How bad do you think this is?

[Liberty Belle]

Yesterday my son (15) came home from school and told me his teacher called him a smartass. I told him he probably deserved it and asked him what he did. He said the class was being really noisy and the teacher said, "Hello!" really loud and Will (my son) looked at her and waved and said "Hi." I really didn't think much of it. Later, though, he told me it really hurt his feelings because when she said it, she looked at him with a really disgusted look on her face and he feels like she doesn't like him at all.

I told him if it was really bothering him, he should talk to her and tell her that it hurt his feelings. He said he wants to tell the principal. I guess it's up to him, but I told him I didn't think he should, that he should give her another chance, she was probably having a bad day and he was being a smart aleck.

What do you think? Would it bother you?

 

[golfgal]

I guess if it were my kid I would have told him that had he not been goofing off the comment wouldn't have been made. No, it probably isn't the most appropriate comment but teachers are human as well. I would have been more upset that my son was disrespectful to the teacher then the comment from the teacher.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I had a couple teachers that just hated my guts also, about the only good that could come of it is that it prepares him from life, where certain boss and people just wont like you.

 

[Pomlover2586]

I think I'd be more upset with my son for making a rude comment like that...you have to give respect to earn respect.....I also think the teacher made a mistake and could have used a better approach but it sounds like they were stressed. JMO

 

[lemondog]

Maybe it's my Catholic school upbringing, but I don't think it's okay for a teacher to EVER call a kid a smartass, no matter what the situation. I would be one unhappy mama! There are better ways the teacher could have handled the situation.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think I'd be more upset with your son for making a rude comment like that.......JMO

I was and talked to him about it. Basically, that's why I said he got what he deserved. He was being a smart alek and shouldn't have said it. That kind of banter does take place between the teachers and the kids in other classes, though (minus the profanity).

 

[onelilspark]

I'm sorry, but since when has it been appropriate for a teacher to use that kind of language in a classroom?

Bad day or not, she's the adult, he's a minor, still a child.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Do you believe she actually used that term, or did she say something more benign (like smart aleck?) Teachers are human, but it was a mistake on her part if she used that particular term. I would encourage him to talk to her, then go to the principal if the issue isn't resolved or she continues to speak to him inappropriately.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Start with talking to the teacher. Don't go over her head on this issue. Go have a meeting with her and clarify both positions. It may even be that your son needs to apologize, not her.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Do you believe she actually used that term, or did she say something more benign (like smart aleck?) Teachers are human, but it was a mistake on her part if she used that particular term. I would encourage him to talk to her, then go to the principal if the issue isn't resolved or she continues to speak to him inappropriately.

He seemed sincere and hurt, so I do believe she said it. He has her again tomorrow, maybe he'll talk to her then.

 

[EpcotBeauty]

My son gets called a "smartass" on a weekly basis. I told him to quit being a smartass!!! I must admit, he gets it honestly......

 

[Tinijocaro]

I don't think her son was rude or disrespectful, I do think he chose the wrong time to try to be cute. He's 15!

As a teacher, I would never say what that teacher said. I would never even say shutup, but that's just me. My kids have had teachers in elementary school who have told the class to shutup-totally crass and white trash IMO.

I realize OP's son is in high school and it is a different dynamic than elementary school, but there should never be a time a teacher swears at a student-it's a line that shouldn't be crossed.

 

[Soarin08]

I don't think the OP's son was rude at all. The teacher is the one who needs to be disciplined, not the son. No adult should call a child that no matter what the situation, I think- that's swearing.

 

[jordansmomma]

I would talk with the teacher. Just them him/her know that they had hurt my child feelings. then I would also make my child appologize for being a smartass. If the class was acting like that, I am sure that the teacher was just a little stressed, it doesn't make up for what she said but sometimes we all just blurt out things.
They way some kids are with not respecting teachers now a days I don't really blame her/him.

 

[lulugirl]

Personally I would let it go. I think a classroom full of teenagers should be able to handle hearing the word "smartass".
Was she wrong to say it.....perhaps, but it's not something I would get upset over.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Start with talking to the teacher. Don't go over her head on this issue. Go have a meeting with her and clarify both positions. It may even be that your son needs to apologize, not her.

I agree.

Also, a true smart"butt" would have responded to her comment with: "It's better than a dumb"butt".

 

[All American]

How bad do I think this is?

Not the worst that could happen. I wonder if your son was more embarassed than "hurt" because he thought he was being funny and was told, in no uncertain terms and in front of the class, he was not. Sorry, I'm not much help.

 

[minniecarousel]

I work with HS teachers and I can imagine that a few might say something like that (I don't know for sure). I would recommend that he talk to the teacher privately and tell her that he didn't like being called that, and that, in the future he will try not to add to classroom chaos. He needs to toughen up a little and not be so sensitive. I'm sure she doesn't "hate" him.

And, please, this is not your battle - he needs to deal with this on his own.

 

[jenlynn0808]

I would never say shut up to my class or my own children, but sometimes misunderstandings do occur. If the class was really out of control and loud it is possible that he misheard what the teacher said, so like other posters I would talk to the teacher.

Funny story (now) Mortifing in teh moment..

I will admit that I did swear at a fourth grade class once, but not on purpose. I had a "regular" subbing gig among a group of fourth grade teachers who switched classes, so all the kids knew me as well as the rest of the staff and the prinicpal (I was the buildings requested sub ). Anyhow, I was teaching Science one day and the topic was the difference between bases and acids. You guessed it, I got tongue tied and out came a**es! Class started laughing, I turned beat red. Of course who is walking by when I say it, the principal, she pops her head in, I explained that I had gotten tongue tied and mispronounced the word acids (being very careful when I said it). She smiled and said, "We've all had one of those moments." and left the room.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I work with HS teachers and I can imagine that a few might say something like that (I don't know for sure). I would recommend that he talk to the teacher privately and tell her that he didn't like being called that, and that, in the future he will try not to add to classroom chaos. He needs to toughen up a little and not be so sensitive. I'm sure she doesn't "hate" him.

And, please, this is not your battle - he needs to deal with this on his own.

Yes, I agree. I thought I was clear about that.