Anonymous Complaints

Throwaway2785

Hi folks,

Secondary school teacher with over 10 years of experience in the same school here. Last month I was asked by my principal to respond to a number of anonymous complaints about my teaching from a Sixth Year. The complaints were :course content not being covered (it is and has been completed since December), being overly aggressive (I was stunned and asked for details on what was alleged to have been said, none were forthcoming) and sharing of personal information (my OH is pregnant, I informed students as I will be taking Pat Leave soon).

I asked for the name/names of the complainants and the Principal refused. He did however give me two chances to guess. When I got both wrong he stopped the guessing game. He then told me I needed to modify my approach or he'd arrive down to my class and have students publicly air their grievances.

The following day he called me in to say he had spoken to the students and they were now fine. This was at 9am and our previous meeting was at the end of the day.

This whole thing has knocked me sideways. I work incredibly hard at my job, love it, and always achieve excellent results. I am not perfect but I feel like I'm being targeted for some reason. I get on very well with students but I'm absolutely terrified of going into that class now as I don't know what will happen next.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Feels great to have gotten this off my chest.

Hontou

This is a stressed 6th year (or their parent) worried about their leaving cert and looking to pass the blame wherever they can. It looks like they have withdrawn the complaint, so move on. The best advice I received for teaching is neither celebrate the good days or let the bad ones get you down as there will be plenty of both. The Principal had to do their job and was probably asked to keep the student's name out of it. The Principal is on your side as the complaint was withdrawn. Don't let it get you down. You sound like a great teacher and will make a great parent. Congratulations on the baby.

AndrewJRenko

I'm not a teacher. I was a school board of management member in two schools.
Two aspects of the principal's action seem remarkably unprofessional.

1. The 'guessing game' about who submitted the complaints, and
2. the threat to come into your classroom and 'have it out' in front of your staff.
   

I'd suggest having a good look at your school's complaints policy, and see how far the principal has deviated from that policy (probably, quote a lot). You might also want to discuss this with your trade union

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058397284/anonymous-complaints

Sorry to hear this but I've seen this before.

If it is a sixth year student ie an adult, they should be putting their name to their complaint if they feel it is legitimate, otherwise it doesn't exist. There is also a procedure for complaints that needs to be followed but as complaint is handled now, let it go unless you want justice.

For yourself, when meeting your class next week I would address the complaint by having a quick recap of where we are and what needs to be covered. That will bring back your confidence with them but also informing them that tge course is actually covered.

The more serious issue is that of the principals actions. I would follow up with an email outlining your account of the meeting. Outline how it made you feel etc. It would be no more flagging this with your union also for their records. If it happens again, you have two incidents which couid be necessary for the grievance procedure if necessary.

This has obviously affected you as you are writing here over midterm. It is not worth it as someone said you have good and bad days and students so let it slide if you can. You have a CID I assume, with plenty of experience. You have bugger things to deal with and enjoy this time - congratulations in advance.

dory

Agree completely with Andrew. That guessing game was very unprofessional. So, it was anonymous, but not if you guessed correctly?! Then it's not anonymous. I'd be speaking to my union rep or the union itself. It's the time of year that people panic. Mock results coming in etc. As long as your record keeping is good you can show you have covered the course. My principal wouldn't ever bring us an anonymous complaint.

rainbowtrout

Contact your union. This type of communication from the principal is unacceptable. It's also likely that it was completely fabricated by the principal. The chances that the principal spoke to the students before 9am is highly unlikely and the threat of having it out with you in front of a class is deplorable. My principal operates on a similar manner sometimes, not exactly the same scenario, but they 'I've had complaints', all vague and anonymous. Document everything and nip it in the bud. If you don't, the principal will think you are a pushover and you don't know what will be in store for you down the line.

2011abc

You dont have to be a pscho/sociopath to become a principal but it seems to help!Unreal story.

"The best advice I received for teaching is neither celebrate the good days or let the bad ones get you down as there will be plenty of both. "

Great contribution but not at all sure the principal is on their side .

Hontou

Yes, I suppose I was being a bit generous to the principal. I was guessing (and hoping) the principal did have the teacher's back but was stuck between a rock and a hard place. They definitely dealt with it unprofessionally. Horrible job for management (in all sectors) these days. As a teacher, I'm really noticing increases in complaints about nothing, but they all have to be investigated if made formally. Exhausting.

byhookorbycrook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123193003#Comment_123193003

Great advice.

Joe286

It would be foolish to let it go. Let the Principal know it was unacceptable. That you won't deal with annoymus complaints. That the threat to come in to your room is not acceptable either as it was designed as a threat.

You are willing to discuss your yearly plan etc with him and leave it there.