What is my former principal allowed to say about me to prospective employing school districts?

Question

I've recently relocated and am job hunting - so far unsuccessfully. I am concerned that the principal at my last position is giving me a bad recommendation. We had huge personality issues and conflicts. While I was not the only teacher who had a problem with her, I was the only one who had a confrontation with her. My references are good and include the current asst principal and counselor, as well as a past principal and asst principal. What can I do to counteract this person's opinion and just how much does what she says actually matter to a prospective employer?

Answer 1

Okay, sounds like you're ready to play hardball.  Find a relative or friend to pretend to be a principal in another school district out of your area.  Have your questions that you would like answered available; for example, "How would you rate the performance of Mr./Ms. X?  If indeed you find out negative information is being given, it's ILLEGAL.  Contact an attorney familiar with "bad recommendations" and have him/her write a letter indicating that your principal does not have your permission to give out anything more than your dates of employment.  That should settle the matter, and you can rely on your other references.

Answer 2

Usually previous employers say as little as possible about your job performance, in order to avoid possible defamation or slander lawsuits.  They often only verify the dates of employment, and give no other information.

If you are concerned that this principal might be giving out bad reference information, you could have a friend pose as a prospective employer, and see what the principal says in response to questions about your performance.  If you find she is disseminating negative information, you could ask prospective employers not to contact her about your employment because she seems to have some negative feelings.  Phrase it just that way - "she seems to have some negative feelings about my time there".  Immediately indicate that you have positive references from the assistant principal and counselor.  It would also be good if you could get letters of recommendation from these people, to place in your portfolio, as well as using them for references.  Have your associated mail their letters of recommendation to you flat, so they will have the best appearance when you display them in your portfolio.

Don't go into detail about the disagreements you had with the principal.  There is no way you can phrase them to cast you in a good light.  If necessary, say that you aren't sure what problem she had with you, you just did your best and for some reason she seemed to have a personality difference.  It's not lying when you don't volunteer information.