Elementary School Teacher

(Sacramento, California)

Professional and neutral, I was still targeted by the principal for public humiliation and shame. She had some personal envy toward me, expressing her jealousy by directing her veteran teachers to undermine and shun me. Hate mail was circulated and favorite classrooms were mysteriously trashed.

I was assigned from a 4th grade assignment to 6th grade, and given the most challenging students. The stress was so great, I suffered a heart attack and rushed to ER from my home. After being hit in the head by a stray basketball, I filed a Workman's Comp claim.

Surplussing myself to a nearby school, rumors were spread by other teachers about the reasons for my transfer. It seems that there is a dirty network, from bullyteacher-to-bullyteacher, bullyprincipal-to-bullyprincipal, and will all but destroy your reputation.

Today, I am still teaching and now we have a new bully-principal who is in a huddle with the bully-teachers.

The union has limited reach and protects themselves by stating that they represent ALL Union members ("bully" teachers are also union members), and the HR department is under the Administration's interests and will protect the bullyprincipal.

Even though you may be exhausted by all the drama and powerplay, you cannot remain isolated, for this will make you an easy target! Get out and connect/mingle with like-minded staff! Safety in numbers and use your sick days.