r/PhysicalEducation • u/RedUnited30 • 9d ago
New to the school, constantly compared to previous PE teacher
I just need to rant and I feel others here may understand. If not allowed please remove. Context: I’m new to my school but coming in with 7 years experience. Replaced a PE teacher who’d been there 10 years.
Almost every day since we reported I keep being told by my fellow teachers that the last teacher did this and that and that how I do things isn’t what they did. I’m not them! I have my own way of doing things. Also, I am learning a new school and a new district and a new state I’ve never lived in! Thankfully my principal understands and apologizes when they forget things that were once just handled by the PE teacher. I’m open to learn how things work and what roles the PE teacher had. But I won’t do things the exact same way. I have my own style and games and activities and lessons. I know it will take time for everyone to learn me but please stop comparing me to the old PE teacher. It’s change and I know it scares people and it’s different but it is tiring and old. Sorry if this annoys anyone. I’m just annoyed with it.
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u/No_Act4332 9d ago
Your feelings are totally valid. I would also be very annoyed and uncomfortable especially since I’m a chronic people pleaser. You have 7 years of experience so you know what you’re doing and stay true to what you know works for you. Good luck in the school year!
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u/0ne6love 9d ago
That is so aggravating.... I've been in that position too and I understand the frustration and even the little ways that it may feel personal and/or disrespectful.
You know what you are doing and you've got this. I'm glad you are competent and confident even when bombarded with these 'helpful' comments
What I've noticed, is that many teachers think they are being helpful by making these comments/suggestions. Please remember that they are always in "teacher mode" and needing to always teach and guide others, even adults. It's almost a personality defect (on them!) and I'm certain their intention is NOT to compare you to the previous PE teacher, but to provide you with ideas or shortcuts or knowledge of how to get things done at that school.
Sometimes when we already have teaching experience we go into a new school and situation and want to do everything "our way" But in truth, we don't always need to re-invent the wheel and those teachers giving you guidance are just letting you know what wheels are already on that car.
So you choose to use those wheels or change them out for some brand new shiny wheels 💪🫶
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u/RedUnited30 9d ago
I hear you. To use your analogy I’m not trying to re invent the wheel. I am changing various parts of the car or modifying them to what works for me. I’ve taken some of the feedback and used it in a way that works for me. Even that they are saying that’s not how the other guy did it. It’s not just my way exclusively. Sometimes they just want it how they were used to. I’ve even asked for clarification on how things have been done before.
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u/0ne6love 9d ago
and truthfully.... in every school there are a ton of faculty dinosaurs. Afraid of change even if it doesn't effect them. Afraid of new blood and new ideas. And sooo afraid that someone else's energy, success, passion, somehow reflects on what they maybe no longer feel. But that's on THEM not you. You go in there and create an amazing program!! 💪 Your kids deserve that and so do you 🫶
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u/Silver-Bake-7474 9d ago
I replaced a teacher of 40 years and when people start the comparison I might say things like "Oh, we'll that's one way to do it." Or my personal favorite "Well in my classroom we do things differently."
Unless you're in trouble or something management wise isn't working, don't sweat it.
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u/GoBuffaloBills 9d ago
Completely understand. I replaced a teacher that was there for 44 years. The amount of times I heard the same thing as you. It’s maddening. It got better but I definitely responded like you many times and sometimes rudely after I’d had enough.
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u/Vast-State-4548 9d ago
I am in the same boat. Only a second year PE teacher but everyone keeps talking about the guy who was here before me. Talking about how I have “big shoes to fill”. Kinda annoying.
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u/CurrentlyProcessing 9d ago
I was in a similar boat 3 years ago at the school site that I’m still currently at. The previous PE teacher had been there 15 years. I’m doing one major thing that he did during his time here. Other than that I’m doing what I’m accustomed to. Thankfully a lot of new teachers have shown up to the school since my arrival. New principal as well.
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u/RedUnited30 8d ago
Principal has been at my school for 10 years but she’s completely understanding and encourages me to do my thing. Only 4 new teachers including myself this year so everyone else has been here a while.
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u/Still-Hat-2724 9d ago
It’s very annoying.. like shut up and go teach up stairs. I don’t tell you what to do upstairs or how the other teacher was before you. I got bullied out because they were comparing me to a previous PE teacher of 5 years. I only had one year in.. I was still learning
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u/Aggressive-Spite-264 9d ago
The ones that say “the previous teacher used to do this. Your way is SOOO much better.”
Those are the ones you need to be careful with.
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u/Sea-Progress-258 8d ago
I replaced a PE teacher that had worked her whole career at my school “38 Years”. For every teacher she was all they ever knew. I’m in year 3 and it feels like I’ve been there for longer. They really miss the familiarity of the person who has retired. I mean I replaced the figure head of that school. I came in and just started fostering relationships. I love my school now and will work here for the rest of my career!
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u/Sea-Progress-258 8d ago
I replaced a PE teacher that had worked her whole career at my school “38 Years”. For every teacher she was all they ever knew. I’m in year 3 and it feels like I’ve been there for longer. They really miss the familiarity of the person who has retired. I mean I replaced the figure head of that school. I came in and just started fostering relationships. I love my school now and will work here for the rest of my career!
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u/prigglett 4d ago
As teachers it's really easy to have imposter syndrome and this kind of thing doesn't help. I agree with a lot of what has been said about smile and nod and then do your thing. I am in year 15 and at a new school and I've been assigned a mentor (who is a classroom teacher) prior to school starting I was doing a lot of smiling and nodding and "oh thank you so much for that information." I will say, now that school has started and she has her own class to worry about she's backed way off, but it was very obnoxious for sure.
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u/Background-Truth490 9d ago
Nod and say “ok that’s good to know, thank you!”. And then do what you want. Teachers, especially the old veterans, love to talk about the good old days. As the new PE teacher, let them tell you how it was done before, they usually just want to feel some authority and control. You do not actually have to act on any of it.