don't worry, Gabe's got jokes for days and doesn't let anyone get too sappy.
We also discuss the importance of school climate and how it can make or break buy-in at any school and we share stories of former admins who were beloved by all, and the impact they had on the school community.
In everyone’s favorite segment, "Good or Garbage" with Gabe, we ROAST less-than-stellar school swag, and discuss the importance of student involvement in school culture, with Gabe sharing how his school lets the seniors design tee shirts.
But it's not all laughs, as Bri brings up a shocking discovery - teachers having to pay for their own substitute on sick days. The hosts share their own experiences and hilariously lament the absurdity of it all.
This episode concludes with a heartfelt teacher shoutout that Bri reads with pride and gratitude.
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As a retired teacher, I APPLAUD these young teachers who will not put up with what we did. Good for them!
As a first year teacher, I thank y'all veteran teachers for helping me know my worth from the start so I don't put up with what y'all had to go through!
@@renelizwe q
As a teacher in my 5th year, I'm constantly told by the veterans that it wasn't always this way with administration. I'm told that around 10-15 years ago is when things really started to go down hill with administration focusing almost solely now on how THEY look and ignoring their teachers in the process. I truly think that those who are attracted to the admin positions are often power hungry as I've seen even the nicest admin literally tear down great teachers over one mistake. They truly act worse than children at times. I don't know if it's the stress of the position or the fact that they just enjoy treating people badly. But for people like me that treat everyone, even complete jerks, with kindness it's very hard not to give up and find a new career where I'm not bullied on a daily basis by both staff and students.
True and especially those who will not put up with what we did NOT put up with either. As the decline continues, some of this new stuff brings new meaning to educational disfunction and disrespect towards teachers.
A good administer is better than anything. But a bad administer ruins a good school so fast.
AHHH SO BRIE IS BACK PERMANENTLY?! 💜
I guess so
I hope so!!!
Double love!
Please !
So happy!!!
I wish there was a show like this, but with real life admin. I want to understand what’s going on in their heads, because so much of what they do is detrimental to teachers and students. I want to know why they go from being normal people (back when they were classroom teachers),to full-on narcissistic cray-cray.
I think a lot of the time they let the authority they have get to their heads
Yes... in a way.
Narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder people are almost always at the heart of every toxic work situation. Wish it was a more discussed topic, because these people make it into positions of power a lot and they make life hell. Workplace abuse, neglect, and gaslighting shouldn’t be tolerated, and I’m always happy to hear anyone shining a light on the issue.
I had issues with one school administration from the day I started (admin frequently took over my class, sat in my lessons constantly and allowed parents to berate me during a conferences while their child was in the conference). My last straw was when administration decided to to do an observation on me knowing I was doing a pre-approved reward for the class at that time (a movie) during the last 30 minutes of school. The AP gave me a 0 on my observation. I called my union to get advice and decided to give resignation that following Monday. I walked away from that situation so fast because the stress and abuse of power was not worth $40,000 a year.
I was prepared to quit 2 months into the school year being paid 54k a year. Bad admin can crush your love of the job. I only stayed because the admin left for another position shortly after.
I am so happy to see Brie back! Girl, you did the right thing stepping away for your mental health. It takes a strong person to make that decision. To everyone on the podcast yall are incredible teachers and amazing people. I absolutely love the podcast . I so wish I had yall as my teachers growing up lol
Also pretty please make a tour stop in memphis
I love my principal and vp.
Also hearing this craziness about absences... my principals have straight up come into my room during my planning period or between classes on days when they knew i wasnt doing well and told me to go home (even offered to drive me home) and that they'd handle my students.
My dad was one of the good principals. He became principal at the junior high where he got his first teaching job. He didn't throw going away parties for his teachers, he threw retirement parties. When his school was merged with the other junior high in our town he was chosen to be principal there. Retired after 35 years. The good kids loved him & the "bad" kids were scared enough of him not to act out. 😊
i want an episode explaining all of the host changes honestly 😂
Ahh finally a topic I can add to with firsthand experience. My school admin decided to ban me from subbing at the high school I was at consistently for a year. Her reasoning? I left work early once… by 5 minutes on their collab day. And according to her I “abandoned” an after school academic makeup time (aka detention but a more PC name) and ditched the school. This assignment I got no prior notification of, my car was still parked, and I was campus talking to other students. To add further insult to injury, I was the only sub teacher to be assigned to supervise AMT for FIVE WEEKS IN A ROW. Meanwhile nearly every teacher left early on Friday and most other subs left early as well. Only after I left and started subbing elsewhere that the high school I was banned from was notorious for being unorganized (lol) and understaffed. It’s no wonder every conference period I had I was assigned to the attendance office to help them file attendance sheets. I was told by the very kind attendance office ladies that the principal refused to hire additional staff.
I had rave reviews from the students and staff as I was the preferred sub for at least four teachers. I had fallen in love with teaching and had such positive relationships with so many students as I went out of my way to help out around campus. But all that help, all that chaperoning for band, speech&debate, and fundraising assistance didn’t matter as long as the principal had a grudge for me. I had just entered my 2nd year of teaching and I finally began to love what I do but the principal took my heart out of the job. She’s part of the reason why I’m leaving the job and why so many other young and old teachers are fleeing the profession. I just wish I could still be there for the band of kids that helped inspire my love of the job 😢
A bad admin is worse than cancer. Bad admins kill mind, heart, and soul, as thousands of people are affected (students and staff).
Yes, Ms Bri… there are districts, especially in California where teachers have to pay for their substitute if they exceed a specific # of days.
Omg!!!
Those are 💩unions. Rewrite those contracts.
📢 I'm just throwing this out there, in regards the four-day work week. The year after covid shut everything down my district did a four-day school week with an online learning Friday, that Friday teachers came in and gave feedback to online students, planned for the next week,(and also were able to connect with those kids who had been in quarantine for 14 days) but that is the only time in my seven years of teaching that I have been able to have a complete weekend, as in 2 days off to not think about school every single week! That combined with the smaller class size of 17 vs 25 made me think that this whole teaching thing could actually be a sustainable career.
We are a title 1 School, those Fridays our district sent out buses with sack lunches for everyone to eat who was online that day.
My son's elementary school had a wonderful principal, but she went to a school in another state. The new principal was terrible at communication and didn't even try to understand kids. I started homeschooling because there were no other options for my son's education.
I worked at a charter high school where we taught Monday through Thursday and Friday was our “admin” reserved for PD, PLC, catch up on grading or planning. We also tried to set up IEPs for Friday. Loved it!!!
So glad that Bree is back! It was nice that you guys started off the podcast talking about good administrative experiences
The school that I work at as a Special Education Para has a 'mission statement' for the kids too! Our mascot is the Rockets so we say our rocket blast every morning! It goes: I am a Van Allen Rocket. I respect myself, others, and property. I inspire learning. I act with empathy. Van Allen Pride!
It sucks for the smaller districts. We have one big school in our district. The superintendent is the problem right now so I am lost on what to do now. Otherwise I have to drive 10 to 20 miles for a job. It's insane ... And I'm a mom to 3 kids and my husband is a trucker. I'm stuck now.
Lauren's first school she taught at is my school now! The principal at my school I cannot stand her at all. My school is very clicky. I cannot stand her
Omg, please tell us why she has a bug up her butt over Lauren? I hope Lauren made your principal feel like a fool, lol.
I’m not a teacher and have never wanted to be but I thoroughly enjoy these. I also want to say that Bri looks amazing! It makes one wonder if it’s because she is under so much less stress…
Gabe: “A district in South Dakota, I can’t say the name but I do wish.”
Me, a teacher in South Dakota: 👀👀👀
That happened to me. I started putting my foot down and saying that's not in my job description and they changed me to a sub as punishment for letting parents bully me. It meant i got sent home a lot and was in a tight spot having to be a mom to a new baby or just give in and do everything that is demanded of me even if it's not in the job description. Trying to set healthy boundaries ended up back firing on me and causing me to have deeper depression.
Are there episodes about nonrenewals? My husband is currently nonrenewed for the first time in his career and the principal has had a personal vendetta against him for the last year. Fabricated putting him on a CAP, injuries during class, even brags about being the principal who fires the most teachers in the district. Would love to hear insight on this, it’s a rough time over here
I love how districts and schools are BEGGING for teachers to work there these days, yet they run off the good ones they already HAVE.
I'm in a similar situation except I got a bad teacher rating and will be put on an "improvement plan." I'm interviewing for other SPED teacher positions. Sorry, but I'm not gonna stay in a place that treats me like garbage. I've cried almost every day in my classroom, have felt targeted, alienated and disrespected.
When they were talking about 4 day work weeks and Tell thought of the students that may not eat or parents having to take off work that day❤
future special ed teacher here, i love this podcast sm i tell everyone about it
Nice! Current sped teacher here.
I love watching this especially as a parent. It gives me insight to what teachers deal with. I would like to see more teachers that are also parents. We parents have our side of this conversation too. Maybe it could bridge the gap.
That would require teachers being paid enough to raise kids without marrying into wealth
Most teachers are parents at my school and they are not married into wealthy families
I'm considering leaving my school district and working in the non-profit sector again... there is a reason why attrition is so high.
Turnover in my district is high. They treat SPED teachers like me like garbage.
@@PugLady994 I did leave and I now work in the non-profit sector again. I’m being paid more by my new organization.
Our district went into four days and optional academy on Fridays during COVID. We have been on 4.5 days since returning full time with optional academy on Friday afternoons. We are on a balanced calendar.
I do feel supported by administration, but this year has been a SUPER FUN year. Also, we do, blessedly/luckily/fortunately, have a strong and supportive union.
I’ve been at my current school for ten years and the first four years, I had two different administrators. Our current principal has been with us for six years.
Strong and supportive is what you NEED! We’d be fans of optional fridays!
After five department chairs resigned from our math department due to targeting of teachers and condescending communication by our administrator, I assisted in filing a grievance. By June, I had all my math classes wiped off my schedule and consequentially pushed out of the math department. This was the same year I developed and implemented an intervention system that brought every failing math student to proficiency.
I love Bree! She's my absolute favorite. So real and so funny
At my school they don't get any subs when a teacher has to take early leave or they can't come to school because they're sick or something personal accorded, they just get a different teacher from our school who has a free period during that time slot to come and serve relief.
I wish these teachers were around in my school system. We live in a small town here my daughter went from preschool until 1st grade. I pulled her out to homeschool her because we were not taking seriously. My daughter is going so well.
I once worked for a principal who’d been an Army MP in the China/Burma/India theater of the Second World War who would tell male teachers to pick out the biggest kid in the class the first day of school, bitch slap him silly, and then they’d have no disciplinary problems thereafter. Then when I was eventually forced to punch out a sixteen year old who’d punched me in the head multiple times while breaking up a fight in my home room and was asked to resign by my department chairman he had absolutely no comment and simply accepted my resignation. His entire attitude was that anyone having disciplinary problems with criminally inclined teenagers, and after all fully one-quarter of the kids were on probation, was simply no good at discipline. But at school assemblies in the auditorium where all of the administrators were present the kids were just as poorly behaved as they were in class, except for the one time when they were being addressed by an armed state highway patrolman. Moral of the story: all teachers should be made deputy sheriffs, openly carry firearms, and wear badges on their belts just like the cool guy detectives on TV. That would be called high school for imbeciles since everyone seems to believe that absolutely everyone needs to attend high school no matter how stupid they may be.
I’m a student at my school if I see the principal it is crazy because I swear he isn’t even there most days whereas in middle school I saw all three every day
I'm so happy to hear about the positive work culture you are experiencing! Truly excited for you both
You guys are sitting in different places and it's throwing me off. 😂
Wow! That hit me right in the heart when Bri mentioned her teachers are the best. I cannot tell you how awesome that is to hear. 2nd year teacher librarian here and my admin docked me for not dealing with kids running around when I was checking books out for other students. Meanwhile, I do my best to create lessons that are engaging and interactive. That must be a good feeling coming to work day after day knowing that you all are on team “student success.”
I used to stay after school every Friday to get everything done and get ahead. I have spent the night, left Saturday morning sometimes.
Forget once a month, teachers should get one day every week (Friday for example), to get caught up on grading, planning, making copies for the week, and of course all of the extra paperwork/computer work that admin constantly gives. I guarantee most admin would end up assigning a lot more extra work if we did move to a four day week w/ student, it’s like a compulsion with them .
Honestly, I would advise people to not get into the education field, and the only people who should stick it out are those close to retirement. Our society is in the throes of extreme social decay, to the point where your personal safety, physical, and mental health will become a major problem if you are thinking about staying in it for a significant amount of years. It doesn’t matter if you’re blessed with stellar admin, eventually you’ll have different admin (even if you only work for one school). In my district, the decent admin are often promoted to higher paying jobs (and there are a ton of BS high paying jobs for both local and state department of education. Moreover, if you think you won’t be either assaulted or threatened with assault by either students or parents, then you’re naive to what’s going on nationwide. You’ll also probably experience freezes on raises, and as someone who worked for a school district with the highest teacher shortage (always in the top 3 nationwide), my district would pink slip hundreds of teachers in favor of doubling up classroom sizes, just to save money. Then after 2 years of that, they go back to trying to hire more teachers, but those teachers they pink slipped left that district years ago.
As a teacher who only sees her students once a week, 3/4 day weekends, staff development days, random holidays, etc. really knock us off of our schedule.
I'm not a teacher, but my twin is, and I started listening so that I could understand what they go through better, I don't think I'll ever fully understand. But you all are so funny and engaging that I keep coming back episode after episode. Thank you for making learning about the profession my twin loves so entertaining. I wish you all the best in everything! 😘😘😘
SO happy to see that Bri is back! Wish she would spread the wealth with her time spent on the topics though... Girl loves to hear herself talk!
Ok. So- this relates to the lousy T-shirt discussion and the power of admin. I worked with a very toxic admin for a number of years. My school lost close to 30 teachers over that admin time span. This particular admin graced us with school shirts which we were basically forced to wear every week. When this admin was finally transferred (because of course they wouldn’t be terminated), I cut every single one of those shirts up and used them as cleaning rags for bathroom cleaning. Namely, the toilets. Immature? Yes. Validating and satisfying? Hell yes. Thanks TOD for being awesome!
I am a high school student, and the administrators of my school almost never engage with behavioral or teacher based issues, I have only seen one observation and it was triggered due to an incident. It's crazy all of your stories
In my district, we have sick days and personal days. We have to pay $50 for subs if we take personal days. They deduct it from our paychecks.
So in other words you get no real days off. Sounds like there's a violation in there somewhere.
Hey, Dean of students is basically a vice principal that they don’t want to pay vice principal salary. She’s admin.
I wish sometimes I could school hop-not everyone has that opportunity. But glad for you, Bri! & everyone else who can!
On the question for applicants applying to new districts , I think this is where Facebook is helpful . Teachers post anonymously in local teacher groups asking about districts and specific campuses
OMG this is my first year, and my admin has a track record of backing parents/kids instead of teachers. If you stand up for yourself, you end up on the sub list on a regular basis. We can't get subs so teachers end up subbing all the time.
In my district, you get one sick day and one personal each month. You get credit for unused sick days at the end of the year. (Personal days don't accumulate). If you don't have enough sick days for maternity disability leave, you have to pay the sub.
Take a shot every time Gabe says rock solid😂💖
So at my school we do TEAM which is Treat others as you want to be treated Everyday come prepared to learn Always be respectful make good choices!!! We literally post it everywhere! We recite it in the morning during announcements directly after the pledge!
In MX public school teachers get the end of the month for meeting and development for basic education. We literally schedule it in to our month.
Can’t wait to hear this!! 😊
I worked in a title 1 school we had four day weeks. They were amazing! There really wasn’t a catch.
Wasn't District given, but one I loved the most was our principal took time to think what we could use and got us rather nice looking laptop bags with the school emblem on it. Some didn't like it, but for other reasons, but we all pretty much agreed that Principal at least made a HUGE effort to try and get us something we could use.
YAS to “usually the answer is somewhere in the middle” 🔥🔥🔥
This year I had to use a day of leave on a teacher workday because they were requiring we go to the building, but I didn’t have childcare. (My kids attend the district where I teach.) I don’t even have my own classroom! I float.
Our school recites a school mission as well. Not daily, but often.
I'm with Gabe! I want a teacher work day every month
Love your videos!
when I was in high school it was the worst best kept secret that the administrator told the teachers to never call the police or ambulance even if students were brawling/fighting eachother and were hurt needing medical attention. Apparently it was because she didn’t want our schools to prove the bad rep it had. One day, my cousin who is super laid back and caused no problems with anyone, was on the school property making his way home and a bunch of guys started throwing snowballs at him, he walked over just tell the to stop and they jumped him 7 on 1. He was punched multiple times in the head and no one did anything except for one teacher who choose to rightly disobey and called an ambulance. At the hospital the scans they did of his head shows a spot and he needed to say in the hospital for a bit along with having a concussion.
Without that one teacher who did the right thing, he would’ve been left in the cold , on the ground with a concussion and could’ve died.
Older generations also had jobs that treated their employees as valuable assets. Test changed around my parents age. Employees became dispensable 😢
I'm a student in HS, and my admin are AMAZING! If you get sent to the AP's office, YOU ARE SCARED!!
I work at a public charter school and we have shortened days on Wednesday every week so we can have PLC time and plan.
My school district(that I grew up going to) had the 3 day weekend every month so that the teachers had meetings.
Having yearly contracts and no tenure with new teachers being hired in at the same pay as experienced teachers makes job hopping very appealing
I've been in education for seven years and started as an Instructional Assistant. I transitioned into a teaching position and started a credential program after I graduated with my master's degree in education. But administrators are the reason I no longer teach in the K12 setting. I was pushed out of my first site as a teacher by a new principal with a MAJOR ego problem. After I left, so many other teachers and both Assistant Principals left because of his toxicity. Fast forward got a teaching job at a charter school the next county over and started teaching after the start of the school year. My experience as a teacher has been so terrible I don't want anything with K12 education because I never felt support from administrators and some veteran teachers. The society acts like they don't know why teachers are leaving the profession, and they know why. Administrators, start treating your teachers and students with care and respect. So many good teachers are leaving the profession, which is unfair to the children. I teach at a university part-time and feel valued by my department chair; my department chair wants me to succeed and grow with the university. Sadly, educators are treated so poorly.
My district teachers leave all the time, BUT I the district is like in and right next to a military base so that’s why people leave a lot.
We’re coming to a city near you. ME BEING IN AUSTRALIA😭😭
I live near a district that does half day fridays every week. The teachers stay for their contracted hours and that way they can get PD days/hours out the way.
I commend Bri and Lauren for desiring the best and ended up with best. My current situation is moving on and looking for better as well. Kudos to them and God bless...
Nice episodes can’t wait for next Sunday for a new episode
the lady in the purple shirt needs to let people talk w out interrupting them
I can’t wait for the dc show. My brother gave me 2 tickets to see you in dc. See you there and I love your podcast.
I am not a teacher but a janitor at a high school trade school for grades 11 & 12 grade i got into a bad car accident back in 2021 and when i came back all the admin our director and them all asked how i was for a few months after i can tell they definitely care for there staff i know its a small staff we have 21 classes i believe then we have two adult programs but no matter who when i tell them to have a good night when they leave and they all respond for there staff. Even the teacher care my previous janitorial (clinic/doctor office) job 90% of the dr and nurses would refuse to acknowledge us when we would tell them to have a good night
I love this podcast
That Friday work time would be monopolized by administrators instead of letting them work in their classroom.
I love this podcast! All my favorite people!
Bre is back in the buildinggggggggg! Woop Woop!! 🙌🥳❤
I love the empathy talk, in my district we are NOT allowed to teach using the word "empathy". It has been taken out of every lesson. The thought behind it, that I don't agree with, is that empathy teaches that some people are above others. Empathy means you are putting others below you. Still blows my mind.
🤨🤨🤨 Sounds like district leaders don't know the distinction between "empathy" and "sympathy." Ridiculous.
Love you guys
5:49 I was thinking one payed day off a month,but it's a different group of teachers each time, so there's still kids going to school on that day,but there are some subs/tas and the teachers that work there. And have that be a day where the entire school takes a break from schoolwork, while still having the students for parents that can't take off. This could also be a good day for ta training. Have a craft day, book day, field day or even a movie day. At least till fast food employees can get a 4 day work week.
Please, please, PLEASE! Come to Los Angeles during your tour! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I loved the VP only!
I’m so happy, I’ve been thinking “ Bring back Bri “ for everrrrr
I am a first year sped teacher. I definitely feel gaslite by my admin. I will be leaving and finding a new school for next year.
This is my 13th year as a teacher and third as a SPED teacher. I have toxic admin and I'm currently interviewing for other SPED teaching positions so that I can leave my horrible school.
my principal would come into my classroom and ask us what we were doing and try to help us if we need help of if she saw someone that looked stuck on a problem/question.( I am a student)
Yea this podcast just proved my school has crud school culture. I will say though, just because you don’t like your school doesn’t mean you can find one so easy. Yes there are 100 positions shown as open, but how many are filled and never taken down, the school has someone and just post for legal purposes. All the apps that bri and Gabe’s school got after this podcast😂
Hey guys I love teachers off duty!!! You should see about having mrs miller on the podcast!
Just talked to a teacher today as a custodian I miss four day weeks that gave me every Friday to just dust and the teachers miss the four day week cause that gave them Friday to plan for the next week
I would love to come on and talk about New Orleans school cultures! I am a teacher in New Orleans
Brie has slipped back into the Pod seamlessly😊
Omg I so excited
I wonder if schools could have child care activities for kids whose parents have to work. I had a horrible admin who gas lit me in a meeting with a chronically misbehaving student who was a problem in all teacher's classes. This was high school but the student had a history of misbehavior since middle school. I recommended a district psychiatric social worker for him on three different occasions but was rebuffed each time. I was fortunate to be able to transfer to a teaching job that allowed me to be able to work individually with students. I encourage teachers in these positions to look for other jobs but also- add a second teaching credential. It helps you be able to leave faster and get a job faster. There are so many jobs right now there is no reason to stay. In addition, have your credentials transferred to at least one other state. The process can take a few months. If you plan to stay in teaching, take these steps. Listening to your stories, I realize how much we all have in common regardless of teaching area, socio economic area, teacher age etc.
My school has to pay for tshirts🤣
The town I live in has 2 elementary grades per building. Each building has a principal. This year SO MANY people of 1 elementary building are either leaving the district or to a different building in this town. Clearly something is going on in this building.
Also fun fact about LEGO that you spoke of. There is no plural of LEGO there is no "S" it's just Lego or lego bricks
5:07 teachers need admin days!! very common in medical offices
I am about to start my teaching degree. I am nervous and excited.
You had me until the ageist comment about older people. I am 60 and bounce around from job to job until I am treated properly. I always have. Please don't place us all in the same "box." I don't do this to any generation including yours!!!!! (FYI -- I tried teaching at a public school this year and quit after four months!!)
Here’s a thought, stop loading a teachers contract day with a week’s worth of activities. If you add something in PD, take something away. FFS admin and district level are ignorant.