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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Colleague emailed teacher about me

128 replies

Sugarcainx · 14/01/2020 18:30

I started in a new school last Monday on long-term cover. As i'm new and the students don't know me, some of them are of course trying it on, but i'm following the behaviour policy and the vast majority of students are completing the work every lesson. There is low-level disruption but i'm working on it as best as I can.
Today I had year 8 and a TA was in my room supporting (seems to be at random, some lessons I have one, some I have nobody)

They were chatty and could have been quieter, I had to tell them to stop a few times, but bar 2 students they all completed the work, and those 2 came back at lunch.
20 minutes after the lesson ended, I had an email from the teacher I am covering. She said that the TA had emailed her saying this class were not very well behaved today and not in their seating plan. She was nice about it, but I don't really understand the TA.

She must have rushed after the lesson to email this teacher given the speed of it. This TA didn't say a word to me about anything, and I really don't think it was her place to do that.
She knows I am new, and the students pretty much all did the work. I just found it a bit odd,unless she was saying it more against the class as opposed to me.
What would you think of this ? I really can't be doing with bitchy colleagues, I left a school at Christmas because of a manager like that !

OP posts:
Tellmetruth4 · 14/01/2020 20:00

I hate this shit and think it’s done to make people feel insecure. Now you’ll have be second guessing everything tomorrow because you’ll be wondering what she thinks and what will be said. Very unsupportive and unprofessional.

CarpeSocolatum · 14/01/2020 20:01

YANBU

If the TA knows the class that well and knew they were out of their usual seats then she should have said that upfront right at the start of the lesson - there were ways she could have done that without undermining you by having a quiet word asking if you were doing a new seating plan or explaining they were taking the piss by swapping seats and did you want her to sort it.
On top of which seating plans should be taped to desk anyway or left for you in a folder. She culd have quietly pointed out discrepancies and if you had the kids loogbboks out on desk then you could have namechecked, caught them in the act and written in their planners, had she tipped you the wink.
Going behind your back like that does feel Stasi to me and I would not want her supporting me if she was going to judge and slate.

NewYearsRevolution2020 · 14/01/2020 20:01

@Whatsthelatest that's completely different, though. I would say that feedback like that is necessary and helps everyone. The teacher needs to know what went on (although I always left notes for the teacher with everything they needed to know on it - what the class did/didn't do, who misbehaved, any issues/follow up needed.

I think that it is the teacher to teacher relationship that they are not part of it and it feels as though some of them want to usurp that.

CarpeSocolatum · 14/01/2020 20:02

could logbooks obvs

NewYearsRevolution2020 · 14/01/2020 20:08

@Tellmetruth4

Yes. Absolutely. The difference when you go to a school when that doesn't happen is extraordinary. I went to such a school at the end of my supply time and the Head warmly greeted me, thanked me for coming, I had fantastic TA support, discreet, efficient and practical. Really great. It exists in schools and speaks volumes about how those schools view their pupils - always. In the problematic schools i was quite stunned at what I experienced from the TAs and it was indicative of schools that had a very negative view of their pupils/role.

Nearly all those TAs were very vocal in the staffroom that they couldn't wait to leave/hated their jobs and it seeped in everywhere. High turnover in their depts, etc

I just don't know why it is tolerated.

Keep your options open, OP. A malevolent TA can be powerful in a school and cause huge problems.

pourmorewine · 14/01/2020 20:11

If it happens again be assertive with her - sit her down and make it clear that any concerns that she has should be directed to you as the acting class teacher. I would mention it to your line manager as the TA sounds underhand.

Emmelina · 14/01/2020 20:18

While you are there, temporary or not, it is your classroom and she is there to support you. Do you feel comfortable enough in your role to assertively direct her when you need her to deal with something specific? I’m in upper primary usually so I know it’s a little different, but only a couple of years behind. We’ve settled into a routine mostly but if something changes my CT is still the boss!

MamaGee09 · 14/01/2020 20:19

I would be livid about it! I’d have to ask to speak to the head of department and the teaching assistant ( just so that you have a witness) and explain that if she has any concerns she should speak to you first rather than messaging the teacher who’s class you are covering, she was very unprofessional. I hope your time at that school improves.

Maxtry · 14/01/2020 20:21

She may well have emailed to ask for the seating plan to support you. I dont think this is necessarily bitchy...she might just be trying to make it easier for you. It sounds like you're doing a great job!

helberg · 14/01/2020 20:29

Good grief... this reminds me of what I hated about teaching.
It's long term cover - so I have no idea why the TA thinks it is appropriate to inform the teacher of what happened and why does the teacher care anyway??
I worked in one school where the TAs were permanently telling on us to the head. Things like the paint pots hadn't been washed up and the children's whiteboards were dirty! It was a bit of an odd school - the head wouldn't let us allocate jobs like washing paint pots to TAs - the teachers had to do that. They hadn't been washed up because I was intending to use the paint again the next day and the whiteboards were dirty because a couple of children hadn't cleaned theirs after using them and I hadn't checked!
Nothing worse than TAs (or other teachers for that matter) sneaking around and telling tales. We are supposed to be working as a team and should be able to communicate with each other directly!

I'm not in teaching any more
One day i'll fulfill my dream of working for myself and by myself
OP I've managed to do this - I'm my own boss in a field related to teaching. It's great.

In your situation I'd have a quiet word with the TA - say you're working as a team and you'd appreciate her raising any issues with you.

NewYearsRevolution2020 · 14/01/2020 20:36

@helberg (Hi! From another thread) Can I ask roughly what you do?

VenusTiger · 14/01/2020 20:43

It could be that the teacher you're covering for has asked that the TA "let her know asap" if any of the pupils play up OP.

Notodontidae · 14/01/2020 20:45

Sugarcainx. I wouldn't worry about it, save making sure your TA knows it gets back to you. Teaching is a state of mind, you can be a professor and not be a good teacher, you can be humble without feeling vulnerable, and you will rely upon the TA to show you the ropes. You can still be assertive at the same time as asking for advice. I don’t think a TA should be talking when you are, it depends on the level of student the TA was supporting at the time. The student may have missed what you said and asked a familiar face to repeat it. Embrace the job, get there early, plan well, & memorise the class quickly.

marshmallowss · 14/01/2020 20:46

The TA didn't behave well.

But this is precisely why I am leaving the profession. I have a degree but not QTS although many other qualifications in relation to teaching. I work really hard for little pay and little gratification. I am bottom of the list in regards to respect and it is a hard job (infant based) zero respect all round.

Savingshoes · 14/01/2020 20:48

Strong case of idle minds.
Can you include roles for the TAs in your next lesson plan?
Ensure that they're kept busy (can you give them homework too?!) As much as the students.

TheNamesBond · 14/01/2020 20:52

Why don’t you look up the HR guidebook.

It’s my belief that if someone is off sick, or on leave, they shouldn’t be contacted.

Let the TA know she’s to report directly to you only, and if she emails the teacher who’s on leave again, she’s in breach of HR policy and will face disciplinary action.

Put your foot down firmly - bring it up with the head if needs be.

CJsGoldfish · 14/01/2020 21:30

Im tempted to speak to her.

I honestly don't understand why you don't address it now. I think it makes you weak in the TA's eyes to let it go. You don't need to be anything other than calm, but firm so she knows going forward to raise any issues with you.
Personally, I'd just feel resentful and it would affect our working relationship if I let it simmer without addressing it and clearing the air

pourmorewine · 15/01/2020 07:15

venustiger - the teacher on leave has no right to ask for that information. Very unprofessional.

Sagradafamiliar · 15/01/2020 10:40

To me, it reads like she was sounding off about the class rather than speaking about you. How on earth could you have known about the seating plan unless told? That can't reflect badly on you, in fact she's indirectly admitted that she didn't pass on the info to you. So she's made herself look daft.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 15/01/2020 17:48

I really think that this belongs on a teachers forum - not mumsnet.
I am always close to my TA’s and if I’m out would always ask how things went - the TA was probably just replying, honestly. It’s hard to get control as a cover until you know the names, don’t let it bother you.

Jux · 15/01/2020 17:57

Next time you have that TA I would take her aside and ask her to discuss her concerns this time with you directly. The "this time" is important.

Fatas · 15/01/2020 17:58

Tas can sometimes be like this. It was not professional.

BUT you keep going back to the fact they completed their work. That's often what naughty students say.. But I've done the work.

Sounds like you need to do something about your classroom management. For example, why weren't the kids in seating plan, I'm assuming you're aware they should be in one. Secondly, what is the school behaviour policy and are you following it?
Yes kids will take the piss out of new people or cover teachers, but less likely to if you appear strict and are following behaviour policies etc.

MrsBadcrumble123 · 15/01/2020 17:59

I’d have a ‘polite’ word with her. Explain it’s not professional to go over a teachers head unless it’s a safeguarding or serious negligence in your duties. Ask her that if she has any concerns in future to speak to you as the teacher in future and you’d appreciate it she didn’t gossip about you either! What a bitch

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 15/01/2020 17:59

I’d hope the responses would be fairly similar on a teachers forum. If the TA thinks there are serious issues then there are ways of going about dealing with them.

helberg that paintpot thing is nuts. Were TAs allowed to supervise the children cleaning the paintpots?

StoneofDestiny · 15/01/2020 18:06

Sounds like she was performing a lesson observation - and she isn't supposed to be doing that. I'd get it knocked on the head straight away.
Odd a teacher on sick leave taking and responding to e mails like that.