Countdown to the End: Day 16

Today I would have to revise my previous opinion of my principal. I underestimated him when it came to interviewing. He introduced the candidate to me, and said he would leave her in my capable hands. I was impressed that he trusted me alone with the candidate.

Above: hydroponic lettuce seedlings
Below: harvested lettuce for the
Food Pantry 

I recognized her right away. We had met before at an Ag Teacher’s Conference. We were pregnant at the same time, and she had her kids back to back like I did. We had a great talk, and I knew right away that she would be a great fit. I gave her a tour of the classroom, greenhouse, and shop. I filled her in on the greenhouse, the field, the hydroponics systems, the FFA, etc. She asked some really good questions about facility updates, budgets, and administration. I was vague, but positive about administration. She asked why I was leaving, and I explained about staying at home with the boys. I didn't mention that I was spending too much time away from my family because of all the school responsibilities. After all, she has two little kids too, and I want her to take my job.

I went to the union representative after school to see what they could offer her. I asked him mainly because he knows the master contract better than anyone. When I discussed it with him he said the principal had already been there to discuss the same thing. I really didn’t think the principal would like her or that we would agree on the candidate. Maybe the last 5 years that I’ve had this principal I’ve been unfair in my judgments towards him. The fact that he just leaves me alone in my own area comes off as uncaring. When really that’s what teachers want, to be left alone by administration. Maybe that’s why I think he favors men because men gravitate to him because he leaves them alone. They like when administration butts out. Women see that as oblivious or uncaring. I guess it's more like he leaves me alone in my own area, and then talks to me is when he wants something done. Something that I usually ignore, and don't do. For example, he asked if I could take some of my classes to the baseball field to take soil samples. He didn't understand why the grass was patchy. I'm polite and listen to what he h

as to say, but in the end I don't have time for that. I have enough soil samples to take from the field. A field that will grow crops and yield thousands of dollars. I usually don't have time to take care of the grass in my own yard much less the baseball field's grass.

Looking back maybe I should have worked harder to build a rapport with the administration, not just my principal, but the superintendent too. I’ve always thought of my administration as unapproachable, and I wish it wasn’t that way. If I think of them that way I can't imagine what a parent must think. It would be a far better school if administration was more involved.

I know I made the right decision because I won’t have to work extra duties that are in our contract, like working concessions at a football game.