How to approach this?

Ok school didn't even start yet and I am already fustrated.

As mentioned, its just me and another teacher in my dept.

The AP/Dept Chair (same person) wants to get DECA and FBLA restarted in the school. The other teacher, who I will call Alpha, has no interest in getting these clubs started.

I said in my interview I would be more than happy to, because I love getting involved.

Anyway. Alpha is also my mentor so we had to spend some time together. She was telling me some conversations between her and the principal.

AP: I would like to get computerized accounting started in the school.

Alpha: No, we don't want that. We can't over whelm the new person.

I am the one who is going to teach accounting, so shouldn't it be my say and not her opinion????????

A few other conversations occured, and whenever the AP mentions moving things forward and growing the business dept, Alpha always rejects the idea saying 1) It's too much work 2) Don't overwhelm me 3) Don't scare the new person 4) we don't have enough computer labs etc.

I am tired of her making excuses for me. How does she know what I Can handle? I WANT to do this stuff. Of course I have kept my mouth shut by I know already this is not going to work. I know what I am capable of, and I can handle it and want to handle it.

How would you approach this? I don't want to turn this into an issue already, but I feel like she is going to make me look bad and I hate that she is saying what I can and can't do. IT should be up to me and the AP.

Thoughts?? Sorry so long!!

Re: How to approach this?

I would talk to your AP directly. Alpha probably doesn't want to do these new things and thinks she can speak on your behalf. I would express interest in these new things like DECA to the AP and that you would wait to be the advisor.

You definitely want to avoid confrontation/making waves with her but you should still let the AP know that your opinions are different from hers.

BTW, you should do DECA since I hear the convention is in NYC this year! How convenient!

Good luck!

Re: How to approach this?

that's a toughie! do you know anything about the relationship between Alpha and the AP? If they have a strained relationship already, I am sure what Alpha is saying is no reflection on you or your abilities. The AP has probably heard it all before from her.

Since the AP is also your chair, maybe have a direct conversation with her/him - something like "oh, I remember during my interview you wanted me to start up DECA again. I did some research on it and . . . ". You almost have to just keep Alpha out of the conversations, which is tough since she is your mentor. But once you get stuff started, it's going to be harder for her to say anything.

Hope that helped! Good luck!!

Message edited 9/1/2007 9:41:13 PM.

Re: How to approach this?

Honestly, if Alpha's coming out and saying "It's too much work" to the AP, then I am pretty sure the AP can see right through this person. She's afraid of two things: 1)that you will go ahead and do these extra things making her look bad, which will result in 2) her having to do more work.
Let her say whatever she wants. All you need to do is say to your AP, "I would LOVE to get involved with DECA, etc., etc." Don't even mention anything about this other teacher. Just make yourself available and willing to take the initiative and the AP will not even listen when this Alpha person speaks for you.

Re: How to approach this?

I met with just my AP the other day and I told her I would look into it. So hopefully she sees me for who I really am and not through the eyes of my possibly burnt out mentor.

Re: How to approach this?

Re: How to approach this?

Re: How to approach this?

Personally, I would lay low and wait until you start to see the political dynamics before you start assuming that Alpha is either burned out or doesn't want you to look better than her. It might not be as clear cut as that. I started in my school last year and some of the people I initially thought were underhanded/lazy/burned out really weren't. My first impressions/assumptions turned out to be wrong and I'm glad I did not act on them.

Re: How to approach this?

Re: How to approach this?