Yet another teacher rant

[Marseeya]

That's even funnier than the parent who called our principal to inform her that I am having an affair with one of the teachers. We even drive up the school together every day.

Of course I'm having an affair with this teadcher - he's my husband!

Some people are just busy bodies!

 

[Wishing on a star]

On the other side of the coin, I get SO sick of my kids' teachers treating ME like I have a 6th grade education without even knowing me. I'm so tired of having to prove my intelligence AND education to them before they'll take a word I say seriously. It certainly won't kill them to listen to what I have to say. I know my child best and I've spent far more time researching his particular issues than they have. And no, I don't go in there acting like I'm telling them how to do their job, but how hard is it to admit that they don't know everything and they can possibly learn something new from a parent?

It goes both ways.

I cannot tell you how many times that I have tried to address issues re: my DS with teachers, only to have them outright attack, make completely false accustions, and 'parent bash' me. One made the mistake of putting it in writing, in a note... We immediately requested a meeting in the Principals office, and showed up with that note sticking out of DH's shirt pocket. Thank goodness, the situation was so obvious, and the teacher immediately 'excused herself', so bringing out that note never even became necessary!!!

 

[C.Ann]

That's even funnier than the parent who called our principal to inform her that I am having an affair with one of the teachers. We even drive up the school together every day.

Of course I'm having an affair with this teadcher - he's my husband!

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I LOVE this! That is absolutely hysterical!! Sounds like something my nosey neighbors from up to the lake would do................

 

[disney junky]

I'm tempted to post some of the things I've said to students in jest just to see the response here.
Here's one just to lighten the thread.
A middle school boy was tearing the wings off a fly in class. I told him to go wait in the hall until I could deal with him while I continued the lesson until a natural break. In the meantime, another boy decided to torture flies in a like manner. Soooo, I told him to go wait in the hall. Actually, I said, "Why don't you go out and play with your flies in the hall." Oooops.
Glad that one never got posted on the boards....of course it was about 15 years ago.....
I have learned that even things said in jest sound lousy posted here. I certainly would not question the OP as to the legitimacy of her daughter's embarrassment, but there are contexts for these things as well.
I no longer teach middle school, strictly seniors now, but I do remember a day when a middle school girl seemed particularly stressed over some work she was doing. As I was taught in teacher school 25+ years ago, I laid my hand lightly on her shoulder and assured her that she could get the work. She turned toward me and in her best Linda Blair impression snared at me to get my hand off her shoulder...I thought I'd get a call on that one.

 

[lilostitch]

That's even funnier than the parent who called our principal to inform her that I am having an affair with one of the teachers. We even drive up the school together every day.

Of course I'm having an affair with this teadcher - he's my husband!

Hilarious! I love it!

 

[castleview]

When I was coaching high school basketball my "pay" worked out to about 39 cents/hour.

Not to mention how much you spend ordering/eating out because nothing is getting done around the house! Oh, I've been there...

 

[C.Ann]

I laid my hand lightly on her shoulder and assured her that she could get the work. She turned toward me and in her best Linda Blair impression snared at me to get my hand off her shoulder...I thought I'd get a call on that one.

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That's one of the saddest things I find about teachers today - and it's through NO fault of their own.. Due to the inappropriate actions of a few, a teacher can't even comfort a child anymore or give them a hug without worrying about it.. I remember when I was in elementary school - probably 1st grade or something - I got hurt on the playground and of course wanted my "Mommy".. Obviously that wasn't possible, so the teacher became my substitute "Mommy" and hugged me and dried my tears till I was all better..

Just makes me so sad what our society has become..

 

[torinsmom]

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That's one of the saddest things I find about teachers today - and it's through NO fault of their own.. Due to the inappropriate actions of a few, a teacher can't even comfort a child anymore or give them a hug without worrying about it.. I remember when I was in elementary school - probably 1st grade or something - I got hurt on the playground and of course wanted my "Mommy".. Obviously that wasn't possible, so the teacher became my substitute "Mommy" and hugged me and dried my tears till I was all better..

Just makes me so sad what our society has become..

Yes, don't get me started on that. We have to be so careful if we touch a child in any way. I work with Pre-K and K and if we have to help a child in the bathroom, the door has to halfway open, so others can see we are not doing anything inappropriate(very embarrassing for some children) If a child is hurting another child and you have to physically remove them, you could be accused of being abusive. One child claimed I shook him to the parents when I did no such thing. Luckily, my co-teacher and about 10 children were right there and reported the incident much differently. It is a dangerous job to be a teacher nowadays. I still hug my children when they are hurt or sad though, don't think I will ever stop that. I guess its different with the older kids though.

Marsha

 

[kejoda]

That's even funnier than the parent who called our principal to inform her that I am having an affair with one of the teachers. We even drive up the school together every day.

Of course I'm having an affair with this teadcher - he's my husband!

I'm sorry but I have to know was the principal able to keep a straight face when s/he told that you were married?

I mean really how bad can you get?

 

[disney junky]

One last one.
New 10th grade student assigned to my homeroom. Few years ago. Oooozing attitude. The rule is to be in homeroom before bell rings. Penalty is unexcused late for school. Students must go to office to sign in.
New kid knows the rules.
Comes late first time. Warning. Second time...
The conversation went like this.
me. "You need to go to the office"
him. (mumbling so class can hear him but not me-he thinks) "You're gay."
me. "excuse me, what did you say?"
him. (louder) "You're gay!"
me. "Oh, I thought so. My wife and kids will be surprised to hear that."
class. much laughter. Don't know what I did for his self esteem...

These sorts of things go on every day in schools. Please people, understand there is a context for everything.

FYI. I once requested the "mean nasty" elementary teacher for my daughter so she would learn how to deal different teaching types.

I also know that the "gifted" students' parents used their kids IEP's to request that their children not have to complete a research assignment which was a requirement for a history class because the teacher was notoriously difficult. The parents got their wish. Their kids didn't do the research paper that year. They called me and asked me to make the same request for my daughter. My response was that I'd never used my child's IEP to make things easier for her. What would that teach her?

There's another teacher vent from a teacher.....

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Blame the ones that need to be blamed but praise the ones that need to be praised.

It seems the OP has been contested even on that fact.

Noone can argue there are good teachers.

People talk of entitlement.

Since when is a person "entitled" to outright embarass and humiliate a student--especially when that student had a DOCTORS NOTE?


This board is getting into a habit of taking very valid issues and turning them into entitlement mentalities and "that's life" arguments.

Last night at Publix--I had finally had my last nerve unravelled by the declining customer service. With a sweet smile I went and spoke with a manager. Now-I could have shared all my problems with the grocery store lately--but I focused on the moment in hand complete with demonstration for the manager of what an employee did and why it was inappropriate (actually--used the phrase "not cool"). Now...had I posted that very thing on the DIS as I just now did but in it's own separate thread...how many would have come on saying "what's the big deal?" "You too lazy to bag your own groceries". Since when are you "entitled".

I think people get an entitlement mentality when they are permitted to get away with things they shouldn't. Everyone is entitled to have a bad day.

Yes--you are entitled to your bad day. But I'm entitled to not receive the lash out from it.

OP's daughter has been turned into a overexaggerating liar--all b/c of a valid issue. That of being publicly humiliated b/c she didn't do her work.

So in your very quote--the OP did just that...and it has turned into a debate (as usual) about the overworked, underpaid teaching profession. Last time I checked...your paycheck is not carte blanche for rude behavior.

Too bad HIPAA doesn't apply in the classroom.

 

[declansdad]

It seems the OP has been contested even on that fact.

OP's daughter has been turned into a overexaggerating liar--all b/c of a valid issue. That of being publicly humiliated b/c she didn't do her work.

So in your very quote--the OP did just that...and it has turned into a debate (as usual) about the overworked, underpaid teaching profession. Last time I checked...your paycheck is not carte blanche for rude behavior.

Too bad HIPAA doesn't apply in the classroom.

Just wanted to clear this up from my point of view. I have never once felt that the OP went off half-cocked and attacked the teacher. Hearing just the one side of the story I do believe that the teacher was wrong in her/his actions. That being said, we still do not know the context of what and how it was said.

My comments have been in response to other posters who always seem to blame teachers no matter what the situation.

 

[taximomfor4]

I can only speak for my self, but I was just drifting around with the topic...I believe the conversation took a turn in response to posts that DID come across very anti-teacher in general. Threads do have a life of their own. I sincerely hope the OP realizes that the teacher anecdotes are not about HER situation...they stemmed from posts after hers. Mostly because, it seems, the majority here have already responded that the way the situation is described up till now, in the OP, that teacher was definitely rude and out of line. Many of us have not said that the OPs dd lied, exaggerated, etc. All we are saying is that communication is only 10% words...it is 90% nonverbal language. The words leading up to the comment might not make it right...but they might change the intonation a tad (not enough to necessarily make it right, though).

Also, perhaps the kid next to OPs dd was absent also, and got cocky. Maybe that led to an allout rant by the teacher directed at absences in general, encompassing the whole first semester's absences. We just don't know ALL of it. The fact that OPs dd felt humiliated is sure bad. I was one of those kids (I was an overachiever) who would have been completely HORRIFIED to be called out in front of the class. As the parent, OP is upset too. That is normal and justified. It seems that most (or all?) of us agree about that...we just have different ideas on what we would do now.

Personally, if this was a rarity with this teacher and my dd, I would let it go. But if it is part of a pattern, I would want to address it constructively. I hope OP's dd feels better...how has it been for her in that class since that day?

Beth

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have never once felt that the OP went off half-cocked and attacked the teacher.

Very true...
And, I would like to point out that there have been no posts with outraged parents telling the OP that she should march up to the school immediately and have it out with the teacher.

Why then, are there nearly 10 pages now of parent bashing, student bashing, (they are all conniving liars, etc...), and off-topic discussions of how teachers are 'martyrs' on their salarys, etc.. etc...

Yep, happens EVERY time!!!

 

[castleview]

Very true...
And, I would like to point out that there have been no posts with outraged parents telling the OP that she should march up to the school immediately and have it out with the teacher.

Why then, are there nearly 10 pages now of parent bashing, student bashing, (they are all conniving liars, etc...), and off-topic discussions of how teachers are 'martyrs' on their salarys, etc.. etc...

Yep, happens EVERY time!!!

Let me get this straight: Every chance you get, you complain that teachers have all this power and you as a parent have none. Yet you say teachers are being "martyrs"? Please! I would really like to know what happened to you that you have all this hatred toward teachers. If you have an inferiority complex toward them, I can't imagine how you must feel about lawyers, doctors, and anyone that makes over $100,000.00

 

[Mari annie]

 

[scanne]

Teachers can be nasty, it's usually all about them. I'd just chalk him/her up as a mean person and move on. More kids should stay home when they're sick, and then less kids would be out. If that makes sense.

Teachers can be nasty? It's all about them? Who are YOU!?

I'm a teacher and it's all about my STUDENTS! I do expect work to be made up, but I don't humiliate students. WHo are you to judge ALL teachers?! Take a step back and jusge yourself before making a blanket statement about one group of professionals.

 

[Mari annie]

 

[C.Ann]

Listen when my son was 5 and wasn't reading we went to the school they said okay, dont' worry, he started reading by 6 with lots of money we paid to SYLVAN (7,000) hiring an education attorney to get the JERKS in gear for an IEP and me staying home FULL TIME to make sure his IEP was always kept, sending notes/emails and calling, schools are a political corporation, and the majority of teachers are BURNT out and stay because they have a pension coming to them*, and are too lazy to find other work or be retrained.
I seen enough of the slugs the last 11 years of helping my son, with alot of OUTSIDE HELP thousands of dollars with education attorneys/speech/reading programs, ETC ETC my son is now a Junior, a promising young man who is interning in his field, communications. And alot to do with his parents helping him. The school doesn't have the funds, the time, they all want the kids to be at the same speed, and kids arent'. Most teachers have animals, jobs, etc etc they need to run out by the last bell ringing.
Just becuase you Teach it doesn't mean you are an educator, hunny! Swallow that one!
By the way I have been home for lives of my two kids who are 17 and 12
both on the national honor society wonderful intelligent kids, I have 2 degrees and certifications and always put my kids and family first.
So, don't tell me to look at myself, I am 41 and look 30 and my kids are beautiful and intelligent I have been married 23 years to a gorgeous intelligent sucessful man.
AND YOU???!
You look in the mirror!!!!! OH by the way we just purchased a home in Celebration AND we go to Disney 2 times a year for 2 weeks, and YOU????
Not bad for someone who stays home and takes care of their family,
HUGH?!!!!!
Make you green? SHOULD!!!

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Gosh! Isn't your response a little over the top?? I'm not saying that your experiences aren't true (there are always going to be good teachers, not so good teachers, and flat out bad teachers) but why attack someone so viciously simply because they don't think ALL teachers are bad?

 

[Marseeya]

Listen when my son was 5 and wasn't reading we went to the school they said okay, dont' worry, he started reading by 6 with lots of money we paid to SYLVAN (7,000) hiring an education attorney to get the JERKS in gear for an IEP and me staying home FULL TIME to make sure his IEP was always kept, sending notes/emails and calling, schools are a political corporation, and the majority of teachers are BURNT out and stay because they have a pension coming to them*, and are too lazy to find other work or be retrained.
I seen enough of the slugs the last 11 years of helping my son, with alot of OUTSIDE HELP thousands of dollars with education attorneys/speech/reading programs, ETC ETC my son is now a Junior, a promising young man who is interning in his field, communications. And alot to do with his parents helping him. The school doesn't have the funds, the time, they all want the kids to be at the same speed, and kids arent'. Most teachers have animals, jobs, etc etc they need to run out by the last bell ringing.
Just becuase you Teach it doesn't mean you are an educator, hunny! Swallow that one!
By the way I have been home for lives of my two kids who are 17 and 12
both on the national honor society wonderful intelligent kids, I have 2 degrees and certifications and always put my kids and family first.
So, don't tell me to look at myself, I am 41 and look 30 and my kids are beautiful and intelligent I have been married 23 years to a gorgeous intelligent sucessful man.
AND YOU???!
You look in the mirror!!!!! OH by the way we just purchased a home in Celebration AND we go to Disney 2 times a year for 2 weeks, and YOU????
Not bad for someone who stays home and takes care of their family,
HUGH?!!!!!
Make you green? SHOULD!!!

Who on earth are you ranting and raving to?

Dramatic much?