Do I let this go or make a phone call? (teacher related)

[laurie31]

Whatever happened?

Did your DD pass the class?

Did the teacher get a clue that maybe SHE had something to learn as well?

 

[Disney Doll]

You definitely need to talk to her. I know sometimes it is uncomfortable but at least you know where you stand.

Question for everyone, not to change the subject. But I can't ever remember any of my teachers calling me names or the other students. Is this common?

Truthfully, neither do I and I was a student in the 70's and 80's, where they would have more easily been able to get away with that...

 

[CowboyCO]

I'm not bashing teachers, I'm just looking for some thoughts on a situation with my DD.

DD is a junior, taking chemistry with Mrs. Smith, who is new to the school.

Comes home first day & says Mrs. Smith came from a city school & I think she might be a little tough. No big deal. A week later I ask how things are going with Mrs. Smith. Going good; she's OK; not DD's favorite, but not as tough as she thought. Seems to run hot & cold with her personality.

About 3 weeks in to school DD asks when one of the labs is due. Mrs. Smith says Friday. On Wednesday Mrs. Smith asks for the lab. DD reminds her she said it was due on Friday. Mrs. Smith says, "Oh well, my mistake, it was due today". DD turns it in & gets points off for it not being complete. DD is upset, but I told her when she asks a question maybe just ask if Mrs. Smith can write it down or sign a planner or something so it's confirmed in writing. Do better on next lab & get it done sooner than planned. Next day, however, Mrs. Smith apologizes & gives DD back the points she lost for incomplete work. Thank you Mrs. Smith.

Following week is open house. A very young Mrs. Smith proceeds to make this statement to parents, "When I went to college I could immediately tell which kids came from private school & who came from public. I am here to raise the bar for your public school children." What the heck does that mean? Why do you say that to parents who have chosen to send their children to a good public school? OK...........whatever. Let me just say the teacher was extremely immature & did not win us over with her attitude.

Fast forward to today. DD has been staying after for extra help in Chem. Wasn't going to stay after today because Mrs. Smith went off on the class. No one has above an 80 average & that "disgusts her". She told them that the Atomic Theory takes most teachers 2 days to teach & she is "bored to tears" because it has taken her over a week to teach & the kids still aren't understanding it.

I guess one of the girls asked if there was another method she could use to teach it because they were having a hard time. Mrs. Smith didn't like that & according to DD (who I know is a dramatic teenage) said Mrs. Smith pretty much called the class stupid & dumb for not understanding what she was teaching.

Now, while I don't think the student should question a teacher's teaching methods, my first thought was also that maybe the teacher should change her method. I know when I'm trying to teach something (dance teacher), if the students are grasping it I have to change the way I'm teaching it.

I guess I'm wondering if all of this is worth even thinking about.

Thoughts................let it go...................speak with the teacher.............speak with DD's counselor & ask how DD should work with teacher when she is difficult?

I'm not looking to be flamed & hear that my DD needs to grow up. I'm just wondering what others think of this & if I'm reading too much in to it.

Sounds like a young teacher that is out to change the world - right now. When you are young, you can't possibly believe how hard it is to teach to a class that is a cross-section of society and not just the gifted or upper class.

Having knowledge and TEACHING knowledge are two different skill sets. She'll learn as she matures or she'll be gone.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

ETA: Just noticed the dates--my apologies for offering my two cents when the sale was over.
What was the conclusion of Chemistry with Mrs Smith?

I took Geometry as a sophomore at a prestigious magnet school in New Orleans.

I LOVE math--I'm passionate about it--I did math teams. I took AP Calc--for the heck of it and got a 5 on the AP exam. I math.


My Geometry teacher was....SATAN.

She was....EVIL!

Proofs and theorems were so EASY to her and she couldn't understand when we didn't get something and she let us know it.

I can't say that she ever 'name called'.

But for some reason--it just wasn't something I wanted my mom to go to bat for me on. I was able to handle myself.

I struggled in the class and did end up with a B.

But sometimes--teachers are tough for a reason. And it is truly to bring the bar up.

I would hesitate for you to say anything as I'm not sure what it will do. College won't be any sweeter.

I might ask my child what I should do.

But I would bet by the end of the year, the students in that class will have risen to the challenge and know their chemistry backwards forwards and sideways.

I'd have to say--though Geometry was a struggle--Trig/Advanced math/pre-calc and Calculus weren't so bad. I can't put my finger on it--but I would say that my SATAN geometry teacher inspired me to really study the math and know it--not just hem and haw my way through it.

You may not like the maturity of the teacher--but it may be what those students needs to kick them into high gear for the demands of either Physics or their college level science classes.

My Calculus teacher in high school I loved--and she was nice--but man was she strict when it came to learning that Calculus.

I'd say--keep quiet unless your daughter finds it necessary for you to speak up.

 

[Took]

do you know if the teacher was a science major and also if she went to a small liberal arts school?

i am a science grad student now and i also went to a small liberal arts school and let me tell you.

a. women in the sciences feel like they have something to prove. (it bugs the crap out of me!!) i can't tell you how many horribly mean women scientists i've met in my time. they also like talking down to students much more than men do.

b. if she's from a small liberal arts college that could be a reason she's so stuffy and expects a lot from her students. i knew a lot of women like her in college. she seems completely out of touch with how to teach young students. it sounds like she needs to rethink her teaching strategies. it's not college and you don't curve. she needs to realize that. also, some students are just not as good in chemistry as others and those students will do well in other subjects that kids good in chemistry may not. it's just life.

sorry i don't have any advice, i just thought i'd share my experiences with you. good luck.

eta. my boyfriend went to an "exclusive private" school for high school and i went to a "public" school. i'm just as motivated as he is and i know that there were just as many unmotivated students at his school as there were at mine. what type of school you come from means nothing.

I, too, went to a private university and both private and public high schools. I can't say I agree with your assessment of women scientists (although, I don't doubt that that may have been your experience), nor do I agree that what type of school you attend "means nothing." It may not mean everything, but, often, it does mean a good deal.

OP, good luck. I, too, find young teachers with "attitudes" especially annoying; some young teachers, however, are just wonderful and very motivated. DD had a new teacher in 5th grade and I had one in 7th. Both think these teachers were among the best.

 

[MELSMICE]

I didn't even remember I wrote this thread when I first saw that there was a response to it.

DD got through the year. I had called her counselor, who is a great counselor & who I've talked with about different things. I have a great relationship with her & would rather speak to her than going to administration.

Let's just say that DD & the teacher tolerated each other. DD went for a lot of extra help because she struggled in Chem. She passed the exam with a B.

I guess after my phone call (according to DD) administrators or department heads would sit in on the class to observe.

It wasn't the ideal class for DD, but not all situations in life are perfect. She made it through though.

 

[Kath2003]

I guess after my phone call (according to DD) administrators or department heads would sit in on the class to observe.

It wasn't the ideal class for DD, but not all situations in life are perfect. She made it through though.

I don't know how it works in the US but I've just finished my first year of teaching in the UK and it's a LEGAL REQUIREMENT that we are observed and that we reflect on and improve our performance.

The first year of teaching is a steep learning curve and hopefully teaching your DDs class did this teacher some good. We're not perfect, but most of us try our best

 

[Buckalew11]

Glad she made it through.

This thread makes me happy to be homeschooling.