Context!!

It is important to always remember, in the technological world in which we live, that context is just as important as the words in question. I am also regularly reminded that tone is an issue as well but that is another story for another day!

At a previous school where I worked, I had an amazing colleague, who, like me, was there for the kids: to teach them, to have fun with them and, occasionally, to protect them!

Sadly, in this case, we worked together to protect a student from emotional abuse, on a regular basis, from an adult working in the building. Because we had both taught this student, his very concerned mother reached out to us for some suggestions as to how she should handle the situation.

Unfortunately, some “higher ups” got wind of the situation and an “investigation” began.

Little did we know – or maybe we did but just didn’t think about it – the Board could access our emails at anytime. Not that it was a big deal, until …..

…you do something that pisses them off and this is when context comes into play.

We were called into an office (which immediately throws someone who practically LIVES in a classroom off kilter). The person running the meeting had a stack of papers in hand which we learned were the emails that we had written that were “questionable” and being investigated. We got separated and sent to different rooms – like criminals – so that we could be “spoken to” without each other.

I was asked if I would like to go through the stack of questionable emails. In my case, I did not really want to hear all about my “sins” but they proceeded to share one with me anyway.

The school we were working in was amazing. The parent community was exceptional and they treated the teachers with respect and I can honestly say that I talked to some of them like I would a friend as they were at the school to pick up their kids, or in the building volunteering or when they called to ask a question about their child. I loved the relationship that I had with both the kids and the parents.

The email in question was a string of emails between a mom in my class and myself. We had been talking at pick up one day about the (then) popular FIFTY SHADES OF GREY series of books. She said she would like to read it. I had read it and quite enjoyed it – not necessarily for the deviant sex factor but the dramatic part of the stories was appealing to me. So, I offered to lend mom my copy of the series. The email was a thank you, from her, for lending her the books and then a discussion of the book (a very PG discussion). To me, a normal, acceptable situation.

To my employer. Not so much. Apparently they were concerned that I was distributing pornography to the parents in my class.

My colleague had a similar situation. She taught younger grades and a parent from her class emailed her during the day to check on a child who had come to school that particular morning feeling ill. The teacher explained that her OWN child was experiencing the same cold-like / allergy symptoms and suggested that maybe mom could try oil of oregano. To her, she was offering a natural solution to a common problem that may help the family, in particular, the student in her class.

To our employer. Again this was a serious situation. It was not acceptable for a teacher to be peddling DRUGS to his/her students or their parents.

Yes – this is the kind of thing that happens when you do your job and make sure that the kids in your care are safe. And when you stand up and fight when you think something is wrong. VERY sad.

This is just a snap shot of the year that was the worst time of my career but it gives you an idea of the craziness of bureaucracy. And also helps you to understand why administration will never be a part of my professional life.

Lesson learned? In my head, I know that I should just bend over and take it. In my heart, I am not that flexible – I am not a good bender-over. Rob was always worried I would not make it to my scheduled retirement date in order to collect a full pension. Me, too, at times! I have 2.5 more years to go! Cross your fingers and wish me luck!