Saturday, August 28, 2010
Teacher Behavior Case
As principal you have a suspension that one of your teachers is getting too close to a student of the opposite sex. Although you have no specific evidence, you have some suspicions and rumors or supporting those suspicions. The rumors indicate that none of this alleged activity is occurring during school time and the student is 18 years old. How do you handle this situation?
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I would address the teacher by first asking them how they know the student and if there is anything they want to tell me about them. Then I would sit down and ask them if this is something that they would like to talk to me about.
ReplyDeleteIf they do, then we talk. If they don't then I would suggest that we did.
Next I would ask for my Superintendent's advice.
Then I would first start out by saying how concerned I am and how it may look to others in the community. I would also tell them that their personal life may be none of my business but while at school and the community itself is my business. In my conversation I would show that I want to listen and try to give them some advice on how this can even if we don't want it to hurt our personality as a school. After our conversation, I would ask if there is anything I can do to help the situation.
In addressing this situation, I would start by having a one-on-one meeting with the teacher. I would inform the teacher about the rumors that I have heard and that have been brought to my attention. Also, I would explain to the teacher that although the rumors state this issue is occuring outside the school, that his/her actions outside of the school is still a reflection of the school. Becuase of this he/she needs to be aware that other are watching and any unethical behavior that negatively impacts the school will be handled accordingly. In the mean time I like Israel would inform central office and make it a point to keep a close eye on the teacher/student interactions.
ReplyDeletezack dotson
With this situation, I would also start by having a one-on-one meeting with the teacher. I would inform the teacher of what rumors had been circulating. I would explain to this teacher that all actions reflect upon the effectiveness of a teacher and his or her reputation. I would help the teacher understand that what we do outside of school is a direct reflection on how all stakeholders within our school community perceive us. I would let the teacher know that any actions that could negatively impact our school is a serious situation and would face serious consequences. I also, like Israel and Zack, would let Central office know that I had spoken to the teacher and inform them that I would be playing close attention to this teacher's interactions with the students.
ReplyDeleteAlana Sexton
I also would have a one-on-one meeting with the teacher. I would express to the teacher that there had been rumors in the community that he had been getting too close with another student outside of the school. I would remind him that he should be aware of this situation and that he is a professional and should conduct himself in a professional manner. I would let him know that his conduct with the students should be professional inside the school as well as outside the school. I would also share with him that even though these are rumors, I would still be monitoring his behavior. I also would discuss this matter with the superintendent as a precaution.
ReplyDeleteI think I would do a little recon. Put out my administrator feelers, and without committing myself or giving anything away see if anyone bites with concrete knowledge. This is all under-cover and unofficial. Then, hopefully armed with new and accurate information, meet with the teacher. (Assuming that our division has a 'No dating students' policy.) If the rumors aren't true, I'd tell him/her to stay away from the student to kill the rumors as quickly as possible. If the rumors are true, I think it would be grounds for termination for moral reasons and for professional. And either way, Central Office would need to be notified.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, this happened at my school recently. One of the female teachers would go to beach week to sleep with male students that just graduated. Sketchy. She no longer works there.
Alan Janney
I agree that the superintendent should be informed of the situation and my plans. I think, like everyone else, I would begin by speaking with the teacher. I would remind the teacher that I am not one to jump at rumors, but in this situation the reputation of the school and the teacher are at stake. I would inform the teacher of the rumors that are circulating and ask the nature of the relationship between the teacher and student. I would inform the teacher that whether we are inside or outside of the school, we are expected to conduct ourselves as professionals and representatives of the school, the division, and the profession. I would let the teacher know that we will speak again concerning this matter. I would like to speak with the student and her/his parents to give her/him an opportunity to corroborate what the teacher has said. If there has been a misunderstanding, I would apologize to the teacher for any inconvenience, suggest that the teacher stay away from this student so the rumors will die, and remind the teacher that we must be cautious of the situations in which we place ourselves. If the rumors are true, I would most definitely recommend termination to the superintendent.
ReplyDeleteRobbie Sturgill
I would have a meeting with the teacher just as soon as I could. I would directly ask the teacher of what exactly is going on with a possible relationship with a student. Even if this is a rumor, it needs to be treated with a great deal of seriousness, especially since there is a student involved. I would tell the teacher about the things that are going around in the school and community and what could have possibly started or maintained these rumors. I would remind the teacher of their contract and how they are obligated to maintain a professional relationship with all students. Although it might just be a rumor, the community will perceive this as something that is not a positive reflection on the school. I would also make sure to contact the necessary people at central office to seek advice and to help in any way that they can. Document everything!!! Meanwhile I would make sure to carefully monitor this situation. I would make sure to have a follow-up with the teacher just to make sure that everything is on a positive note. From this situation it is a waiting game on new reliable information and changes in things that have been going on. Hopefully the rumors are all that is going on. If not then there needs to be swift action when there is enough information.
ReplyDeleteI would ask this teacher to come to my office and tell them the rumors I have been hearing. I would let this teacher know that this relationship is not appropriate, 18 years of age, or not. This teacher would be told that it would be in her/his best interest to dissolve the relationship immediately. If the relationship continued I would report it to Central Office.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sticky situation! I would definitely set up a meeting with the teacher to inform the teacher of the rumor, and the serious nature of the allegations. I would allow the teacher to share his/her side of the story. If the story were true I would recommend termination of his/her contract to the superintendent. If the teacher stated that the story was not true, I would recommend that the teacher stay away from the student to dissolve the rumors. I would let the superintendent know about the rumors and my meeting with the teacher, and monitor the situation closely doing my own PI work as well... (Private Investigating)
ReplyDeleteI feel it would be my duty as an administrator to discuss the rumors with my teacher. First of all, if the allegations are untrue (unfounded),then the teacher has a right to know what is being said. Furthermore, if there is something going on, this may serve as a warning to the teacher that his/her conduct is being observed. It may make him/her think twice about placing him/herself in compromising positions. This alone may stop the situation.
ReplyDeleteIf the situation continued, however, even after the talk, I would request that the superintendent meet with both the teacher and myself. (This would serve as offering a 'witness' to the fact that you, as an administrator, had actually attempted to stop the situation if anything came of the problem -- say the situation began before the student turned 18 ... grounds for a lawsuit.) At that point, it becomes a district matter, not just a school issue.
I would give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Then I would talk to the teacher involved. If the rumors are false, this teacher may not be aware of them. The rumors could impact this teacher's career with termination. I would not like to see that, especially if the teacher is a good one who was just caught up in adolescent "drama". If the rumors are true (as admitted by the teacher), I would make sure the teacher is aware of the example they are setting, the consequences and then I would find an immediate transfer for them. The sooner they are out of my school, then better. No termination, no publicity, no additional drama, nothing to upset the rest of the school from learning and succeeding. (P. Huertas)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I have seen too many instances of this very situation. One is too many. However, my first priority is to protect the student, while maintaining legal standards.
ReplyDeleteI would advise my Superintendent of the situation, first. At that point, I would hope we (as administrators) would develop a plan to address the situation. I would address the concerns that have been brought to my attention, with the teacher. I would allow the teacher to respond. I am assuming the teacher will deny the acts. If so, I would simply remind the teacher of the repercussions of such acts. I would hope that anyone (I may have hired) would be mature enough to recognize his/her role in our school community, and the impact these actions would have on our school community. If the rumors persisted, The Super would be aware of the previous intervention acts. Then, we could take the intervention process further.
The first step I would take would be to bring the teacher into my office to discuss the alligations which have been brought forth. Even though the student is 18, the teacher would be informed of the servereness of such alligations. I am sure the teacher would deny the rumors which have been brought forth. The teacher would be advised to keep all future interactions with the student professional. There shouldn't be any meetings where they are not visible to other individuals. More the less, they would be advised to not put themselves in a situation which would look suspicious. If I was approached anymore, the superintendent and director of personel would be notified. Documentation would be kept of my meeting witht he teacher.
ReplyDelete