How should I deal with this problem at my teaching job?

Question

I taught elementary school for eight years then I switched to teaching eighth grade English at a new school. I am fully-credentialed, have obtained two masters, have had excellent prior evaluations, and am so happy teaching eighth graders at an inner-city school in Los Angeles. I love teaching these kids. I am very loving, but enforce my rules and make students get their work done. I haven't made any friends at my new job teaching middle school and I eat lunch in my room while helping my students with missing assignments. At my school our students go to the same history, science, math, and English teachers. Two of the teachers today told their classes that their English teacher (me) hasn't taught them enough and is too nice to them and a bad teacher. One of them specifically mentioned my name to their students. These teachers have never been in my classroom personally and this is really affecting me. I try so hard with my students and am very down about going to work. What should I do?

Answer 1

It was extremely rude and unprofessional of your colleagues to say that to the students. I'm so sorry. I'm sure you are doing a wonderful job teaching, and I'm sure your students appreciate you.

That being said, you may wish to ask yourself if there is a little bit of truth to what your colleagues are saying. Do you think there is a chance that you are being too friendly with your students? Do you think that you are being too easy on them and letting them get away with too much? If your colleagues thought that, they should have come to talk with you about it instead of saying it to the students.

You may also need to realize that perhaps you didn't get the whole story from your students. Did the students say something that may have provoked the other teacher to disparage you? (Like "I like Miss English Teacher better than you, Mrs. Math Meanie. She always lets me turn in my assignments late.") Could the students have exaggerated what the other teacher said? (Like maybe the teachers said, "Well, Miss English Teacher is a little too lenient," and the students reported it as, "Miss English Teacher is a bad teacher!")

If I were you, I would talk with the other teachers. Ask them what exactly was said, and let them know kindly that you don't appreciate them disparaging you in front of the students. Remind them that you are all working together as a team. If they see some sort of defect in your teaching style (since they have more experience in middle school than you do), they should kindly discuss it with you in private.

I might also consider talking to an administrator. Inform him or her of the situation, and ask him or her to come in to observe your class some time so you can get reliable feedback on your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher.

Answer 2

Whoa! Some teachers in the school you are working in have a bad personal problem. You are setting a really good example for the children. I want to say thank you and I sure wish there was more out there like you. This country could sure use teachers that care. I had to pull my son out of school and do home ed because of a lack of caring in the school environment.
You go to work and continue teaching the children. Maybe the other teachers will take the hint and start investing a little more time in their profession. One last thing, I didn't know you had to be nasty to be a teacher. There is an old saying where I am from, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Answer 3

I taught for 30 years and also speak from experience. I would not confront the teachers who made the alleged remarks, you would achieve nothing. I'd also not mention it to your principal. If you did not see the teachers or hear the teachers make the comments, then you are relying on what the students told you. Students do lie. It could be some students trying (and succeeding) in making you upset. I know it is difficult, but try to ignore it. If those teachers have never been in your classroom, odds are you haven't been in theirs. Go on with the excellent job you are doing. I would suggest though eating lunch with some of the other teachers and make some new friends.
Just noticed a new post in teaching after your question about lying to teachers...

Answer 4

I was in the classroom for some 16 years so I speak with some knowledge on this subject.

In two words, it is "professional jealousy". I have been a victim of this as well from my last teaching position. I had brought my section of students up from almost total failures to high B and mid A students. My teaching methods worked very well and may have saved the school (vocational) from loosing its accreditation.

I had a teacher persuade a student to file discrimination against me and another teacher to file harassment charges against me.

It so devastated me I ended up resigning. The supervisors of the area continued their investigations and learned that all that had been said against me was false. But because I had resigned they could not rehire me.

Teachers are not immune to this anymore than in any other profession. How to deal with it is tuff. Even if you gathered all the teachers involved together and talked with them it might do more harm than good. The best solution I can come up with is continue teaching as you are. One thing You might consider is eating in the teachers lounge with the other teachers if this is where they regularly eat for a while and get to know them better personally.

If nothing works it might require you to request assignment to another school as soon as an opening occurs.

Good luck...you need it...believe me!

Answer 5

First, most teachers know better than to ever make negative comments about another teacher in front of kids. That is unprofessional and tacky. Also, remember what comes out of the mouths of middle schoolers isn't accurate. They change words, exaggerate, etc. I teach middle school math but used to teach 8th grade English. I told my kids the other day their knowledge of grammar was disappointing. That does not mean I think the English teacher is not doing her job. They didn't learn it in elementary due to Open Court, and the evidence is obvious in middle school.
If you really think the other teachers are saying negative things in the class, talk to them at your next planning session. It is hard transitioning between levels. Perhaps, you are babying them because you are used to elementary. The teachers may never have been in your room, but they may have heard stories. We all know about the teacher that never fails anyone, goes to the library every week, plays tons of videos, etc. See if you are doing anything that might have been fine in elementary but isn't done in 8th grade.

Answer 6

Harry has it on the nose. These other teachers are trying to make you look bad not only to your students but to your fellow co-workers and ultimately your boss, the principle. I would mention the incident to your direct supervisor and let him/her know that you are going to talk directly to the persons who made the comments though before you do so as this may be repeat behavior and he/she may have some advise as to how to approach it in a direct professional manner that leaves you in the clear. I would also take them on one at a time, not together. Divide and concor usually works with bullies, together they will give each other moral support. You must remember that you are setting an example that they don't or can't follow. You are taking you time to spend with the kids and are acually teaching them, bring them up and providing them with a positive atitude. Don't let them get you down. Don't let them win. You can never be too nice or polite or kind to a child. It is want to many of them lack at home. I for one am very glad to hear of an educator that is making a diference. If even only one child remembers that you sat next to him during lunch and help him. Maybe even when on to college because of it. Tolerating all of their garbage will have been worth it. Don't forget though that as a teacher you also have responsiblity to stand up to the bozos. Don't let it go to far. Keep a diary of everything. Make sure you ABSOLUTELY DON'T fire back verbally in front of ANYONE!!!!! It will only give the other teachers more to talk about. Kill them with kindness and use all of your official channels to stop their foul behaviors. Your oviously a highly educated individual. Use that education to your advantage.

Answer 7

Back stabbers... the worst is that they are telling other students this and negating your authority.
Bottom line is that you love your job... I am grateful for people like you that work hard, and it inspires me as a future educator.
I would talk to your administrators about this immediately to nip it in the butt. That is unacceptable. They can have their opinions of your style, but to bring it up with the students is outrageous... it shows a lack of soladarity and encourages disrespect for authority figures. If a student brings this up, I personally would just politely say "well, so and so is entitled to their opinions, but I think we're doing great" and move right on if I were in your shoes... don't give credit where it isn't due to these jaded teachers. Another thing... your credentials look great.

Answer 8

What you should do is continue being the excellent teacher that you are!

You KNOW that you're doing a good job, and that's all that matters. Don't let anyone else's preconceived and false opinion of you affect your spirit. If they wish to promote negativity, let them but you don't have to engage in it.

It's also possible that the students took what the teachers said out of context. I wouldn't confront them based on the word of 8th graders. Just continue what you've been doing and let your success speak for itself.

Answer 9

"Two of the teachers today told their classes that their English teacher (me) hasn't taught them enough and is too nice to them and a bad teacher."

Did you witness this happening or is this hearsay?

If it's hearsay, I would probably dismiss it until you see it happening.

Otherwise, I would speak to the teacher who made the comment. Tell him/her "I'm sorry you feel I'm a 'bad teacher.' Perhaps you and the principal can help me look over my curriculum and make adjustments to improve my performance as a teacher and the performance of my students in your class."

Stand up for yourself, you don't have to be rude, but don't let others create an unpleasant work environment for you.

Answer 10

Hi..I ' m from turkey and an English Teacher at a secondary school , too. A teacher in my university said in my university years that DON' T BE FRIEND WITH YOUR STUDENTS BUT BE FRIENDLY TO THEM ! Sometimes I have some problems like yours, but I think it is about our image to the students..When we first meet our students , we should be serious to them, and we should conserve our seriosity...it doesn 't mean that we never smile to them...you see ? bye...