Tired of hearing stories from your child about what a controlling teacher supposedly said or did to him or her? For some of you parents, you doubt the truth about a situation involving your child because he or she might have a history of lying or exaggerating. However, some parents know better, and find that troubled teachers have a long track record of lying, covering up, and doing other things to stay out of trouble with bosses. When repeated issues arise between teacher and your child, it's time to listen closely and put your pen and feet to action!
1. Document what your child has said about the teacher and what you know or observed.
When you notice teachers are often behaving in ways that leave you scratching your head when it comes to your children, note your findings. Analyze what might have happened to cause a teacher to behave in a confusing or unprofessional way. List each incident. Note dates and times your child came home with a story about what his or her teacher said or did to him, her or other students. Some teachers have health concerns and are on medication that sometimes affect their line of reasoning. Others are simply tired of dealing with children and are in need of a break. Some things could be going on with your child as well. Investigate both sides of the situation before coming up with a conclusion.
2. Keep copies of any paperwork that will help prove cases of control, pushy, or abusive behavior.
Problematic teachers will slip sooner or later, when they do, be sure you have copies of the paperwork they send home--good, bad and otherwise. They have your signature on file when you signed homework, permission slips, and more, so you will want to start a file on the teacher. This will come in handy later.
3. Talk with children through your children and other parents.
Sometimes the best source of information are from the children themselves. Have your child interview his or her friends about what was said or done in the classroom. If you are able to talk with your child's friend about what he or she witnessed, do so. Record what you heard. Two plus stories are better than one. Talk with parents about their observation, but keep your personal opinion and intentions about the teacher out of the discussion. You never know how close the parent might be with the teacher.
4. Ignore repeated requests from the teacher for your assistance and set up meeting(s).
The more cooperative you are with a teacher (for instance, assisting with tasks in the classroom) you claim is trouble, the more you will appear like you are okay with how the teacher is treating your child. Cut off the friendly, yet personal exchanges; instead, be firm and professional. Politely refuse requests to assist the teacher with activities. Don't reply verbally or physically in an insulting manner to the teacher's messages when you notice something you don't like. Rather, call the individual or see him or her directly about the matter (consider bringing someone along as a witness). If he or she is responding to your concerns using tactics like: blaming, minimizing, exaggerating or lying, escalate the situation. Excuse yourself from the meeting and call her boss. Note the results of your phone or in-person meeting with the teacher.
5. Report all offensive behavior to boss/principal and other school officials.
Set up a meeting with the teacher first via phone or in-person. You might want to meet with the principal and possibly include the teacher in on that meeting. Be sure you have someone or a group with you to show support. Keep in mind, some school leaders and members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) have buddies--those individuals they don't want to get into trouble. You might want to attend a few PTA or school board meetings first to find out how strong or weak the group is and who might be the friendly connections to the teacher in question. Find out what others' experiences have been like with the problematic educator.
6. Consult with attorney and/or police if need be.
Depending on the severity of the situation, you just might want to seek the advice of an attorney and/or police officer. They can help you determine whether the situation is considered abusive and what your rights are. Don't mention the teacher's name or others involved at first. If you do, you might find you are looking in the face of a relative or friend of the person or people in trouble. So do learn what you can about your rights and only mention names to those you believe you can trust. Research the name of the attorney or police officer on the Internet and check out Linked In and Facebook connections before sharing specific details about your case.
You will find that as you learn more about the situation with a troubled teacher, you will think of additional ways to deal with him or her as well as other school officials. The school year is long and as it comes to a close, it seems like it gets longer. Be encouraged and know that when you are doing what's right, you will have the victory!
Nicholl McGuire shares spiritual insight on YouTube channel: nmenterprise7
1. Document what your child has said about the teacher and what you know or observed.
When you notice teachers are often behaving in ways that leave you scratching your head when it comes to your children, note your findings. Analyze what might have happened to cause a teacher to behave in a confusing or unprofessional way. List each incident. Note dates and times your child came home with a story about what his or her teacher said or did to him, her or other students. Some teachers have health concerns and are on medication that sometimes affect their line of reasoning. Others are simply tired of dealing with children and are in need of a break. Some things could be going on with your child as well. Investigate both sides of the situation before coming up with a conclusion.
2. Keep copies of any paperwork that will help prove cases of control, pushy, or abusive behavior.
Problematic teachers will slip sooner or later, when they do, be sure you have copies of the paperwork they send home--good, bad and otherwise. They have your signature on file when you signed homework, permission slips, and more, so you will want to start a file on the teacher. This will come in handy later.
3. Talk with children through your children and other parents.
Sometimes the best source of information are from the children themselves. Have your child interview his or her friends about what was said or done in the classroom. If you are able to talk with your child's friend about what he or she witnessed, do so. Record what you heard. Two plus stories are better than one. Talk with parents about their observation, but keep your personal opinion and intentions about the teacher out of the discussion. You never know how close the parent might be with the teacher.
4. Ignore repeated requests from the teacher for your assistance and set up meeting(s).
The more cooperative you are with a teacher (for instance, assisting with tasks in the classroom) you claim is trouble, the more you will appear like you are okay with how the teacher is treating your child. Cut off the friendly, yet personal exchanges; instead, be firm and professional. Politely refuse requests to assist the teacher with activities. Don't reply verbally or physically in an insulting manner to the teacher's messages when you notice something you don't like. Rather, call the individual or see him or her directly about the matter (consider bringing someone along as a witness). If he or she is responding to your concerns using tactics like: blaming, minimizing, exaggerating or lying, escalate the situation. Excuse yourself from the meeting and call her boss. Note the results of your phone or in-person meeting with the teacher.
5. Report all offensive behavior to boss/principal and other school officials.
Set up a meeting with the teacher first via phone or in-person. You might want to meet with the principal and possibly include the teacher in on that meeting. Be sure you have someone or a group with you to show support. Keep in mind, some school leaders and members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) have buddies--those individuals they don't want to get into trouble. You might want to attend a few PTA or school board meetings first to find out how strong or weak the group is and who might be the friendly connections to the teacher in question. Find out what others' experiences have been like with the problematic educator.
6. Consult with attorney and/or police if need be.
Depending on the severity of the situation, you just might want to seek the advice of an attorney and/or police officer. They can help you determine whether the situation is considered abusive and what your rights are. Don't mention the teacher's name or others involved at first. If you do, you might find you are looking in the face of a relative or friend of the person or people in trouble. So do learn what you can about your rights and only mention names to those you believe you can trust. Research the name of the attorney or police officer on the Internet and check out Linked In and Facebook connections before sharing specific details about your case.
You will find that as you learn more about the situation with a troubled teacher, you will think of additional ways to deal with him or her as well as other school officials. The school year is long and as it comes to a close, it seems like it gets longer. Be encouraged and know that when you are doing what's right, you will have the victory!
Nicholl McGuire shares spiritual insight on YouTube channel: nmenterprise7
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