Pixie Dust Needed-Teacher conference this am UPDATE!!!!

[Pembo]

My 1st grader is "bored and hates school." He brought him a short story he wrote and that is what he wrote about!

I'm headed in for a conference this morning with his teacher. I don't like her already and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. We've had a few minor run-in's already. I've made some notes so that I can approach all my concerns in a non-threatening way.

I'd love to be able to tell her that I think she STINKS as a teacher and that her class is boring and that I'd do just about anything to get him out of there. But I think that would be a bit too confrontational.

I've already alerted the principal to my troubles so he will be my next stop.

My stomach is in knots..........it shouldn't be like this. But I'll fight for my ds's education! No 7 year old should ever say I hate school & school is boring! That is just sad. She should be ashamed!

I'll let you know what happens........

 

[Colleen A.]

I went through the exact same thing last year!! The teacher acted like she hated my DD (7 at the time) and she would criticize her in front of the class or "tease" her - DD HATES to be teased! When I approached the teacher, she told me that she was raised with all brothers and that's how they treated her. I told her flat out DO NOT tease Jessica! Jessie started to 'shut down' and would not particpate in class because she was always ridiculed when she answered. I had to go to the principal and report her! I couldn't get my DD moved out of the class, but at least this woman knew I would be on her back if she started on Jess again!!

Here's some pixie dust that everything works out for you! Hold to your guns!! Don't let this woman get away with anything! We, as parents, know our kids better than anyone. I think schools should start to take into consideration a parents opinion on what's best for our kids!

 

[bananiem]

This is just a thought but I have a 1st grade ds too and after spring break he started saying he hated school. after asking a bunch of questions this is what it amounted to:
He still loved his teacher and all of the teacher's aides. He still liked all of his friends. What HAD changed though was the amount of work- after Christmas they step it up a bit more and there's less "free time" which is what most first graders want!! My son does well in the different subjects but like most 7 year old boys, he'd rather be playing and is bored with school work.
The BIG difference though was that it had been WEEKS since they could go outside for recess. The wind chill has been below 0 for so long and I think he really missed that outside time. It just made his day seem to go on forever!!!
I realize that you've had trouble with this teacher before. I just remember we went through this same thing with our dd8 when she was in first grade. Kids don't know exactly what word to use so they use "bored". Even if they mean to say "I wish we could have our free time back!"
Just a thought... Good luck!

 

[crazymomof4]

I'm with you. I've come to the conclusion that not all teachers like kids, or teaching for that matter. I feel some older ones are hanging in there so they can retire w/ a pension. (to all teachers reading this don't get me wrong, my kids have had some teachers who were so wonderful that by the end of the year I wanted to cry over losing them!)
My advice: Stick by your child and let him know that you support him and all you expect is for him to do his best. My oldest son has a very distinct personality. Some teachers loved him and others merely tolerated him or actually disliked him. Here's what I do now for my younger school-aged children. I get feedback from other parents about teachers in upcoming grades. In March I write a note requesting (not demanding!) that my children be placed in a certain teacher's class. I know, I know, kids need to learn to deal w/ all kinds of people and some would argue that I shouldn't do this. But I know from experience that when your child spends 5 hours a day w/ someone, that person has a stong influence on him/her. A year or two with a teacher that is constantly riding the kid's back can give the kid a negative view of learning that is difficult to undo.
Hang in there, the school year is more than half over (at least here in NJ). Let us know how the conference went.

 

[Pembo]

Update---The teacher conference made me even more angry. So I left a message for the principal and he called me back. That didn't really help. So I called the Assistant Superintendent and he listened.

If all goes well, Ds will go to a new school on Monday.

The squeaky wheel gets the GREASE! WOo-hoo........

 

[Serena]

Wow! I know your son will appreciate you standing up for him.

 

[nativetxn]

I hope everything works out for the best for your son in school. Too bad the teacher wasn't helpful to you in this situation.

 

[crazymomof4]

Good for you!!!!
I'm not surprised that you didn't get any satisfaction w/ the principal, that seems to be the rule, they stand up for the teachers. Good move going to the Superintendant!
I never went that far but a friend of mine recently did and got her kindergartener switched to a new school too. (His teacher said to him, "What are you stupid or something?"---Nice huh?) Unfortunaltely, we have only one elementary school in our district, so that was never an option for me. After a horrible experience last yr. in 6th grade, I am now homeschooling my 13 yo DS. We both love it. Kudos to you for standing by your son and doing what you know is best for him!!

 

[gemmie214]

Children can be bored in the classroom for many reasons. It is not the teachers fault that some children learn at a faster pace than others. Should teachers up the pace in the classroom leaving the majority of others behind? I don't feel that that would be the solution. Maybe you should look into a gifted program for your son if he is that bored with the pace of the regular classroom. I hope you and your child enjoy the new classroom and teacher.

 

[Pembo]

gemmie214-My ds's teacher teaches all day to the class a whole. She never works with them in individual groups. When I asked her what she thought his reading level was she admitted she had no idea. She also told me that if I had him tested for gifted and he qualified she would be required by law to give him some enrichment but she really didn't have the time to do much.

I could go on and on and on. There is alot more to this story than what I've posted. I'd take up way too much space telling the whole story!

I think teachers need to vary the curriculum and teaching style to keep kids interested. Doing the same thing, day in and day out, is boring to me, let alone my 7 yo.


bananiem - I agree with you that kids don't know what other word to use than bored. I took ds to his psychologist last week and he was able to verbalize a few other things. But the bottom line is the classroom environment and his learning style just don't work together!