I was mistreated by my future boss. Should I take it, or should I better speak at once and lose the job?

Question

I have applied for a post as a teacher. Some days later I was summoned for a test, which consisted on 'teaching' the school director a small class. During the test he talked to me, he pointed some of my mistakes and I made my best in order to correct them and improve, etc. Anyway, at the end of the test he told me "I have to place you with the beginners, so you won't be running the risk of teaching students who have had better teachers. Otherwise you will be having trouble with your students". I was shocked. As I want the job very much I have not said anything, but I am on the verge of calling him and telling him a few words. I guess that I was applying for a job, and that was it, I have not told him I was perfect, nor that I was what he had been looking for. As a director, should he not be the one to say if I was a good teacher or not? And if I am not, why just not deny me the job at once? I guess he was very unprofessional and rude. On the other hand I NEED the job. What should I do

Answer 1

What he say apparently hurt your feelings, but it sounds to me like he was just telling you his opinion of you. It sounds like he was saying that you are good, but still need improvement. Perhaps you should take the job and take a look at the things you need to improve.

Answer 2

As a director he certainly knows what makes a good teacher and what you may be missing still on the way to become one.

The way he said it hurt your feelings and perhaps even the fact that he expressed that he judges you like this hurts too.

But let's face it - maybe you are not ready. You have to become much better than you are. And the best way to become better is to do it. You gotta teach.

So I would suggest that you swallow your pride and forget about your hurt feelings and ask for the director to have a conversation with you. And I hope you can stay very neutral and professional during this conversation, otherwise it won't work.

But here is what you will say: sir, I really appreciated your feedback on my teaching skills. Because I want to become a teacher with my fullest heart. the only way to become a good teacher is however to teach and to have someone then to debrief me and guide me. Is there a chance that you would give me this opportunity? And could you help me grow in this job so I can learn from you? What would it take to give such an opportunity"

Something in that sense. If he sees that you are really motivated and if you follow his future guidance he may consider it.
Just make sure that you never stop learning and that you always dump your ego and your pride - and you will be just fine.

Answer 3

Okay, heres the deal. If you were mistreated by this person before you even recieve the job, just use your imagination and figure out how they are going to treat you as a full time teacher. I would not waist my time, afterall, you have been educated to teach and he is not the only option you have. Be the master of your own destiny. Do not cater to others decisions that involve your future. Be bold and good luck. There are so many places in this country that need good teachers. The jobs are out there, don't except anything that will place you in a position to be belittled by someone who is a very small person. Good luck again with your future ventures.

Answer 4

Is it rude to be honest? He got right to the point and told you honestly that you might not have the greatest teaching abilities. Does this man have the credentials to critique your skills? If this job is what you were looking for I'd take it and build experience. He was simply being honest and believes you have enough skills to teach but not enough to place you in a higher rank. If he didn't believe you could teach he would have shown you the door.

If you are better than he says it will show soon enough and then you will get promoted to a level of your liking.

What are your previous experiences? Are you one of those people who believe that you are deserving of higher status even though you might not have the merit to back it up? Do you have a healthy sense of entitlement? You can't get something for nothing.

I have met kids right out of college who expect to be President without going through the ranks.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

What on earth are you upset about? This director is simply doing his job, and it sounds as if he is doing it admirably. He may not have chosen the words you liked or couched his comments so softly as to not damage your super-sensitive ego, but you are in the real grown-up world now. I suspect there were comments on your letters of reference that caused him to do this, if this is not the standard for the institution.

I also suspect you are new to teaching. If you don't develop thicker skin, they are going to eat you alive. If you think that was harsh, just wait until you get into the classroom.

And listen to his suggestions. All of us, every day, can improve something about our lives, our jobs or our attitudes.

Answer 6

Trust me as an educator you will get your feelings hurt all of the time by people that you work with as well as by administators. You have to learn to just deal with it and respect peoples opinions although you may not agree with them. I say take the job and just forget what the director said. Go in and do your best

Answer 7

in response to "TotallyMe," the answer is your job. Don't be ridiculous. Having worked as a tutor under a less than amiable boss, learn to deal with the criticism. I find it ridiculous that you're even considering quitting your job over hurt feelings. You don't seem only new to teaching, but a novice at real life as well. Grow some skin, and realize that financial security is more important than taking some criticism.

Answer 8

If this post is any example, he was right. Your grammar is terrible, your sentence structure is about 3rd grade level. He, unlike you, is thinking of his students, which is his primary role.

Do yourself a favor, take his advice. He didn't mistreat you but be assured, he's not going to go easy on you just because you need the job. On the other hand, you stand to learn a lot if you change your attitude.

Answer 9

Grin and bear it learn grow become a better teacher. He didn't abuse you abusing you is putting you with students you can't teach that's abuse. He is giving you a chance to show him you are what you seem to think you are and say you are. If you quit over something like that good luck lasting anywhere because someone will always challenge you especially children.

Answer 10

Have a good, honest, clean talk with your boss. If he still doesn't understands you, I suggest you quit the job. Which is more important, you or your job?

PS: You could find a job, anytime, but yourself? There's only one of you! :p