Some teachers feel powerless when they believe that they are being subject to administrator abuse. However, the teacher doesn't need to be a helpless victim, the teacher can fright back by having the union file a "Special Complaint" (article 23 of the contract). No teacher should be subject to harassment or desperate treatment by an administrator or field supervisor in an attempt to rate the teacher "ineffective or unsatisfactory". While recent history has shown that a "U rating" appeal to the kangaroo court's DOE hearing officer has a "zero" chance of being overturned, its important to document the abuse in case the DOE choose to file 3020-a termination charges against the teacher.
The most important action a teacher, who is being abused by an administrator, can do is start an anecdotal log to document the administrative harassment and desperate treatment that the teacher is experiencing. The anecdotal log is an extremely important part of the "Special Complaint" and it will be presented to the UFT/DOE mediation hearing that may possibly stop the administrative abuse and possibly an "ineffective or unsatisfactory rating". More importantly, the anecdotal log will assist the teacher if the DOE brings 3020-a termination charges in front of an independent State arbitrator. It could save the teachers's job!
For all teachers who believe they are being targeted by an abusive school administrator or field supervisor, the anecdotal log is an extremely important document in defense of the teacher. The anecdotal log should include the following information.
- Description of incident.
- Location
- Date
- Time
- Witnesses
If you believe you are being targeted by an abusive administrator or field supervisor, then start an sacerdotal log and have your Chapter Leader, or if you're an ATR, the District Representative file a "Special Complaint" and hope your aggressive approach will make the bully supervisor think twice about harassing or using desperate treatment against you.
Yeah right
ReplyDeleteYou guys wanna talk shit about how bad this contract is huh? Today's news, California judge strips tenure from teachers. It's over in California and other states soon to follow. But NOT HERE in NY. At least this contract protects tenure, keeps the salaries and its schedule steps, and the benefits. Did y'all forget or overlook these points, esp the tenure aspect? We got a contract through 2018 and a future one that will prob extend the current. Other states are getting BLASTED but not us, not here in NYC. The contract is a SCORE on many levels.
ReplyDeletespGood newsssssssssss. That is a waste of time and paper. We all know that the board always win and the UFT lawyer is the first one to ask the teacher to make a deal and don't face the "judge" They (principals) have the power and let you feel it. Most run the schools as their own personal farms. If I like you , you get everything, If I don't, sorry for you. Your life will be a living hell. They think that they are reinventing the wheels. Nothing is new, the abuses will continue until we have a real union. Now is going to be everybody against the teachers including "the super teachers".
ReplyDeleteThe uft is not willing to file it - I sent an audio recording and ignored!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you go through a 3020-a hearing its still important to have an anecdotal log,
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I never heard of the union not allowing a teacher to file a special complaint.
To 10:46,
ReplyDeleteSo because a judge strips tenure in California we automatically have a good contract? Anyone can file the same suit here in NY right now and the contract has nothing to with it. This contract is pure shit and when Eva becomes mayor you may realize it.
Yo 10:46! The contract weakens tenure for ATRs. Before you turn around, the suit will be filed in New York. Which side will the "progressive" mayor take? As for Cuomo, even you can figure it out.
ReplyDeleteThe union won't even let me file a harassment complaint against my principal.They told me I will be contacted and I am still waiting and the school year is over.Any suggestions Chad?
ReplyDeleteI thought about buying a parrot for a new pet, but I see I don't need to spend that money after all. I've got Anon 10:46 spewing the UFT-DOE Kool-Aid for free. No critical thinking going on here with this guy! He's just like an unfiltered cigarette, letting the poisons come right on through, with no one at home to stop 'em.
ReplyDelete"...Today's news, California judge strips tenure from teachers. It's over in California and other states soon to follow. But NOT HERE in NY..." FYI, fool: “The California ruling sets a precedent. We want to file the same lawsuit here in New York,” declared Mona Davids of the NYC Parents Union, vowing to line up students and guardians as plaintiffs." NYPost --- Didn't take 'em long, eh?
"At least this contract protects tenure..." Really? As has been previously posted here, ATRs are basically being robbed of their tenure with this new contract, courtesy of non-critical-thinkers just like YOU. If 2 principals complain about yet-undefined offenses supposedly committed by an ATR, that ATR is rushed through termination without even a chance to formulate a decent case, bring forth witnesses, etc.
The UFT committee at the borough office REFUSED to allow me to file a Special Complaint.
ReplyDeleteNot true that a teacher can just file a compliant for harassment.
Good advice though not the reality of the system, our small school in Harlem was regularly bullied and harassed by the principal. The union was well aware and every time we tried to write up harassment charges / we were told we didn't have enough info or were told to let it go etc. Getting u ratings overturned ate next to impossible and winning 3020 is also difficult , I have experience both of these firsthand / the DOE sided with the principal even with docemented evidence. Keep your notes but don't count on anything,
ReplyDeleteWe can lose our tenure if the court rules so. This contract doesn't protect us against the law. Correct me if Im wrong...
ReplyDeleteThere has been tenure laws for teachers in this state for at least a hundred years- long before there was a UFT. Tenure has been challenged before.
ReplyDeleteThe California ruling will be taken to the appellate level. We'll have to wait and see. Remember that California is a very different state than NY.
Legislators and judges who get backing from the UFT and NYSUT will think twice about messing with tenure.
MY FIANCE WORKS FOR THE DOE AND HER PRINCIPAL IS A BEAST!! She is an absolute dictator! until reading these blogs i did not believe that the nyc union couldn't protect her. Now i believe her the union is a joke and people withl families have to suffer. Her principal should be fired for all the unethical crap she has pulled including harassment. Who protects the nyc teacher?? The principal should worry about who is going to protect her! I am going to get to the bottom of this craziness!
ReplyDeleteFucking Corrupt ass System!! Principals aren't Gods they are seemingly immoral.
ReplyDeleteThe depart of Ed really needs to investigate these abusive principals. I was abused by at least four during my teaching career. I have been prevented from entering my students test scores to show im a bad teacher to wrongly telling parents i was not highly qualified to teach my subject matter. I have been improperly evaluated die to a violation of the evaluation process. I have been humiliated by a principal for allowing and being a part of collegues referring to me as fat. The list goes on and not one principal has been in any trouble for any of this behavior. Something has to be done. The executives over the principal are most of the time friends with them or either new and afraid. Department of Ed needs to come up with some form of check, like the government. PLEASE SOMEONE Help! We are losing good teachers. The kids are important. HELP!
ReplyDeleteTeachers are being emotionally and mentally abused. No one seems to take any notice of administrative abuse of teachers. Administrators treat the schools as their little kingdoms. They know the right people who support them in their abuse. No Principal has been in trouble, instead they have been given a raise. All complaints fall on deaf ears. I agree, we need help!
ReplyDeleteUrgently trying to compel UFT and DOE to review a former Rating Officer's license.
ReplyDeleteThe UFT/NYS Ed Department and the DOE have collectively obstructed review of the licenses held by a former Rating Officer, Dennis Sanchez...who used to work in the former Chancellor's District.
I believe this person was never rightfully licensed to be an Administrator...
I believe disciplinary actions were taken against licenses he may have held.
I do not seek to slander or libel this former Administrator, but factually to determine what Administrative licenses he held...or currently holds.
FOIL request......is this a way to resolve this inquiry properly?
Urgently seeking help in matters that are worse than a 3020a---if you can posit that.
ReplyDelete(Believe it.....or not...some Teachers have legal things more complex than a 3020a)
Regarding the use of unsigned letters /Observations in file:
a. Rating Officer claims Grievant refused to sign.
b. Grievant claims he is denied union representation....object of defamatory/discriminatory work environment....denied a full and fair opportunity to review material placed in file.
b. Who must witness Grievant's refusal to sign? Must this person be a licensed Administrator?
c. In order to use the unsigned Observation/ letter....must the Rating Officer generate a subsequent letter...one charging Insubordination?
d. If Rating Officer fails to generate Insubordination letter....does this knock out the previous letter?
Had a union rep refuse to ask principal how he got s screenshot of my FB post, even though he is blocked as is all of DOE. Instead? Accept my 8 minute internet infraction? Um, invasion of privacy isn't worse?
ReplyDelete