A victory of sorts

In our contract, we have two processes for evaluations, Process A for non-tenured/probationary teachers & Process B for tenured teachers. Process A is done for the first two years whereas Process B is done every other year. Most teachers when they have earned tenure fall under Process B, however, if a tenured teachers receives an unsatisfactory evaluation, they can be moved to Process A.

Under Process A, teachers have more objectives in which to be evaluated under and their admins are required to do more observations. They can also be assigned to work with a mentor teacher. This mentor teacher is required to also observe their colleague, in the hopes that these observations will move the veteran teacher back onto the Process B track. However, if they fail to make progress, they can also be on the track to losing their jobs. Evaluations are purely subjective and for that reason alone can be used for nefarious purposes.

Let me say right now that I do believe that some tenured teachers should be moved back onto Process A, if it will help with them become better teachers. I also believe that some people do not belong anywhere in a classroom. All that being said, some admins have been known to abuse this process in the hopes of getting rid of teachers they just do not like.

Such was the case of one of the teachers I'm helping right now. His administrator has a clear case of just not liking him and so he has done everything in his power for the past year to make this man's life miserable. He wanted to move this teacher from Process B to Process A and have him work with a mentor teacher in the upcoming year.

Unfortunately for the administrator he did not follow the timelines and the sole evaluation that counted was satisfactory. For this teacher it means that he will not fall under Process A for the upcoming school year and all evaluations and observations will be thrown out.

There is another huge piece to this that I can't divulge at this time. However, suffice to say, I think if we get this second piece, then it will be a huge first victory. For now I'll take the partial victory and know that one of the first things I need to work on for the upcoming school year is to thoroughly educate our administrators on following Process A & B and following the guidelines as set forth in our contract.