the school administrator-up the river, broken oar-2

the school administrator-up the river, broken oar-2

see part 1

fiction
part-2

Kelli was a 13 year teacher. She taught second grade and had won teacher of the year for her school and two excellence awards, one national in origin.

Today was her first day in the rotating job program and she was working at an inner city junior high in Canton, Ohio as one of two assistant principals. Becky Owens who she knew, as a former teacher, the assistant principal here she was filling in for,had left her a detailed "lesson plan" for the day. Robert Chou the other assistant principal was handling his job and the regular Principals who was ill for the last few days.

Kelli was being interrupted by students, teachers and secretaries as she went about her schedule. Robert was handling most of the walkin parents as he was able but Kelli had talked to ten or more parents primarily about why their child was absent, late or not absent or couldn't do his work today, or sensitive by nature, some by phone or e-mail.

Discipline problems began to arrive at her office at 8:10AM. The substitute in room 264 was late and she had handled ten minutes of the homeroom. She had received two calls from the superintendents office about routine matters. Serious discipline problems for the day were brought to her or would arrive with a note from teachers and security staff. Once the police officer needed assistance. Through-out the day she walked the halls, reprimanding students and finally yelling at Mr's and young ladies. She was unable to look at the e-mails she was asked to check hourly according to school policy.

The students at the junior high didn't know her and were ignoring her when she talked to them. Because of her height, she was only 5'2", she seemed to be being not listened to she thought. She was struggling to use the de-escalation behavioral management techniques endorsed by the teachers union. At lunch time she had lunch duty and thank goodness the two security guards took charge.

About two she was finally able to start daily paper work Becky Owens had left her. Several teachers wanted to talk to her by the end of the day. The janitor wanted to remind her that there were no keys for room 18, 116, 264, and 256. He was sure the substitute teachers had been not returning them. Robert Chou brought her a coffee and reminded her they had a 3:30 meeting.

end part 2