young buck getting too big for his boots? AIBU to take it personally?

[wildbhoysmama]

A bit of background: I have been in my position for 23 years, I have stayed in the school because I love it and love the kids. I know I am a damn, good teacher and am highly respected. I'm involved in the wider school in many ways, have led many curriculum changes etc , have excellent results across the school and am first in everyone's mind for this promotion, head of department. I was approached 10 years ago to go for the same job but felt that my children were too young ( 4 and 18 months at the time). Since, my colleague has done the job excellently, but is now retiring so.the job is available again.
So far, so straightforward. I am completely prepared that someone may do a better interview and, if so, I would still be happy to stay in my position and support the new head. BUT a huge shock came my way today when aforementioned young buck has told me he is also applying for the job. He, of course, has every right to, but it has blindsided me. Let me explain: He is 26 and has only been teaching almost 2 years; he was a probationer 2 years ago and I was his mentor ( basically teaching him everything I know, giving him huge amounts of time and help, solving his discipline issues, and really going the extra mile for him); he is a decent class room teacher but no more, he still has development issues; he has never taught Higher ( A level) or National 5 (GCSE ) except for once a week with my classes to give him experience; he has not marked the exams ( you can't until you've taught for 4 years); has little grasp of quality assurance etc; what he has done is go on every group going and made himself very visible ( Rights respecting school, growth mindset, Pedagogy).
. I really like him as a person - in a much younger brother kind of way- but cannot believe he would treat me with such a lack of respect. Am I taking it too personally? It feels like he thinks he could do the job better than me, the person who still helps him out constantly. It feels as like he is stepping on me to get where he wants to be with no regard for me or the department. I was shocked, then hurt and now I'm angry. I would never say anything, I'm a professional, and others have expressed disbelief so AIBU to feel.the way I do?

Candyfloss, like I said, has no people skills, upsets clients and manages badly. Sometimes, shit happens and management will vote with their feet.

Stop mentoring him if you feel like this!

So you wouldn't say anything because you're "a professional", but "others have expressed disbelief." Does that mean that you don't regard the "others" as professional? Or do you mean you wouldn't say anything directly to the "buck"?

Also, why do you keep describing yourself as a "damn, good" teacher? You wouldn't say a "very, good" or "quite, good" teacher. (Sorry to be picky - the comma just looks really odd.)

What HT would appoint a PT that has no experience with N5 or Higher? I understand where you’re coming from, OP, but I really don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about! Just concentrate on preparing for your interview, there’s no way someone so inexperienced is going to get a PT post!

Also, you sound like a fucking terrible mentor - you patronise him, you think he should be subservient to you.... If you don't get HoD, it won't be because you're a woman.

I'm genuinely shocked that after two years of teaching this younger teacher is still only allowed to teach an exam group once a week under the supervision of his mentor.

Perhaps he is applying for the role to make a point to SLT that he is capable of much more than he is currently being allowed to do.

Why is this such a drama in your life?
You seriously need to get a grip and consider if the position is right for you if you are hurt that a colleague is applying for the same job.

Some posters need to practice empathy. It could be potentially humiliating if a colleague, who you've mentored and helped with problems, gets the promotion. She would find it hard to respect the colleague also. Especially as he could end up doing her appraisals..

Oops practise

I've worked for HTs that would absolutely hire a 'young buck' over an established member of staff, they're cheaper and much more malleable. They burn out after a couple of years but then the HT just replaces them with a similar model.

I don't see why it's a 'lack of respect' and why you should feel 'hurt.' You made a decision 10 years ago you didn't want the job. He has decided he wants to have a go and apply. Nothing stopping you applying too. It seems the way forward in teaching now to be on every committee etc and be 'seen' to get promotion. If you don't want to do that, that's up to you. You have a family, he doesn't. He probably won't get it but just because he wants to progress doesn't mean you should be rude about him.

It could be potentially humiliating if a colleague, who you've mentored and helped with problems, gets the promotion.

Why would it be humiliating? surely it is a sign that you have done a good job.

And TBH I think that the OP has nothing to fear from her colleague, she should be more worried about what an external candidate could bring to the position.

He may be over-ambitious. You sound under-ambitious. 10 years!?

Thank you for the posts showing some empathy and the good wishes for the interview. Thank you, also, to those pointing out that I'm being too emotional. I am going to take the emotion out of the equation, regroup and focus on my interview and career. Lots to think about.

I have already explained about the 10 years: I have a child with epilepsy, ASD and adhd and he has been my priority over promotion, whilst still being happy in my part - time role.

I am saddened by some of the reactions on here ( I am bitter/ vindictive/ rude/ silly/ institutionalised/ a crap mentor/ potentially crap teacher/ stuck/ old-fashioned etc) when all I really asked for was some perspective and help. I've always loved MN as a place where women support women, but not tonight.

Thank you, again, to those who have tried to help constructively, but I think I'll be avoiding MN for a bit.

Young Buck is actually the name of a local artisan blue cheese made, amazingly, by a young buck hipster here. Would recommend.

OP, the definition of bitter from google is: feeling or showing anger, hurt, or resentment because of bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment.

Are you saying that's not what you described in your first post, because that's what I got from it?

You are essentially comparing yourself to him and saying how unjust you think it would be for him to get the role. But you have made choices in life (to have children and not go for the role a while ago) and he is making his choices. It's unreasonable to be cheesed off on that basis IMO.

The degree to which you're taking this personally is insane. His career ambitions have nothing to do with you.

He may be in with a shout for this job, in which case clearly he should go for it. Alternatively, it may be more of a tactical move to gain experience and make his ambition known to the right people. Either way, good on him.

To interpret this as disrespect towards you or a mark of his 'macbeth' style ambition is bizarre and pretty egocentric on your part tbh. Just concentrate on your bid for the job.

Yabu - it’s good experience both in preparing a resume and interview experience to apply for jobs. He is ambitious - I see that as a good thing.

I really can't get over a teacher with two years' experience not having his own exam group. Please can anyone with experience of the Scottish system tell me if this is normal? In every context I've experienced we obviously avoid giving Y11 or Y13 exam groups to NQTs unless we are in really dire straits, but an NQT would always be given a year 10 class and would see them through to their GCSE the year after. Under this system, OP's younger colleague would have two sets of exam results under his belt by now as proper evidence of whether or not he is actually able to deliver decent outcomes.

Back to the OP's point, and if you are still reading, OP - if your skills and experiences are as strong as you describe then I think a HOD role isn't ambitious enough for you. Take a leaf out of your colleague's book and apply for some SLT roles!

ybu presumably you will get the job and he wont. how can anyone help you in this situation he has every right to go for a job promotion.

Dolores, thank you for your positivity. It is not unusual for a teacher only two years in not to have had an exam class. He was given a National 4/ National 5 class ( 2 year course) where some pupils were seen as potential National 5 ( here NationaI 4 has no exam, all course work and prob equivalent of GCSE grade D and below whereas National 5 has course work, external exam and prob equivalent of grade A-C at GCSE), so he was given an 'exam' class per se, but none of his pupils managed to reach the level needed for National 5. I have some concerns, as does the present HoD that he didn't push them.enough.
I didn't teach Higher until i had 3 years experience. It is a very demanding class, A level standard but only a one year course, and he himself said he didn't feel ready, preferring to have one period a week with my class ( a day I don't work) for experience. He worked on some of their folio ( course work) but I still needed to help with this.

Here, you need to be head of department/ principal teacher before you move onwards to SMT. But thanks for the vote of confidence.
This morning I'm still quite confused by his move, especially since he says he's not interested in moving to another school, so it's not general ambition, just ambition for this job. Even if I wasn't going for the job, which he has known about for months by the way, I would be advising him as his mentor to wait before applying for any jobs until he has more teaching experience and curricular leadership.

Perhaps it is the system that I'm annoyed at, where teaching is becoming more corporate with people who go on every steering group being rewarded more than those who really care about the kids and their future.

I did express myself far too tongue in cheek with the young buck and big for his boots, but do you think IABU to be surprised that someone with such limited experience would think they could do such a demanding job?
. I'm only 45, but many last night painted me as beyond my sell by date despite telling them I love my job, am really active in the wider school and a respected member of staff. It is really upsetting.

You are taking this far too personally.

Also, it’s well known that men will apply for jobs they think they can do whereas women will only apply if they’re sure they can do it.

It shouldn't be really upsetting, though. You're doing yourself no favours with the dramatics.

He might get the job because these things he's steering are more important than love of the children in a HOD job.

You might get it because you have age and experience on your side.

But honestly, you're taking it so ridiculously personally it's insane!

but do you think IABU to be surprised that someone with such limited experience would think they could do such a demanding job?

Some people (men) really do think they woudl be freaking amazing despite not meeting essential criteria! One of the many reasons men (in general) progress faster and earn more.