Hey everyone - below is a self-explanatory account of a quandary that one of your classmates is in right now. What advice would you give her/him? And what kinds of questions related to pedagogy, research, and the politics of teacher-student relations does this case raise for you? Feel free to post on this blog! **** Dear Warren, Just need some advice from you. My current school, XXSS like my methods in teaching and how I teach, my classroom management and so on. My CTs also are supportive and like my lessons and the way I conduct my activities. I have been getting a "proficient" from my CTs and some "acceptable" for some sections. However, my supervisor ... stated that I was mediocre at best and need moderation for a pass. She emailed my SCM and my CTs stating her point. Thus, my SCM and CT sat in for my lesson and told me it was a good lesson as I held a debate session for the students, and they were thoroughly engaged in the lesson. I did the same thing when the supervisor came in previously. She felt that the class had low energy, my classroom management skills were totally zero and I needed a lot of help from my CTs which was untrue. My SCM and CTs has disagreed with her and has stated that a moderation for a pass is not necessary and she thinks otherwise. For her observation with me, she told me (and the other girl she is supervising) that she put '+' on the APT form only in the 4 last boxes under classroom management. She also told us that she did not need to put "+" for the other sections and that it did not need to tally with the "Acceptable" which she ticked for every box except Classroom management which she marked as "Good". In her recent email to us however, she has stated otherwise and used it against us, stating that she did not find any "+" for our classes. Her email below: "Hi Please note that I’m likely to visit next week if not the week after – some times we do have meetings that do run over time unfortunately. Please ensure that you do have practicum file with you including all APT forms to date. Anything less will be deemed to be less than professional. And if I turn up and class is not on, that will be deemed to be unprofessional too. As it was the lack of notification about Sports Day was unprofessional to say the least and I have kindly overlooked that in ATP form but will not do so in summative form in there is any further lapse. And I did tell you both VERY CLEARLY that this is the first time in all my years of practicum supervision (since the 1970s) where I did not mark any + in any competencies and I am not sure why this message is NOT clear to you as school has told me that you both think you are doing well. PLEASE STUDY your ATP forms – is there any + for any competencies other than in professional attitude? I did spend time to explain processes and competencies. And I did also say that I did not mark any ‘–‘ when I really should as I am trying to ENCOURAGE you but certainly did not indicate that you are fine – did you see anything other than acceptable and acceptable can be borderline? In effect, I did say that I have concerns and that you should work closely with CTs – and I do remember what you said…which I won’t repeat. And I did spend time going over classroom management, CL (if you need to refer to anything simple, I have written a book on that with others published by Corwin) and other stuff. Please note in all schools, CTs usually ask trainees if s/he can sit in – for this 2nd visit, please advise CTs that I prefer that s/he doesn’t. In all my years, most CTs don’t and when they want to, I have always said yes. But in this instance, I prefer that s/he does not. In some instances, I have had CT and others sitting in with me for various reasons and we have always come to the same conclusion. Since I am making a surprise visit which is encouraged, it is best that I see you myself. And please note that for the two of you, I may do a 3rd visit or more as is encouraged if we have concerns. That is something I’ll advise you if and when it is necessary. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this email so that you are clear about expectations. And kindly, reflect on your own practice and how you could improve – as you know, if you have concerns, you can always email me.  I do help students as necessary – like I met some of my M Ed students today till 8 pm as they were kind enough to wait for me and in effect told me to drive carefully and not rushed over – and they are top students, MOE scholars, who just wanted clarity in their final assignment. XXX" I would appreciate and advice on this matter as this woman is trying to ruin my career in teaching. She has never been a teacher before, as per what she informed us and is condescending in her emails towards us (her supervisees) and my CTs and SCM. I really do wonder what I can do in this case. Apologies for loading this on to you. Just that i really need some advice on how to deal with this person. Regards, YYYY