Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Ok, here goes...

Do you guys remember the perm. sub. that was in my room that I told you about? I had gone into my classroom while I was out on leave to teach her how to use the Promethean board and other technological equipment, and she had changed my room around, removed my nameplates from the desks and put her own, and had taken ALL of my bulletin boards down?

Some of you said that I had a right to be angry that she didn't ask before completely switching around my room, because I WAS coming back later in the year. Some of you thought I overreacted.

Well, tell me how you would have reacted to this:

I went back 6 weeks ago. Because my kids had had this teacher all year, and my principal didn't want to throw them another curveball (admirable), my principal kept the perm. sub on and used me as a pull-out reading teacher.

Early last week, as things were starting to wind down, I started going back into my classroom to start getting cleaned up and organized for next year. I went through every crack and crevice I could find, and discovered that a LOT of things were missing. My Classroom Jobs board, which I had spent a good 6-8 hours creating from scratch, cutting and laminating, is completely GONE.

When I asked the teacher about it, she said, "Oh, I don't have any idea where I would have put that, I took it down so long ago". I found the big sign that announces the jobs board, but I'm missing the ice cream cones (that list the job) and the scoops (that I write the students' names on and change out every year). So, it's pretty much useless.

I also have a "Wish Tree" that I use at the beginning of the year. It's a huge tree that I hang outside my classroom and holds leaves and apples. I write down things that I would like for my classroom, and the parents can take an apple from the tree and donate that item. The tree has a bunch of leaves that go on the bare branches. I found the tree, but could NOT find the leaves. As I was searching the bottom of the closet, I found ONE leaf that had a students name written on it...in sharpie. She obviously used them for something and never thought about the fact that all of those materials were NOT there for her to use, ruin, and throw away.

I left school absolutely LIVID last week. What I'm telling you is just the tip of the iceberg. My classical music CDs that I play during writer's workshop--I found 3 of them scratched beyond recognition and they cannot be played anymore--they were thrown into a basket with paper clips

I just don't get it. I know she's a 1st year teacher, but come on...isn't it common sense that you can use something in the classroom, so long as you don't ruin it?! Come on!!!!!

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

No, you are not overreacting. At all. I'm pretty passive aggressive so I would probably say stuff in front of her like "Who would throw CD's in with paperclips? Obviously it ruins them." The leaf? "Oh great, yet another thing that someone has ruined."

I'm not saying you should do any of those things, I just have had this happen ALOT bc in my school we have to share rooms and I'm done with people ruining my crap.

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I would be pizzed! you are not overreacting!

Honestly KARMA will get her. She may not realize yet how much TIME EFFORT and MONEY go into some of the things u said she ruined.

and I would say something to her as well your principal. this is not someone I would want to have as a perm sub in my room.

I would so as far as even asking her to replace some of the stuff she ruined, but good luck with that.

I can't imagine that a decent human being much less a future teacher wuld do somethng like that

I totally feel for you

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Yes, I would absolutely be mad. She has no business doing anything with your stuff! I would ask her again and let her know how important it is that your things are relocated. I would also tell your principal .

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Especially since you don't want to have to make these things again with an adorable baby at home! I would say something to her (although at this point school's practically out so I don't know how much that would do) and then definitely mention it to your principal. It should go in her end-of-year write up.

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Not a teacher but in HR - but no you are not overreacting.

what about saying something along the lines of....

"I thought about telling Principal ___ when he asks me for feedback, but I think it's better if I let you know rather than make an issue out of it.

I was upset that things I've had in the classroom for years - the cds, the wish tree, the jobs board, the signs I made...things I spent hours creating were ruined and lost.

Normally I'd let things go, but since it's your first year I thought you should know in case you do a leave replacement for someone else. I realize a year is a long time to be somewhere and that you want to make the classroom your own - I understand that, but I wouldn't want anyone else to be in the same position."

I only suggest it because as a co-worker, it's also your job to help your fellow co-workers (including other teachers that she'll be subbing for). I feel like going to the principal is telling your boss.

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

i would be very upset as well!!!! I would definitely say something to her. As a leave replacement, yes, make the room your own, but you CANNOT ruin or lose the original teacher's belongings. that is not fair!

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I would be mad. is there anyway that you could talk to your principal to get money for new materials? you can say that the sub thought some things were one time use, but that you use them over and over again.

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I would be LIVID and would definitely say something to her. I think it was very nice of you to leave that stuff for her to use in the first place. I would have left a bare room. The sense of entitlement that some people have is amazing!

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I don't think you're overreacting either. I don't blame her for wanting to redo the bulletin boards to make the room feel like her own, but she definitely should have packed all of your stuff away safely. If she wasn't sure if it was garbage or something you wanted to keep, she definitely should have asked you first. I would think that would be common sense, especially for a teacher! It was very careless of her to just "lose track" of where she placed everything she took down.

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Posted by MrsRivera

Posted by Erica

I would be mad. is there anyway that you could talk to your principal to get money for new materials? you can say that the sub thought some things were one time use, but that you use them over and over again.

My district is making cuts, so she was not asked back as a sub, anyway. I was also transferred to another school since we lost so many kids for next year.

My plan was to have a frank discussion with her on the last day of school, but she stayed FAR away from the room, and I never saw her.

I tried to message her on Facebook when I got home, only to find that she had blocked me. Hmm...THAT'S a little suspicious, huh?

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I would have been VERY upset if someone else lost and/or ruined my teaching supplies. Teachers spend so much time and money to collect and create the things they use in the classroom. Misplacing something is one thing - not cool, but hey, it happens - but this is multiple items, big items, AND she was careless with your CDs and whatever else... that's awful. Since the year is over, she's gone, and you're moving on to a new school I'd let it go at this point, but I'm really sorry that all went down

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

My leave replacement was only in for me for 3 months and I cannot begin to tell you the things that he damaged and ruined. Anything I find that he broke or damaged I just give right to my chair, remind him how I didn't want this particular person as my replacement and then tell him to replace it. I am getting about 90% of the stuff replaced.

I am sorry that happened to you. I would make the principal aware and push her a little more to find your stuff.

Did she offer to replace any of your stuff?

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I have a question...didn't you win a technology classroom makeover? Since u are switching districts what happens with that?

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

I have a question...didn't you win a technology classroom makeover? Since u are switching districts what happens with that?

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long

Re: Yet another "Am I overreacting?" post...pretty darn long