Sharing Sister to Sister
As women we have so much we can share with one another. The words we share, can be from an event that took place in our lives, a trial, a celebration, ups or downs, no matter whatever they are, words can touch and change someone's life, when we least expect it. The tongue can speak life or death, we want to speak life! Below are words that we would like to share Sister to Sister.
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Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me (Psalm 35:1).
By Tracy Chappell
I find it fitting to begin this testimony with this scripture for I have experienced many of fights who stood against me. The most recent one began about a year and a half ago. I had begun a new job at an elementary school. I was so excited to be employed. My youngest daughter had reached age one and it was time for me to get back to work. I needed it for my own sanity. My position is an Office/Records Secretary. I am the first face that everyone sees when they walk into the school. I delighted in this position because of the children. The parents seemed to be very nice or cordial too. Most of the current employees at the time were nice but guarded with the “new girl”. I marveled at the expertise and quick thinking of the principal. I thought to myself, “This woman has it together”. She’s able to answer all questions at a moment’s notice with confidence and professionalism. The assistant principal was very knowledgeable in her position as well. “Wow”, I thought, “This is going to be cool. There are professional women doing their stuff their stuff”. As the new ’08-’09 school year began, I found myself becoming an expert at multi-tasking. I thought being a mother was the biggest multi-tasking job any woman could have; but this job proved me wrong. I took it in stride. I greeted parents; co-workers; the community; and especially the students with a loving and caring smile each and every day. I was enjoying my job. I was thanking God for placing in this position; because it gave me a chance to give back to the world by speaking positive things in a child’s life. As the year progressed, the assistant principal became ill. She went out on medical leave in October of 2008. The stress began to mount on the principal and she began to lash out at all who got in her way. She began to document every wrong thing an employee did. She began yelling on team days – for those who don’t know what that is, it’s a day of meetings with parents who children next extra assistance to become academically successfully. Well, I am the one who is in charge of making sure letters are sent out; reminders are given to the parents; and meetings are started and ended in a timely fashion. One particular Tuesday, the principal was extremely rude to me. One of my children had been sick and she wanted documentation that the child had been sick and that I had taken her to the doctor’s, etc… She had not requested this information before; but because it was on a Tuesday and her secretary had to do what I do, I suppose this irritated both of them and I received her wrath and fury when I got in the office. I had had enough. I wrote her letter voicing my displeasure of her rudeness and how on Tuesday’s morale around the building was low because of how she treated parents and staff. This was the beginning of her plot to get rid of me. By the time the letter had been written, the assistant principal had returned. There was a meeting regarding my letter and I was blasted for not supporting my principal the assistant principal. Shortly thereafter, the administrative secretary went out on medical leave (keep in mind this is all during my first year never having worked in a school before). I had to do her job as well as mine. We had a temp; but the temp could only do so much. The principal continued to be rude to me. At our end of the year luncheon, she gave kudos to specific people for keeping their heads while the assistant principal was out and while her secretary was out. None of those came to me. Tears nearly filled my eyes; but I kept them from coming down my face.
When I returned last school year; I was met with a huge list of items that had not been done over the summer (I’m only a 10 month employee meaning I get summers off); nor at the end of the previous school year. I felt I had been put at a disadvantage because 95% of the items listed I had not remembered; been trained in; or had anything to do with. The principal’s plot had begun and she had the assistant principal and secretary in her bag. I felt like the lone ranger. I was literally fighting three women who I knew were out to get me and for what? I spoke the truth and no one tells the principal things like that and gets away with it.
Halloween time around this community is like a high school graduation. There are hundreds of parents; grandparents; aunties; friends; etc… who come to watch their student march around the school parking lot after parties have been held. After the parade is over, those same parents come into the office to sign out their child. Guess who’s responsible for making sure each parent is who they say they are and are allowed to pick up the student whom they are signing out? That’s right, me. On the following Monday; a parent phoned wanting to speak to the principal. She claimed to very upset and would only speak to the principal. . I had to probe her a bit further to properly screen the call. She made claims that her son had been picked up by someone who wasn’t supposed to pick him up; but thankfully he had arrived home safely. I told the mom that I was glad her son had arrived home safely and apologized due to the office being overwhelmed with parents on that day. (Needless to say, I received no help in signing out the parents). This was not satisfactory for her. She wanted to speak to the principal. I forwarded the call to the principal. The principal called me into her office to talk about it. She claimed that the parent said that I had been the one allowing the “stranger” to take her son. I asked who the parent was. She refused to tell me; but did tell me the lady was going to call the assistant superintendent regarding the matter. I was told not to let it happen again. I told the principal that at no time did I not recognize the parents who came in to sign their children out. I asked if she was sure the parent said it was me. Yes, she answered. The parent supposedly gave a description of me to her. It was easy though, I’m the only black in the office.
A few weeks later, the assistant principal called me in her office to go over my second evaluation. With it came another paper. I was being written up for the Halloween incident. This is not good especially working with children. I was also told that it would only stay in the principal’s files and not go to human resources.
This was the time that assistant principal’s eyes began to open. She told me that it was very difficult for her to write the discipline letter; because she did not believe it occurred. We searched the sign in sheets that day and there was no one’s signature that was hard to read or didn’t belong to the school. We also discussed why it took this parent four days to call the principal and refuse to give her name and her child’s name. The assistant principal also informed me that many of the items on the list that was given to me at the beginning of the year either I was not responsible for and/or the act had been done by someone else. It was at this point that I received an apology from her and steps to protect myself from being wrongly terminated. The report was never signed because we both felt that would be admission when it was completely false.
I can’t tell you the stress that came with this. Driving to work became a chore rather than a joy. Difficulty sleeping became a habit. I suffered from headaches; neck aches; and some depression because of this woman whom I had spoken the truth about. I listened to my Lord’s music on Sirius faithfully every day. He Favored Me but Hezekiah Walker became my anthem. Psalm 37 and remembering No Weapons Formed Against Me Shall Prosper… became my daily food. Everything I did was being watched; everything I said was being watched; days I took off were being documented, etc… I was even greeted with prejudice after returning from being with my mother in Georgia while she had surgery. The principal was definitely out to get me. At the request of several people, I brought the union in. My union rep did/does not care for the principal at all. There have been stories of discrimination regarding this principal from other schools. Unfortunately, how I was treated, I had reason to believe these stories.
I met with the rep in December of last year. In January, the union rep, the principal, assistant principal and I had a meeting regarding the incident in the previous October. I found out in this meeting that the report had been sent to human resources. The union rep requested that all documentation be removed from all records as there was no solid proof that the incident occurred. I was to physically watch the principal shred all documentation regarding the incident and a request to HR would follow to do the same. The union rep would follow up with HR. I had been vindicated by holding God’s word true to my heart and standing steadfast on His word. Everyone knew what she was trying to do and God saw fit to show His divine grace and mercy shower over my life with this woman.
August 23 begins a new year – my third year. The assistant principal is out on medical leave again; but this time it’s her own doing. She did not want to work with the principal again. I stand faithful that God’s word will continue to prevail in my work place with this woman. Though I respect the position she is in, trust is a far off. I know God has my back. I leave you with the following:
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14) I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
15) But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.
16) Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.
17) O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18) I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
19) Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20) They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21) They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."
22) O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent.
23) Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24) Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me.
25) Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up."
26) May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27) May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."
28) My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.
August 14, 2010
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