Teachers involved with private conversations

[DisneyKing82]

If that was my son, I would actually call the principal and inform them that my son would not be serving the detention!!

 

[TwinsinCA]

I do not agree that what he said, in itself, was bad. Honestly, if I were a teacher and I heard that, I wouldn't even blink. Am I crazy? I'd fully expect that kids would think and say that every now and then. In fact, I expect that my kids say that about ME behind my back. Just comes with the territory of being "the boss". I don't particularly care as long as they are not saying it TO my face.

You're not crazy. I also fail to see all the fuss over the word "jerk" in a conversation.

I am curious where your son was when he said this. Was he in class, the hallway, at lunch?

 

[cheermom1]

You're not crazy. I also fail to see all the fuss over the word "jerk" in a conversation.

I am curious where your son was when he said this. Was he in class, the hallway, at lunch?

I agree as well I understand the fuss over the word jerk in a conversation he was having with a friend and it was not directed towards one teacher it was in general...

 

[declansdad]

For me a lot depends on where the kid said it. If it was during lunch, passing period, in the bus line, etc. (all "free" times) and it was in a private conversation, then I think the teacher was out of line both eavesdropping and then taking action on something that was said.

I could see the teacher clearing their throat or raising an eyebrow, just to let the kid know they had been heard, but formal discipline smacks of a thin skin and a tendency to abuse power--in short, a jerk!

If it was during class/study hall/library time, then I think the teacher was within their rights to issue a detention.

If they said it in the school, regardless of the place or time, it wasn't a private conversation. Top that off with the fact they were speaking loud enough to be overheard. The detention is warranted.

 

[declansdad]

If that was my son, I would actually call the principal and inform them that my son would not be serving the detention!!

Nice message you would be sending to your son. At what point would you allow the school to enforce its own rules?

 

[NikitaZee]

If that was my son, I would actually call the principal and inform them that my son would not be serving the detention!!

The only time I would do that would be if my child was absolutely, positively not guilty of whatever offense he/she was serving the detention for. Anything else, and they must abide by the school's rules. In this case, I think it definitely applies.

 

[alexandria674]

It's just a detention. He isn't going to be expelled, he isn't going to be suspended and he definitely isn't going to be sent to prison. This detention will not be on his permanent record, it's not like the college boards are going to look through his record and gasp "He got a detention! No Harvard for him!" It's just a detention. Kids get them, they go, maybe get their homework done and its over with. It's not going to lead him down a path of evil, it's just a detention. It's well-earned too. He learned the lesson not to say something like that near the earshot of authority figures.

 

[TwinsinCA]

If they said it in the school, regardless of the place or time, it wasn't a private conversation. Top that off with the fact they were speaking loud enough to be overheard. The detention is warranted.

So those of you that find jerk so offensive and worthy of detention. What if he had said -

Teachers are idiots

Teachers are so unfair

Teachers are on a power trip

Teachers are mean

Should he get detention? Are kids never allowed to utter anything negative about teachers EVER while at school?

What if the kid had said "Steve is a jerk" referring to another student? Should they get a punishment for that?

Privacy issues aside (we're not going to agree on that one, clearly) I still think it is ridiculous that "jerk" is now the equivalent of a swear word.

 

[gina2000]

If one student talks about another and uses a derogatory term, it's considered inappropriate. Why is it any different if a teacher is referred to by the same or similar term?

Schools teachers teach tolerance and acceptance. School policy addresses intolerance. Teachers' jobs require them to enforce policy. The student deserves the detention for violation of school policy.

Think about what you are not supporting by questioning the detention. Students need to learn how to express themselves without using derogatory terms. Students should be talking out their differences, not namecalling even to a third party. Truthfully, mom should be discussing intolerance, not insisting that the detention isn't warrented. This is the goal WE want for our children. So stand by a teacher and enforce the decision.

 

[NikitaZee]

So those of you that find jerk so offensive and worthy of detention. What if he had said -

Teachers are idiots

Teachers are so unfair

Teachers are on a power trip

Teachers are mean

Should he get detention? Are kids never allowed to utter anything negative about teachers EVER while at school?

What if the kid had said "Steve is a jerk" referring to another student? Should they get a punishment for that?

Privacy issues aside (we're not going to agree on that one, clearly) I still think it is ridiculous that "jerk" is now the equivalent of a swear word.

For what it's worth, here's my opinion. Jerk and idiot are stronger words and have more of a derogatory meaning to them than saying so-and-so is unfair, or so-and-so is mean. I say the words jerk and idiot - but only if I'm really annoyed. If my 8 year old said either word, I'd correct him and tell him to find a different word to use. I think it gives off the wrong impression, and there are better ways to phrase things when you're in earshot of other people.

 

[teacherforhi]

I have zero tolerance for name-calling in my classroom. I don't care who you're talking about and what the word is. Too many kids live in environments where they're put down on a regular basis and my classroom will not be that kind of place.

 

[declansdad]

So those of you that find jerk so offensive and worthy of detention. What if he had said -

Teachers are idiots

Teachers are so unfair

Teachers are on a power trip

Teachers are mean

Should he get detention? Are kids never allowed to utter anything negative about teachers EVER while at school?

What if the kid had said "Steve is a jerk" referring to another student? Should they get a punishment for that?

Privacy issues aside (we're not going to agree on that one, clearly) I still think it is ridiculous that "jerk" is now the equivalent of a swear word.

There is quite a bit of difference in your words. Saying a teacher is mean is not going to get you detention but saying they are an idiot or a jerk (especially within ear shot) is going to get you in trouble.

What would you do if the teacher used one of those words to describe your child?

 

[TwinsinCA]

What would you do if the teacher used one of those words to describe your child?

I'll repeat what I said earlier in the thread-

"That is not the same thing. In your scenario a specific child is being singled out. The OP's son didn't say "Mr. Anderson is a jerk".

But I stand by my opinion that the word "jerk" is no big deal. As long as the teachers were not using the word to a child's face nor speaking about a specific child, I don't think it is that offensive. Some kids are jerks and so are some teachers. Sometimes the word fits."

 

[TwinsinCA]

There is quite a bit of difference in your words. Saying a teacher is mean is not going to get you detention but saying they are an idiot or a jerk (especially within ear shot) is going to get you in trouble.

I was trying to find where others who find the word jerk akin to a swear word draw the line. I didn't find any of the above offensive. But all are negative towards a teacher and it seems that some here do not tolerate any negativity whatsoever. I think some here WOULD take issue with even calling a teacher mean. You don't see that as a big deal. I don't see jerk as a big deal. We all have different lines we draw.