Teacher Vent

[Stacerita]

DH wasn't nasty, he just pointed out that no where on the form did it say that this was a "graded assignment" or that DD wiould be penalized if her parents didn't sign it and return it.

I assume that all assignments are 'graded'. Even if it is just to check to see if its completed.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Again, why didn't you just look at the website and sign it so that it was in on time?

I had no idea about the assignment until DH mentioned the email to me tonight. DH is currently dealing with DD12 and her homework/school assignments.

 

[PlutoPony]

There was nothing for DD to complete...it wasn't up to her.

Well, it was up to her to turn a completed form in (at least that's how it works in my son's middle school). That was her assignment.
For that she needed either your help or her father's help, which she didn't get.
So either she didn't do her part in communicating the need or you all didn't do your part.

I feel like we're all missing something (not trying to be snarky) as it's unclear why the teacher would be complicit in your daughter's assignment not being completed on time.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Just because the teacher is only 25 and you see her as "just a kid" doesnt mean it's okay to disregard what she says or hands out as far as assignments. I don't understand your comment about your husband's email and how that relates to her being "just a kid."

For what it's worth, I have been an assistant teacher, and now I'm a nanny. If I was blown off because I was "just a kid", I'd be upset.

I agree. I am 24 years old and I teach Kindergarten. If i was blown up for being "just a kid" I would be upset as well.

 

[tae1218]

OP, I don't understand why you didn't look at the website with your DD since your DH was so busy at work.

Also, I feel that having the assigment for a week is more than enough time to look at a website.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Also not seeing why the teacher needed to be addressed unless it was an apology or explanation for not looking at the site.

Do all papers/assignments your DD receives state whether or not a grade will be assigned?

 

[MM27]

I assume that all assignments are 'graded'. Even if it is just to check to see if its completed.

That's what I tell my 4th graders. They always ask, "Are you going to grade this?" because they want to know how much effort they need to put in.

My answer is always, "Shouldn't you do the assignment to the best of your ability regardless of whether I'm grading it or not?"

Most of them get it by now and will respond with "my" answer when one of their classmates asks.

 

[bhaluvindisney]

Why does it matter that it didn't say it was a graded assignment?? It was something that the teacher wanted a signature on and neither of you felt it was important enough to sign and send back.

I deal with 504's, IEP, BD,LD and every other learning issue in my school and I still don't understand what the 504 or the fact your child was "bored" have anything to do with the fact that the assignment *if you knew it was a graded assignment or not* was not turned in by the 9th.

I don't think you have a beef with the "young" teacher. I think you have a beef with your DH or yourself for not doing what needed to be done by the time it was supposed to be done.

Time for mom and dad to step up to the plate and take responsibility for NOT doing what needed to be done regardless if it said it was a graded assignment or not. If she had written graded assignment would your dh have found time to get it looked at and signed and turned in on time???

It's stuff like this that makes me and so glad I stopped teaching!!

 

[BelleMcNally]

DH wasn't nasty, he just pointed out that no where on the form did it say that this was a "graded assignment" or that DD wiould be penalized if her parents didn't sign it and return it.

Then why do you expect the teacher to have such an interesting reaction to what he wrote?

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I had no idea about the assignment until DH mentioned the email to me tonight. DH is currently dealing with DD12 and her homework/school assignments.

Since your DH is so busy with work, why didn't you offer to deal with homework while he has the extra load?

 

[JoiseyMom]

Add me to the confused list....

I also don't know what having a 504 has to do with this issue. My son has an IEP, so I understand the issues that go along with 504 plans and IEPs. But, it sounds like your DD did everything she was supposed to--last week, she brought home a homework assignment that required parental involvement. The assignment was due today. You and your DH did not complete the homework assignment with your DD. Where in all this is it the teacher's fault? And also, what does your DD being bored have to do with not completing the homework assignment?

I know it is difficult, DH and I both work full time, we have 2 other kids and all 3 have activities outside of home. We still work on getting homework done. Or, we send a note explaining we couldn't get it done.

I've been a parent for over 25 years, and never have I ever seen a child penalized for a form not being signed. Alot has gone down with her 504, and all her teachers not following it, and the frustration we have felt with DD not getting what she needs. We have busted our butt on our end to get her to do her part, and at times we haven't succeeded and DD has taken the consequences. We also happen to be very frustrated that we have discussed with them at least 2 times that DD is bored and can something be done about it. We haven't heard a thing back.

Looking at a website and signing a form again, no where did it say this was an assigment that had to be back by a certain time or the child would get a zero. If it had been DH would have moved it up his prioirty list.

If I had known about it..I would have looked over the sight with her...but again, I didn't know it.

 

[celerystalker]

My answer is always, "Shouldn't you do the assignment to the best of your ability regardless of whether I'm grading it or not?"

Just thought that needed repeating.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Why does it matter that it didn't say it was a graded assignment?? It was something that the teacher wanted a signature on and neither of you felt it was important enough to sign and send back.

I deal with 504's, IEP, BD,LD and every other learning issue in my school and I still don't understand what the 504 or the fact your child was "bored" have anything to do with the fact that the assignment *if you knew it was a graded assignment or not* was not turned in by the 9th.

I don't think you have a beef with the "young" teacher. I think you have a beef with your DH or yourself for not doing what needed to be done by the time it was supposed to be done.

Time for mom and dad to step up to the plate and take responsibility for NOT doing what needed to be done regardless if it said it was a graded assignment or not. If she had written graded assignment would your dh have found time to get it looked at and signed and turned in on time???

It's stuff like this that makes me and so glad I stopped teaching!!

Apparently only things that are graded matter in school.

 

[dipin]

Did you know that according to the most recent data, 50% of teachers quit their jobs and stop working as teachers in 2 years or less? Did you know that a recent survey on career satisfaction put the level of stress involved in teaching close to the level of stress involved in being an EMT? Did you know that in a recent and widely publicized report teaching is one of the worst careers to have?


And a huge part of this is caused by parents who refuse to participate in their child's education, are aggressive and dismissive towards teachers, and sometimes even go so far as deriving satisfaction from trying to humiliate them.

Bad teachers need to be weeded out of our schools, but unfortunatelly many people end up driving the good ones away.

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

If DH is dealing with your DD's homework than he dropped the ball. Also, there was a student activity involved--showing you and/or husband the paper and getting a signature.

I'm with pps...I don't understand what this has to do with 504 plans, your DD not being engaged and the ''assignment" being graded or not graded.

 

[tasha99]

Getting a zero isn't the end of the world, and it's a far better consequence than blowing up at the teacher. I would much rather my kid take a zero (and believe me, it's happened!) than teach him to be a whiny grade grubber.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Since your DH is so busy with work, why didn't you offer to deal with homework while he has the extra load?

Again...I had no idea DD has this form. DD handed it to her dad. I asked her if she had hw this weekend, and asked that she do it, and she did. This "form" was not on the website of assignments that was due.

 

[Stacerita]

Sounds like there is a communication problem in the house. OP didn't know about the assignement and only DH handles DD's homework. It appears that the email sent to the teacher is an attempt to put the blame on her instead of themselves.

 

[bhaluvindisney]

Apparently only things that are graded matter in school.

Apparently so! I just don't understand what's so hard about looking at a website and signing a paper. I mean how long could it take??? 5 min at the most?? Your dh didn't have 5 min or didn't tell you to take 5 min to look at the website and sign it????

And OP having issues with your dd and her 504 I am sure is irritating and annoying but THIS situation has NO bearing on the fact that she has a 504. It isn't something that a 504 could help. She got the letter IN WRITING as specified by the 504 your dd received therefore THIS teacher WAS following the 504 if you want to get technical.

 

[Cindy B]

Did you know that according to the most recent data, 50% of teachers quit their jobs and stop working as teachers in 2 years or less? Did you know that a recent survey on career satisfaction put the level of stress involved in teaching close to the level of stress involved in being an EMT? Did you know that in a recent and widely publicized report teaching is one of the worst careers to have?


And a huge part of this is caused by parents who refuse to participate in their child's education, are aggressive and dismissive towards teachers, and sometimes even go so far as deriving satisfaction from trying to humiliate them.

Bad teachers need to be weeded out of our schools, but unfortunatelly many people end up driving the good ones away.

Count me as one of those teachers. I struggled to get certified and I can't even find a full time position. I'm ready to "quit" the field before I even officially start full time.

I was called a "white witch" (substitute witch) by a parent. That was not because of my age or experience but because of what I look like. This was said in front of the child as well... so there goes my credibility.

I can't tell you how much I have to cringe when I saw awful tenured teachers using abrasive and outdated methods on children--whereas I have tons to give and no one wants to take it. I'm just one of the 800 yes 800 resumes for one position. And all 800 applicants have the same GPA, same rigourous schooling, etc...

I'm interviewing for corporate positions. I'm ready to take the first reasonable offer that comes along-- whether if it a corporate positon or a teaching position.