Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Hurt Heart...


Have you ever given your all, heart, soul, mind..I mean your "ALL" and had someone make a disparaging comment about your competence? It happened to me today and though I am trying to get past it, I feel stuck. For an entire school year I have worked diligently to help a very special little girl gain success in my class. I cried at her IEP when the "professionals" who didn't know her minimized her significant issues, spent countless hours talking with her parents brainstorming ideas to help her succeed, and read everything I could get my hands on to increase my knowledge.
In an attempt to make himself feel more competent or look better when her mom rightfully questioned a school practice where she was left alone in a small nurses office after an incident where she threw mud all over a yard duty, my principal offhandedly commented,"Maybe Mrs. Young wasn't the best placement for this little girl this year." He went on to say that perhaps my "background" got in the way. ( Of course he did not have the courage to say this to me, but was actually stupid enough to say it to her mom.) My background? My background as a social worker and clinical therapist helped me care for this little girl, teach and learn with her, understand her, and look at her from a strengths perspective. My background helped me create a caring classroom environment where no child belittled, accused, or made fun of her differences. My background helped me tolerate getting hit, spit on, poked in the eye and screamed at more often than I care to recall.
So, when someone who has no clue about what occurred in my classroom because he spent maybe 5-10 total minutes in an entire school year thinks he can speak to "the best place" for my student, am I just to conclude that he knows not what he says? Intellectually, I know the answer, but tell it to my heart. It still aches..

8 comments:

  1. (((Joan))) What an amazing teacher you are! Admins are clueless most of the time. Please don't allow is ignorance to discourage you. I'm sure her parents recognize your efforts and although the child may not be able to verbalize it, she does to! Keep up the good work.

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  2. Thank you so much for your support. I have gone to bat for this guy so many times and feel hurt and betrayed. Oh well, it's the kids that matter and I tell myself that story over and over. Thank you again. :-)

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  3. {{{hugs}}}} Joan, that is unforgiveable of your principal to say that. It is no wonder that you feel so heart broken. My wish is that all people know how wonderful and caring many teachers are towards students. It seems to me, as a parent, that teachers are really like another parent to our children and I am thankful for those teachers who really care, not just for my child/ren but for other children. I am sad that you 'background' has coloured the views of your principal. I believe that our life experiences give us the courage and the knowledge to help others. Please don't be disheartened by the words of one person. You know in your heart, that you have done the best for this child and I am sure that this child's parents also know this truth.

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  4. Thank you so much Marie. I am trying to forget it, realize it was an offhand comment and move on, but it will be tough to work with him for 10 more days, knowing he has said such things about me while I have done so much to help him and the kids I work with. I really appreciate your perspective as a parent. Thank you :-)

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  5. That's what makes you an outstanding educator, forget the observation by "Powers that Be" and know that you have made a difference in that students life!
    @rmcdonald17

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  6. Your blog post made me feel sad too! I'm so sorry about what happened. Hopefully you can take comfort in the fact that you are an amazing teacher (of this I'm sure), and that this student, and all of your students, are lucky to have you. Please know that there are many educators out there that really do support you in all that you do.

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  7. I'm so sorry!! I've been where you are and it stinks!! Hope the end of the school year goes more smoothly!

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