>
> I was a happy, recently tenured elementary teacher and quite
> pleased where I was teaching. My principal, once my colleague,
> was promoting the change into multiage education. I, and five
> other woman in our five grade building, worked hard to convince
> the public that multiage education was the way to go. I was
> close to this group of woman. I mean we were like family, maybe
> even closer at times. At the end of my tenure year, third year,
> a new superintendent was elected and then my nightmare began. My
> principal, a weak, two-faced, jealous liar, did not like the fact
> that I was a stronger individual than she was. For example, in
> one confrontation with me she told me "you handle things like a
> man, you need to be more emotional." She, I'll call (her) Beth,
> conducted our meetings with a positive attitude but, if people
> disagreed with her she would cry, and sometimes leave the room.
> Another close colleague and I would shake our heads in disgust at
> Beth's inability to adhere to controversy. This close colleague
> of mine , Beth, I was just a different
> type of person than she was. I am more cut and dry and she is
> wishy washy. In July I received a letter from the superintendent
> stating I have been removed from teaching until further
> investigation. The whole "nightmare" soon started. No one, (neither)
> Beth nor any of my close colleagues contacted me or returned my
> phone calls. I was devastated and totally confused as to why
> this was happening. After the union became involved we found out
> that this new superintendent, whom I had only met once, was
> trying to file a 1420A, I can't remember exactly what it was
> called but I knew he wanted me gone. The charges, all 13, were
> ridiculous. One charge was keeping the refrigerator door open in
> the break room to allowing the students to dance on their tables.
> I had, up to this point, a flawless personal file, with only
> "excellent" evaluations. Beth, the principal, had already
> recommended me for tenure that April. I was one of the most
> favorite teachers in the building. It has been three years since that
> day we "settled" and not one of my former colleagues have
> contacted me that I was close to. I found out two others had
> left after I did. I also found out that my former colleagues
> were extremely jealous of me for so many personal things that I
> can't even believe. I have not received a job in a public school
> since then. I have been refused, after a great interviews, at least
> five times. I know it is because the superintendent is
> condescending on the phone during a reference check. How do I
> know? Last school year I was hired in late August in a Catholic
> school. The principal who hired me was honest enough to tell me
> so, and looked into my eyes and asked me if she had anything to
> worry about. I am still at this Catholic school because I have
> been asked back. I am still trying to find employment in a
> public school because of the higher wage. My current principal,
> who I respect for finally assuring me that I was not going crazy
> for thinking that I have been getting (worried).
>