Politics. UGH!
I love a good debate regarding politics and various viewpoints, but I did not like the political experience I had today.
I had to sit through a Manifastation Determination hearing. For those who are not yet familiat with this, it is an aspect of special ed where you have to determine if a child’s poor behavior is due to their disability or because something is going unaddressed.
In this case, the argument could have been made in either direction for this particular child. It isn’t so much having to go through that - though it is taxing. It was the whole discussion that went with it. The principal and head of special ed were on one side while the other special ed teacher, spec ed coordinater, social worker, and parents were on the other. I had no idea which was I planned to vote, so I sat quiet trying to weigh all info and make the best choice for the child. The two sides argued and argued and man, were they nasty. It was clear that there are several years of tension and disrespect behind it and I just felt completely stuck.
When the paper came around to sign and mark which box you agreed with, I was coerced into marking the same as the othed spec ed teacher. I don’t feel good about my decision. I feel worse that I let myself be bullied. I feel like I want to run to the principal and tattled that my coteacher intimidates me into doing things I don’t agree with.
I am having a very hard time balancing my ethics and my professionalism at this job. I decided today that I am putting in for a transfer to get out of this position. I don’t who I can trust in this building and who I can listen to.
My coteacher keeps telling me half truths or forgetting to tell me things or not showing up on important days knowing full well I am unprepared. My coordinator is aparently too busy to stop in and make sure I’m not drowning, and my principal is in his first year and just as lost as I am (at least it seems that way). I feel like I have no where to turn and the evil one is constantly tricking me and making me fell like an ass in front of the rest of the staff.
Like I said, I’ve decided to transfer next year, but what am I to do until June? Should I talk to the principal even though I’m not sure I trust him (I don’t trust anyone at my school, so sad)? Should I just keep my mouth shut and vent online here at my blog? I feel like that 12 year old girl who just wanted to fit and did stupid shit to make others accept her. I am too damn old to act like that, but I can’t come up with any other option.
What’s your call?
