I've had it with DS's Student Teacher

[Pembo]

DS is in 1st grade. They've had a s.t. since the first day of school. She keeps writing "Be Neat" and "Take Your Time" on his papers. The other day on his math paper that they did together in class he was writing extra math facts on it and she wrote "don't write on your paper" .

This weekend we had a friend from the USMC visit. So today in the sharing time DS shared that our friend visited and he showed us a lot of pictures of him in his military gear including his gun. DS got in trouble for saying "gun."

I asked ds what else he could have said. I suggested firearm but then none of the kids would have known what he was talking about. His answer was then the student teacher could have said gun! LOL!!!!

I think it's time to write a note to his regular teacher....

 

[grinningghost]

Almost sounds like this ST is picking on him. I'd give the real teacher a call too.

 

[jldriscoll]

Yup...time to step in!!! "Don't write on your paper"? What's that about. THis person needs to be reminded to focus on the positive! Go get 'em!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Sorry, Pembo.

When our DD Jennifer, now an 11 year old 6th grader was in 1st grade, she also had a student teacher (and a slightly dippy teacher ). Jennifer was a very affectionate child, so we were surprised when her teacher called us and told us to tell Jennifer NOT TO HUG HER STUDENT TEACHER SO MUCH?!?!

Seems the student teacher, a young man, was SOOOOOO worried about sexual misconduct that everytime Jennifer hugged him, he would be terrified! You see, he was standing up, and Jennifer was a bit on the short side, and her hugs would end up, well, at crotch level.

We suggested that he might consider JUST BENDING OVER or SQUAT DOWN when she hugged him . . .

 

[SonjaB]

I agree, Pembo, I think it's time for a little "reasonability check". Don't write on your paper? Don't say the word gun in a completely inocuous description? Oh, come on......

Ummmm, Deb??? Those two were just plain weird......

 

[ErikdaRed]

The gun thing stems from zero-tolerance codes, where you can be expelled for pointing your finger at someone like it is a gun.

 

[Boots]

I think the student teacher is trying a little too hard to be a good teacher. I too think the real teacher needs to be aware of this. Where is the teacher during all of this? I thought that they had to be in the room to observe the student teacher. I am sorry you are having to put up with this kind of thing. {{{{HUGS}}}} to you both!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Deb in IA
Sorry, Pembo.

When our DD Jennifer, now an 11 year old 6th grader was in 1st grade, she also had a student teacher (and a slightly dippy teacher ). Jennifer was a very affectionate child, so we were surprised when her teacher called us and told us to tell Jennifer NOT TO HUG HER STUDENT TEACHER SO MUCH?!?!

Seems the student teacher, a young man, was SOOOOOO worried about sexual misconduct that everytime Jennifer hugged him, he would be terrified! You see, he was standing up, and Jennifer was a bit on the short side, and her hugs would end up, well, at crotch level.

We suggested that he might consider JUST BENDING OVER or SQUAT DOWN when she hugged him . . .

Hi Deb in IA,

I can understand why this student teacher was concerned. Most school districts have a no touch policy. Teacher's are only allowed to touch students if they are in danger of hurting themselves or others and then they have to justify the touching.
My mother is a teacher's aide and the district she works for has a no touch policy.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Deb in IA
Sorry, Pembo.

When our DD Jennifer, now an 11 year old 6th grader was in 1st grade, she also had a student teacher (and a slightly dippy teacher ). Jennifer was a very affectionate child, so we were surprised when her teacher called us and told us to tell Jennifer NOT TO HUG HER STUDENT TEACHER SO MUCH?!?!

Seems the student teacher, a young man, was SOOOOOO worried about sexual misconduct that everytime Jennifer hugged him, he would be terrified! You see, he was standing up, and Jennifer was a bit on the short side, and her hugs would end up, well, at crotch level.

We suggested that he might consider JUST BENDING OVER or SQUAT DOWN when she hugged him . . .

I was in a child abuse meeting last Wednesday and one of our teachers mentioned this. He is the only male teacher at our day care. He says he is very worried about a child saying he touched him/her in the wrong way. He tries to keep to avoid hugging the kids to protect himself.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Pembo
DS is in 1st grade. They've had a s.t. since the first day of school. She keeps writing "Be Neat" and "Take Your Time" on his papers. The other day on his math paper that they did together in class he was writing extra math facts on it and she wrote "don't write on your paper" .

This weekend we had a friend from the USMC visit. So today in the sharing time DS shared that our friend visited and he showed us a lot of pictures of him in his military gear including his gun. DS got in trouble for saying "gun."

I asked ds what else he could have said. I suggested firearm but then none of the kids would have known what he was talking about. His answer was then the student teacher could have said gun! LOL!!!!

I think it's time to write a note to his regular teacher....

I guess I do not see a problem with the above. The teacher might be trying to enforce the need to follow instructions. Before the paper she might have given instructions for the students not to write on their papers. If she writes notes on all of the students papers then I do not believe she is picking on him.

The gun thing I am willing to bet comes from a zero tolerance policy.

If the notes bother you which since you posted about them they must be I would just casually ask the teacher about them and what she is trying to accomplish by writing them.

No matter what happens I wish you well.

 

[jldriscoll]

Originally posted by disneyjunkie
I was in a child abuse meeting last Wednesday and one of our teachers mentioned this. He is the only male teacher at our day care. He says he is very worried about a child saying he touched him/her in the wrong way. He tries to keep to avoid hugging the kids to protect himself.

I can understand this man's feelings....but it makes me very sad society has come to this

 

[emmy]

Originally posted by jldriscoll
I can understand this man's feelings....but it makes me very sad society has come to this

I agree!

Thankfully my kids have very caring, affectionate teachers- all of whom give out hugs on a regular basis!They are in K, 1st and 2nd grade- and I think it is great to see them want to hug their teachers!

I think I would talk to the teacher and let her know how this makes you and your DS feel and maybe they will focus more on the positive reinforcement!

 

[RoqueC]

It sounds like shes just picking on him. I'd give her a call, maybe send her a note.

 

[JohnTBap]

Personally I do the "side hug" - it's kind of an arm around the shoulder type thing. I wouldn't go into a front to front hug with a student.

And I always ask first or if I see one coming quickly twist a little to the side.

Kinda sad, isn't it?

 

[gepetto]

Maybe you should talk to the st first before going over head. I'd hate to see anyone get in trouble over what may have been an innocent mistake or comment on her part.

 

[SilverLily]

Does she write comments like this on the papers of other kids? It may be that she is this way with all of the students. She is a student teacher....she may be trying too hard. I would talk to her first and cut her some slack. She probably doesn't realize that she is going overboard with enforcing the rules.

Sometimes it is hard for a new teacher to know how strictly to enforce the rules and when to let things slide. Only experience and feedback from parents and teachers will let her know how she is doing. I would talk to her first before going over her head.

 

[Pembo]

I've written a note for his teacher concerning the "gun" word. Never knew it was a bad word! I do understand the whole zero tolerance policy but as far as I know just saying a word isn't bad

I'm not saying anything about all the comments on his papers, yet. I think the st leaves in a week or 2. If the comments continue when it is his regular teacher, then I'll be in to complain.

Poor DS has enough problems...we don't need this too.

Last week a kid called him chicken if he wouldn't fight and when he ran to tell the kid scratched him in the face! Talked to the principal about that one. I don't want to become a regular at the school...but I'll fight for my ds! Watch OUT! Hell hath no fury like a momma protectin' her cubs!

 

[bobcat]

Talk to the teacher and let her deal with the student teacher. If it is a case of the student teacher trying too hard then the teacher should be able to help her find a way to get her info across in a better way. The student teacher should be reminded that comment should be positive and constructive and not what a child shouldn't do. This could be a great lesson for her and help her to become a better teacher, after all she is still a student and this is her time to learn.

 

[shortbun]

Hmmm...My DS is in first grade and if his teacher spent
time worrying about things like this, she'd get no teaching
done. In first grade, just getting the work done is an
accomplishment. Give her a reality check or ask that it
be done. She's there to learn. I volunteer lots in Ds's class.
Children at this age are constantly embellishing. It helps
develop their individuality and shows they are thinking
'outside the box', which is rewarded in DS's class. Teachers
should know not to squelch extra and beyond thought
process.

 

[snoopy]

The fact that this child got in trouble for using the word gun is the most ludicrious thing I have ever heard.

As far as hugs, my son has a male teacher (2nd grade) who gives out hugs all the time. He's a sweetie, a young man with lots of energy, and the kids love him. I'm not bothered by it in the least.

Now stressing to be neat - I think this is commonplace in the early grades. These kids are drilled at an early age to have good penmanship. Granted, she could have been a little more positive about it, but you will probably see the words "Be Neat" for a long time to come. Hopefully the teacher will learn to throw some words of encouragement in there as well.