I am so mad I want to punch something!

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 6:13pm

I received this from a colleague in my work e-mail today:

http://www.yes2marriage.org/mediafiles/fact-sheet.pdf

It was sent to everybody in the school district by a teacher who is not at my school (she is at the middle school), but whose children I do teach at my school.

The head administrator sent out an e-mail immediately following stating that political e-mails were not appropriate use of the district e-mail list. But I'm still so angry I am almost shaking.

First of all, she knows nothing about most of us, our political affiliations or our sexual orientations. Second of all, the information was so unbiased and totally misleading that a lot of people who do not know much about the amendment and would actually be opposed to it if fully informed could use this information to make a poor decision.

I want so badly to reply, at least offering information from the other side, but after it being clearly stated that this is not an acceptable use of district resources, it's a really poor idea.

I am so tired of the ignorant homophobes in this town!

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:05pm

OK. DON'T GET MAD. Take action.

Immediately- now- call your boss, who ever sent out the e-mail that the e-mail was inappropriate and whoever is in charge of HR in your district and request a meeting ASAP. Tomorrow. It's urgent.

When you get your meeting, you say "This was sent out through the district e-mail. Mrs. Blahblah sent out an e-mail saying it was inappropriate. I agree. I want to know what actions have been taken to discipline Ms Hooha who sent it out. And, just for the record, I think the only possible discipline is immediate dismissal. This was inappropriate and unacceptable. What is being done?"

If they balk, say, All right, I will be at the next school board meeting to discuss this. And Do It. Find out who covers the school district for your local paper and give them the e-mail. (Save it on your home computer and print out several copies, too.) It's not a matter of the errors or the bias shown, it's a person using their position and job to campaign nnd making the school seem to take sides in a political campaign. I wouldn't ever discuss right or wrong- she used the intruments and network of her job to campaign for a political issue. No can do.

Don't be agry be firm. This person violated school rules. They also put the district in a very akward position. They need to go. Period.

If you need any more pep talks, private me. This is a war worth fighting.
Updated On: 10/20/08 at 07:05 PM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:42pm

For clarification, by everyone in the school district I meant everyone employed by the school district via our work e-mail addresses. This e-mail was not sent to parents or community members, only district faculty and staff.

Because we're a charter school we do not have much oversight. We don't even have a formal school board. We have a "governing board" which is mostly made up of parents. And, considering the community in which I live, most of whom likely agree with the offending teacher on the issue.

The gentleman who sent out the e-mail regarding the appropriateness of this e-mail is the school system administrator, essentially the charter school systems version of a superintendent. He would be the one to issue discipline if any (since we're a charter school we're also non-union and hired at-will).

Updated On: 10/20/08 at 07:42 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:23pm

Makes me very sad for our future. Between this lovely gesture and that L.A. Times full-page ad today, I'm feeling like we're regressing as a nation to a pre-Stonewall era. Very frightening.

I still have to ask, "who are we threatening?" Those same religious extremists who easily allow divorce, even though their own wedding vows say, "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder"? The same God who says in their Bible, "Let women keep silent in the churches"?

This is exactly what I hate about organized religion and the brainwashing of its gullible followers.

The ban of gay marriage. It's a Crusade of Convenience. Protecting "traditional values," well at least SOME of them. They're willing to fight to the death for SECTIONS of the text in the Bible, but not all. In fact, some, they'll just ignore. Because they don't want to think about it.

Posted: 10/20/08 at 9:16pm

Well then I'd send an email blast of your own. Set down why you feel differently. If someone says anything I'd shrug. "Mrs. Blahbla got to say her piece, I figured everyone could."

I'd also look for another job.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 9:24pm

Jeez, what ELSE would you do if you were Colleen, Joe?

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:18pm

Wow.
I didn't read Joe's comments like that, besty.
I thought he was providing some actionable ideas and suggestions.

I agree with him. If situations upset you, take action!

With ALL due respect to my friends on this board, I sometimes wonder what you all actually DO with your indignation over the issues which upset you. Besides posting all day about them...

(I should say: the issues which affect US. I care about my friends and what matters to them, matters to me!)

Colleen, I think this email situation offered you the perfect chance to speak up and let your opinions be heard!


EDITED TO ADD: It's entirely possible that besty's post was meant to be a joke. And I just read it incorrectly because I'm tired. In which case... *nevermind* (And, knowing besty, that's much more likely to be the case...)

Updated On: 10/20/08 at 10:18 PM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:28pm

Unfortunately, Addy, I am a little afraid for my job. I had to move 2000 miles just to get this job after two years of job searching in MN, and with the current budgetary situation music positions are even more difficult to come by now. And because of a health condition that requires constant monitoring I HAVE to have insurance (which isn't private, BTW, since I'd likely get disqualified as a pre-existing condition) so I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize my position.

Again, we have no union, so there would be no one to go to bat for me if I stirred the pot.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:32pm

I wonder if there is a way you can express your opinions in a way that doesn't jeapordize your employment. By joining an organization that raises awareness, or participating in a service project.

Don't do anything to jeopardize your work. But, find a way to release the feelings of frustration.

Go ahead and punch a pillow!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:35pm

Or post here.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:35pm

at the time of 9/11 i was teaching in a nyc middle school. the pricipal called for a schoolwide vigil in the auditorium where she led the students in prayer asking god to "smite the heathens." i sent an email to the superintendent of schools, and to a bunch of other muckety mucks detailing exactly what this woman had done. i included relevant portions from the teacher's handbook about religion and from the bill of rights.

she's no longer employed by the nycboe.

i may have agreed with her sentiment, but it was wildly wrong to use a captive audience of impressionable youths to express it.

your situation is different, colleen, but i would at the very least make my feelings known to the state.

*edit* and btw, you can totally use an anonymous email addy to do it.

Updated On: 10/20/08 at 10:35 PM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:46pm

Okay, and this has nothing to do with anything, but I would just also like to add that I teach the offensive woman's children and her kids are both lazy little monsters.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:48pm

But, it made you feel good to write that!

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 10:52pm

No, not particularly. I just wonder if maybe she spent a little less time worrying about whom is marrying whom and a little more time parenting her children if maybe they wouldn't be failing half their classes.

[Yawper]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 2:38am

don't know exactly what you teach musically or how much leeway you have, but I'd definitely be looking at how to tailor my teaching material, especially with her kids in class

[tazber]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 2:46am

Assign her kids a report on Tchaikovsky.

Posted: 10/21/08 at 4:19am

It feels good to agree with Papa every once in a while.

And if you really hate her lil monsters, make them write a report on their top ten Phillip Glass peices.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 4:29am

I chose Tchaikovsky b/c he was gay. Eduacting the little cretins is the best revenge.

Posted: 10/21/08 at 4:41am

Yeah I figured. Tchaikovsky was a sugarplum fairy too.

Tchaikovsky is one of those words like Channukah that it's impossible to misspell. Tschaikowsky pr Chaykovsky or Chaikovsky or Chaikovskii, it's all defendable. If I were in school now I'd write reports with paragraphs like "I hope I get a new Tchaikovsky CD for Channukah! My grandma gave me $20 for Hannukah and I might use that for a Chaykovsky CD if I don't. I really love Chaiikovskii, especailly around Chanukka."