Effects of Workplace Tension By Cathy Coker I’d like to introduce you to Mary, a seasoned teacher with a variety of teaching backgrounds. She has taught littles all the way thru to college students. She has supervised teachers on their journey to certification. To say she has over 40 years of valuable experience is an understatement. She is quick to share and positive in personality. And she is beginning her first year at a new school. Mary is experiencing a hostile work environment. Bullying isn’t just in the schoolyard anymore, it can be found in the teacher’s lounge. What does that look like? How can you tell?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Mary thought she was joining a team in which she would be supported, valued, and honored. She was looking forward to spending quality time planning together and enjoying each other’s company. All in all, making new friends and gaining a work family.
10
Teachers Making a Difference | Issue 2, September 2022
Mary went into this school knowing she had to get acclimated to how the school functions and all the ins and outs of this campus. What she noticed was there were cliques and somehow she was the unwanted new kid. There was definitely history she was not privy to and she would suffer for it. She was on her own. Her colleagues weren’t very supportive, in fact, they were hostile and uncooperative.
PLCs and team meetings were awkward. Her new position as a teacher came with the title of Grade Level Chair (GLC). This in itself gave birth to ill feelings of resentment. On her team, there were three other teachers. These teachers formed a clique or prison-type gang. They walk everywhere together, eat together, and plan together all while excluding Mary. Mary tries to warm up to them and asks questions only to be ignored or disregarded. Then came the accusations and threats. Interactions with the team became more and more heated. The rest of the team decided they would
