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What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Head director on 8/28/2024, 1:19 pm

So I'm the head director at a high school. I believe firmly in creating a positive environment for the kids, especially because the director before me was extremely toxic. My assistant believes in being tough, holding kids to high expectations and taking zero excuses (which is in line with the previous head director's philosophy). For the record, I totally support and agree with this philosophy and have found myself being tougher with the kids in an attempt to unify our two different view points. The problem is, when that ideology gets in the way of providing a safe space for our kids, that is unacceptable to me.

We've had many arguments about how I'm too nice to the students and how I just "let them do whatever they want". I honestly don't feel like I'm too easy on the kids. I try my best to push them, hold them to high expectations, etc.

Over the course of the year, we have had many student quit the program. Even some directly citing my assistant director as the root cause. I've been told by students that "I feel like he hates me", "He's very dismissive about anything I say", "Anytime I bring up a concern to him, his response is somewhere along the lines of 'that sounds like a you problem. Figure it out'". One student even said "once you work up the nerve to fire him, I'll join band again".

I've talked to my assistant about this and about approaching discipline in the band program with more positivity and he fundamentally did not agree. This conversation in particular sort of ended with him rolling his eyes and saying "sure, if that's what you believe then I'll support you". Nothing has really changed since then.

In fact, I just heard from a friend who told me that he's basically raking my name through the coals. Apparently he's been telling everyone that the program is dying and it's all my fault. Even apparently blamed me for all the students quitting.

I'm sort of at a loss. This individual is a great, passionate teacher (albeit very young), and I appreciate him very much. But I don't feel like we can really grow through this kind of culture. And it also sort of hurts that everyone is hearing about what a pushover I am from him.

How do I address this?

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Um... on 8/30/2024, 9:18 am, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

In fact, I just heard from a friend who told me that he's basically raking my name through the coals. Apparently he's been telling everyone that the program is dying and it's all my fault. Even apparently blamed me for all the students quitting.

If this is true, I'd start the process to move this individual on down the road. They aren't trustworthy and aren't a team player. In my experience, the only way they'll learn this lesson is the hard way.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by dosed on 8/29/2024, 10:03 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

Y'all need to have a talk

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Evaluate on 8/29/2024, 3:34 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

A place being a 'safe space,' should not preclude it from having high expectations and zero-excuses.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by In Addition on 8/29/2024, 9:17 am, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

I agree with what everyone's been telling you. I'd also add that even though it hurts to have a smear campaign put against you, the right people will listen to your assistant and see what you're actually doing and put the pieces together.

Again, some will believe him and it'll hurt, but more people will end up seeing someone that trash talks their head and that will go a long ways come interviews.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Look on 8/29/2024, 7:40 am, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

Look in the mirror, as well. I had a HD go to admin before and it blew up in his face. He found out the hard and embarrassing way that he was completely misreading the situation and had already lost the parents, the kids and his staff. He was basically told "use the rest of the year to find somewhere else to be. How can you NOT see what's happening here?"
Make sure that you are reading the situation correctly.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Tough Situation on 8/29/2024, 7:12 am, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

In a somewhat ironic sort of way, you need to be tough on your assistant to follow the vision for the program. Especially if he is talking negatively about you to colleagues. If he isn't willing to make meaningful change, you may suggest that he should look for a program that is a better fit for him. If necessary, have a third party involved in this conversation.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Veteran on 8/29/2024, 6:25 am, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

Are you his direct supervisor? Do you have input or are you in charge of his evaluations? If you are then use those tools to get your point across. If not, speak with whoever his direct supervisor might be and find out the steps to have him put on a professional growth plan. This is the first step in documenting attempts to resolve the issue before non renewal of contract.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Me on 8/28/2024, 9:54 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

Document, take proof to admin, go from there.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Assistant on 8/28/2024, 4:08 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

I am a former head director, now an assistant, and I have worked under two completely different head directors.

What I have found is this:

#1. Are your 'philosophies' really defined and understood by each party? No matter whether it will be 100% what you want, are you willing to compromise and come to a consensus with your staff to hold each other accountable?

You don't have to align fully, and it is sometimes healthy to have a balance of differing approaches, BUT it is crucial that you all come to a clear consensus on what that all looks like.

#2. If you are not willing to compromise or continue to meet at these crossroads and disagree, it will spread to the kids, and it will hurt your band's culture. This was the case for me, and I left and found a job where my head director and I just worked better together. We are not the exact same, but we communicated well before the start of the year and worked out a plan that we both agreed on in terms of what is black and white, and also what we ought to do in the many gray areas of our program.

This is YOUR program and YOUR staff. If things are not working out, especially in professional beliefs and principles, changes should be made... whether that is staff changes or changing each of your "philosophies."

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by really retired on 8/28/2024, 3:51 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

someone will say "document'
perhaps a short discussion with appropriate administrator.
When I had similar, I ended up moving on to a much nicer school.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Me on 8/28/2024, 2:57 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

Document everything. Give him a written directive. If the behavior continues give him another and escalate it to your administration. If you have to fire him at the end of the year and you have a paper trail it will make things much easier.

If he wants to control a program then he needs to get his own band. Until that time, it is your band and your vision because at the end of the day it is your butt on the line

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by anon on 8/28/2024, 2:22 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

You are the head director. It's your vision and goals for the program that matter. Make sure your assistant understands this. If not, it may be time for this person to look for another position. As an assistant, I feel it's my job to learn how the head director wants the program to run, and then do whatever I can to help make it successful.

I do think an assistant should be able to speak privately and respectfully to the head director about questions or concerns. However, when the head director makes a decision, it's the assistant job to be "on board" with it, regardless of how he/she may personally feel.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Me on 8/28/2024, 1:45 pm, in reply to "What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

Are you their evaluator? If so, set specific goals and place them on a plan for professional growth.

If you're not, you need to talk to their evaluator about this. Express your concerns and ask them to address them with the teacher.

Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?

Posted by Julio on 9/4/2024, 8:22 pm, in reply to "Re: What do you do when your teaching philosophy doesn't align with your assistants?"

You need to talk w/your principal right away. If you have a fine arts admin they need to be on it as well.

I’ve just recovered from a toxic assistant. It’s not good-don’t let it last longer than it needs to. Be professional, put on your best face for the kids, and find a way to get them to change or move on.

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