Teachers are often the ones who must protect students from bullying. But, who is going to protect the teacher when he or she is being bullied?
Unfortunately, workplace bullying or harassment is not a new phenomenon. There has been federal legislation prohibiting job discrimination since the 1960s. The unique thing about teacher bullying, however, is that seemingly routine tasks can be interpreted as workplace harassment.
For example, all teachers must participate in a yearly evaluation. The procedures for the evaluation differ from school district to school district. However, teachers know or should know, the process for their evaluation.
One of the most essential components of evaluating a teacher is the classroom observation. The purpose is to determine whether the teacher is adequately delivering standards-based instruction. Unless the district has an absolute maximum number of times an evaluator can observe a teacher, classroom observations may be a way for an evaluator to intimidate and scare a teacher. How many observations are sufficient? Once a semester? Once a month? Once a week? Well, it’s difficult to say if the administrator can legitimize the purpose of the visit, such as following up on an unsatisfactory prior visit or observing certain elements of the evaluation rubric. So, without more, it is difficult to classify the evaluator’s actions as harassment.
Other examples of possible workplace bullying are being assigned extra duties at work or being required to attend additional professional development. These examples by themselves seem innocent. However, an administrator’s motivations may raise the score to being harassment.
So, what is the purpose behind these actions? This workplace harassment or bullying may be caused by the administrator’s desire for a teacher to leave the school. One may question why the administrator did not resort to the discipline policies in place that outline the cause for removal. For some administrators, those policies may be too time consuming and cumbersome to follow. Therefore, it is easier to circumvent the process by making the work environment uncomfortable for the teacher.
One must consider the effect that this has on students. The main priority of a school district is to provide a safe environment for students to receive rigorous instruction. But, how can this take place when the teacher is not working in a safe environment? A teacher’s performance will no doubt be affected if he or she is instantly frazzled at the sight of a certain administrator.
Currently, there is no cause of action in any state for a teacher who is experiencing workplace bullying or harassment, except in cases when the harassment is based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, or disability. School districts, however, should be proactive in ensuring that the school environment is safe for all stakeholders, including teachers. Evaluation processes must be followed and all school employees should under professional development regarding workplace decorum.
Have  you ever been harassed or bullied at school by an administrator?
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I was harassed unmercifully by an alcoholic principal who was mad because I rejected his unwanted advances. He screamed at me so loudly once that everyone in the main hall heard him. I had made some long distance calls that he had approved of ( perhaps he was under the influence) and didn't remember approving. I quit teaching for three years because of him. His good ole boy friends in the administration tried to protect him but his appearances on campus while drunk several times was his final undoing. I eventually went back to teaching and now I am a college professor who teaches future teachers. While it was a horrible experience for me at the time, it has helped me prepare my students for these sort of abuses.
I am a school social worker, and I ran across this article. My former principal bullied and harassed me, causing me to develop anxiety. I had to attend self-development courses which costing me my career. No one is interested in why I did what I did only that I did it. I am seeking to have a bill pass against workplace bullying. Do you know anyone who will join in with me on this fight in getting this bill pass?
I was bullied and harassed for two years by our school principal. I followed the chain of command by talking to the principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, area director, theatre director, and worldwide director about the problem. All either ignored it, or said that it was a personality conflict. I took anti-depressants for a year, and the bullying finally stopped when she was forced by a lawsuit to retire. It was a horrible experience, and I can't believe that I wasn't helped because the bullying wasn't based on a protected category (race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age, or disability). She bullied me because I wouldn't jump when she told me to.
I’ve heard the “personality conflict” excuse before. That is a way people blame you for your abuse, rather than focus on the abuser. Many people assume that the reason people are targeted by bullying (especially kids) is because they are “different” (race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age, or disability). Although that is definitely a problem that happens, it is a false blanket statement about bullying altogether. Most children and adults who are bullied are not bullied because of these types of traits. According to psychologists, people who have a sense of empathy for others are often targeted by sociopaths, narcissists, and psychopaths (the personality types who have no ability to feel empathy for others). I’m glad you were able to continue working there until the source of bullying was removed.
I am a school social worker, and I ran across this article. My former principal bullied and harassed me, causing me to develop anxiety. I had to attend self-development courses which costing me my career. No one is interested in why I did what I did only that I did it. I am seeking to have a bill pass against workplace bullying. Do you know anyone who will join in with me on this fight in getting this bill pass?
I have been bullied this year and last by my assistant superintendent. It is a nightmare because she will stop at nothing to get her way. She has created a hostile work environment for many of us. My school has become a terrible place to work. I am hoping for a transfer to another school for next year. Karma will visit her one day!
I am a school social worker, and I ran across this article. My former principal bullied and harassed me, causing me to develop anxiety. I had to attend self-development courses which costing me my career. No one is interested in why I did what I did only that I did it. I am seeking to have a bill pass against workplace bullying. Do you know anyone who will join in with me on this fight in getting this bill pass?
My former principal from several years ago belittled me at least once a day, but she was careful not to do it in front of others. She commented on my taste in clothes, berated me if I received attention for my work, and made sure that no professional development opportunities came my way. As a result, I found a better, higher paying job down the road where I have been for 11 years. Interestingly, after a few other teachers and I left, 60 families transferred out of the school because of her ineffective leadership. Eventually, she even had the audacity to call me to see if I would consider coming back. That was a beautiful moment. Obviously, I said, “No, thank you.”
Teachers, unfortunately, have to watch out for parents who are bullies. When faced with a parent who sent me emails (CC’d to several other people including this student’s other teachers) that belittled my compassion, communication skills, and teaching, I was told the school could do nothing about it. Left to stand up for myself, I responded to her last email (with a reply all) in a very professional manner. I let her know that she must have misread my last email because some of her concerns were incorrect. I have not heard a peep from her since.
I have been bullied by my principal for years. She criticizes me whenever she gets a chance but especially during my summative conferences for things that are petty. This year it was lack of communication! I was the only one on my teaching team that was marked down for this and I was the one who wrote newsletters and posted class assignments! I just didn’t do it enough…never mind that the other teachers never attempted a newsletter! It’s like she searches for something to be critical of! My conference reminded me of a battered wife in a bad marriage! I can retire but I still enjoy teaching and I need the money! She also allows parents to bully teachers. My teaching friends have observed her treatment and they are equally puzzled! Small town, small school and she grew up in this town. What do I do? I am even horrified to post this for fear she might read this and use this against me!
I am a school social worker, and I ran across this article. My former principal bullied and harassed me, causing me to develop anxiety. I had to attend self-development courses which costing me my career. No one is interested in why I did what I did only that I did it. I am seeking to have a bill pass against workplace bullying. Do you know anyone who will join in with me on this fight in getting this bill pass?
What about teachers bullying teachers? I had that experience this year. She was a gossip who talked about teachers behind their backs, used her intimidation to get her way with other people/parents in the school, and was very unprofessional to me in front of my students and that was the last straw for me. When confronted about it from the principal she chose to ‘work it out’ with me by herself and pretty much came to my room and laughed about it. ” So you find me intimidating, huh?” and then tried to justify her actions with no an apology. Thankfully she won’t be back next year, chose to go to another school, but I feel sorry for them.
I actually just quit a teaching job from my alma mater because of such a toxic dynamic. Staff apparently was very accustomed to screaming at each other, pile-on sabotage (“didn’t you know you had to also post this the same day grade are due?”) and belittling teachers to students. I was even punched by a “colleague” who had thrown a catalog at me in anger a day earlier, my department chair told me to go form my own damn department and she was going to make it a rough year for me-after I had been there 2 days; the students had not even come in yet. Ultimately everyone is responsible for their own behavior but when I spoke to my administrator she literally told me “What can I do about it? Your department chair runs a good program.” I knew I had to go. 9 out of 27 teaching positions turned over this year…only 2 had jobs to go to and STILL no change. I am shocked and amazed at how that community wants to be so clueless. The bullies rule there.
I am a school social worker, and I ran across this article. My former principal bullied and harassed me, causing me to develop anxiety. I had to attend self-development courses which costing me my career. No one is interested in why I did what I did only that I did it. I am seeking to have a bill pass against workplace bullying. Do you know anyone who will join in with me on this fight in getting this bill pass?
Napoleon once said/wrote, “Never attribute to malice that which can be attributed to incompetence.” The ‘Peter Principle’ states that everyone (well, most everyone) rises to their level of incompetence. So many of these issues are nothing more than incompetent people who are in a position to do a great deal of damage. The real problem is that once in a position of power, Principals, like all people in power, tend to think that they are somehow more than just an administrator, and behave like dictators instead. The Education Acts of various countries limit the power of some Principals, but no act can limit incompetence.
At my former district, several years ago, the Superintendent had a well-established habit of choosing one or two teachers to harass relentlessly – I was the “lucky one” for the five years that I stuck it out there. He determined that only he could see my incompetence, so he would be the administrator in charge of my observations – six a year (our contract stated three, but he claimed my teaching was so poor that more were needed). I was not given a classroom of my own, and in order to teach US History had to travel between a study hall, a health room, and (finally!) a social studies room. One observation took place in the study hall, where I drew a map of the eastern US to help illustrate the Union’s Anaconda Plan during the Civil War: the superintendent penalized me for not having a wall-mounted map set in the room. Another time he called me in to say he was going to recommend my firing at the next board meeting because a student was wearing a hat in class; that one ended with the union rep reminding him that there was no school policy regarding students’ hats. After my son was born, he told me that my attendance would be required at extracurricular events for continued employment, and that having a child would not be accepted as an “excuse.” The principal for the first three years was a yes-man who just let it happen. We picked up a new principal and assistant principal in my final two years who did insist on seeing me teach, and became very supportive. Every time the superintendent would write up a negative report, the principal and assistant principal would each observe me again and write positive reports to counter his. I stayed out of fear that I may not find any better situation, but finally bailed. However, for the first year in the new district (where I remain today), I would develop hives and start shaking uncontrollably before my observations. Thank God for the amazing principal who talked me down and gave me the encouragement to continue. (This was immensely cathartic – thank you.)
I am currently bring bullied not by my principal or any administrator (on the contrary, they’ve been very, very supportive of me) but by my colleagues because of a private Facebook conversation that got leaked all over the net. What they don’t realize is that this other guy said some awful, inhumane things about my family and got a rise out of me. I lost my cool and in retaliation called him some very bad things. Well, this guy deleted what he wrote, kept what I wrote, took a screenshot and sent it to everyone and their sister. My employer has been very supportive but about half of the staff in the building won’t talk to me and won’t give me a chance to share my side of the story. Just cold looks. No replys. No willingness to help me out. And all of this changed overnight because of this stupid conversation that was not in any way work related. Good grief, some people need to let it go and forgive and move on, lest they feel comfortable casting stones from their glass houses.
I’m in Connecticut teacher currently being bullied by my administrator. He is lying, created a hostile and toxic work environment, harassed me, sabotages me, speaks to other teachers about my personal issues, retaliated against me, doesn’t respond to emails, brings me in on issues that he allows his “favorite” teachers to get away with, and has made defamatory statements about me. I have tried working with my union and filing grievances….. none of which have worked. I’ve spoken to the pool employment committee for the state and they said they can’t help me. I have gone to lawyers who tell me I need to follow my collective bargaining contract and appropriate grievance procedures before they can become involved. I feel completely helpless and that my administrator can get away with his behavior with no consequences for him. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve never experienced this treatment from any other administrator and my entire teaching career. My administrator is doing this to me because I don’t just go along with everything he says when I don’t believe it’s in the best interest of my students. He has put his personal vendetta in front of the students best interests and needs. If anyone has any advice on what I can do please let me know. I have documented everything through email and personal notes.
I am going through the same thing in California.
I was bullied by upper middle class parents who did not want their children taught; they only wanted good grades. It was terrible. I went to that district after getting fed up with a corrupt superintendent at the urban district where I had worked for my entire fourteen year career. Although my administrators at first seemed supportive in my new suburban assignment, I slowly came to realize that a very small but subtly powerful group of parents really were controlling things. Between them and their toxic children.. I am not working this year. I have a serious illness, triggered by an autoimmune disorder. Such things are often attributed to stress.
I am a physically disable former student at Aveda Inc. San Francisco, CA I was enrolled n stayed for 260 hrs. Teachers picked on me a 63 yr old from day one, I reported to School diicrector nothing done got worse, I would like legal assistant student was called grandma by instructor n got students to make negative comments creating a hostile environment. Ada violations while taking exams.
I was bullied by the associate district superintendent. It was as bad as what everyone else says here only instead of an immune disorder I developed an anxiety disorder. This was six years ago when I quit teaching, and I loved teaching. I still have the anxiety disorder. The culprit was brought up on charges for mismanaging funds and subsequently lost his educator’s license by court order but hey, he retired probably with pension. No word on the money he stole. There should be laws against bullying the same as laws for harassment. Small wonder our nation’s public school system has many issues. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Bullied Teachers: If your state legislature is in the process of reviewing and voting the Healthy Workplace Bill into law, please get involved: give testimony before legislators and ask your representatives to support it. Here is the map of what each state is doing to promote this timely and necessary bill:
https://healthyworkplacebill.org
I was bullied for 7, yes 7, years by a principal. We did not agree on some issues. I was not a “yes man” for him. We had different teaching styles. He did not understand the courses I taught. He had tunnel vision as far as his definition of good teaching was. If things weren’t done the way he would do them, you were wrong. At one point he had me evaluated every week by himself or the assistant principal (had it continued, it would have been 29 evaluations in one school year). That’s when I became so stressed that on one occasion I had a severe panic attack and was taken via ambulance to the ER. My doctor pulled me out of work for two to four weeks on a couple of occasions because I was so stressed. The principal frequently reminded teachers that we should have 4 positive to 1 negative comments to kids. In all 7 years he had a maximum of 5 positive comments to me. There were countless negatives. He assigned me an awful schedule of classes for two years. He searched back through evaluations and pulled comments totally out of context to use against me in letters of clarification and reprimand. He lied. I did grieve the situation, then he lied about the result of the grievance. He was never to evaluate me again, well he and the personnel director lied about that. He totally had the personnel director snowed. Now he is in a different position in the district, and I see him once in a while. I totally ignore him, I refuse to talk to him, and avoid even looking at him. Do I have PTSD–Absolutely.
I am a school social worker, and I ran across this article. My former principal bullied and harassed me, causing me to develop anxiety and PTSD. I had to attend self-development courses which costing me my career. No one is interested in why I did what I did only that I did it. I am seeking to have a bill pass against workplace bullying. Do you know anyone who will join in with me on this fight in getting this bill pass?