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worked in a temporary teaching position w/no evaluation and supervisor keeps putting me off

Posted by: colimc
Date: 7/20/2009 9:34:55 PM

This past school year, I worked in an on-going, temporary teaching position. My supervisor is required to give me (at minimum) two formal evaluations. He came in one time, for ten minutes, observed, said I did a good job and then never went over anything with me in writing. He also scheduled my last evaluation, but canceled and never rescheduled. I never received a formal evaluation.

Also, the school district had to cut teachers due to the budget and because I was in a temporary (even though on-going) position and I was hired last in seniority (right after school year started) my supervisor could not give me a definite answer as to whether I would be coming back the next year.

I told him that I hoped I could, but would still look for work in other places. He recommended I do that.

I asked for a letter of recommendation and he said he would do it. That was two months ago. I have emailed him and called and even went in to ask in person. Each time he keeps putting me off, saying he will get it done next week. He also keeps putting me off about the position being available to me next year. Saying they are still hashing out the logistics.

I did a good job and got along with most of my coworkers. I was put in a bad position, which I told my supervisor about, soon after I was hired. I am a coordinator and instructor to an alternative program. There was a director, who is not my supervisor, but he oversaw the program. The director's sister was one of the other instructors. Her best friend (from high school) was the coordinator before me. The director was new in his position and this was his sister's third year as an instructor.

She did not like some of the changes I made and constantly argued with me. I tried to problem solve with her, but it didn't work. She would go tell her brother, the director. The next day, he would talk to me about things and tell me to do something the way his sister wanted it done (but of course not saying it in those words).

I also soon found out that the director had my phone line tied to his. So, every time my phone rang, he could pick it up and he was. I rarely ever got to work with the parents of the kids in my program, because he was always picking up my phone. Once I found out, half way through (I always wondered why I rarely had any voice mail), I told him that I did not agree with this. I made the argument that, perhaps the call was for me and it was of a more personal nature (doctor, lawyer, etc.). He told me he would stop, but I still received very few voice mails (I worked half-time and he was always there before me and we left at the same time and our desks were facing each other in the same office).

I tried on a few occasions to talk to my supervisor, but realized it wasn't working. I finally decided to forget about it, ride it out and tell my supervisor things were fine (be positive). I decided I didn't want to work in that environment the next year and I didn't want to leave on a bad note, but it seems that things aren't working out any way.

Does anyone have any advice for my situation? I still have good references from other years, but why would he not even give me a written evaluation? Should I just forget about the letter of recommendation? The only thing I can think is that he relied on the director for input on my performance. Things were not working with him, even though I am a good teacher and made a good coordinator, as I also have a background that makes this job perfect for me.

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