She Drives Me Crazy
Let's say there was this teacher. Let's say that this teacher had a child in her Kindergarten class that was reading at a Grade 4 level. Let's say that there was a parent, who realized that her son was reading at a Grade 4 level and went to talk to the teacher (who had never mentioned it before and kept sending home really EASY reading) about nurturing this talent. And let's say, that the teacher pretty much said to this parent "so what?" and then proceeded to criticize this boys abilities in other areas (eg: penmanship and gym), instead of offering advice on how to increase his potential and confidence.
Lastly, let's say this teacher made sure that the parent realized that her son was in no way unique...that over the years she had had many children who could read at an advanced level for their age and it pretty much took them nowhere.
Now, lets say this all actually happened.
Besides egg her car (which is WRONG, kids) what should this parent do?
posted by Franny @ 10:33 AM
11 Comments
11 Comments:
Ask for a meeting with both her and the principal and express your disappointment in having a teacher who clearly does not see the value of a good education and fails to understand the power of reading, and who chooses to point out a young persons flaws rather than encourage their strengths. I say put her on the spot in front of her superiors and make her squirm.
And if all else fails ... the eggs sound really good ;)
hmmm...you can let the air out of her tire(s)...but may take some time and greater chance of being caught red-handed.
eggs are quick and easy and can be done while in the car....a "drive-by egging".....
The above comment was me....hit 'anonymous' by accidnet......
keep asking your child good questions to make sure the teacher is not being discriminatory, rude, or any way ugly to your child. If there were suspicions of ugly acting teachers, I would take action, and go higher if teacher refuses to cooperate and be helpful. Otherwise, you can sit your child down and tell him how proud you are, but also to realize that most kids the same age are reading at a completely different level, so your very exceptional child (hurray) doesn't accidentally make the others (including the teacher, ha ha)feel bad. Then I would keep teaching him on my own. Let him read whatever he can get his hands on. And I would blow that teacher a royal raspberry!
Franny, you're Italian. Do you really need to ask what you should do?
On a more serious note, I'd be pleased to connect you with my sister (the K - 8 school principal, former K teacher and mother of a smarty pants child of her own). I'm sure she could provide you with some suggestions on how to proceed. She always has great stories to tell about the students she had thoughts about that turned out quite differently. (Yes, I am saying that teachers can be wrong!) Anyway, we all know that boy has a way with words. Let me know.
Good luck.
Linda B.
Reading is SO IMPORTANT and you would think that this teacher would encourage your son to read more to build up his strengths & confidence. I would make sure that this teacher is not being critical to your son and I also would attempt to give him more advanced reading material at home. Just make sure he understands what he is reading.
If all else fails take her to the principals office or change his homeroom class.
Is this teacher for real? She should be strung up and left out to dry for putting a kindergartener down for reading at an exceptional level. Most kids that age don't read at all. I have always said that most teachers "teach" at the lowest possible level so all the kids in their class pass. They "assume" that the smarter ones will learn on their own and don't need as much help.
Frannie, this teacher should be reported to the principal as soon as possible. Her behavior (in my opinion) is unacceptable and should not be allowed to continue. At the very least, your child should be transferred to another teacher who will appreciate his talents. If you tell a child long enough and emphatically enough that they are not smart or are lacking in certain areas, they will fulfill those prophecies. Time to nip this situation in the bud.
I reckon this teacher is jealous. Whether she's threatened by gifted children in general (because maybe she is above average intelligence herself but not exceptional at all), or whether she's envious because her own children aren't gifted.....she's just being spiteful and hateful.
I would be really pissed off, too. Once I calmed down, though, I would probably try to back off, and just extend the little guy through reading at home. After all, it's still early days - only kindergarten. So unless you can change classes, it's not worth risking the teacher getting a 'bad attitude' in her manner towards your son.
Of course, you could still give her laxative chocolates for Christmas.
joking!! of course! (about the chocolates!)
Jelly, you made me pee myself about the laxatives comment!!! Thanks everyone for your advice and words of support. I am considering what to do next at this present time. I will keep you all updated.
And don't worry...I tell my little boy that he amazes me with his reading every day. I ask him to read the signs in the grocery aisles to find specific foods for me, and I stop during his bedtime stories at words he's never seen before and ask him to sound it out.
Just yesterday he read labyrinth, laboratory and labrador over my shoulder while I was doing a word puzzle.
Well this is an interesting situation. I think Jelly has the best idea but of course, you can only dream about it. I think you could be in deep doo doo if you did anything that reckless.
His teacher is meshuganah (yiddish for crazy). I would enroll my son in private school if this is an option. Does he feel threatened by this teacher? Their little egos can be so damaged by a person like this. You must certainly cultivate your son's interest in reading. Reward him with trips to the bookstore and library. Everyone in our family is an avid reader, it's the best thing your child can be. Encourage, encourage, encourage. Most teachers are thrilled to get a talented student. I would check with the other moms who had this teacher last year to see if she has done anything similar in the past. Make sure he is put in a classroom with an enlightened teacher next year. You should consider a talk with the principal if her discouraging behavior continues.
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