Monday, June 11, 2012

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to a Meeting I Go!

Well, in a few minutes I'm off to a "Return to Work" meeting to see if any of the recommendations brought forward at the previous meeting have been implemented.  Thankfully I am accompanied by my union reps who are some pretty tough women, let me tell you. They want to make sure that when I return in September it will be to a "safer" environment. No one can guarantee 100% safety though, I know that.

It's a nerve wracking process.  However, I do feel like I am turning a corner with regard to my emotions. In the first couple of weeks I was anxious, depressed and felt like a failure. Now I'm angry. Angry that I had to go through most of the school year unsupported even though I sought help for my classroom innumerable times. Angry that when I had to intervene with a student because his primary EAs FROZE, I was injured and NO ONE came to my assistance. Angry that only when a parent complained did the administration listen. Within hours I had another male EA to help out. Angry that when the EAs had to restrain a student to prevent him from biting them the parent called it physical assault. Angry that aggressive students are placed in classrooms which are not suited to their particular needs. Angry that I don't have the resources, equipment and staff to adequately serve these students. Angry that I had to take what I consider desperate measures in order to make something happen.

So I'll see what this meeting brings. I have applied for another teaching position but with so many teachers declared surplus this year it will likely go to someone who has NO job right now.

Wish me luck!

33 comments:

  1. I hope this goes well.  I'm surprised that you would not get first option at the new position.  The newbie should not be allowed senority chosing - in my opinion.  They should receive what is left.

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  2. Jane @The maple Syrup MobJune 11, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    Good luck,breathe deeply,and let your unions reps support you.
    Jane x

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  3. You hang in there, they will listen.  The problem is you are just too good at your job and they think you can handle anything.  Well you can't.

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  4. Good luck and fingers crossed.

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  5. Fingers crossed, Jane! Best of luck to you. I admire that you're so in touch with your feelings though and are acknowledging them so openly. You have the right to be safe where you work. I agree with Jane - let your union reps support you. That's what they're there for.

    Hugs!!!

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  6. Wow, scary.  Fingers crossed

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  7. Praying all goes well

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  8. I hope all works out for the best for everyone involved.
    Often things don't change unless someone pushes for a change.
    Glad you finally pushed!  No regrets for that now ma'am....

    Don't feel badly one wit that you did, management should be ashamed for waiting until a crisis occurred. 

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  9. I hope your meeting went well.  I am not surprised it took a parent complaint for something to change.  Staff complaints are not taken as seriously unfortunately.

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  10. Hope it went OK for you and your union reps, for you I guess the most frustrating part would be the fact that your needs were ignored for so long putting you in danger of being hurt.
    Imagine how awesome it will feel to go back after your break to a safer working environment, good luck keep us informed....

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  11. I did bring up the fact that NO ONE listened to me and how frustrating that was and how difficult it was to do my job adequately when I wasn't heard. There was much hemming and hawing. I do feel better now that we have met and am more hopeful for the future.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 7:24:10 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

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  12. Yes, I sure learned that the hard way. So unfair don't you think? There we are on the front line and I felt totally ignored.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 5:22:25 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unfortunately it happens way too often. I don't feel bad anymore, it was the only option left open to me.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 2:09:17 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

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  14. Thanks Judy, prayers are welcome!






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 1:57:36 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

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  15. Thank you, it wasn't too bad (now that it's over!)






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 12:21:46 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

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  16. And the union reps are very good at their jobs, it was very helpful and reassuring to have them by my side. If only I could say the same about the admin team!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 12:15:01 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

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  17. You hit a nerve there Kim! Sometimes I feel that I should be able to handle anything and everything, but you're right, I can't. No one can, we are imperfect human beings, and shouldn't feel bad about that!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 10:40:22 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

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  18. It was not too bad, and having my reps one on each side of me I finally felt supported!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 9:43:01 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

    ReplyDelete
  19. You make a very good point! And, I did get an interview for Wed. am, we'll see how it goes.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 9:36:51 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    Disqus generic email template

    ReplyDelete
  20. You have every right to be angry, just don't be angry with yourself!!! You can only do so much, the admin needs to step up to the plate and support all teachers!!!!

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  21. Nope, not angry with myself. Change is in the air...






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 10:22:57 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hope the meeting went very well for you Jane. You are so dedicated to your students-I hope the challenges you've been dealing with result in the changes you need to be safe and that your students need to facilitate their learning.

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  23. Thank you so much; the meeting went quite well I thought. It was good to meet and discuss the objectives once again - I do feel more hopeful.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 9:33:58 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Go Get'em baby girl! I can't wait for your next post!

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  25. good luck Jane! I'm angry too that you had to put up with this - they should be bending over backwards to keep and make a happy a good person like you! hope those union reps kick some booty!
    Susanna

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  26. Hang in there and keep fighting Jane.  We're all here to support you.  The sad thing is if you leave another teacher who is desperate for a job will show up and be put in the same terrible position. 

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  27. That's true Marguerite, but I can't control that. Right now I just need to take care of myself and that is kind of a new concept for me. Perhaps it's time for someone else to try, who knows, they may have a different outlook and be able to take a new and better direction. When I think of leaving some of those kids it makes the decision SO difficult, but I can only make decisions for myself, not for others. It's a tough situation.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 8:29:05 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. My union reps did their best and good decisions were made - it remains to be seen if words become actions. Talk is cheap.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 7:59:16 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Me either!






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 2:11:23 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yikes, that's a whole lot of stuff going on. You have a right to be angry. Soon, very soon, it will all be a distant, dim memory as you sit and enjoy the view from your PEI paradise!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Can't happen soon enough!






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 5:12:22 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Saying lots of prayers for you Jane and hoping you end up in a great teaching environment!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. thanks Sharon!






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 1:00:00 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment - it means a lot to me that you read my post and are leaving a comment - you just made my day!