Older teachers with younger line manager

[BizzyFizzy]

Interested in sharing experiences.

I am in the twilight of my career, with a HOD 20 years younger than me. We are both new in school this year.

I have been round the block so many times - Assistant Head, Head of Faculty, Head of Department. I took a career break for family reasons, and am back on main scale. Loving all aspects of the school apart from interactions with my HOD. I am not trying to compete with her, as any aspirations I have are towards whole school roles rather than departmental.

I feel micromanaged and patronised. I've hinted that I will just leave if I am not happy, and I am serious about that. Yes, I am a bit set in my ways, but as a reflective practitioner who has made a few mistakes along the way, I basically know what I am doing.

Anyone in a similar situation, and how did you handle it? I hate conflict and run a mile from confrontations.

I manage several people older than me. I often get the feeling they think they know better. I just nod and smile, think "alright Sandra, it's not 1993 anymore" and performance manage when I have to.

It sounds a tricky situation for you - things in education are constantly changing and the pressures coming from the top down are immense. Unfortunately you do have to comply with what your "bosses" tell you to do, like it or not, even if you have 20 years experience.

I agree with what FallenMadonna says - show them, and particularly her, how good a teacher you are - invite her in to watch your lessons, show her your books - if you are good, it will shine through.

FWIW, I have been teaching for 30 years and can be quite cynical about most of the changes the governments push through - it's not easy, when you just want to do the job rather than jump through hoops.

I'm not sure how long your career break was for but education has drastically changed for teachers in the last couple of years, let alone 5 and it does sound like you are taking it out on your HoD.

Genuine question. If your HoD was a little older than you, would you be quite so upset if they were looking at your lesson plans and books regularly?

I hate to break it to you or it that too patronising? but lesson plan scrutiny and 'book looks' happen a lot more than they ever used to (have had two book looks already this half term and my HoD is three years older than me-does that make it ok?)

I feel genuinely sorry for you that you have returned to such a stressful time in your teaching career. It shouldn't have to be that way. But I also feel sorry for your HoD to be honest.

I'm in your position but would suggest to you that you are mindful of when you were managing staff as a middle manager or SLT. How easy are you to manage? Use your experience to help add to the pleasant atmosphere in the team room. Show your HOD the stuff she needs. And the director of studies will not side with you over the HOD. Good luck in your new role

I think this is tricky, but I agree with the majority of other posters.

I'm 41 and a HOD. Two of our SLT are younger than me. In my dept, I have one colleague who is considerably older than me and one who is considerably younger. I find the older member of staff (who is actually unqualified at the moment) much more difficult to manage because she wants her age to count for something. We're settling down now, but initially she spent a lot of time (it seemed to me) trying to prove that she was better than me simply because she was older. I interpreted it as a lack of confidence.

There are SLT members younger than me, and I am actually more experienced than every member of SLT except the Head. But I have never applied for SLT so on the occasions where I feel a bit resentful being told what to do by someone with half my experience, I give myself a talking to and get on with it. I could have had that job if I'd applied for it, but I chose not to. Surely the same applies here, OP - you chose not to apply for the job, for perfectly valid reasons, so put up and be a team player.

I'm SLT and 35. I don't find it difficult to manage those older than me as in our constantly changing work environment (thanks, Government!), our experience seems to get 'reset'. Started teaching at 23 and today's teaching is nothing like it was. Adaptability, regardless of age, appears to be central.

This is what I worry about as I move into more senior roles over time. I am younger than a lot of the people I manage. Ultimately though, I am prepared to step up and manage and they're not (for reasons that I respect). I'm happy to have some give and take, but ultimately if it goes wrong, it's me that takes the consequences.

I go on courses, I attend meetings they're not privy too, I know my shit and I don't necesarily share the reasons behind every decision.

She may think you're a terrible teacher, and is managing you closely and increasingly frustrated that it's yet to lead to an improvement. Why don't you do something she asks, and then follow up if she is happy with the results?

You sound like an absolute nightmare tbh. It would be bad practice NOT to keep a close eye on a new member of staff,no matter who they are or how experienced they are. More so when they've had a sizeable break from teaching.

As for going over her head? Both arrogant and inappropriate. It would put you in a very dim light with everyone at all levels.

It is also arrogant to think that there is nothing new to learn. When that happens it is time for a career change.

Threatening to leave is childish and churlish. Either do it and go, or shut up. If a member of staff was pulling this in our establishment we'd all be praying they'd fuck off.

I'm sorry but for someone who claims to be a reflective practitioner you sound incredibly unaware of your own shortcomings.

OP doesn't need her lesson plans looked at on a daily basis though! That is micromanaging teaching at a ridiculous level.
Plus, too many SLT are 'do as I say, not do as I do'.
This one is still too hard to call without further evidence.