. . .irregardless

[RitaZ.]

I really do think it's kind of trivial, too. But, it bothers me since it's such a high-rated high school. I want the teachers to teach correctly. That's what I expect and that is why I sent my daughter there.

Well, the solution is obvious... I'd demand that the teacher be fired immediately. I would not accept imperfection or mediocrity, no matter how insignificant.

 

[Kendra17]

It seems to bother you that this happened at such a "high rated" school. Would this not bother you as much if it was in just a regular high school?

Also, since there was obviously some discussion on the word (once again it is a word) any student who doubted the correctness of the word would be quite capable of using a dictionary to look up the usage themselves.....especially since these kids are at such "high rated" school. I think I would be more upset that this topic would have taken up 5 minutes of time that should have been devoted to math!

Teachers are human and make mistakes and (gasp!) may not know everything about every subject even at the best high schools in the country.

Of course it used to bother me in the regular schools. That is why I chose to send my daughter here. At my daughter's previous high school, a teacher told the kids that she didn't know how to do the homework she had just assigned and that the kids would need to call the homework hotline for assistance.

I'm well-aware that teachers make mistakes, but people continue to make mistakes until they are corrected. I certainly didn't expect to debate the legitimacy of this word.

It's not a proper word. Using the prefix 'ir' negates the meaning that the speaker is attempting to convey.

 

[imsorry]

I think we are all properly impressed by your daughter going to such a high rated school, and the fact that your DH goes to a massage therapist to the stars!

 

[Kendra17]

Well, I recognize the futility of this thread now. Thank you for letting me know so quickly.

I don't think the teacher should be fired and I have not implied this. I do think she would want to have the correct information and I also assume that she would want to teach the children correctly. This is why I chose to email her.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[TheGirlin14G]

It is a bit of an over reaction, but I see where you're coming from... I go to public high school, but my teachers have drilled in my brain what words are and aren't acceptable in proper english(aka: papers we write in high school and college)..

The point is if a teacher sees any improper English in a paper we write it counts as a grammar mistake.

 

[Stitch Inside]

This is a great example of why it's so hard to keep good teachers teaching.

 

[becka]

May I suggest homeschooling?

 

[peachgirl]

It may be a 'word' but it's not standard.

Ah, but you said it wasn't a word. It is a word. It's not generally considered correct, but it is indeed a word.

From Merriam-Webster online:

The most frequently repeated remark about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word, however.

I would think if you were going to be so picky about word usage you'd be sure to demand the same standards of yourself that you demand of others. It's simply incorrect to say that it isn't a word. It is.

I think you owe the teacher an apology.

Btw, you asked for opinions. If what you wanted was everyone to tell you were right, you should have said so.

This is a great example of why it's so hard to keep good teachers teaching.

On the other hand, this is a completely true and accurate statement.

 

[Beth76]

I do think she would want to have the correct information and I also assume that she would want to teach the children correctly. This is why I chose to email her.

Well you said several students corrected her and they even got out the dictionary. Not sure what you were trying to prove by emailing her. Trying to get more points on your side? This honestly wouldn't bother in me in the least. She was not teaching them to use an improper word, she merely used it in a sentence. I think the kids should have kept their mouths shut and not interrupted the class with this nonsense.

 

[Bob Slydell]

The point is if a teacher sees any improper English in a paper we write it counts as a grammar mistake.

In math class?

I could care less what grammar a math teacher is using as long as they are properly conveying the correct math concepts. Not a lot of math classes (well, none that I can think of) would require any essay writing.

 

[lillygator]

wow - when I was in high school...I wouldn't have been telling my mom minute details such as this.

 

[Stitch Inside]

wow - when I was in high school...I wouldn't have been telling my mom minute details such as this.

She's the new breed of DISer in training.

 

[peachgirl]

Just a thought...

You might want to consider that you're getting the story your kid wants you to hear. It might not be...hmmm, shall we say...completely accurate???

This has got to be one of the silliest parental complaints I've ever read on these boards, and I've read a bunch of 'em.

I think the kids should have kept their mouths shut and not interrupted the class with this nonsense.

I agree. They're lucky they didn't get detention for interrupting class and wasting the time of students who actually wanted to learn. Just look at the time wasted in a math class by a bunch of teenagers wanting to show up the teacher.

 

[wvrevy]

I'm curious...if the teacher had said to a student, "I'm sorry, but your solution to the equation ain't correct," would you have been ok with that?

Granted, it's probably a bit much to be worried about in the grand scheme of things, but there is NO difference in the situation described in the OP and my hypothetical above. If this really is a "top rated" school, I would expect even the math geeks to be able to speak the language correctly if they are teaching students.

(Sorry..."irregardless" and "nucular" are two pet peeves of mine...Just makes the speaker sound ignorant to use either one, IMO.)

 

[MsLeFever]

I teach humanties at a university. My students have been known to groan and carry on when I tell them that their academic papers must be in correct standard English. Asking another professional (math teacher or not) to do the same in an academic setting isn't asking too much. I tell my students that I'm SURE (and I am) that they are intelligent people but when they use substandard English they appear stupid. And, sadly, so did this math teacher.

However, the students vocally and aggressively calling her on it in the middle of class was inappropriate and put her on the defensive.

 

[CEDmom]

I'd wait for a real issue before I bothered to e-mail a teacher.

 

[The Mayor]

In math class?

I could care less what grammar a math teacher is using as long as they are properly conveying the correct math concepts. Not a lot of math classes (well, none that I can think of) would require any essay writing.

Exactly

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

let it go. What i find amusing is the e-mail and then the need to post about it here

it was a MATH teacher!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The fact that Kendra posted this is skewing a lot of the responses. Come on, admit it.

When people use the word "irregardless" it is like fingernails across a chalkboard for me. It is not proper grammar, and a teacher (any type of teacher) should not be using it (exceptions can be made for those who use English as a second language). Would I make a big deal about it though? No. If my kid knew it was incorrect then that would be good enough for me.

 

[CEDmom]

wow - when I was in high school...I wouldn't have been telling my mom minute details such as this.

There was an extensive article in our Sunday paper about this very subject. Schools refer to it as helicopter parenting. Not that I'm implying that's what the OP is doing .