I worked here for a period of 6 months (far too long for anyone's good)…read more
Students were, for the most part, a pleasure to teach and work with. Some were disrespectful with a sense of entitlement.
Dysfunctional management and staff thrive on lies and deception to manipulate teachers (and students). At times, I found myself questioning their rude, childish, passive-aggressive and objectionable behaviours and motives, and this was a huge red flag for me.
The lack of professionalism, transparency, cooperation and open, honest and direct communication with management and staff made it exceedingly difficult to accomplish important tasks in a timely fashion, especially where the needs of students (and even teachers) were concerned. Also, the intent to control and manipulate was evident.
There's little appreciation and a lack of respect for good talent in a place like this. A stuffy, unpleasant and toxic working environment. A revolving door for teachers.
I don't know who this twenty-something so-called "vice principal" Mujeeb Sanjer (MS) thinks he is, but he struck me as someone who wasn't playing with a full deck -- a creepy, cunning bullshit artist with an inferiority complex.
Absolutely deplorable. An extremely shady business.
Also:
(1) No background check was required. The interview with MS was a joke.
(2) Don't be fooled by their superficial charm and diversionary tactics. Be wary of people who create a false impression to throw you off balance and/or manipulate you.
(3) Don't expect to be treated equitably and with the respect you deserve.
Don't expect a pay increase after the 3-month "probationary" period. I was paid 25/hr. (I hold a graduate degree in pure mathematics along with a B.Ed., and I've got plenty of years of teaching and tutoring experience, at other private high schools, colleges and universities.)
The bullshit that was fed to me concerning the (im)possibility of a pay increase in particular was astounding. There is/was no yearly performance evaluation that I was aware of (as otherwise claimed by MS to bolster his bullshit response when confronted about this). Stonewalling springs to mind.
This whole "tapping in/out" business was just a control tactic, something which was enforced only many weeks after they hired me, and personally didn't care for. Inconsistent much?
(4) Expect a good deal of petty criticism. If that's not annoying, I don't know what is.
It was pointed out to me by MS himself (in an email no less, because he couldn't tell me this to my face?) that I wasn't in attendance to this one (and only one) teacher meeting in particular, but brought this up *months* later just before they let me go. WTF? I could go on.
(5) MS is thirsty for emails. A good deal of his were loaded with BS and condescension. Toxic communication was the norm. But boy does this two-faced mofo love to play games via text/email.
(6) Had I known for sure that my days were numbered, I would have left a lot sooner. It was all smoke and mirrors. Dealing with toxic people like this for a long time will bring out the stress in people. In fact, one teacher actually retaliated, and confronted MS himself in person, and this caused quite a stir. Needless to say, from what I heard, it left MS shaking in his boots. An insecure bully and a coward, indeed.
Disgusting.
(7) On one occasion, a heated confrontation between a student and his mother broke out during business hours, whilst classes were in session. This should serve as an indication of how toxic this place actually is.
Disgusting.
(8) I was surrounded by a bunch of self-centered, self-absorbed people, who really didn't give a rat's ass about anyone but themselves. Their shitty attitudes were nothing short of unpleasant. They were nothing special.
(9) Expect to do a good deal of work for free, if you're so inclined.
(10) The rules don't apply to them, only to you. Call them out on their bullshit, or don't waste your time. Or LEAVE. And expect little to no cooperation. Only their needs matter, not yours.
Shady people just love to stick together, don't they?
Goodbye forever.
