Teachers??? What should my wife do?

[Jon99]

My wife is currently a Special Ed teacher in a multi-handicap classroom with 5 students, grades 2-5. This is her first year in this classroom and has had problems all year long with her administration. Main problem was that her students did not get the speech and OT that their IEP's require and she spent a lot of the school year complaining to her boss..

She was frustrated to the point that she notified her boss that she wanted to switch classrooms for next year, wanting the 2nd grade Special Ed class she did for 5 years prior.

She was called into the office today and notified that they are moving her to the high school next year, while she is certified for that, has never had kids older than 4th grade. She realized this was basically her bosses way of getting back to her for complaining and her solution has been to look at and apply for other districts..

Today she finds out that the administrator has not only stuck her in a class thats not suited for her, he has done it to others that have questioned his authority. The classroom she has now, with 5 severe kids in grades 2-5 will be taught by a person with 22 years in the high school and the second grade class will be taught by a high school teacher as well...

All 3 teachers have talked to the principal in her building and he can't believe whats going on and has offered to talk to the superintendent.. My wife is no longer upset about her situation as she has all but been offered a few jobs at other districts, but is upset with the effect on the kids. She feels as if her boss is letting his ego get in the way and the kids are the ones getting hurt.

What should she do? How far should she complain? Or better off to let the parents know whats going on and let them complain?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She should do nothing and move on. She tried to get "heard" but it is clear that it falls on deaf ears. There is probably not much she can do different. You also have to have self-preservation, as you know, when it comes to the company workplace.

Best thing to do is let it go and move forward. I understand that it is tough to let go but with teachers, nurses, etc...I think you get attached. It is part of the job.

If the parents have issues they have to be the voice now, not your wife.

 

[monsterkitty]

If your wife lets the parents know why she was moved and the politics, she would be shooting herself in the foot.

I would change districts in a heartbeat.

BTW, does your wife teach in my district? This sure sounds like a familiar tune.

 

[Glynis]

This is simply my personal opinion as a former teacher. If she takes a job with a different district, then I would say she needs to let the superintendant know what is going on. That is a principal that is overstepping his/her authority. The super should know. However, if she is staying in the same school/district, I'd think twice about it. Politics within the district being what they are, she could be letting herself in for a world of hurt if she says anything.

It's a tough situation, and I send lots of . It's no fun working with a principal who has control issues.

 

[lyeag]

I would look for another district. Since she is able to teach special ed it shouldn't be very hard at all. Those are some of the most in demand teaching jobs around.

Unfortunately, some principals can be like that. I hope things work out for both of you.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I'm not a teacher, but a parent of a child who has special needs (although I do have my masters in elementary education). Personally, I would change districts, and then contact the state about the IEP violations. If possible, I would also tell the parents. What they are doing is illegal. If she doesn't say anything, and one of the parents finds out what is happening, I wouldn't be surprised if she gets pulled into a lawsuit. Besides, reporting them is just the right thing to do.

 

[Kimmie5870]

Not a teacher here but a mother of a special needs child.Speaking for myself If I found out this was happening with my child I would not only file a law suit against the school but also your wife.She is the teacher of record and is required to see that these childrens IEP's are being followed to the letter and if not then to report it to the parents and state.Speech,OT,Physical therapy can make all the difference in the world to these children and it's her job to make sure they receive services exactly as desrcibed in the IEP on record.

It really makes me sad to see some of the responses to the OP,basically stating "save your own neck".Is that what teaching is all about now?

 

[JoyG]

Is she unionized? She should get together with the other teachers affected and see if they could file a grievance.

In our district that is about the only thing a principal can do to get rid of unwanted teachers...move them out of their comfort zone. So that one point probably wouldn't be grievable here, but not following the IEP's would be an issue and if she could show that he "punished" her for complaining about that issue....

It's best that she just change jobs, but since she's leaving anyway, I would pursue all legal/union angles with the Principal...because what he's doing is affecting the students too not just the teachers.

 

[JoyG]

Not a teacher here but a mother of a special needs child.Speaking for myself If I found out this was happening with my child I would not only file a law suit against the school but also your wife.She is the teacher of record and is required to see that these childrens IEP's are being followed to the letter and if not then to report it to the parents and state.Speech,OT,Physical therapy can make all the difference in the world to these children and it's her job to make sure they receive services exactly as desrcibed in the IEP on record.

It really makes me sad to see some of the responses to the OP,basically stating "save your own neck".Is that what teaching is all about now?

Could you please post a link that shows where classroom teachers are legally required to inform parents and the state if the IEP is not being followed to the letter? I have never heard of that before.

I know I do my job the best I can, and sometimes the powers that be in my district or building don't follow the IEP exactly. I try to intervene when possible, but sometimes it's just not possible. Going over my principal's head and informing the state and causing a parental uproar would be career suicide and negatively impact the good things I do in the classroom. I have been known to whisper in a parent's ear if I think they could be more vocal about asserting their rights, but that is a fine line an experienced teacher walks.

We don't even have enough teachers in our building to give everyone the amount of services their IEP's require...how does that make me legally responsible?

I know I'm legally accountable to report child abuse or suspected child abuse, but if there is a legal requirement for what you stated, I'd like to know about it.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Could you please post a link that shows where classroom teachers are legally required to inform parents and the state if the IEP is not being followed to the letter? I have never heard of that before.

I know I do my job the best I can, and sometimes the powers that be in my district or building don't follow the IEP exactly. I try to intervene when possible, but sometimes it's just not possible. Going over my principal's head and informing the state and causing a parental uproar would be career suicide and negatively impact the good things I do in the classroom. I have been known to whisper in a parent's ear if I think they could be more vocal about asserting their rights, but that is a fine line an experienced teacher walks.

We don't even have enough teachers in our building to give everyone the amount of services their IEP's require...how does that make me legally responsible?

I know I'm legally accountable to report child abuse or suspected child abuse, but if there is a legal requirement for what you stated, I'd like to know about it.

Well, I personally wouldn't sue a teacher unless I was sure they themselves were responsible (willfully so) for not following my son's IEP, but...
that wouldn't keep someone else from doing it. Would they win? I don't know, but they could use the fact that teachers are mandated reporters of abuse to come after a nonreporting teacher.

The school system is being educationally abusive/negligent toward a child by not providing them with the services in their IEP. Because the services listed in the IEP are truly necessary for that child's educational success (or they wouldn't be in there), knowingly violating that document could argueably be said to be abusive.

Again, this isn't an avenue I would pursue except in the most extreme of circumstances.

 

[Kimmie5870]

I'm orry I don't have a link to any information,honestly I wouldn't even know where to look.This comes from my own dealings with state and school over the last 13 years and information I have been given through teachers,DD's advocates and the Special Services branch in our area.
Actually,I apologize for not looking at where the OP is from,I'm not sure how the laws work in other states,I am only going by the information I've been given for my area
tw1nsmom's quote is actually an argument that was used against dd's school/teacher 8 yrs. ago when we filed a complaint with the state.It worked very well and I'm happy to say,we haven't had to address this issue again.


On a lighter note.I think that most special needs teachers deserve their own award for the work that they do.Many go above and beyond what is required of them and often on their own time with no thanks or appreciation.

Well, I personally wouldn't sue a teacher unless I was sure they themselves were responsible (willfully so) for not following my son's IEP, but...
that wouldn't keep someone else from doing it. Would they win? I don't know, but they could use the fact that teachers are mandated reporters of abuse to come after a nonreporting teacher.

The school system is being educationally abusive/negligent toward a child by not providing them with the services in their IEP. Because the services listed in the IEP are truly necessary for that child's educational success (or they wouldn't be in there), knowingly violating that document could argueably be said to be abusive.

Again, this isn't an avenue I would pursue except in the most extreme of circumstances.

 

[monsterkitty]

We have a group of parents in our district and other districts in the state who are suing the state for not adequately funding special education. They are not wanting money for themselves, but instead they want the state and federal governments to fund special education.

 

[decaff38]

check your contract carefully for the involuntary trasfer policy. Do not meet with the principal without a union rep in attendance. Do you have a Special Ed. Director? They are the ones that would be in court if it gets there and they do not like going to court. Hope you don't lose any career ground by moving to another district. Maybe a fresh start would be the best and let this ship go down without you. You would be involved in a court case if one arises because of your responsibility this year. Best of Luck to you. Sound like a rough year!