I always figured one of the most important lessons in a classroom is teaching responsibility.  If you take ownership of your shortcomings, you can devise ways to compensate or address those shortcomings to your advantage.  For example, I have difficulty spelling words that end in ence or ance.  As a result, if I am asked to give a writing sample, I avoid words with those endings.  Further, if you make a mistake, own up to it and move forward.

This failure to take responsibility is putting me at a great disadvantage.  I am beginning to question my understanding of the world since so many in power do not take responsibility and get ahead.  Is my rigid honesty a hindrance?

In Clark County, there are simply not enough certified teachers.  So, they have a "prep in lieu" program whereby the teacher sells his/her prep time to teach another class.  The woman in the room next to mine taught one of those classes.  I suspect she took the position because it was the darling programs of one of the administrators.  Anyway, my neighbor taught English in the satellite program.  This program was designed to offer classes to those students who might otherwise be expelled from school.  In an area where the drop out rate is grossly high, this offers those students an opportunity to stay in school though it's in a satellite location.

When I arrived in Clark County, the school year had already begun.  Three days in, one of my students was transferred to the satellite program.  I diligently gave the assignments to the teacher next door and nothing returned.  When I mentioned this to her, she shook her head in exasperation because the student simply did NOTHING.  Flash forward several months, and two of my students were transferred to the program.  This time, however, the administrator who oversaw the program was on top of things.  She sent an email requesting the work be sent to her.  After a few weeks another email was sent requesting information regarding the work that we were getting back from the students.  That is, how were they doing.  So, I responded.  I got no work back from either of the students.  Then the firestorm ensued.

My neighbor, during the passing of classes, berated me because I was so negative.  I simply stated that I did not think the program worked since the students did not do the work.  She blamed me for not providing work for my students.  When I indicated that I had provided the work, she came after me for being unprofessional and not coming to her directly if I had a problem.  Even one with a dull wit can see that her argument was flawed.  If she didn't come to me to say the work was not handed in, why would I come to her?  Further, I reminded her that when another student had been in the program earlier in the year, the same situation occurred -- no work was done.  It was my guess that the same was happening.  Responsibility.  The satellite teacher was not doing her job, but instead of admitting it, she opted to come after me.

And here we are in the present.  I had an interview in Mamaroneck last Friday.  Driving in a hard rain on the Palisades Parkway during rush hour sucked.  I had a horrible sinus headache and a bad interview.  The position was a short-term leave replacement for a teacher who was going out for surgery.  Imagine my surprise when I received an email this week from the principal inviting me back to teach a demo lesson the following day at 1:54.  If I was available, she would have the English teacher contact me to let me know where in the curriculum they were.  I responded I could be there.

Then the odd stuff happened.  I got an email from the principal's secretary saying the principal had left the office.  Then after school she emailed me to say that it would be put on hold.  In my confusion I just guessed that the part that was being put on hold was the word from the English teacher.  I went to do the demo lesson only to be told I wasn't needed.  Sorry for the miscommunication.

Hmmmm.  As an English teacher I can say the word that should have been used is "cancel"  because it leaves no room for misunderstanding.

I wrote an email to the principal thanking her for the opportunity to interview.  However, I also suggested that perhaps this could have been more clear if she had admitted that I was contacted erroneously -- no harm, no foul -- and let it go.  You know, admit your mistake.  Her response?  If I was confused, I should have emailed.  I'll admit that I could be guilty of stupidity, but I did my part.

Well, I guess I will try eschewing responsibility so I can grow in my career.