The Case of an Underperforming Teacher
Case Study 2: The Case of an Underperforming Teacher
Part I:
You are the principal of a non-profit preparatory academy known for its values and teaching standards.You are fairly new to the institution and to your leadership role, having taken your current position at a time when the demand for accountability for teachers continues to increase. The past principal, who led the institution through the implementation of common core, unofficially embraced values that included compassionate mentorship, especially as teachers scrambled to implement the common core curriculum.She more or less successfully led the institution with her ability to listen empathetically to teachers’ concerns and frustrations, especially during that difficult time of change, and her leadership style was adopted into school culture.
At the beginning of the school year, you, as the principal of the school, hired Jeff Fulmer, a new teacher who recently graduated. He passed the state tests for requisite content knowledge with decent scores. During the interview process, you found him to be engaging and charismatic, and you thought he would be a good fit for your school. However, Jeff’s charisma belied his performance in the classroom. This is his first job as a teacher, and Jeff has not consistently shown progress in his teaching abilities. For example: During routine first-year classroom observations, Jeff has failed to consistently activate learners’ prior knowledge.Coaching does not appear to have helped. Additionally, his fellow 5th grade team members sometimes complained about his classroom management.
Additionally, Jeff’s participation on team assignments has not been ideal. During the planning and practicing phases of the 5th grade school play, Jeff contributed minimally to planning and did not always follow through with assignments he was given as a junior member of the team. During practice sessions with the children, Jeff did not engage with them effectively and did not apply effective disciplinary strategies.
Upon the recommendation of your assistant principal of instruction and after several conversations with Jeff’s team leader you have decided that Jeff’s contract should not be renewed for next year.
Your task is to communicate Jeff’s dismissal to three different stakeholders:
- Parents
- Jeff’s 5th grade team
- Jeff
Write three separate communications(275 words or more for each communication), using the genre of your choice in each case, to impart the bad news. Consider the general climate you have “inherited” at your school as its new principal, as well as the potential concerns your different stakeholders might have.
Part II:
In 1,000-1,250 words, justify your communications with the three different stakeholders.
Consider the following:
- Which genres of writing did you choose for each set of stakeholders, and why?
- To what extent were your pieces of communication reflective of your organization’s values?
- How did your communication foster positive relationships despite the sensitive and potentially negative problem you were required to address?
- Were your communication choices ethical? Why or why not?
- To what extent do some of the theories we have encountered explain the dynamics of power that were inherent in your pieces of communication?
For this assignment, be sure to cite at least five outside sources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APAStyle Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Note: This benchmark assignment assesses competency 3.1: Recognize the ethical implications of various writing situations.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
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