Administrators....

The most important thing I've learn about my administrators... Well, for starters, they have WAY too many duties and responsibilities! They are extremely busy all the time. I also know that my administrators like me. I feel a little undereducated when it comes to "how to handle parent/teacher meetings". I've had several meetings with upset parents, several have gone very sour very quickly. I felt "thrown under the bus" in a few of them. I don't understand some of the manipulative communicative tactics that the administrators have been coached/trained in. I'm young, and went to college for Automotive, NOT Education or Education Leadership. I feel that I'm in a disadvantage when it comes to meetings. I can admit, that my administrator was willing last year to give me "signals" when I should shut up. She's kicked me under the table, coughed, or fiddled with her earings. This year, I hadn't felt the need to do that, but maybe I still need some more work. I have some severely angry parents this year all of a sudden. My admin. told me she will back me, but I've got to "play the game" and make sure that I'm being perfect. I teach automotive, in a loud atmosphere, even when we aren't working on cars. A small female voice trying to communicate over 28 boys and a blower fan heater requires me to raise my voice. I feel a lack of support in that area. You can talk quiet as a mouse, but have a firm tone, and a student will say "Stop yelling at me". My response has been that if I was yelling, your ears would be ringing. I don't know how kids are being raised now days, but administrators seem to be bowing down to the parents, as if the parents now control the system. It is so frustrating.