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Teeter Totter ~ Finding a Balance Between Me-Hood and Motherhood
Gender: female Date of Birth: January 01, 1973 Member Since: September 11, 2007 Last Signed In: November 20, 2009 Blog Views: 14722 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
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Faith Need vs Want A Tight Budget Holiday The Play Priority Disney’s A Christmas Carol – A Mom Review Making it Easy on Yourself When It Rains… You Are Here Halloween with Older Kids September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 Teeter Totter Finding a Balance Between "Me-Hood" and "Motherhood" In this blog I'll be covering as wide a variety of subjects as the duties of a real mom in today's culture. From raising special needs children, family vacations, marriage, relationships, sex, cooking, local to-do, school (both for you and the children), working, hiring a daycare provider, arts and crafts, decorating, holidays, to well... EVERYTHING! No holding back. 
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Bad Teachers (a rant)
Teachers have my up most respect. I know many excellent teachers, and my son has had more good teachers than not. Nothing however can get me riled up faster than a bad teacher. There are many kinds of bad teachers… the “Sergeant” (one who just barks orders at the kids), the “Checked-Out” teacher (who’s already mentally retired and hates coming to work), the “Selfish” teacher (who’s only there to feel good about her/himself, flex power and fill his/her own needs), and the “Rod” (knows best about everything and is totally un-flexible.) My son is currently dealing with a “Rod” style teacher. At the beginning of the year I thought it would be good for him to have to learn to deal with this kind of person. After all, you’re going to have more like them in your life (a boss, professor, etc…) and knowing how to work with them is an important skill. At this point in the school year however, I’m ready for her to be pink-slipped. For real! She has less than no clue on how to work with kids who have an IEP (I don’t even think she knows what it is) and gives wonderful feedback to my son on his work (can you feel the sarcasm?) I found one the other day with “boring” written on it in black pen. Did I mention the assignment was taking photographs? I don’t exactly have an un-trained eye myself and felt his were amazingly beautiful. In fact, I cut them out and kept them. I know the year is almost over and I keep chanting that to myself. However, the mother-bear in me won’t let it go. The woman is giving my son a “D” without so much as an e-mail to me about it. I’m on the verge of calling a school meeting and demanding justice for my "man-cub." I tell you, there is nothing worse than a bad teacher! If/when you come across one in your child’s school, do whatever you can to have them moved. This is a lesson you’d think I would know by now. 8 comments from 5 users
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posted by
patiencengrace
on May 1, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Your descriptions of teachers are funny and so terribly true... It's hard to figure out if the teacher is just having a temporary rough spot in life and you give them some Patience and Grace or if it's time to call the them, or call the principal. Especially when your child would rather deal with an icky teacher than risk how the teacher might treat them after Mom or Dad calls! Sometimes the teacher is just a little odd and your kid learns to deal with odd people. Sometimes they're truly unfair and a jerk and give grades that will result in an undeserved low GPA. My daughter is a Senior and I keep thinking in five more weeks I won't have to deal with this anymore. Surely college professors won't be like this? Aaggghhh.
posted by
creatress
on May 1, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Thanks patiencengrace, for the post and feedback. WOW! Almost to college!? I'm sure you've had your own share of these moments as well. I decided to e-mail the inclusion/resource teacher at the school and let him know what was going on. I'm really glad that I did. "Man-cub" will have a study period a few days a week now in his room where he can get the extra support he needs to get back on-track. He's also going to moderate with this teacher and my son to come to some resolutions. YAY! All fixed and it only took a few e-mails. I didn't have to go riding down to the school on my broom afterall. Hahaha. posted by
KellyG
on May 1, 2009 at 07:14 PM
As a teacher, I have always argued that teachers get a bad rap. Teachers don't go into the profession for the pay or the prestige, they become teachers because they love kids and education. I have had my share of parents who think their child can do no wrong, parents who try to run my classroom, and parents who question every decision I make.But now that I have become a parent, I do see the other side. I already had to go to my daughter's preschool to complain about bullying and get her moved to another classroom. I was at my daughter's school the other day and was appalled by the way a teacher was talking to her class, barking orders. Yes, there are bad teachers out there. No child should have to suffer through a whole year of a horrible teacher. Writing "boring" across the top of a child's project does not help them improve, it just crushes their self esteem. How about writing some constructive criticism or explain what she was looking for? Parents are the child's best advocate. I have found that this is especially true for special needs children. If the parent doesn't advocate, the child's needs are often not met. You sound like a great advocate for your man cub, Creatress. posted by
creatress
on May 2, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Thank you KellyG for the wonderful reply. I totally agree with you. I just think some people get into teaching for the wrong reason (ego stroke, power, etc...) and it shows. Luckily, that is rare and most teachers are wonderful, caring, concerned people like you! Now that my son's school is in quarrentine for 14days, it doesn't really matter. Hahaha! Stupid Swine Flu! posted by
wifemotherdaughtersister
on May 4, 2009 at 06:44 AM
what teachers don't do it for the money??????now i can see why merit pay for teachers may be appealing. posted by
creatress
on May 4, 2009 at 07:35 AM
Hahaha! No, they sure don't do it for the money. The problem with merit pay is how to you measure? By what scale? A child could already be behind when the teacher gets them, so even if they test "below grade level" they've imroved? How do you make accomidations for learning disabilities (what kind of test.) I'm more for "let's fire teachers who suck!" Hahaha.
posted by
kellimwheeler
on May 4, 2009 at 10:38 AM
There's no way to go through an academic career without getting a bad teacher - and it may not even be for the whole class, but just a teacher that for whatever reason doesn't "click" with your kid. The best way to deal with it is communication - which you ended up doing. The only thing I would've added is an immediate phone call or meeting with the teacher. Email tone can be misinterpreted. Misunderstandings, clarifications, disappointments and expectations are more easily ironed out in person. As a teacher, when someone went over my head instead of talking personally with me, it just made me resent them (and therefore their kid). That's why I always make sure to start with the teacher first. posted by
creatress
on May 4, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Those are GREAT tips Kelli. If things don't improve this week I will for sure take your advice on the meeting. Thanks for sharing.
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