Teacher Troubles
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Teacher Troubles
Sept 2012
My daughter is in a lovely public school. We have really enjoyed our time at
this school--our daughter has made great friends (and so have we), there are
terrific enrichment opportunities, the parents are deeply committed and
involved in the school, and she has had wonderful teachers thus far.
This is the first year I am not wild about my daughter's teacher, and my
daughter isn't very fond of her either. She seems to have a quick temper,
yells quite a bit (my daughter has come home in tears over this) and doesn't
seem to be all that interested in teaching. She shows a lot of movies, doesn't
give very meaningful or challenging assignments, seems most concerned with
keeping order among the 30 kids. I sympathize with her challenge--30 kids is a
big class and I imagine it must be tough. There are many parent volunteers and
a part time aide, so I think she's got some support. Today my daughter said,
''It's too bad we are stuck with Ms. X all year.'' This is a kid who loves
school, does well and behaves well--to hear that was pretty disappointing.
She's never spoken this way about a teacher and generally tries to see the
best in everyone.
I know we both will not like every teacher she has and there's probably some
value in making the best of this situation. But, I've got to say, it really
stinks. We've considered moving her to private school for other reasons
(smaller class size, more hands-on, progressive curriculum, no testing) but we
like many things about the school and for financial reasons, it would be ideal
to keep her in public until middle school. And I know there are less than
ideal teachers in every situation. But I am concerned that this teacher's
methods will somehow diminish my child's enthusiasm for school and make this a
disappointing year for my daughter. If anyone has advice on getting through a
year with a not-so-great teacher, please let me know.
hoping for a good year
I wouldn't go as far as going to a private school yet.
ALL schools (private included) will have less-than-great teachers; most will
have teachers that are bad for your child.
You have two choices if you stay where you are. 1) if you feel your child is
still doing OK, and you think that the teachers in the next grade are good (ask
around), you can teach your child to empathize with the teacher (she haas a
really hard job, she's probably just tired), and you can teach her that some
years will be good, and some less good. (BTW, this will become completely
unavoidable in middle school).
2) If you feel that this is significantly impacting your child's learning, and
her feeling for school overall (i.e she starts to ''hate'' school in general),
you can request that your child be moved to a different classroom. Be absolutely
sure you want to play this card though, as you usually only get to do it once in
any given school.
Keep in mind that, even in private schools, there will usually be at least one
teacher who just does not mesh at all with your child. In fact, one of the
reasons that I decided against several of the private schools that I was
considering, was that there was only one teacher per grade. If that teacher
didn't work for my child, we were stuck and might have to move schools. At least
at most public schools there's a choice.
Karen
Dear Disappointed
I empathize with you and I'm so sorry you've got a bad teacher this year. You
didn't say what grade your daughter is in, though it's clearly elementary school.
I'll share with you that in 4th grade my son had a disappointing teacher, and
school really started to be a drag for him. It broke my heart, because for him
it's critical that he connect with his teacher (as he had every year, and
especially in 3rd grade) and having him dread going to school was an emotional
drain on both of us. She was not a bad person, or even a bad teacher, but
definitely not the right match for him. So I tried to volunteer in the classroom
whenever I could, to get a better handle on what was going on there. I talked to
the teacher about the issues he was having (that's when the mismatch became even
more clear, unfortunately) and I tried to be empathetic but positive with my son.
You're right, as you say in your email, that everyone has years like this (and
even in private school - my daughter in a different school that was private had a
horrible 3rd grade teacher, but now that she's in high school, she doesn't even
remember her!) My son was old enough to hear this message. We'd go over all the
good teachers he'd had over the years, and the fact that sometimes you don't get
the greatest teacher, but you still have to do your best. If you feel like she's
missing out on curriculum, maybe you can supplement? It's super hard for a
parent, though, to see this happen to your child. If you have a supportive
principal (we didn't) you could mention your concerns (in a fair and balanced way
of course) and that might have some impact down the line. If it's really a
question of a bad match maybe you can switch classrooms - though that is unusual.
Sorry I don't have more of a magic bullet, but it's an unfortunate part of the
process. We were very happy when the school year ended.
Been there.
April 2012
Need advice
My daughter is at Lamorinda Intermediate School. A substitute teacher was
using foul language and threatening the students. One of the students
recoded what the teacher was saying. What was said was repeated in
every class throughout the day. (I've heard the recording, the
language and threats are not appropriate.)
The student forwarded the recording to a dozen other students. News of
the recording made its way back to the principal. Next day the
principal summoned all of the students who had the recording to his
office. He stated it was against school rules to use a phone in class
and under California Educational Code 51512 they committed a misdemeanor
making a recording. (Not true, it's only a crime if a non-student
makes the recording. A student is subject to " appropriate
disciplinary action.")
The twelve students were all summoned one by one to the principal's
office and told (threatened) if they would show (on their phone) who
they forwarded the message to, AND would delete the recoding from the
phone while he watched the police would not be called.
The principal has banned from the school. But my concern is the
message/lesson this taught my daughter about her rights and being told
to do something she thinks was wrong or illegal by someone in authority.
Questions.
The principal obviously knows the law, he cited it. What he didn't
do was cite it accurately misleading the students into believing they
had committed a crime. (They had not.) I feel this was poor judgment
and now that these students know an authority figured lied to them are
less likely to trust authority figures in the future. I believe an
apology to the students is in order. (If the student had lied the OIS
Student code of conduct would require this of a student.)
I have contacted the district superintendent. His assistance told me he
has not heard the recoding and referred me back to the principal. (But
wait a minute, that's the person whose actions are in question.)
Who to do? Who owns the data on a phone? The person who has the phone
or owns the phone?
Is it illegal to delete evidence?
Warning to BPN Parents -- This teacher is still teaching in Alameda
and Contra Costa County.
Thanks
I would go to each of the school board members individually, and provide
them all the information you have re the teacher, the recording, etc.,
minus any information on who might have made the recording or passed it to
others, and ask that the fundamental issue--a teacher acting
inappropriately at the school--be addressed. And noting that if the board
doesn't act, your next stop will be with the media. Does Orinda have a
Patch site? Our town is well covered by Patch, and has absolutely helped
hold the school district's feet to the fire on some issues.
But based on the principal's reaction, it sounds like this needs to be
raised above that level, and in my experience, taking it to all of the
board members will send a message that it's not something that can be
ignored.
Readily A Parent
Hello
Have you tried to speak to the principal directly? Seems like
this would be the first step to establishing first hand
information.
An alternate lesson for your daughter - two wrongs do not make a
right.
another prespective
Dec 2010
My teenager, a terrific very hard working high school
student, with great grades and citizenship remarks has
been verbally bullied by a teacher that has a reputation
of bullying other students. This past week my teenager
was in tears from some very nasty comments that were made
in front of the entire class. My husband went to the
principal at the beginning of the year and the principal
e-mailed us stating that he told the teacher in no
uncertain terms that she couldn't do xy and z to our kid
again. My husband and I want to go to the principal again
to report her ongoing harassment. Our teenager is fearful
that there will be further repercussions from doing so.
I'm writing to see how others have handled similar
situations? Thank you very much in advance.
Wanting to do the right thing.
I would suggest that the student get permission from the
administration to record every minute of every class session, just
like college students do. Then, the teacher will either change the
approach, or you will have evidence. Either way, things are
better. Really, you have no case without hard evidence.
Sanon
I love my flip video, small as your hand. I would have your
daughter video her abusive teacher and show it to the principal or
police.
arden
From what little you have said all I can say is that it infuriates
me that a teacher would behave this way toward a student.
Teachers who are demonstrating such poor behavior should not be
allowed to teach. Period. It amazes me that they make their way
into a school in the first place, and it's even more amazing that
they are not fired for such behavior.
My daughter had a couple of bad teacher's during her public
elementary and high school experience. When she was in elementary
school we demanded a change because the situation she was in was
really effecting her well-being. Luckily the district accommodated
our request and she thrived at her new school.
In high school we elected to encourage her to try to work with two
teachers that weren't at all a good fit for her, to say the least,
but they weren't bullies and were nice enough to try to work with
her individually. It was very hard to see her floundering in these
two classes but I think it gave her the opportunity to learn some
coping skills that are important ones to have. At any school
there are always teachers that aren't going to cut it but bullying
is a whole different ball of wax and there's no sense in
tolerating that at all.
Is moving your child to another class at all possible? Would your
child be willing to move if it is an option?
Speak to the principal again and find out if this is an option
since your child certainly has a right, at a minimum, to be
respected.
Best of Luck
Oct 2010
Hi. My oldest kid is now in kindergarten so this (public)
elementary school thing is new to me and I'm not sure my
expectations are on target. How messy is your child's room?
Does your teacher stay after school at all to clean or prep
for the next day? Are the kids expected to clean up their
work stations each day? Does the carpet get vacuumed? Does
paper on the ground get picked up? Is paint cleaned out
after use or left to get dry? Is there food around the
room, trash on the floor and a general level of chaos? If
it is cleaned, who does it? Parent volunteers or
staff/teachers? I'm no neat freak (in fact, I have a high
tolerance for a mess), but it seems that a classroom should
be more organized and clean than what I see. This could be
the norm, so I'm just checking in with other public school
kindergarten parents out there. Thanks for any input.
Just wondering...
My first child's kindergarten classroom (Berkeley public school) was orderly.
Teacher was organized & this reflected in her classroom. Second child's kinder
classroom was the total opposite. The room overflowed with paper, miscellaneous
books, random unorganized supplies, undelivered memos.... ugh. And the classroom
very much reflected the teacher's state of mind: teaching way too many concepts at
once, fuzzy focus, inconsistent discipline.
-Glad that kindergarten is done!
I have seen a huge variation in room cleanliness - not just in K but in other
grades, too.
So much depends on the teacher and the custodian and the prevalence of ants. It
also depends on kind and thoughtful volunteers who can approach a teacher with
diplomacy and respect, and see if the teacher will allow them to help out by
cleaning up after activities, or cleaning up one section of the room at a time.
Different teachers have different reactions, so use persistent tact. Good luck.
Anon
Yes, it sounds like your child's teacher either has a very high tolerance for
messes, or just doesn't know how to manage the mess very well. In our (Berkeley
public) K classroom...yes, the teacher stays after to prep. The kids clean up
work stations, with the help of the K Aide and teacher. The carpet is vacuumed (we
have a janitor) & the floors are swept daily. Paint is cleaned out from cups.
It's not spotless, but it's neat, even at the end of the school day. (This is my
youngest of 3 kids and all the K rooms have been managed the same way.) Sounds
like a chat with the teacher, or maybe the principal, is in order...
mom of 3 in Berkeley
April 2010
My son had the same teacher for third grade and fourth grade. The teacher
moved from teaching third grade to fourth grade. She had told students not
to ask specific questions about mathematics, science and grammar (sentence
structure, Greek and Latin root words, etc.) because she does not know the
answers. At Back to School Night the teacher explained to parents that she
would not be teaching much in fourth grade as students have so much going
on with their bodies that it was too much to grow their minds and their
bodies at the same time.
Several parents have gone to the principal and she is working with the
teacher. The teacher filed a grievance with the union. Little has improved.
However eight parents paid for tutoring for their children (Sylvan, private
tutors, Kumon), one family moved last week and two families will move before
the year is over but continue the year at the school. Three parents are filing
Universal Complaints with the district because their families cannot afford
tutoring. Of the 12 parents who have met, all students have seen their
benchmark test scores plummet from 35% - 65% on tests as the material has
not been taught. Homework concepts are taught in class about 25% - 35% of
the time, otherwise parents are teaching the concepts at home.
The teacher uses ''the smart kids'' work (teacher's words) to correct student
papers in class and my son had five items marked wrong the week before
spring break that were correct when the teacher used student work for
correcting.
Here is my problem. She is one of the few minority teachers in the school. I
believe she loves the students and loves ''teaching'' but simply does not know
fourth grade content. From what I can see in the textbooks she had not
covered half of the material in the book. What should I do?
Concerned Parent who Wants to do Right by My Son and the Teacher
I'm disheartened to see that you're using race in the
equation at all. An incompetent teacher is just that, an
incompetent teacher. I would encourage you to continue to
stick to your guns and talk to the teacher and principal
about appropriate teaching skills and expectations until
they are met. It is only by being consistent in this
endeavor that this teacher will improve.
By commenting on this woman's race, it comes off that you
think it might be ok to have different expectations based on
what you look like. How sad. One shouldn't receive special
dispensations for doing a bad job because you're a minority.
Let's encourage everyone to do a fantastic job, for
themselves and for our kids.
Good luck.
meritocracy, anyone?
You are really in a bind, and I feel for you. I am a teacher
and a mother. You are being extremely patient and kind in
your remarks about the teacher. I would be furious. Teachers
do get yanked around in so many ways, and teaching a
different grade level is really challenging, but your son's
teacher's attitude is unacceptable. Her job is to teach the
content to her students, and she should be learning the
content as she goes along. It sounds as if she is ticked off
that she got reassigned to a new grade level and is refusing
to do her best. School is almost over, so my best advice at
this point is to stick it out, and advocate with the
principal for a good teacher next year. I wish I could offer
more.
Despite what many parents assume, we teachers do not teach whatever we want
whenever we want. Curriculum is strictly mandated by the district and is
regulated by a pacing guide that tells teachers the week in which they must
teach certain concepts. If your child's teacher is going to be ''reported'' for doing
something wrong, and if the principal and the district have the power to
discipline the teacher for wrongdoing, it must have something to do with
disregarding the mandated curriculum and pacing guide. Get your hands on the
pacing guide - it's not hard to do - and check to see if your child's teacher is
following it. The only way that a teacher would not know grade level content is if
he or she ignores district-mandated curriculums and guides, which is a serious
violation indeed. Teaching is a very difficult profession that requires a great deal
of energy, but we're really not making it up as we go along. It's pretty heavily
''scripted'', and if your child's teacher doesn't know the curriculum, it's because
she is not following the ''script''.
anon
ARG! I am tearing my hair out in sympathy for you! I am an
elementary teacher, with a masters, and 5 years of
experience, but I was laid off due to budget cuts (because I
was low on the seniority list because we moved here from out
of state and I was newest to the district last year).
I have read SO many stories recently of crap teachers just
sitting on their butts in our local schools because they
have tenure and the unions protect them. It's next to
impossible to get ready of these bad teachers, and CA
doesn't offer enough incentives (or funding) to train them
better.
This teacher is probably a very good person. Perhaps she was
asked to teach a grade she wasn't used to. From grade to
grade, there is a lot that is different and it can take a
while to get a grasp of it all... BUT it's HER JOB to learn
it for peet's sake! No excuse! 'physical development' of the
child is the stupidest reason ever! There is ZERO room in a
child's education these days for a year slacking off!
I really WANT a job, and every year we've lived here, I've
gotten laid off because I'm not tenured... it just doesnt'
seem fair that the best and brightest young teachers are the
ones getting the shaft for old/tired/incompetent teachers.
frustrated teacher!
I'm sorry that you're having this issue with your child's
teacher. It must be incredibly frustrating for you and your
child. A couple questions: do you feel that her being a
minority has to do with her not being fired or removed or do
you think that is the reason for her lack of content
knowledge. That felt really hurtful for you to mention that
since it had nothing to do with the content of the problem.
Second question: what is the principal saying? Teachers
are protected by the union for DUE process but there is
definitely a process that includes evaluation. Have parents
made formal complaints against this teacher? Parents are
VERY powerful. Third, have these concerns been brought to
the teacher. When you have observed the class, what do you
notice about her teaching? Lastly, do you feel that your
son is not learning anything this year? and has he
complained about the class?
that sucks
Sept 2004
Hello-
I am really steamed at my eleven-year-old daughter's P.E. teacher.
My daughter had a terrible foot/ankle injury (I won't get into it) and is in a
cast with cruches. She will not be able to do any running or P.E.
excercises for at least a semester and a half. Now that she is in sixth
grade she has to run the mile once a week. This is a huge part of her
grade. As she is unable to do or make up the work her P.E. teachers say
that regardless of her condition they will have to give her a B- because
she is unable to do the exercises and the mile. I am very upset about
this, as is she. As of now, if they were grading her, she would qualify for
an A. Does anyone else think this is unreasonable and unfair or know
what to do?
My daugther had a very similar experience in 4th grade. She
missed about a month of school when we took a trip out of the
country for a family event. All her other teachers gave her
work in advance and she worked hard while away to do it, but
her PE teacher graded her down and no make up was possible. I
talked to the teacher but she wouldn't budge.
It was upsetting at first, but in the end we put it down to one
of those unfair experiences in life. We told our daughter that
it wasn't fair, but it was, after all, only down to a B, not an
F, and it's only a P.E. grade.
anne
Totally absurd, unjust, and narrow-minded! Make an appointment
with the pricipal. Don't accept it.
I would definately go to the principal, if you've already tried
to reason with the PE teacher. Giving a bad grade due to a
medical condition is unreasonable.
seems unfair to me
Totally, totally unfair!!! My guess is that the best thing to
do is to speak to the principal (assuming you and your daughter
have already tried talking to the teacher directly, outside the
chaos of gym class). I would think that your daughter and her
teacher should be able to work out an alternate but equitable
measure of success for the class, just as a more permanently
disabled student would -- surely a disabled child in the class
would not be limited to a B-! I would hope, too, that she (not
you) is leading the fight for her fair grade.
anon
I would write a letter to the Principal and send a copy to the teacher. I would
explain
that your daughter has a temporary disability, and that the teacher's threat to
reduce her grade because she can't run a mile constitutes discrimination. I would
request that the teacher prepare a written plan for alternate activities within 10
days, for the approval of her parents and her doctor.
em
First of all, I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but a B in
P.E. in 6th grade is not a big deal - try to keep some
perspective. In one year or even one semester, noone will give a
hoot.
However, the PE teacher's solution does seem a bit half hearted.
It seems like a real waste of your daughters time - what does
she do sit passively and watch? I wonder if he or she just can't
think what else to do with her. Discuss with him/her to
possibility of organizing some other activity that can
substitute until she's cleared to run again, like spending the
period working in the library. This probably isn't something
that the PE teacher has control over but it would be nice to
suggest it to him/her. Or you can ask for some ideas and offer
to talk with the principle so this can be arranged. That way its
doesn't seem like you're just going over her head. Is there
anything your daughter is interested in trying?
Let this be a opportunity for her not just an aggravation
anon
March 2004
Our son is in the second grade in a local private school and has
struggled to please his teacher since September, but she has a
geniune dislike of him and he feels it every single day. He is
a friendly, outgoing kid (and did well his first 2 years at this
school), but began this year on a difficult note when he
strongly objected to another student who would not (could not?)
leave him alone. This student spent much of her day following
him around the room, wiping snot on his clothes, showing him her
underwear, and pinching him. His reaction was to scream ''stop''
in class. His teacher met with us at the beginning of the year
and told us how ''sweet'' the girl really was, that she and our
son had a ''love-hate'' relationship, and essentially, that he
would just have to try to get along with people like that. He
has trouble concentrating in class anyway, but now this daily
distraction has negatively affected his work and his mood to the
point where he rarely finishes his work. He dreads going to
school, clings to me in the morning (he hasn't done this since
he was 3) and when I tell his teacher, she says he should try to
get to school a little earlier each day, to have time to
adjust. She does not discipline the girl consistently. In
short, I believe that she genuinely dislikes my son, and cannot
rise above this reaction and do her job as a
teacher/professional. Nor do I have much faith that complaining
to the director would help. I already did that about a couple
of other issues this year involving this teacher, and had
a ''lovely'' meeting with the director, but now the atmosphere in
my son's class is even worse for my son. (The only time he has
been glad to go to school was during the teacher's vacation,
when a sub taught the class). This is a year-round school, and
we have five more months there (we are moving to the Berkeley
public schools in the fall). Should I try to get him switched
to the other 2d grade class? I am so weary and frustrated with
this problem but this is a no-win situation.
sad mom
Since he'll be switching schools anyway, why don't you see if
there's space in the new school now and if so let him make the
tranistion to the new school early and get him out of the
situation.
Anon
I had trouble with a school situation (as a parent) years ago.
Have you tried volunteering in the classroom in order to get a
direct sense of the situation? If your impressions remain the
same then consider working with the Director to change classes.
former teacher
I can really sympathize with your frustration about your son and have
had similar experiences where teachers have not ''seen'' what's going
on socially in the classroom and, in particular, how one child's
behavior
can seriously impact others. Teachers have their blind spots like
anyone else and she really may not understand how destructive this
little girl is. But are you sure she really dislikes your son? It may
be that
she is downplaying the effects this little girl has in order to ''keep
the
peace.'' Maybe the thing to do is to talk to the girl's parents about
what's
going on and try to work with them. Also, I believe if you let the
school
know you are actually considering withdrawing your son, they will take
your concerns more seriously. Good luck. I know how stressful these
situations can be.
been there
Wow, this sounds like a situation that is causing serious
distress in your child's life. I think the issues are that he
is being harrassed (even if it is ''sweet'' as the teacher says,
it sounds like it feels harsh to him) and not having his need
for security met by his teacher. In my very biased opinion (as
a child care provider and former teacher), a teachers foremost
responsibility is to ensure each child's emotional and physical
safety. If your kid feels like his teacher doesnt care about
him, why would he WANT to go to school? The teacher's role is
advocate and protector for the students, and this is not the
role the teacher is fulfilling if your son would rather trust a
sub than the teacher he knows. Especially when the student is
7!! If it isn't working, i think you should move your son to
another school (or classroom if there is another 2nd grade
class) where he has a teacher who has the capacity to protect
and advocate for EVERY child in his/her classroom. If your son
doesn't trust the teacher, and you really believe the teacher
doesnt like your child, working it out with the teacher sounds
painful for you and your son.
There are so many great teachers who treat children with
respect and compassion. If you've run into a teacher who can't
do that, I think you should think about finding a new teacher
who has the capacity to.
Good, good luck.
Berkeley nanny
I do not have much to offer in terms of HOW to address the
situation, but I will offer this. My youngest sister, now about
32, had a very nasty 2nd grade teacher who just did not like her
for some reason. To this day, she remembers how horrible that
year was. For years, because of things the teacher said to her,
she thought she was not as smart as the rest of us, and I think
it affected her academic performance for years. For a 7-year
old, a year is a LONG time. The damage from a teacher who seems
uncaring, or worse, actively hostile, can be profound and long-
lasting. Get him into a different class ASAP. Good luck.
Anon
Dec 2003
How have people helped their child cope with a ''Mean'' teacher. (We've tried
changing the class.) I'm nervous about working directly with the teacher
because at this point the teacher likes my child, who is generally very well-
behaved and wants to be ''good.'' She frequently scolds kids in line for
dropping things or bumping into each other. She's scolded my child for not
being loud enough. My child has been saying I'm stupid when my child makes
mistakes at home. My child has also been scolding me when I make mistakes
-- not that this never happened before but the intensity is greater. The
curriculum is good and the parents who like her say that the kids aren't
bothered by the ''strictness.'' (I've also been wondering where the line between
strict and mean is???) I'm not looking to change the teacher, I'm looking for
ideas on how to help my child get perspective on this and not feel like they are
doing everything wrong.
worried
If the teacher is truely being mean (ie:abusive?) you might talk
to the principal about it, or if the teacher is approachable try
talking to her in a non accusing manner. Sounds like she may not
be approachable.
You didn't say how old your child is but if he/she is old
enough to understand that some teachers are nicer and kinder and
some are not he/she may be able to get through the year more
easily. Is she a good teacher, even though she's mean? Then
your child may have to put the meanness aside and get what
he/she can out of the class and also understand that when the
teacher yells or calls children stupid, it's the teachers
unhappiness and not anything about the child.
I'm sure most of us mom's and dad's have had similar teachers in
life. I certainly did. It can be hell, but eventually the year
ends and I don't know that too many of us were permanently
damaged. The great teachers I've had by far outweigh the
few ''teachers from hell''. Good luck dealing with this. I feel
for you.
anon
I had 2 kids in a very expensive private
school who both had a problem with an immature teacher at
different years. Knowing what I know now, I would remove my
child as soon as I can from this bad experience that would
affect them for the rest of their lives and move to a school
that you can work with. A few months after we moved out of the
school, I found out that this teacher was being unreasonable
even in the classroom. She would pick on 5 or so students in a
day and force or limit them to do the same exercise/work
everyday until they meet her requirement. They were not allowed
to do anything else during the school day but this one
particular school work. The children were not allowed to play or
have recess and sometimes even extend to lunch time until they
complete the work to her expectations. This went on for several
weeks. None of my children like this teacher. She is very mean.
Under this teacher my children were always at the directors
office as a rebellion to what is going on. They learned to defy
authority and they also begin to feel that they are bad. Once
children feel they are bad, it is very dangerous. We had to go
to theraphy and different counselors. One finally advised us
that my children need teachers who love them. I am very happy
that we moved to another school where both teachers and aides
are very nice to children. The administration works with us and
really care for our children. I hope you find the right school
and environment for your child.
anonymous
Well, it's a little difficult to answer you completely because
you don't mention how old your child is. (In early elementary
school, part of a teacher's job is to teach appropriate social
interaction and behavior, so the kids are expected to have
trouble with things such as standing in line, while with older
children difficulty standing in line usually only means they
are horsing around, for example.)
In my opinion, though, the difference between mean and strict
is that a strict teacher sets forth rules and adheres to them
very closely. The rules are fair and there is nothing wrong
with a strict teacher. A mean teacher makes it personal --
criticizes the child rather than the behavior -- which is
inappropriate.
Have you observed the teacher ''scolding'' the children first
hand? Is the behavior your child is modeling based upon the
teacher's behavior in the classroom? Or possibly that of
another student? I would suggest a conference with the
teacher. No good teacher would be bothered by your concerns,
if they are raised without casting blame based upon hearsay (If
that's what it is). I think the teacher might welcome the
dialogue about their approach to discipline in the classroom.
A good teacher would certainly NEVER take this out on your
child, or suddenly dislike your child, because you met with
them.
a teacher and a parent
My daughter has had several grumpy teachers over the years, and
I've tried to explain them to her that way: they're grumpy, or
having a bad day, or having trouble managing a difficult class,
or maybe don't like kids and shouldn't have been teachers at
all! It's important that the child knows she's not bad or doing
anything wrong. I figure my daughter will come across all kinds
of people in her life, not all of them will be pleasant. I've
found it impossible to get anywhere by talking to the teacher or
complaining to the principal, basically they don't see a
problem.
anon
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