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Post by jpdaley25 on Dec 2, 2011 10:36:20 GMT -6
Got the Idea for this thread from what DC Ohio wrote about his principal.
What are the best attributes of an administrator?
And conversely,
What are some of the worst things you've experienced from an administrator?
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Post by fantom on Dec 2, 2011 11:32:27 GMT -6
Good administrators that I've worked for:
1. Gave me a favorable teaching schedule. Not one that screwed other teachers in the
department but only one or two preps and a last-period planning. At one school where I
taught but didn't even coach the principal (oddly enough, a former coach) really wanted me
to to lunch duty so he set my schedule so that I was done teaching at lunch time. Contrast
that to another school where I once had three preps (which isn't that bad) and had me
float all five periods, including successive classes on three different levels of the school
(1st period in a trailer, second on the first floor, third upstairs. They also busted my a$$
about not standing outside of my door-umm, which door-between classes).
2. Gave the coaches a heads-up on disciplinary and academic issues with players. Good
admins know that we coaches have unique motivational methods that we can use to head
off problems. On the other hand at another school (the one that gave me that schedule)
an AP suspended a player because he was literally attacked in the hallway. Said that
athletes should be held to a higher standard. Kid got ten days and missed a game for
hitting the other kid's fist with his face.
3. Facilitate fundraising. I get the fact that times are tough and budgets are getting cut.
At the place that I just left, though, they took away the game programs, which was a nice
earner for us. They made a city-wide program (we have four HSs) and split the program
ads. Problem is that they don't earmark it for football. They also let the schools keep the
money from selling the programs. Our AD let other teams sell the programs and keep the
cash. The field hockey team makes more money from our football games than we do
(well, in my case, did).
4. Just overall give us the feeling that you're on our side. The AP for athletics at my old school
was heard saying that our HC is the wrong color. Football and boys' basketball are the only
sports that the school was worth a damn at and they seem determined to tear football
down.
Sorry for the rant. I've only scratched the surface.
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z
Junior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by z on Dec 3, 2011 19:37:11 GMT -6
Know the feeling. Been HC at my school for a number of years. Have seen the best and worst (as far as administrators are concerned). My first principal (who hired me), was a straight up good guy. He would work with you. Let you know ahead of time about kids having problems in school. Worked to give you as favorable a teaching schedule as he could. He was fully behind you in public and behind closed doors. Wanted what was best for the kids and the school. Most importantly: he let you do your job! One of my favorite quotes from him: "that is why I hired you!"
Principal that I now work for: polar opposite. He is a former coach (who got int administration-it seems-for the money. The ultimate micro-manager. He has sent e-mails that question play calls, asked for a scouting report, told me that we cannot afford to feed the kids a pre-game meal (yet he sells football paraphenalia out of his office). I could go on, but you get my drift.
I have been in administration, but I do not tell him how to run the school. It may seem that I am venting, but this is the truth!
I am sure that there are some more horror stories out there, as well as some "dream" situations! I stay in prayer! Got good kids who want to win.
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Post by airraider on Dec 3, 2011 20:38:21 GMT -6
It makes me shudder to even think about explaing my last administrator to you... long story short though... he was ran off from the school I was at, finally after 3 years...
Then, down in Baton Rouge, he was hired on as principal of a school and was removed 3 weeks ago due to teacher complaints!!
Now, I have a guy at my new school who is my only good friend in the school... I spend my free time of the day down in his office shooting the bull... Good guy who lets me do my job.
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Post by blb on Dec 3, 2011 21:08:12 GMT -6
It makes me shudder to even think about explaing my last administrator to you... long story short though... he was ran off from the school I was at, finally after 3 years... Then, down in Baton Rouge, he was hired on as principal of a school and was removed 3 weeks ago due to teacher complaints!! There is justice after all if slow, eh ar? |
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Post by fantom on Dec 3, 2011 21:45:48 GMT -6
It makes me shudder to even think about explaing my last administrator to you... long story short though... he was ran off from the school I was at, finally after 3 years... Then, down in Baton Rouge, he was hired on as principal of a school and was removed 3 weeks ago due to teacher complaints!! quote] |
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Post by coachorr on Dec 4, 2011 0:12:40 GMT -6
One that doesn't immediately assume that I am looking to get out of work somehow, or that I am going to slack off in the classroom. One who can trust and not micro-manage. One who understands where the "value" is at in teaching and coaching.
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Post by coachorr on Dec 4, 2011 0:21:22 GMT -6
Fantom, I have actually had to tell students, "I can't help you right now, I have to stand by my door".
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Post by coachorr on Dec 4, 2011 0:24:47 GMT -6
I think if you ask this questions. "Why do people become administrator in the first place?" The conclusion is enlightening.
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Post by blb on Dec 4, 2011 7:50:49 GMT -6
I think if you ask this questions. "Why do people become administrator in the first place?" The conclusion is enlightening. Do the azzes become the kings, or do the kings become azzes? I have worked in several districts for many administrators over a 37-year career and what I have observed is that the vast majority of them are only concerned with keeping the job they've got or getting the next one. And teachers-coaches don't help them do either. That's why we're lower than whale sh!t in the educational Eco system |
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Post by fantom on Dec 4, 2011 8:13:05 GMT -6
I think if you ask this questions. "Why do people become administrator in the first place?" The conclusion is enlightening. Do the azzes become the kings, or do the kings become azzes? I have worked in several districts for many administrators over a 37-year career and what I have observed is that the vast majority of them are only concerned with keeping the job they've got or getting the next one. And teachers-coaches don't help them do either. That's why we're lower than whale sh!it in the educational Eco system Bullsear, Catnip (threw that in because I know that you're old enough to remember the Norm Crosby commercial). |
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Post by blb on Dec 4, 2011 8:42:07 GMT -6
the Norm Crosby commercial. Ahh, The Master of Malaprop. Was good on the Dean Martin Roasts as well. |
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Post by fantom on Dec 6, 2011 0:10:17 GMT -6
Dude said "Icky"? Really.
I should say that the band director at the school I taught at was an OSU grad, loved football, and was a great guy.
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Post by fantom on Dec 6, 2011 0:19:30 GMT -6
I should also say that in a country that has a childhood obesity problem, they keep cutting PE and recess and can't figure out why there's a problem.
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Post by coachhart on Dec 6, 2011 6:54:38 GMT -6
Amen, Fantom! It's all about test scores, and PE doesn't matter.
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Post by olcoach53 on Dec 6, 2011 7:27:39 GMT -6
Fire the head coach after a 35-25 record and 4 straight playoff appearances. Oh wait, thats the superintendent as well...
The superintendent will more than likely hire his buddy with an overall record of 6-30 to coach now. Anybody out there need an offensive line coach?
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Post by coachcb on Dec 6, 2011 8:38:08 GMT -6
Honestly, I will work for any administration that will just leave me along and let me do my job. It's very easy to teach under my principal but I can't say the same for coaching under my AD. My AD is a good guy but he's scattered and you just put up with his sh-t. It's not worth fighting what could only be described as Early Onset Idiot Dementia.
Principal:
1. Makes his presence known but isn't intrusive. He pops into my room on occasion to check up but is more than happy to b.s. with me about football if the students are busy/happy/good.
2. He let's us establish our curriculum and teach the way we want. He doesn't like a few of my grading policies (thinks I'm too light and might be right) but he doesn't ask me to change them. Our math department is a phucking mess and, instead of forcing himself into it, he told us to make sure we hit the standards anyway we can. He's letting our curriculum developer fight with the a--holes in the department. But, he respects me for staying out of it.
3. He understands that, as teachers, we can only do so much. The community doesn't give a sh-t about much of anything outside of basketball and is more than happy to let their kids fail. He is a screaming hard a-- on the kids and doesn't put up with their sh-t. He has had six meetings with parents about kids that have broken the attendance policy (10 days+) and kicked six kids out.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2011 11:01:18 GMT -6
I was wondering if you'd weigh in on this, olcoach53. Sorry to hear what went down. Maybe I'm jaded, because quite frankly I've had very little positive experiences with administrators, some which is my fault to be honest. One reason I'm still kicking myself for not doing a better job with my first teaching/coaching gig is how awesome the principal was!
But, that word honest is what I look for. We had a thread on here quite some time ago about an administrator that told his coach before the season began that he needed to start winning games. While the discussion of course focues on how coaching high school should be more than that, I also say kudos to the administrator for being upfront about it.
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Post by coachorr on Dec 6, 2011 11:08:44 GMT -6
He sure did. when he did the entire staff all gave each other that head forward, slight turn, eyes, like are you phuking kidding me? That guy isn't kinda 'gay' he is the epitomy of it. Which is fine, I don't have a problem with gay people, I just don't like him as a person period and he just happens to be gay. Kind of like those over enthused bible thumpers who just can't believe you don't see things their way and always try to get you to see it their way...yea...that's him except it's not religion he's trying to convince you to join. This dude was a special ed band teacher. I've never heard of that, but I know he was a band teacher and I know he also taught special ed but...wow...that makes him qualified to tell anyone how to teach any academic subject now doesn't it? Had to laugh, one year the soccer team did a goal for cancer fundraiser, where a bunch of faculty was in goal and the kids paid a dollar to kick a soccer ball at us. He refused to participate saying "I have bad feet" - haha. Sounds like a 4th grade "why I can't play kickball" excuse to me. And due to some budget cuts here at my new school - which I have a meeting with the Super today to find out how it affects me...but they are likely to cut 10K off my salary...combined with the fact that the HC they hired at my previous school got fired after one year...my DUMB@$$ is actually considering applying for and accepting a position right back in the chit pot of administration that I just left. But it is 20 minutes from home vs 80 minutes, there I have athletes all over the place who are hungry to get out and here I have apathy and drugs everywhere and no one seems to care to change anything. You've gotta apply for that job. And in within 3 years you will be standing on the curb waving good-bye to the principal as he/she leaves. |
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Post by coachorr on Dec 6, 2011 11:14:22 GMT -6
It makes me shudder to even think about explaing my last administrator to you... long story short though... he was ran off from the school I was at, finally after 3 years... Then, down in Baton Rouge, he was hired on as principal of a school and was removed 3 weeks ago due to teacher complaints!! Now, I have a guy at my new school who is my only good friend in the school... I spend my free time of the day down in his office shooting the bull... Good guy who lets me do my job. See ya later supebrotha. Poetic. |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 6, 2011 11:51:53 GMT -6
This is another perk about being certified in math; I can be fussy with where I work. I b-tch about my current coaching job but teaching here is a good gig. I interviewed for three jobs before I took this one. I turned the other two schools down because I got very bad vibes from the administration during the interviews. One principal was an obvious a--hole and the other was just too much of a bleeding heart for me. My principal taught band in his teaching career but he's a rancher in his 'real life' and is a pleasant guy with a good sense of humor. But, he doesn't put up with sh-t; he had a teacher escorted out of the building by the cops last year.
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Post by coachorr on Dec 6, 2011 13:03:04 GMT -6
Here is one for you. "We have extra money in the budget, but we are not buying any more ink for the networked lazer printers. You'll have to get networked to a copier. " Do you know what a huge pain in the A that is going to be? And they are going to spend the extra money on a party for the kids.
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Post by groundchuck on Dec 6, 2011 15:42:27 GMT -6
A lot of good things have been said already so I will just add....
Ideal administrator is one who is honest with you and others. Who will tell you teh truth when asked. They should support athletes and the mission it serves to help kids but also support the fact that winning is important too. In turn they should trust and support the recomendations of their head coaches.
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Post by coachcb on Dec 6, 2011 16:11:48 GMT -6
A lot of good things have been said already so I will just add.... Ideal administrator is one who is honest with you and others. Who will tell you teh truth when asked. They should support athletes and the mission it serves to help kids but also support the fact that winning is important too. In turn they should trust and support the recomendations of their head coaches. That is one thing I hate about my current AD; the dude sugar coats sh-t to your face but runs his mouth behind your back. He told my principal that "I needed to be watched" in the classroom because I "wasn't organized". I asked him about it and I "wasn't organized" because two of the two dozen pieces of paperwork I turned into him disappeared and his a-- got into a sling because of it. Funny thing was, he never mentioned it to me so I dug out the photocopies I made IN HIS OFFICE before I turned over the originals. And, then I turned them over to the principal. |
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Post by chief10bears on Dec 6, 2011 19:26:05 GMT -6
I asked an old coach one day who he thought was the best AD around the county. He quickly replied it's always that one watching the game from the other sidelines  |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 7, 2011 8:13:41 GMT -6
In this vein, had a meeting with my superintendent yesterday. Apparently one of my senior parents went to my old school to learn about me. Found a guidance counselor who didn't have her facts straight. But that parent emailed one of our BOE members, who inturn emailed our super, which inturn got me called in on the carpet. The conversation: Super: "Coach, a few things have been brought up. I called you here today to ask you about them. I want you to know from our research into you before we hired you; you have been, so far as I know 100% honest and upfront about everything. I am not here to hire you or fire you, I just need to hear it directly from you so that if Channel 6 shows up...I have your back, I just want to be able to speak accurately. So are there any ghosts or skeleton's that have been left out?" perhaps I won't interview at my previous school but after my meeting with my super, I promptly called HR from my previous school. They have 4 counselors - 3 of them are new...guess that leaves one to have ran her mouth. LOL, coach , you really have p-ssed some people off, haven't you! But, this is why I change identities every few years. I would get a hold of a union rep and start making life miserable for that counselor. She was way out of line discussing your professional history with a disgruntled parent. |
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Post by coachorr on Dec 7, 2011 10:31:21 GMT -6
A lot of good things have been said already so I will just add.... Ideal administrator is one who is honest with you and others. Who will tell you teh truth when asked. They should support athletes and the mission it serves to help kids but also support the fact that winning is important too. In turn they should trust and support the recomendations of their head coaches. Nice... I must have passed out at my keyboard. That is one thing I hate about my current AD; the dude sugar coats sh-t to your face but runs his mouth behind your back. He told my principal that "I needed to be watched" in the classroom because I "wasn't organized". I asked him about it and I "wasn't organized" because two of the two dozen pieces of paperwork I turned into him disappeared and his a-- got into a sling because of it. Funny thing was, he never mentioned it to me so I dug out the photocopies I made IN HIS OFFICE before I turned over the originals. And, then I turned them over to the principal. |
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Post by mitch on Dec 7, 2011 11:57:50 GMT -6
And due to some budget cuts here at my new school - which I have a meeting with the Super today to find out how it affects me...but they are likely to cut 10K off my salary. Phuk that!!! They want you to take a $10,000 pay cut??? How's a brother gonna survive??? |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 7, 2011 12:20:29 GMT -6
@dcohio,
The small town mentality has bitten me in the a-- down here. I avoid people outside of work at all costs because it's amazing how one's personal life goes on display... I took off my wedding ring when my divorce was final, one of the little nosy girls in my classes noticed and, within two hours, the entire school was buzzing about it. And, there were nasty rumors going around too; I had to pull one of our theology teachers aside and tell her to STFU, mind her own business and pretend she was an adult. But, that's one of the things I like about my principal. This teacher went down to his office in tears, very upset at my choice of language and he told her the same thing I did.
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Post by airman on Dec 7, 2011 18:52:16 GMT -6
when I was teaching many moons ago I alway took of veterans day.
Under an agreement in our contract if you were a veteran or a history teacher you were allowed to take the day off as long as you were going to a scheduled veterans day event. the district paid for it. we a new female super intendant thought history teachers were abusing the opportunity so she denied all staff from going.
so I scheduled a meeting with the gal and the principal and she explained her point I said I was a veteran and not a teacher looking for a paid day off. she shoed me away. I was so mad I went directly home. picked up my two small felt lined boxes and went back to school. I tossed them on her desk.
a very wise older male principal knew what was in the boxes and said there would be no problem with my day off. the super intendant balked. he opened them the a purple heart was in one and the bronze star with V for valor in the other. she had no clue what they meant.
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