How would you react to this email? (A little long)

Let me start by saying: I teach 5th grade with 5 other teachers. For the most part, we get along great--except for one of the male teachers, who always feels the need to belittle others and "one up" us at every opportunity.

Our kids just took the NC standardized math tests, and our scores came back. Please read this email (and my response below it) and tell me if I'm completely outta line here. I'm really angry about the tone of the email.

Thanks...


Original email (P.S. I am Beth):


No student names but 5 need to retest in math. Two are mine, two from Rivera and one from Gasiecki. Lisa wins with all straight 3 and 4. Hummel takes second with one 2 with a SE of 1 and Jeff had two in the same boat. No offense to anyone else but I am especially proud of Kerry and the work she did with her students. One AIG Math student, many danger kids and she rocked with major growth for those kids. Congratulations, Kerry, I am really happy for you!


We will have 5 days to remediate, and Ken wants you to use teachers, not assistants for the bulk of the work, so I will work out a schedule. Lisa, you won the straw poll to do most of the remediation work as you totally rock as a math teacher. I and Kerry will help you. Jeff, Heather, and Beth, thank you for all you do and who you are.


My response to the whole team:


With all due respect, I'm proud of the work we ALL did this year...in reading, math and otherwise. We're a team...right? ABSOLUTELY congratulations to Lisa and Kerry, who obviously rocked (as we all knew they would), but I don't feel it's necessary to belittle any of the work that any of the rest of us did in getting our kids ready to test. Keep in mind that a sentence that begins with "no offense" almost always causes offense to those involved.

I'm sorry, I guess I'm a little upset at the "presentation of the winners". I think we ALL have a lot to be proud of.

Message edited 5/23/2008 7:50:35 PM.

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

Was this from your principal??? i cant believe he would write this and compare teachers like that. after reading the first email, i think you have every right to write your email!!!!

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

Amen sister!

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

That would really upset me, I didnt Know teaching was a competitive sport! Also the way your children do doesn't always reflect on your teaching

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

I don't like the way he compares teachers. There's nothing wrong with complimenting teachers who did well but the comparing is not needed. I would've been upset as well.
I thought your response was appropriate and professional. I know it's hard but try not to take it to heart too much. Some teachers don't know how they sound. You would know better than me if he meant to sound nasty. Some teachers mean to sound that way but I have also run into plenty who do and don't realize it.

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

I'm a little confused...is this teacher the "head teacher" of your grade? Otherwise, why would he write this email? Or is this your principal? I guess I'm confused as to why the writer feels the need to compare the teachers and their students' performance.
His email is completely unprofessional. You have every right to write your email. I'm like you...if I feel as if I've been wronged at work, I'm not afraid to say so. He needs to know that it is not ok to write another email like that! Your email clearly delivers that message. Good luck!

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

Sorry, I should have elaborated. This is one of the other 5th grade teachers...but technically, he's our "grade level chair".

Re: How would you react to this email? (A little long)

i would be PIZZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! seriously... that was the most obnoxious e-mail i've ever seen. and what's really sad is if he thinks that the kids' success and what they learn is based on these sttupid state tests that don't measure much anyway, well, that's just sad and he probably teaches to the test all day anyway.

ETA: don't feel too bad.... there's a teacher in by building too who is like that. all he wants to know is what the scores were for the other kids. it's like he gets off on him always havign the highest scores... and it's like you always get the highest scores because you are always given the gifted kids because you're such a bad teacher you can't help the kids with any sort of difference and you teach to the test anyway!

sorry, that turned into a mini-rant on my part as well!

Message edited 5/24/2008 1:55:44 PM.