WHAT TEACHERS WHO LEFT GLEN ROCK SAY...

The reason that I left Glen Rock, at its core, was a massive shift in philosophy by the district, one which valued money over quality, intimidation over collaboration, cronyism over experience, and style over substance. It became a system based in poor decision-making and superficiality that I could no longer be a part of.

When I entered Glen Rock years ago it was a teacher-leader community that empowered educators to become masters of their craft. This style led to a blue ribbon. Starting with the arrival of the new Superintendent, it shifted to a top-heavy, authoritative administrative style that viewed teachers as insignificant, replaceable cogs.

Administrators are taught to come in and observe in their first year to evaluate what works. New administrators instead attempted such sweeping changes that it truly feels like they are just padding their resume to include "innovative" change so they can move on to other jobs in other districts (and the changes provided no progress or care; they were just flashy buzz words) - there is no investment in Glen Rock, its students, or the community; there is just the stepping stone to a higher salary.

Teachers helped to build a blue ribbon school. That wealth of experience was never tapped or consulted - it was belittled, ignored, or intimidated. That wealth of talent and experience has now largely gone elsewhere. I was able to get myself to a healthier situation. The students and parents don't always have that option - they deserve so much better than what they currently have (and those who enjoyed the better days know it).

For many years prior to this new administration, I thought I found my forever school. However, everything the community has heard about the climate in Glen Rock schools is absolutely true. You won’t hear it directly from teachers and staff because some of us still fear retaliation. The new administration has an agenda to clean house and re-start with their own hires. If this were not the case, they would have come in and worked hard to build morale among the excellent and talented staff they already had. Some of us were pushed to the max to the point where leaving was the only option. People do not leave jobs they love because of quicker commutes or a small salary increase. They leave poor working conditions, unsupported supervisors, and bad morale. 

A mass exodus of 90 staff members in a school district the size of Glen Rock is unheard of and not normal under any circumstances. Unfortunately I was one of the ones that experienced intimidation tactics, false accusations, and negative evaluations that were factually inaccurate. It was a stark contrast to the positive and constructive feedback I received in the many years prior to this new administration. 

It’s ironic to me that the administration is so concerned with bullying among students, yet they employ bullying tactics daily. They also prioritize wellness, yet their actions cause significant stress and anxiety to their staff. 

While exit interviews would have been helpful to the BOE, who is to say that our honesty would not be used against us as we looked for new jobs? We cannot trust this administration at all. After all, 12 people were told that they would not receive a positive recommendation unless they resigned. This is unethical, immoral, and clearly used as a scare tactic to make it look like it was their choice to leave instead of being forced out. 

90 staff members leaving during two years in a pandemic is not what was best for our students. They needed consistency and support from staff that knew them well. It hurts to think that they lost so many teachers and counselors in two of the hardest years for education. 

There is a misconception that we are against change. No one is against change at all. What we are against is making rapid changes without fully learning about the district and its needs. GRHS is a blue ribbon school and it didn’t get there without talented teachers and staff making it happen. This was not a “broken” district that needed changing in the matter of a year. 

I’m proud of my contributions to the Glen Rock school system, and I’m thankful that I was able to spend many years there. It was wonderful to be part of what was almost a family that worked collaboratively toward building an excellent school system. 

I was horrified to see new leadership begin to dismantle our entire structure without having any real knowledge of or appreciation for who we were or what made things work so well.  

I’m saddened that some people are being fooled by Twitter or Facebook posts or empty slogans. This is not real communication, and all is NOT well in the Glen Rock schools. 

I’m heartbroken at the way my friends and colleagues have been treated. 

Morale has never been lower. 

It is a hard time to be a teacher, but there is nothing normal about losing one-third of a district’s staff in 18 months. 

When is the public going to pay attention to that? 

While it was never my intention to leave the school system, I just could no longer deal with the constant harassment and bullying techniques of the administration (Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and Supervisor).  They would have used the tenure loophole to get rid of an experienced teacher.

I am very happy to be at my new school.  The Superintendent has interactions with staff on a personal level, not just employee level.  The principal and Director of Curriculum are super supportive and are open to ideas of improving their already in-place program.

It feels great to not wake up in an anxious state and feel exhausted before first period.  

Make a change residents of Glen Rock and vote out the incumbents or you may see another mass exodus of teachers leaving such a toxic and hostile work environment.

Under the current administration, I felt unsafe, dispirited, and disempowered.  

Unsafe not only because faculty who were high-risk for COVID were required to teach in person every day but also because it was clear that anyone who drew attention was in danger of being targeted by administration.  

Dispirited because many of my friends and colleagues (who were exemplary teachers whom any district should  have fought to retain) were targeted and driven away.  Because talented, dedicated teachers and staff were being treated as interchangeable warm bodies rather than professionals with unique qualities and styles.  

And disempowered because of added layers of administrators and a clear disregard for the thoughts of seasoned staff who have worked for years to make GR an extraordinary school system. 

It's amazing how, when you're treated well, you go the extra mile and without resentment.  It's tragic how badly the teachers are treated in GRMS/HS.

 I’m absolutely loving my new job!  What a world of a difference when you have administrators who care and are not fake to your face/pushing their own agenda. I’ve never been treated in such a disgusting manner before in my life.  This administration should be ashamed of his actions/comments towards me and the other teachers let go on that dreadful day. 

If I could turn back the hands of time, I should have recognized that the administration had a despicable  agenda: get rid of anyone they did not like. In my interview, I was asked who I would side with in certain situations. I cannot remember his exact words but it was something like that.

In speaking with friends who had applied to other positions in Glen Rock, we found the motives to hire quite revolting. “How would you get rid of the baggage?” was one of the interview questions. Who asks that in a time when teachers need the most support of their leaders as they can possibly get!?

I think the main difference between Glen Rock and my current district is how everyone has made me feel welcome from the get go. My supervisor reached out to me over the summer to welcome me, as did multiple teachers. There has been nothing but support, which was severely lacking in Glen Rock. Here, I do not feel like admin is "out to get us" as I felt so frequently last year. There is no culture of intimidation and "cracking down." I have informed my supervisor this year of my nervousness at being observed following my observation last year, which made me feel so inadequate as an educator I nearly gave up on teaching. He has been understanding and supportive, and assured me that the observations here will be different, they recognize what you've done well, rather than searching for what you've done poorly.   

Leaving GR Public Schools for a position in another NJ district was a great decision for my mental and physical health. I am very experienced, was always evaluated highly, came in early, stayed late, and volunteered for many committees. I loved my students and formed great relationships with parents. Over time, the school and district climate became difficult to endure. As much as I would like to share details of my experiences and those of others, those specifics would likely sacrifice the anonymity of the teachers who are still there in addition to mine and others who have left. Even once you leave, unless you are retiring, you need to be concerned about how expressing negativity towards a prior employer may affect current and future employment. If you hear brave teachers sharing their stories, believe them. If you think something illegal or shifty is happening, it’s probably true. Stuff you could not even make up. The issues are not Covid related or even recent. I was willing to take a pay cut to get out. Thankfully, I did not have to as GR does not pay particularly well. It’s a whole new world to work somewhere and feel valued. 

I think you already have the gist. It's a hostile, toxic workplace. Just poisonous, especially at the MS/HS.  I can't speak to the elementary level. You literally feel the tension because this administration gives certain people the silent  treatment and cold shoulder. Other administration tries to overtly  intimidate.  No exaggeration, I would rather mediate a session of Congress in this current climate than go back to that work environment.  It's sad because the students are wonderful, I loved the families, and I loved my colleagues (who have been there - new ones seem to be connected to the administrators).  Quite frankly, I began to feel like a hypocrite teaching students in an environment that didn't align with my values or an environment where I wouldn't want my child to go to school.  This current regime doesn't  even care If you are good at your job.  They want yes men and happy idiots, not professionals who think for themselves and advocate for what's right for students and the district. They instill fear when one speaks up.  Then the day to day stuff the administration ignores, such as emails. Doesn't disseminate important information. Doesn't care about creating a healthy culture . Poor communication is an understatement.    

In my new district, I feel trusted and I am treated like the experienced professional that I am. Teachers here are viewed as human beings and individuals.

I’m saddened to hear that 90 committed staff members have left the district over the last year and a half.  Such a high number of resignations and early retirements warrant  soul searching and open discussions. A number of teachers have reached out  since I’ve left to share their dissatisfaction and decision to move on.    I’m forever grateful for my time in GR and opportunity to work on with amazing students, teachers, and GR families.    I hope a spirit of collaboration returns to GR and that teachers receive the positive support and respect they need and deserve.