Hello NTI family,
Today I am subbing for a Special Ed teacher and noticed a student that wasn't working. I went over to the student and asked him to begin working and he says he doesn't do anything in this class. Soon afterwards he is asleep and remains sleep the entire period. After the bell rings, I discuss this with the team teacher and she says that this is normal for this student and that he normally does nothing the entire period. If he's not working or sleeping then he's cutting class. She seemed very frustrated and showed me the forms she has completed on him. The administrators refuse to move him out of the class or school in spite of his long record of misbehaviors and poor attendance. What do we as teachers do with an issue like this? Why is this allowed and how do we as teachers deal with a non-supportive administrator?
Victoria, I feel your pain my friend! I am really beginning to wonder if there shouldn't be a AI (Administrator's Institute) where ALL administrators are required to attend classes on how to be supportive to staff, students, how to respond to various issues, etc. Some are becoming too comfortable in their roles and are becoming very lax. It makes me very sad. I sit here today with tears in my eyes for the events taking place in our schools and how we are trying to do better as new teachers but our voices are not being heard.
ReplyDeleteWhat strikes me as saddest of all is that this student has clearly given up on himself, and he's being supported in his decision by the administration!
ReplyDeleteYou pose a very important question at the end of your post. How do teachers deal with a non-supportive administration?
I can identify with the lack of support from administration.The administrators for the Health Science Academy are awful with discipling but the administrators for the other academies at my school are on top of things. I have written referrals on students for the use of cellphones / electronic devices and students ' refusal to hand them over when asked and their use of profanity. These are clear violations of school policies
ReplyDeletebut not a one of these students have been sent disciplined. It has almost become a joke to write them up, especially when nothing is done. This lack of support further dilutes our authority and contributes to problems with classroom management.
Victoria
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad situation and very unfortunate, but a lot of administrators forgot the times when they were in the classroom. I also wouldlike to comment on Julia's response. Why does the Health Science and the remainder of the school have a different administration. The bottom line is, there is one school, one set of rules under one county policy. I don't understand that concept, Health Science Academy versus Academics????????????