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Veteran
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| So I work in a elementary for special ed. I've worked with the same ppl for 3 yrs now and have been a para for 5. I work hard and love the kids. Now this yr has been hard. We have over 10 kids in a severe profound room. My teacher has become very moody. One minute she stressed the next she's happy. I could be talking to someone and see her roll her eyes. The other morning I came in and she was going through my things huffing and puffing. I know its things she has given me to work with the kids but it kind of upset me. I've been getting comments about my phone, which I'm not on it. I did take a phone call the other day cause it was the only time I could call in my meds due to being so busy and another co worker told on me. I'm busy all day dealing with behaviors, working with kids, and changing diapers and I feel like I'm not getting treated fair. The teacher and the other pars have been very close to me but this yr its different. I'm starting to hate my job cause I feel like I'm not doing anything right, which I know is not true. I just need to vent and hear others opinions. Is it worth talking to my supervisor or do you think I'm over reactiong. BTW I get in trouble for making one phone call or checking my phone but both of my co workers are on it more than I am. How's it fair that they can call there docs and make appointments in front of the kids but I can't even call my medicine in?? Opinions, advice, I'll take anything right now. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
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Location: sunny california | call on your break. |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| kwanatha - 2015-11-14 8:48 PM
call on your break.
Your completely right. I shouldn't have called. My thought was I had to get it called in and hadn't had time to step away. But yes your right and I won't be making that mistake again. |
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 Expert
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Location: Southeast Louisiana | Yes, you should speak with your supervisor. Be ready to hear their suggestions on improving yourself, though. As far as the phone calls, there might be a reason yours are a problem and theirs are not. Just as an example (because I don't know much about your work environment) they might be making them at a different time, when there is less activity or when another co-worker is covering for them. Not knowing that, you make a call, thinking it's ok, and get in trouble for it. If your defense to your supervisor is "she just did it, why is it ok for her and not ok for me" your supervisor might just tell you why that is. |
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 Shoot Yeah
Posts: 4273
Location: Where you need a paddle... Oregon! | I've worked in the SPED department and I've worked for the schools for years now. I don't get a lunch or my breaks. I don't work with the high needs kids like you do, but I understand that sometimes you don't get time to do things during your day. I don't get a lunch or either breaks, where there are other staff and teachers who do. So, I get it. I've had to ask my kids to follow me and wait outside the bathroom before.
If it feels personal, please ask your SPED teacher if you can talk to her privately. If your schedule is typical, you might have 30 minutes or so at the end of the day after kids leave? I would say that if your coworker's are on their phones, and you are the only person being called out, it is personal. This isn't about your phone. And frankly, my phone is on me at all times. I use it to text coworker's if I need assistance, if I need to know where they are in the building so I can talk to them, etc. If it were important, I would make a phone call or take a phone call. I give enough of myself on the timeclock, as well as before and after.
I know SPED departments can be a very stressful environment to work in. Maybe your teacher is frustrated with you and isn't professional enough to handle it like a boss. Go to her and offer to listen and clear the air. |
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Veteran
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| Nita - 2015-11-14 9:00 PM
Yes, you should speak with your supervisor. Be ready to hear their suggestions on improving yourself, though. As far as the phone calls, there might be a reason yours are a problem and theirs are not. Just as an example (because I don't know much about your work environment) they might be making them at a different time, when there is less activity or when another co-worker is covering for them. Not knowing that, you make a call, thinking it's ok, and get in trouble for it. If your defense to your supervisor is "she just did it, why is it ok for her and not ok for me" your supervisor might just tell you why that is.
Our room is always busy. If I go to my supervisor, I understand there might be stuff said I don't want to hear, but I'm okay with that. Like I said, my coworkers and I have gotten close but now I feel like I get a talking to for everything. I'm doing the best job I can. I mean I'm changing probably 6 or more diapers a day, trying to work with kids, and working with kids who are having meltdowns. I love doing it but the mood swings my teacher has been having is also affecting me. I know its stressful, I get stressed out too, plus she's dealing with parents and paperwork. I try my best to do my part to take stress off her but I can only do so much. |
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Veteran
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| Nita - 2015-11-14 9:00 PM
Yes, you should speak with your supervisor. Be ready to hear their suggestions on improving yourself, though. As far as the phone calls, there might be a reason yours are a problem and theirs are not. Just as an example (because I don't know much about your work environment) they might be making them at a different time, when there is less activity or when another co-worker is covering for them. Not knowing that, you make a call, thinking it's ok, and get in trouble for it. If your defense to your supervisor is "she just did it, why is it ok for her and not ok for me" your supervisor might just tell you why that is.
Thank you. Yes I only have time for a 30 min break and that's around 1. I honestly don't know what I've done to have her frustrated with me when I do the same as her and the other worker. Im working all day none stop and trying to keep kids from melting down so she can teach. Its frustrated to me that I do my job and still getting picked at. Yes we have always kept our phones on us in case we were at recess and needed help. Part of me feels she's stressed cause when she's happy she tries to joke around with me and we have fun then its like bam, and she sulls up and gets stressed. |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Yea, in the education world you don't get a break. It's Mach 90 until the end of the day.
I have had to make a call or two, but I aim to do that only for emergencies. Best bet is to just talk to the teacher. Tell her you feel like something is different and you want her insight as to why. |
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Expert
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Location: Southeast Louisiana | Just talking with her before you do something might help. Sometimes, it helps when you explain to her that you have a quick call you need to make, apologize and explain why you couldn't get it done outside of class time. I have worked for the entire spectrum of supervisors. Some don't want to know anything unless it affects them directly. Some want to know everything, even if it was just so they know what is going on. She might feel disrespected when she looks up and sees you on the phone. |
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Veteran
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| Honestly I'm quite nervous to talk to her about it. Maybe its the unknown. Yes the phone issue, I understand that, but other than that I'm doing my job and the best I can. I'm just frustrated and don't want to have to work in a environment where I don't know what kind of mood she's going to be in. |
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Expert
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Location: Southeast Louisiana | pepsi97 - 2015-11-14 9:52 PM
Honestly I'm quite nervous to talk to her about it. Maybe its the unknown. Yes the phone issue, I understand that, but other than that I'm doing my job and the best I can. I'm just frustrated and don't want to have to work in a environment where I don't know what kind of mood she's going to be in.
You don't really need to have a talk about it. Just change your approach. Start talking to her before you do something, just like you're asking her opinion on doing something new. Or, say you notice she gets such a good outcome when she does something and ask her to show you how she does it. If you notice her rolling her eyes after you do something, go to her and say you're trying to figure out the best way to do (whatever) and ask for her opinion. Lots less stress for everyone. She gets to show you what she wants in a non-confrontational way, you get to find out what it is she didn't like... all without the big, stressful "sit down" talk. Just take the advice she gives without trying to defend your way of doing it. Just thank her and maybe say you think that will work a lot better than what you've been doing.
Ask her before you make a phone call, let her in on what's going on in your personal life (a little). It might just help. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I would keep it Professional and id also communicate.. talk to her and ask. communication is so important and It seems people now just dont do it anymore... |
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 Elite Veteran
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Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | First, I applaud you for what you do...I have a son with Down Syndrome...I could never do what you do, all day long. Kudos to you! I would say yes, communication...please, for yourself and for others...and maybe it will get straightened out, which will help you help those kids. Thank you so much for the work you do. |
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | Nita - 2015-11-14 10:05 PM pepsi97 - 2015-11-14 9:52 PM Honestly I'm quite nervous to talk to her about it. Maybe its the unknown. Yes the phone issue, I understand that, but other than that I'm doing my job and the best I can. I'm just frustrated and don't want to have to work in a environment where I don't know what kind of mood she's going to be in. You don't really need to have a talk about it. Just change your approach. Start talking to her before you do something, just like you're asking her opinion on doing something new. Or, say you notice she gets such a good outcome when she does something and ask her to show you how she does it. If you notice her rolling her eyes after you do something, go to her and say you're trying to figure out the best way to do (whatever ) and ask for her opinion. Lots less stress for everyone. She gets to show you what she wants in a non-confrontational way, you get to find out what it is she didn't like... all without the big, stressful "sit down" talk. Just take the advice she gives without trying to defend your way of doing it. Just thank her and maybe say you think that will work a lot better than what you've been doing. Ask her before you make a phone call, let her in on what's going on in your personal life (a little ). It might just help.
This ^^^^^^^ |
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Miracle in the Making
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para as paralyzed ? hats off to u if you are that's outstanding u doing that got to be doubly hard |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| CrossCreek - 2015-11-15 12:39 AM
First, I applaud you for what you do...I have a son with Down Syndrome...I could never do what you do, all day long. Kudos to you! I would say yes, communication...please, for yourself and for others...and maybe it will get straightened out, which will help you help those kids. Thank you so much for the work you do.
Thank you. The kids come first in my eyes and I never want them to think their teachers aren't getting along. |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| vjls - 2015-11-15 12:55 PM
para as paralyzed ? hats off to u if you are that's outstanding u doing that got to be doubly hard
No, I'm not paralyzed. Para as in paraprofessional. That's what they call us but I just tell ppl I'm a teacher assistant. |
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