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Who's got the most fishbowl points?
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Hmm I’m not totally sure what you mean BUT when I’ve sat on interview committees our principal goes over the main points of reference phone calls with previous employers and we have definitely had some former principals spill the tea on applicants that otherwise look pretty solid on paper!
Pro
Someone’s reputation can certainly catch up with them…
Chief
I got hired by a district and one of the teachers in my new district asked if I had ever worked with Ms. _ in my old district.
I had and didn't have a really high opinion based on that experience but I didn't know why I was being asked so I hedged a little.
The teacher explained that she had been on an interview team for Ms. _ a few times and each time was left with a very strong impression that they should avoid her at all costs. I could confirm that I thought we would probably remain a stronger staff if she was not part of the school culture.
We fill a lot of positions internally in my district and it's always funny to me that the ones who are the most ambitious and clearly have goals beyond the classroom from early on are also the ones who can't build good personal or professional relationships with their coworkers. When those admin positions open up the interview teams already know that know one wants to work for those candidates and they just keep hanging around the district hoping to fail upwards one day.
Pro
Interview Committee? Wow, how enlightened… even the principal doesn’t get full say here… I’m totally jealous. However I am sure people can get black listed.
Oh yes we always have a committee! I’m sure my principal has the final say but I’m super lucky we all really take time to discuss applicants and weigh the pros and cons of everyone. Also the committee isn’t like teacher with seniority it’s people that would potentially work with the candidate.
I have my admin certification (though I’m still teaching) and during my classes, we talked about this. It’s very unprofessional for administrators to straight up bad mouth someone when called by a potential employer about a former employee, however, as we all know, there are always ways to say it without “saying it.” It’s kind of like what we do with students - get creative with language. In my district, the superintendent pretty much has all the say, but he does get some input from principals. I know I’ve been asked about candidates because they may have worked in a district I have or the one where I live, but it’s not official. In that respect, I guess you could say yes if a person makes the wrong coworker mad. 🤷🏼♀️
I don’t know about that. But I do know this:
If you get an overly glowing recommendation, beware! There’s a reason that building wants the teacher to leave, and they are hoping to get rid of the teacher. I’ve seen this one a couple of times with teachers we could tell were horrible as soon as they unpacked to move into the classroom.
It happens though I think not as much as it used to now that the application process is largely automated and a lot less personal.
My wife experienced this when she was let go without cause from a position in one school (filed a grievance and got some money and an agreement that the principal wouldn't give negative feedback if anyone called for a referral) and then suddenly lost a potential position the day of her final interview with the superintendent of a new district (a formality around here) because she didn't tell them she had been fired (they never asked). The union rep scolded the district for breaking the agreement but there wasn't anything he could do to repair the damage.
A couple years later that principal was back in the classroom in another district. Supposedly by choice but she had enough teachers that weren't happy with her that I have a hard time believing that.