Way to go SF--you can't judge someone by how they react when they are sucker punched; only by how they respond once they've stood back up. You are a credit to your parent body!
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Thanks to all that responded with your advice and wisdom. I did finally get my emotions under control enough to have a heart to heart with our principal. I am one that takes everything to heart and am easly hurt in the process. In other words, I cried a lot, but only because I do care so strongly about the kids and want there beginning school years to be happy memories. I have had a few days now to think about everything, and with a few gentle pushes in the right direction, have decided to finish out this school year. We are right in the middle of our spring fundraiser, and I just couldn't dump all of this onto someone else. By the way, the teacher that was so brazen to call me out about a prior meeting, has not attended a PTO meeting at our school in two years, and the order that she placed from one of our students during this fundraiser, she scribbled out on his form. All of this over the amount of money PTO voted to give her for their end of the year activities ...... the bible is right.... it sure is the root of all evil. Through a lot of shed tears and several prayers, I hope to finish this year off with on a positive note. Thanks to all for listening.
I feel badly for your situation, but I am not one to back down from anyone. I wouldn't let a teacher, principal, or any other school staff member keep me from doing anything at my son's school. I understand that you are upset, and the teacher shouldn't have approached you the way that they did. However, I would maybe discuss what happened with the principal before you step down as leader of the PTO. If that doesn't work, and you still want to resign, you must check your group's bylaws. Our bylaws don't state that the PTO President or any other board member's resignation has to be accepted by the board. Just remember that you are at the school to help the children, and your presence is important. I admire everyone that steps up to the plate to not only volunteer at their child's school but to also hold an officer position. Way to go! I wish you the best of luck.
You do sound sad-and I'm sorry, very sorry, that one person has had this type of impact on you. But try to remember, it is just one person. I'm sure your contributions are greatly appreciated by your group and the children. When those types of personalities come into our lives we really have to decide how much influence or power we're going to give them in our own lives. Giving this teacher the power to negatively impact your actions and the school, by resigning is really too bad for all concerned it sounds like you don't really want to do it. No-you don't have to take disrespect from a teacher and hopefully you didn't engage too dramatically. The crux of leadership is being able to minimize your personal feelings on things and stand above the fray. If during this exchange you both lost your cool, consider it for what it was and move on. You cannot change history. But perhaps you can influence the future by standing up and moving on. Let things calm down and let the moment cool and perhaps you can create a segway of communication (with the Principals assistance) and continue to do great things for the children.
They're the ones you started doing this for...if you can keep them as the focus than adults trying to mess it up become much less significant.
No one should have to take being treated in a disrespectful manner by anyone at anytime, but are you resigning because of this one incident with this one teacher or is there more to it? I'd say if your board and membership want you to stay and you still care about what happens to the school, then don't resign. Resigning in a situation like this just lets the other person feel like they won the battle.
Without knowing details of the confrontation, I don't know if this advice will help, but I would go to this teacher and calmly let her know how upset you are, then apologize for anything you may have done to contribute to the situation(Let's face it, it takes TWO to have a confrontation. You're not telling her she is right, your acknowledging your responsibilty in letting the confrontation even happen.), and tell her that you want to continue working to make the school a great place for the children and hope that the issues you two have had in the past can be left behind and that you can forge a new relationship where communication between you will be done with respect for each other's opinions and with the spirit that you are both involved in the school to give the students the best education possible. If she can't work with that, then that is HER problem, not yours. I would also let the principal know of the confrontation if he/she doesn't already and of your intentions to work it out with this teacher and continue in your volunteer role as leader of the parent group. The principal may be able to kind of mediate-maybe even sit in on your discussion with the teacher.
