[rdgrad15]

I was subbing as a substitute paraprofessional for a school district when all the sudden without warning, I was not wanted back. I called the person I was supposed to contact to see what happened and I was told that just one teacher from one school, out of the eight I went to in that district, complained that I didn't help her enough and that I used my phone. Yes it is true, I did use my phone after the school day ended to get a ride home and on breaks just like everyone else does, but the teacher said I used it in a class which was not true.

The supervisor never met me in person, all communication is through email and phone. In this case, I was not able to tell my side, which was the real truth, with evidence. I actually had evidence that the teacher's story was made up and that I never used my phone in a class. Also I was always asking her, and other teachers, if they needed help. I still do this with the other school district I am with now. I just worry it will happen again.

The good thing is that the supervisor for the school district I am with now has met me in person and I can always go to her if there was ever any questions or if a problem arises. I just felt hurt that after all the helping I did, I was let go just because one teacher obviously didn't like me. Of course everyone will believe the teacher since I was new at that district so I didn't have much authority. Now when I use my phone outside the classroom, I let people know what my intent is.

I technically don't have to let people know since no one else does that at the end of a school day and during breaks. If they need to use their phone, they just do it. But I kind of don't trust them quite yet even though I have been there longer than the first district. I am much better at what I do as well since I actually know what I am doing. When I first started at the original district, I was awkward and very unsure.

The very first school I subbed at was the same one where the teacher who complained was at. So I don't know if they just had a bad first impression of me or if the teacher just had malicious intentions towards me. I only went to that school five times. It was a 7th-8th grade middle school. Just don't know if I gave off the wrong first impression and the teacher used that to her advantage or not.

I got a lot better at subbing but apparently I just wasn't liked. The reason I was awkward first was because they treat you as if you already know what you are supposed to do. You walk in, the secretary gives you a badge, tells you the room number and teacher's name, and sends you in your way. The person you are subbing for may have notes but they are vague a lot of times and it usually results in asking the teacher questions during down time a lot.

I was not informed what teacher it was, they didn't tell me. They just assumed I was extremely unprofessional and inappropriate, meanwhile other teachers and employees do the exact same thing. It is as if they are allowed to do it but not me. In a way, I felt as if they wrongfully got rid of me but maybe they used it as an excuse to get ride of me. Just worry it could happen again even though I am much better off now.

No matter what now, anytime someone sees me with my phone, which is rare, I let them know my intent even if it is at the end of the school day and everyone is walking out. I only did it a couple times at the original district, but now I make it a habit. Even a couple teachers told me I don't need to ask permission or tell them my intent but I just worry it will happen again. Should I continue to do what I do or is there any other ways of preventing this kind of situation and dealing with any possible miserable teachers?

[Frankbtl]

Hi rgrad

I can understand how going through that might have made you feel very hurt, self-conscious, and made it difficult to trust others to a point
And there could have been any number of reasons why the teacher made those accusations.........that she expected you to do some tasks but with lack of a proper induction you weren't aware of them and she was annoyed or turning it the other way..........maybe you were really good at your job and she was resentful.............
But I am really pleased for you that things seem to be going better for you now with a more supportive supervisor, plus hopefully that means she will have a much more professional approach if any other accusations do come up including following processes like questioning you and taking into consideration any evidence you have!!
And I'd say that you were doing everything right that first time around...........you did have evidence...........you were "just" basically let down by those who should have been looking into the accusations.
So..........I'm kind of saying keep it up, now that you've got the support and professionalism you should have had back then
If you do have any issues e.g. insufficient/unclear inductions raise them with your supervisor as soon as you can. And it can be good to have them documented in meeting or emailed as evidence should anything come up later.
As for the other teachers you may work alongside.........keep up the good communication you're clearly establishing.............then if they do have any issues you can hopefully resolve them as quickly as possible between you.
And I'd maybe say check up on official guidelines/practices (which you probably are anyway!!) e.g. if other people are using their phones at particular times........it doesn't necessarily mean that they are following guidelines, so if someone else sees you doing what you've seen.........well they could see a breech there............
And rgrad..........let your skills speak for you too..........they're corroborating evidence too if an issue comes up...........by that I'm meaning, in meetings with your supervisor make sure you're letting her know how committed you are and your achievements.........sometimes people can be too quiet about them , but it will evidence what a good worker you are and to a point dispute any wrongful accusations............

And ultimately, despite what you've been through, try not to let that teacher hamper you in developing positive relationships with other colleagues and enjoying your work............that was one person and now..........well, you seem to have much better support systems

Alison

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Frankbtl

Hi rgrad

I can understand how going through that might have made you feel very hurt, self-conscious, and made it difficult to trust others to a point
And there could have been any number of reasons why the teacher made those accusations.........that she expected you to do some tasks but with lack of a proper induction you weren't aware of them and she was annoyed or turning it the other way..........maybe you were really good at your job and she was resentful.............
But I am really pleased for you that things seem to be going better for you now with a more supportive supervisor, plus hopefully that means she will have a much more professional approach if any other accusations do come up including following processes like questioning you and taking into consideration any evidence you have!!
And I'd say that you were doing everything right that first time around...........you did have evidence...........you were "just" basically let down by those who should have been looking into the accusations.
So..........I'm kind of saying keep it up, now that you've got the support and professionalism you should have had back then
If you do have any issues e.g. insufficient/unclear inductions raise them with your supervisor as soon as you can. And it can be good to have them documented in meeting or emailed as evidence should anything come up later.
As for the other teachers you may work alongside.........keep up the good communication you're clearly establishing.............then if they do have any issues you can hopefully resolve them as quickly as possible between you.
And I'd maybe say check up on official guidelines/practices (which you probably are anyway!!) e.g. if other people are using their phones at particular times........it doesn't necessarily mean that they are following guidelines, so if someone else sees you doing what you've seen.........well they could see a breech there............
And rgrad..........let your skills speak for you too..........they're corroborating evidence too if an issue comes up...........by that I'm meaning, in meetings with your supervisor make sure you're letting her know how committed you are and your achievements.........sometimes people can be too quiet about them , but it will evidence what a good worker you are and to a point dispute any wrongful accusations............

And ultimately, despite what you've been through, try not to let that teacher hamper you in developing positive relationships with other colleagues and enjoying your work............that was one person and now..........well, you seem to have much better support systems

Alison

Thank you Alison! I appreciate what you said. Yes I agree with what you said, either I did something the teacher didn't like or the teacher was envious and wanted to cause problems. And yeah, it makes sense that just because others are using their phones doesn't mean I should. Makes sense because it could be used against me if any of them got pissed off. I think from now on, unless it is stated in a guidelines booklet, I will not use my phone on breaks. And definitely not in the classroom like I've seen some teachers do, which is very unprofessional and disrespectful in my opinion and that is something I would definitely not do.

I agree, I have thought about going back to the original school district, just not to that 7th-8th grade middle school where the complaint came from. Only problem though is that the supervisor still has never met me and already probably has a low opinion of me so even if I got back in, if another problem arose, she would really get mad. There is no defending yourself with evidence if the supervisor doesn't know you and there is absolutely no way to meet him or her in person. Trying to deny what happened without the ability to provide evidence wouldn't do any good since anyone accused of something could say they didn't actually do it. At least with the new district and new supervisor, I can talk to her in person should something come up.

[Frankbtl]

Hi rgrad,

Yes, it makes a massive difference knowing that you have someone who will really attend to what you're saying/any concerns and be supportive
So, I'd absolutely agree with you on not going back to the other school. And apart from anything else........it's your career!!!
Occassionally issues may come up, but if there's a risk that they won't be dealt with in a fair manner...........well you don't want your career potentially being put into jeopardy over something that does not warrent that!!!
You really would hope that all supervisors would behave in a fair way........but unfortunately.........so your job satisfaction, feeling supported and "safe" where you work, and your career have to be the most important things

Alison

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by Frankbtl

Hi rgrad,

Yes, it makes a massive difference knowing that you have someone who will really attend to what you're saying/any concerns and be supportive
So, I'd absolutely agree with you on not going back to the other school. And apart from anything else........it's your career!!!
Occassionally issues may come up, but if there's a risk that they won't be dealt with in a fair manner...........well you don't want your career potentially being put into jeopardy over something that does not warrent that!!!
You really would hope that all supervisors would behave in a fair way........but unfortunately.........so your job satisfaction, feeling supported and "safe" where you work, and your career have to be the most important things

Alison

Yep, I agree. Thank you.