Head of dept laughed at my teaching skills in front of colleagues

[troublegum]

I work 2 days a week as a teacher at secondary. New timetables given out - I didn't recognise a code for one of my classes and asked the head of dept to find out what it was as she didn't know either. She found me in the corridor and said "I hope you don't collapse - it's an A level lesson! I said troublegum can't teach A level, she's never taught it before in her life, she wouldn't know where to begin! Hahaha! Don't worry, we'll swap it for year 10". She went on for a while in this way - she has a tendency to waffle.

This was in front of two colleagues, she laughed throughout as though this were a ridiculous idea. For reference, I've been at the school several years, haven't taught A level there - but I did do some A level teaching during my training and on supply before starting here. I don't mind not teaching it and haven't asked to - I'm so part time it wouldn't make sense. But I did study the subject to masters level, albeit a while ago now.

I just felt the laughing, and comments in front of colleagues, were so rude and not very professional. I feel my skills were really belittled and to be honest I had no idea how to respond. Not sure whether to leave it or tell her how bothered I am.

I'm a 2nd in faculty and for starters, I wouldn't have been discussing a timetable issue on a corridor. I prefer to talk to individuals on their own just in case they have issues they wish to discuss. That in itself may not be a huge issue though, had she not followed up with the rest of it.

Giving her the benefit of the doubt for a moment, it's possible she thought you would be unhappy with the idea of teaching A-level and so said that as a way of saying 'don't worry, we can change it' albeit she did it clumsily. Again, not the way I would approach it though.

I'm sorry that you felt belittled by her comments. I would begin by talking to her next week, calmly and just explaining that while it may not have been intentional,her comments upset you. See what she says, if she apologises then I would let it go and she may be a bit more tactful in future.

Don't let it spoil your weekend

Thanks for your comments, it does put it in perspective and perhaps I am overthinking it. She does seem to regularly undermine me in smaller ways and I end up questioning my own ability to do the job, and I'm just getting tired of it. It's a nice school and other colleagues are lovely. I'm not even sure that discussing it with her would solve anything or just make me look really pathetic.

Well I think she sounds like a dick and I'm very sorry she made you feel that way. It's very unprofessional, have you considered she may have wanted to bag the a level for herself?! You have studied this subject to masters, has she? You are qualified to do it, you can do it. Don't let her take your confidence, it's a really good chance to expand your experience.

It was the way she framed it, and in front of others. I appreciate that as head of dept it's up to her who teaches what and I don't particularly want to teach A level (especially not right now - there's enough new ways of working to deal with at the moment!). I found her joking about me being incapable, and her finding the idea of me being able to teach to that level laughable, really quite upsetting - you're right about the confidence issue.

As hod she does get to allocate who teaches what, but that's no excuse to be cruel. Your colleagues who heard her will also think she is a dick but just be too scared of rocking the boat to say anything.
Go in Monday head held high and just avoid her as much as possible. Any more of similar issues then email her for 'clarification.' she is probably just reflecting her own worry and stress onto you if she isn't usually like this,and will give her head a wobble over the weekend and you'll be fine.