"Bad Teacher" barks up the wrong tree!!!

[Liberty Belle]

Kelly I'm not surprised by how many kids are legally doped up on mood drugs, I'm discussed by it.

Seems like right out epidemic of mental illness last 20 years in children.

Excuse me?!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Never said schools make that decision.

Wow disboard is fast to put words in people's mouths today.

Schools ask parents to take child in for an evaluation. For possible ADHD. Which really means the teacher thinks your child would benefit from drug therapy if we are be honest today.

I thought it was everywhere, but I do know here teachers are not allowed to mention any possible diagnosis. The most they can say is something like, Johnny seems to be having trouble focusing, you may want to talk to his doctor.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I remember watching a Frontline about ADHD drugs. IIRC at least one of the families was told your child takes the drugs or she will not be able to be in a normal classroom. While they didn't mandate she take them most families would give in and take them to keep their child in a regular classroom.

I agree with this 1000%

That depends on the child, some kids would tell you it does exactly that. Some kids want to achieve so they will gladly take it, other kids just want to be themselves yet they have no say in the matter. To me it seems that pumping young developing brains full of chemicals is a recipe for disaster. I believe I had ADHD as a child, it went untreated and I did terrible in school. I have been a good employee and successful enough to satisfy myself. My brain has now naturally matured and most of my ADHD tendencies are gone, whereas several friends that were on drugs as kids cannot function without drugs as adults. One friend who did great in high school(on drugs) went back to college at the same time I did is ready to quit while I have straight A's. The way I see it is if your children's success in high school and below is more important than the rest of their lives drug them up, mine will come along at the pace that is right for THEM.

The ADHD medication actually helps the brain develop.

 

[Liberty Belle]

http://www.cchrint.org/2012/07/20/the-aurora-colorado-tragedy-another-senseless-shooting-another-psychotropic-drug/

That on is from non profit watchdog tied to church of Scientology founded in 1969.

There are tons of others sites. Really if your interested in information take sometime and study it.

OMG. Dr. Cruise, is that you?

 

[kellyg403]

OMG. Dr. Cruise, is that you?

And those articles and websites are not very open minded. At all.

On topic: OP, I did have a question. Since time has passed and we are going into the holidays, so about 4 months of school done. Have there been any changes with the 'bad teacher' since there was speculation that more than half her class was failing? I am assuming at this point you are still in contact with those parents whose children are still in the class?

Just curious.

Kelly

 

[luvsJack]

I am a vietnam vet.

and it sounds like you have some sort of problem with your father being a veteran.

but thats the problem a lot of people have with those of us, that fought in an unpopular war.

and I would guess that the world is a lot better off because of those of us that served in a non-pc war. including your father.

thank a veteran for the life you live.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifices. My dad was a Korean and Vietnam war vet. He was always sadden about the fact that you all did not get the recognition and respect that you deserved. And he was very much a good man.

 

[luvsJack]

I thought it was everywhere, but I do know here teachers are not allowed to mention any possible diagnosis. The most they can say is something like, Johnny seems to be having trouble focusing, you may want to talk to his doctor.

Its the same way here. They cannot mention ADHD at all.

I can't say about now, but back when ds was diagnosed with ADHD and then as bi-polar we were told that there were a lot of misdiagnosis. And after the ADHD meds were stopped and the bi-polar meds were stared, we could sure tell the difference. But, now he is on neither as a adult so I am not so sure that either diagnosis was correct.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Wow, this thread certainly took a turn. "Real men", veterans, ADHD...

What were we talking about, again?

 

[ols386]

I may be wrong here but shouldn't grades be kept confidential?

That's what I was thinking.

Seems to me the teacher did this DELIBERATELY to humiliate students. IMO, that's not appropriate.

 

[ols386]

I betcha the OP's reaction would've been completely different had her child not failed the assignment.

Considering this was the "straw that broke the camel's back," and all.

But had it happened to another child? OP likely wouldn't have noticed, or cared.

Is that bad? I don't know. A part of me thinks it is. The whole notion of "we eat our own" and all that.

I understand wanting to look out for your child and his well-being, but sometimes kids have to sink or swim on their own. Next year, he'll be in junior high. In four years, high school. Nip his issues in the bud now, or it'll just get worse and your helicopter parenting, OP, will reach super saiyan proportions.

Of course the op's reaction would have been different. Her child would have not been publicly humiliated.

Yes, I am sure every teacher is "delighted" to humiliate their students and to show off that half of his/her students received failing grades!

We're not talking about EVERY teacher, just the one in this particular situation.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I understand how Grumpy Pirate felt reading that post. He is a vet. His experiences are tied to being a vet. It's another drop in the bucket for him.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifices. My dad was a Korean and Vietnam war vet. He was always sadden about the fact that you all did not get the recognition and respect that you deserved. And he was very much a good man.

I second that.

 

[lukenick1]

And those articles and websites are not very open minded. At all.

On topic: OP, I did have a question. Since time has passed and we are going into the holidays, so about 4 months of school done. Have there been any changes with the 'bad teacher' since there was speculation that more than half her class was failing? I am assuming at this point you are still in contact with those parents whose children are still in the class?

Just curious.

Kelly

Yes I am in contact with 2 parents and both of their daughters are coming home with poor grades. Went from A students up until this point to D's and F's. Need I say more......my decision is justified! My ds was an A,B student last year and had a GREAT relationship with his teacher. As a matter of fact he CRIED HIS EYES OUT on the last day of school and for a week or two after that because he was going to miss her. It's obvious to me that my ds succeeds with a positive role model for a teacher. I do NOT think for one second (despite all the nasty comments and personal attacks here) that what I did was wrong. I knew this wasn't going to work with this teacher the moment I had an inkling that she wasn't a fan of his. Never ever have I ever gone to the principal and asked one of my kids to be removed from their class. As far as the kindergarten teacher...NO I didn't allow my child to sit in a room of peanut butter, I had no idea about it until my son came home and told me what had happened! When I asked the teacher about it, her reply was "well if its that much of a problem then you need to send in a note from the Pediatrician". The nurse had all the info as well as an epi pen on site so what more info did she need? When I called my Pediatrician and told her what happened, she asked for the teacher's name and a phone number because she wanted to speak to her personally. She was mortified! This 5th grade Teacher had EVERY intention on humiliating him, it's VERY obvious! You also want to know the sad part? Apparently she has gotten her colleague's involved because a few days later my ds was bullied by the gym teacher. A student had picked a book from the library about a boy who gets bad grades. One the cover of the book was a report card with all F's on it. The gym teacher took the book from the child and said out loud "Oh this looks like Jimmy's report card", referring to my DS. My poor son felt so belittled. Thank GOD this is his last year in that school. We have been at that school for 8 years, I have been a substitute teacher there, a room Mom, part of the PTO, and even my husband has volunteered his time after school to teach art as an enrichment class. We are NOT THAT PARENT!

 

[dbramer]

I am so glad I'm not a teacher.

This is why I am becoming a counselor. Increasingly in districts around the country are placing increasing demands on teachers and holding them accountable for the success of the students while at the same time taking all responsibility for education away from the students and parents. It isn't their fault they are failing, even if they don't come to class or turn in assignments. It isn't the fault of the parent that their child is failing, even though they NEVER attend a parent/teacher conference or even ask for a report card (at least until the fourth quarter rolls around and their child has failed for the year). It is all the teacher's fault...they didn't do enough to help the child pass, even though I have to work a part-time job in addition to my full-time teaching position and spend hours each week in addition to planning lessons, grading papers and contacting parents about their children who make the lives of teachers and other students unbearable in the class room, because they have no home-training or parents who are door mats for their children.

Sorry...my rant is over except to say "Don't bash the teacher unless you have walked in their shoes." I spend more time dealing with other people's kids than I do interacting with my own kids.

Once we started treating education as a right rather than a privilege, it all started going downhill from there. Nothing gained for free has a value, those things without value are ignored.

 

[smitch425]

Yes I am in contact with 2 parents and both of their daughters are coming home with poor grades. Went from A students up until this point to D's and F's. Need I say more......my decision is justified! My ds was an A,B student last year and had a GREAT relationship with his teacher. As a matter of fact he CRIED HIS EYES OUT on the last day of school and for a week or two after that because he was going to miss her. It's obvious to me that my ds succeeds with a positive role model for a teacher. I do NOT think for one second (despite all the nasty comments and personal attacks here) that what I did was wrong. I knew this wasn't going to work with this teacher the moment I had an inkling that she wasn't a fan of his. Never ever have I ever gone to the principal and asked one of my kids to be removed from their class. As far as the kindergarten teacher...NO I didn't allow my child to sit in a room of peanut butter, I had no idea about it until my son came home and told me what had happened! When I asked the teacher about it, her reply was "well if its that much of a problem then you need to send in a note from the Pediatrician". The nurse had all the info as well as an epi pen on site so what more info did she need? When I called my Pediatrician and told her what happened, she asked for the teacher's name and a phone number because she wanted to speak to her personally. She was mortified! This 5th grade Teacher had EVERY intention on humiliating him, it's VERY obvious! You also want to know the sad part? Apparently she has gotten her colleague's involved because a few days later my ds was bullied by the gym teacher. A student had picked a book from the library about a boy who gets bad grades. One the cover of the book was a report card with all F's on it. The gym teacher took the book from the child and said out loud "Oh this looks like Jimmy's report card", referring to my DS. My poor son felt so belittled. Thank GOD this is his last year in that school. We have been at that school for 8 years, I have been a substitute teacher there, a room Mom, part of the PTO, and even my husband has volunteered his time after school to teach art as an enrichment class. We are NOT THAT PARENT!

Why would a kid have a book in the gym? Did you talk to the gym teacher about that story? I would have. That sounds very far-fetched to me, but if accurate, I would be speaking with the teacher.

 

[mjkacmom]

I do NOT think for one second (despite all the nasty comments and personal attacks here) that what I did was wrong

We are NOT THAT PARENT!

You handled the situation wrong. Instead of having a hissy fit and charging into the principal's office (for all to see), you should've called the school the next morning, and scheduled a meeting with the teacher. You ARE NOW THAT PARENT. Having a kid switch classrooms is a HUGE deal - I'm sure the talk of the school. It causes a disruption in both classrooms. Your ds is the talk of many currrent conversations (and with all gossip, the story changes, so who knows what people are saying). That's a lot to put on your child.

Some times we need to swallow our rage at percieved injustices to our kids, put on our big girl pants, and handle things calmly.

 

[dbramer]

Or it is over diagnosed and and easy answer for some parents.

The actual incidence of ADHD in the United States is about 7%. The UK has the highest incidence at around 12% according to the most recent information available. The US actually has one of the lower incidence rates in the world. It is becoming diagnosed more often due to the advances in neurosciences. It is, in fact, a neurological issue and is highly hereditary.

ADHD comes in three forms - ADHD-inattentive, ADHD-hyperactive and ADHD-combined.

The reason that stimulants are so effective with this disorder is that the brain essentially idles at a lower speed than others, much like a car that idles low is in danger of stalling. The actions of those with ADHD, such as the fidgeting and other physical manifestations, are designed to speed up the brain so it doesn't shut down.

It is also, first and foremost, a lifelong disorder. It doesn't go away. Many people learn to deal with it better over time, but the impacts are still there. Also, it is one of the most demonized of all disorders due to the myths, misconceptions and misinformation. It is not an epidemic, it is simply advances in medical science that allows us to differentiate among the various psychological and neurological disorders that are present in us all. Just as fifty years ago, there was no substantial differences between a child with developmental delay disorder (previously mental retardation) and a child with Down's Syndrome (previously called Mongoloid). They were both treated the same way...institutionalized. A child with autism was also considered mentally ********. We know differently today.

That is the reason why we are seeing an increase in diagnosis. We know what we are looking for now.

 

[lukenick1]

You handled the situation wrong. Instead of having a hissy fit and charging into the principal's office (for all to see), you should've called the school the next morning, and scheduled a meeting with the teacher. You ARE NOW THAT PARENT. Having a kid switch classrooms is a HUGE deal - I'm sure the talk of the school. It causes a disruption in both classrooms. Your ds is the talk of many currrent conversations (and with all gossip, the story changes, so who knows what people are saying). That's a lot to put on your child.

Some times we need to swallow our rage at percieved injustices to our kids, put on our big girl pants, and handle things calmly.

To be honest I really don't care what anyone thinks of me. I also do not care about what the teachers at the school think. I have a great relationship with many of the teachers at that school, as a matter of fact my first DS is an honor student, a huge role model in the class. EVERY teacher LOVES him. I am very involved, they know what kind of parents we are. I'm sure none of them are thinking ill of me except the "friends" of the 5th grade Teacher. If they do have a different opinion of me c'est la vie. We are done with that school in 7 months anyway.

 

[GotLabradors]

You'll get bored with them very quickly
The truth is they often get what they want because it's easier to give in than continue to fight with them. Of course that only validates their belief that they are right and feeds their self righteousness.

Or they run into a teacher like me, who says what everyone else (other teachers, administrators, and guidance counselor) is thinking and stops them in their tracks. I usually feel sorry for the kid because the parent is just making things so much more difficult for them. Once this kid hits middle and high school, his mom will have a difficult time with the schools. Elementary schools are around here are much more accommodating to parent request than the secondary schools. Then again, some people just have a need for drama and attention in their lives.

 

[luvmy3]

Some times the teacher is right, and sometimes the teacher is wrong. In the OPs case, I think the teacher was in the right. If all projects are displayed, would the OP had a problem with her child's project NOT being displayed? Probably.

It seems in this case the teacher was in the wrong by displaying the grades. (I thought the fact that it was against the law was discussed in the beginning of the thread?). It wasn't about the project being displayed for the OP, it was about the grade being visible.

Yes I am in contact with 2 parents and both of their daughters are coming home with poor grades. Went from A students up until this point to D's and F's. Need I say more......my decision is justified! My ds was an A,B student last year and had a GREAT relationship with his teacher. As a matter of fact he CRIED HIS EYES OUT on the last day of school and for a week or two after that because he was going to miss her. It's obvious to me that my ds succeeds with a positive role model for a teacher. I do NOT think for one second (despite all the nasty comments and personal attacks here) that what I did was wrong. I knew this wasn't going to work with this teacher the moment I had an inkling that she wasn't a fan of his. Never ever have I ever gone to the principal and asked one of my kids to be removed from their class. As far as the kindergarten teacher...NO I didn't allow my child to sit in a room of peanut butter, I had no idea about it until my son came home and told me what had happened! When I asked the teacher about it, her reply was "well if its that much of a problem then you need to send in a note from the Pediatrician". The nurse had all the info as well as an epi pen on site so what more info did she need? When I called my Pediatrician and told her what happened, she asked for the teacher's name and a phone number because she wanted to speak to her personally. She was mortified! This 5th grade Teacher had EVERY intention on humiliating him, it's VERY obvious! You also want to know the sad part? Apparently she has gotten her colleague's involved because a few days later my ds was bullied by the gym teacher. A student had picked a book from the library about a boy who gets bad grades. One the cover of the book was a report card with all F's on it. The gym teacher took the book from the child and said out loud "Oh this looks like Jimmy's report card", referring to my DS. My poor son felt so belittled. Thank GOD this is his last year in that school. We have been at that school for 8 years, I have been a substitute teacher there, a room Mom, part of the PTO, and even my husband has volunteered his time after school to teach art as an enrichment class. We are NOT THAT PARENT!

I would say that 99.9% of kids succeed with a positive role model as a teacher, but as parents we are the ones who have to prepare our kids to succeed when they aren't fortunate enough to have that kind of teacher. IMO, pulling your child out of a class because he doesn't get that kind of teacher doesn't do him any favors in the long run. Sure he may get all A's on his report card if he has a different teacher, but what happens next year, or the year after that when he's on MS and has different teachers for every class.
I'm not saying there aren't ever reasons to pull your child from a class, but from what you described I don't feel are the right ones (just speaking about me personally).

Also, I'm not sure you can blame her for the gym teacher's actions (if in fact that is a true story).

 

[Skywalker]

Apparently she has gotten her colleague's involved because a few days later my ds was bullied by the gym teacher. A student had picked a book from the library about a boy who gets bad grades. One the cover of the book was a report card with all F's on it. The gym teacher took the book from the child and said out loud "Oh this looks like Jimmy's report card", referring to my DS. My poor son felt so belittled.

Does your son get straight F's? Cause if not I would think the teacher was..wait for it...joking! I think you and your son both need to lighten up.