Teacher feels she’s been treated unfairly

Q: I’m a hard-working and reliable high school teacher. In addition to working my required hours, I stay late, mentor colleagues, cover for others and pick up extra duties, meet with students during free periods, and “go the extra mile with a smile.” I thought my administrators appreciated my professionalism and positive attitude but now I am not sure. It’s hard to know since they never praise me for doing a good job. I can live with that. I’m in this for the kids, and I know that happiness is an inside job. I firmly believe that waiting for someone else to applaud you is a set-up for disappointment. I maintain my high standards for me. 

Now I’m struggling. When I walked into the main office to pick up my mail last week, my principal asked me if we could talk. It seems silly now, but I thought she wanted to thank me for being such a good team player. Not even close! She wanted to tell me she had on-camera evidence that I clocked out early one afternoon. She said it’s her job to hold everyone accountable, but not to worry because she “wouldn’t write me up this time.” Are you kidding me? 

Here’s what’s burning me up even more. On the day I left early (during my free period, though I’m not claiming I didn’t break a rule), I walked out with another teacher who was also leaving early. I asked my colleague if she had been called out too. No one had said a word to her. On top of not giving me grace for this one rare, uncharacteristic infraction (grace I think I’ve earned), my principal is not holding teachers accountable evenly. I don’t know if I should say something to her or not, but I can’t let this go. To never receive praise is one thing, but to get chastised for making one mistake is really upsetting me. I don’t want to bring my other colleague into this. What do you think I should do?