[Butterflies Are Free]

I teach in an elementary school and today, my grade level was having lunch to discuss the recent state testing we had. An innocent comment was made and then turned into a sexual reference. This is not the first time. My male principal and female vice principal did not address the comment. There were 9 female teachers and 1 male teacher present - the male teacher did not make the comment. As a survivor, I am tired of dealing with this. Should I go to my union or principal or superintendent?

It would be a good idea to follow your intuition and talk to the superintendent. The principle and vice principal didn't address it so I'm thinking they will dismiss it as being irrelevant. There should be boundaries among those who we are around and especially if you work together.
warm thoughts

[picklewheeze]

Definitely. You shouldn't be made to continue to feel uncomfortable.

I personally have an unbelievable little amount of tolerance for sexism in the work place. We have some idiot in my work and on my training day, we were in a group of four. He said him and the other male should be the equivalent of the teacher and me and the other woman the teachers assistants, as females are inferior. I deliberately completely messed up the scenario for him. The lecturer asked what had happened as he could see the hostility within the group. He then went absolutely mental at him. He hasn't crossed the line with me since. It was totally worthwhile.

Good luck

p.s I'm not a teacher, its the equivalent within my job.

[Leed]

The principal and vice principal should have addressed this the minute it came up! This kind of thing should NOT be going on in the work place!!

I would definitely see the Superintendent, and have this taken care of cause it's just going to keep happening.

Best of luck and God bless! Hugs, Lee

[bighands]

Have you spoken to the vice-principal and principal about this before? If so, then I would go to the superintendent. If not, I'd follow the standard chain-of-command rules and work your way up until you get reassurances that this will be fixed.

Everyone needs education and maybe they just let their guards down for a second. Not everyone is as vigilant as us survivors. The problem with going straight to the superintendent is that if your Vp and principal only need a gentle reminder from you, they could resent you if you go over their heads and the last thing you need is resentment towards you and our cause.

Hi,
I'm real sorry you had to endure that ignorance.
I've had similar experiances all my life since grade school.
It's real demeaning for any woman to deal with.
I don't know how old this post is but I would report it.
It is highly inappropriate to make sexual comments at work.
Its very disrespectful.

[Inedible]

Originally Posted by Butterflies Are Free

I teach in an elementary school and today, my grade level was having lunch to discuss the recent state testing we had. An innocent comment was made and then turned into a sexual reference. This is not the first time. My male principal and female vice principal did not address the comment. There were 9 female teachers and 1 male teacher present - the male teacher did not make the comment. As a survivor, I am tired of dealing with this. Should I go to my union or principal or superintendent?

As you have stated, you have more reason than most to be sensitive to these remarks. It would be better not to explain it to your coworkers. Part of your own healing process is to become less sensitive to these remarks. Everyone else there has probably already forgotten the remarks that are still on your mind.