I did something yesterday that I've never done before. I reported the head of my department to our immediate supervisor.

When I was waiting to get clearance from Las Vegas, I tried to get information about the classes I would be teaching so when I arrived in the district, I would be ready. The head of the English department never bothered to get in touch with me. Once I arrived, she did nothing to help me learn the ropes. I feel as though I am supposed to learn from osmosis. When I requested books for the seniors, she told me she would have one of her aides get them for me. So, I gave her the number of books I needed and the aides delivered the books. That was nice. However, when I went to return the books she gave me a bit of grief because I didn't let her know how many books I had taken from the book room. When I indicated that it was her aide who got the books in the first place, she didn't seem to understand how that translated to her prior knowledge.

The English department has no butcher paper that isn't brown. The social studies department has pink, green, white and brown. So, I requested the English dept. head get some white paper. She claimed we couldn't. When I investigated further, I learned that there was plenty of white paper around. Although the paper has not yet been delivered to the English dept. room, I know if I push the issue I will get some. But why does it have to be the new person?

I asked the head of the dept. if there was a midterm. She said no. However, there is a final in January (how fucked up is Nevada that it calls a middle of the year exam a final?). When did I find out? November 1st. Furthermore, I learned that 90% of what was on that exam had to link up with what was on the other World Literature teacher's exams. Isn't November first a little late to convey that information?

Then there's the World Lit. meetings. I was not attending because I did not know they were taking place. Isn't it the department head's job to ensure that I am there? Really, I am just across the hall -- get off your fat ass and get me to the meeting. I just attended my first world lit meeting this past Monday.

So, I feel bad about reporting her, but too bad.