jkrispies Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) Three years ago I became a Vice-Principal at one of the largest continuation high schools in the country-- we only take students who have reached a point of class failure so that it is numerically impossible for them to graduate at a regular high school, and then we see if we can work a miracle and get them a diploma within a 1-2 year period. As soon as I showed up, my boss and I hit it off spectacularly and set off to educate kids. My first year I took the school through a major federal audit with flying colors, worked hard with the teachers, kids, and parents to increase credit earnings, and on graduation day we had 40 graduates: the school's largest graduating class ever. This year I helped lead our school through its accreditation process and we received a 6 year accreditation, which is the highest ranking possible and was a huge slap in the face to two of the "real" high schools that feed us all tof heir failing students when they were only granted a 3 year and a 2 year accreditation during the same time period. Last night I participated in my 3rd graduation ceremony and watched over 80 students graduate. It was also the day I was told that I was going to be transferred out so that an assistant principal at another school could take my spot. The reason? This other guy wasn't getting along with his principal. To make matters worse, we're both receiving lateral transfers. In other words, I stay a VP (so that the friend of a district office big wig can be promoted to AP to take this other joker's job) and my replacement will remain an AP, doing my exact job with a better title and a $5-10k a year higher salary than I've been making. Oh, yeah, and my boss is retiring in one year, so guess who will be taking over the school in 12 months? Yeah, I hate this. Edited May 23, 2009 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanJim Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 ( insert curse word here ) I worked in an office where the (behind kissers)...could do no wrong And the REAL result producing workers could do no right This kind of crap tickes me off pretty bad Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 That just blows.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Cheely Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 That just blows.... Exactly what I was thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 ( insert curse word here ) I worked in an office where the (behind kissers)...could do no wrong And the REAL result producing workers could do no right This kind of crap tickes me off pretty bad Jim Yeah, my current principal keeps advising me to get a job in a different district. He's a pariah (alternative education is where they put us-- evidently I'm considered effective so they're giving me a "vote of confidence" by moving me out to a comprehensive campus) because he advocates for educating our students above all else. Every other alt. site in our district simply babysits the kids till they turn 18, and then they kick them out to the curb, and he calls them on their crap. Anyhow, the decision to move me was made by the District Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Education. They're brothers. Getting an idea as to how things work 'round these parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Ho Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Keep up the good work of actually educating kids. You may not have gotten a raise or a principal spot yet but you have the thanks of a lot of us out here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Lord Gomer Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) As much as this move sucks, I'm glad that you're still working with our kids. You have helped to make a profound impact on many young lives...thank you! The future sucks a little less because of your efforts. Edited May 23, 2009 by High Lord Gomer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 At my current age of 40 I have had only one job that I could answer yes to the following question: "Did you make a positive difference in people's lives?" It's the only job I want to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpolans Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 ( insert curse word here ) I worked in an office where the (behind kissers)...could do no wrong And the REAL result producing workers could do no right This kind of crap tickes me off pretty bad Jim Yeah, my current principal keeps advising me to get a job in a different district. He's a pariah (alternative education is where they put us-- evidently I'm considered effective so they're giving me a "vote of confidence" by moving me out to a comprehensive campus) because he advocates for educating our students above all else. Every other alt. site in our district simply babysits the kids till they turn 18, and then they kick them out to the curb, and he calls them on their crap. Anyhow, the decision to move me was made by the District Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Education. They're brothers. Getting an idea as to how things work 'round these parts? Sounds like all of this would make an interesting story in a newspaper or TV news show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZip Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 My wife is an educator also, but a time she was not, and had this happen to her, I am now reminded of. She worked at a major resort here in the area as an assistant manager. Many others were promoted past her, and all the while she was the one that really ran things at her workplace. Finally, she started school to get her teaching credential, did her student teaching on the sly, and one day walked into her hotel job and gave them an ultamatum. She ended up leaving because they wouldn't give her what she wanted She became a teacher, and has never looked back. We were still getting calls for her assistance months, like six months, after she had already left. They paid through the nose for her help getting the new managers up to speed. I laugh when I think of this. Maybe your talents would be appreciated more elsewhere? It sure is cool to let people really know how much you like what they are up to by finding a better place to work. You might start by quietly asking people who think you are Class A material to start writing reccomendations or other self-promoting type materials for you. Look to other good districts in your area, and just talk to people to see what is out there. With the economy in a bad spot, you might be stuck for a while, but that doesn't mean you can't sail once the seas are calmer. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupie Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 People like you and your boss always make a difference do they get credit for it? Usually not in the short term, you need to be able to take satisfaction in the job you are doing and the people's live's you are influencing, will you get the same personal rewards at your next position? probably not. But to quote Joe Dirt "You got to keep on keeping on" sounds like you got the right stuff you have to keep performing and look for opportunities to make a difference. The important thing is that you care, don't let work politics dissallusion you and change that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireant Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Anyhow, the decision to move me was made by the District Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Education. They're brothers. Getting an idea as to how things work 'round these parts? I wish I could tell you it's an issolated event, but I'd be lying. It happens in most districts. You are just not always aware of it until it involves you. It still blows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted May 24, 2009 Author Share Posted May 24, 2009 Anyhow, the decision to move me was made by the District Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent of Education. They're brothers. Getting an idea as to how things work 'round these parts? I wish I could tell you it's an issolated event, but I'd be lying. It happens in most districts. You are just not always aware of it until it involves you. It still blows. Yeah, you're absolutely correct, which is why I've stuck around as long as I have. Having said that, I'm getting pretty tired of California for other reasons. As soon as the economy starts to turn around, I think I'll be packing my bags for another state. Guys, I really appreciate this opportunity to vent. Thanks to everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisStock Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 That does suck...sorry to hear it ( insert curse word here ) I worked in an office where the (behind kissers)...could do no wrong And the REAL result producing workers could do no right This kind of crap tickes me off pretty bad Jim You worked here once too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck223 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Hmm, and I though only my own school board had adopted the Peter Principle as it's mission statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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