Coach
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Posts: 19
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Post by Coach on Sept 13, 2004 10:52:23 GMT -5
My parent/teacher conference didn't go so well. Basically, the teacher accused me of doing my child's homework for her. (I dictated for her one night, because we didn't have any more ink in the printer so she couldn't type her assignment. She is in OT for handwriting.) Then she got defensive because I had set up a color-coded organizational system for my kid instead of using the system she ALWAYS used. It wasn't that I didn't think it was good enough. It just didn't make sense to my child. This morning I went in 20 min. before school started so I wouldn't interfere with the class and asked a question. She snapped at me and said, "I don't have time for this right now!" Mind you, this was in front of my child who is using the new organizational system for the first time today. What ruffles my feathers about the whole thing is that I assist her in class, bring supplies when no one else will, and go out of my way to not be an imposition or a distraction. She is a GREAT teacher, but she has a horrible personality. I don't want to involve the principal at this point only because I fear my child will be treated differently by her if I "get her in trouble". Any suggestions on how to deal with someone who doesn't want to take the time to talk with you and is completely set in her ways is being requested. Thanks all! Forgive any mispelling. My cat is taking a nap on my keyboard.  -Coach |
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Post by rosyred45 on Sept 13, 2004 11:06:38 GMT -5
Oh Coach (((((((((((hugs)))))))))) Don't cha hate when that happens  I'm sorry to not remember, but do you have a 504 or an IEP, if you do, the system can be written into them. If you don't, try explaining to the teacher that it is very hard with the organizational skills for your daughter to use another system. Don't be mean, but tell her in so many words that if she would like to buy your printer ink, she's more than welcome, other wise, you'll have your child's completed homework on time. Maybe not like it should have been, but it was better than nothing turned in at all. Sorry, couldn't help that one  As I am thinking, duh, she goes to OT, so that would mean she has something in place, right, or if I am wrong, I apologize. Hang in there, there's always a couple of teacher's I'd rather not have, but sometimes, we get them. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 13, 2004 12:56:47 GMT -5
COACH....INVOLVE THE PRINCIPAL....YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD BETTER THAN ANYONE AND KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR HER. BTW...THE TEACHER NEEDS TO BE REPRIMANDED FOR SNAPPING AT YOU IN FRONT OF YOUR CHILD. ???WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE IS SHE SENDING YOUR CHILD!SHAME ON HER  |
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Post by jdmom on Sept 13, 2004 16:36:25 GMT -5
Wow - Don't let her be that way to you! How disrespectful! We have a saying around here: "It's time to get out the pointy hat and broom!" Okay, who had them last? It's time to give them up to Coach! If you don't have an IEP or 504 in place, you may want to start researching. They are very complicated, and I don't have one yet, so I can't give you the details. But, I haven't had any teachers give me any lip yet, either. However, I do know that they are well worth the time. It sounds like your teacher just doesn't want to take the time out of her schedule that your child requires. But that's just too bad. "No Child Left Behind" says that she has to.  Maybe you need to get someone of a higher authority involved. If you're not ready to go to the principal, how about the guidance counselor? Some school districts employ a behavioral psychologist for the whole school system. Many parents do not realize this because the person is not based at their own school. The best way to find out is to go to the school's website, if they have one. This person could also come in handy. Remember, you are your child's best and strongest advocate. You know best what she needs. Unfortunately, sometimes that requires you to be a little (or in some cases, a lot) nasty. Don't let this teacher walk all over you. It's so much easier to be friends with them, but if she keeps acting like that, the roles will have to change. Good luck! |
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Post by rosyred45 on Sept 14, 2004 7:51:35 GMT -5
Speaking of the 504, the teacher Mikey has must not have read his or realized ???he had one, >:(She is a great teacher, don't get me wrong, but She says oh no, I don't have any special paper  Um it's written in the 504, so I'll be hitting the teacher supply store and picking some up. ::)Which I shouldn't have to do, but I'll give that to her, just so HE has it do to his work on. Here's the Hat and Broom, now chop chop .......any questions, we got your back |
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Post by Linda on Sept 14, 2004 8:19:23 GMT -5
Oh yeah the supply store...I do that too! |
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Post by milesofsmiles on Sept 14, 2004 12:29:00 GMT -5
I know that I will run into this eventually, but I have had a lot of luck convincing the teachers that this is the way it has to be. Sometimes it just takes time and persistance and some creativity in how it is presented. Perhaps it is because man.... I agree that the 504 is the way to go. Every school year I make sure the new teacher has a copy well in advance of the school year to start brainstorming. In some cases we build off of what the teacher already has. Sometimes the teacher learns a new trick. The thing that I have learned in life is not to spring things on people, and kind of ease them into it. People get defensive right away. (My wife sees this in her job a lot). Coach, sometimes it is just the personality, but that should not be a reason to impose on your child's learning. I have learned to build from the ground up. I start small and build confidence and professional understanding. As for someone who doesn't have the time to talk to you.....you could remind her that as a professional providing a service to the community, how you treat the community has a direct refection on her performance evaluation.... That was a little harsh. Somehow bring up that she is doing a great job teaching the students and it is in everybody's best interest to bring out the best in all the students using whatever method works. Perhaps after a few months of your organization system, the other will start to melt together into one that works for all.... Just a thought... Miles |
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Coach
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by Coach on Sept 14, 2004 13:41:20 GMT -5
:DOh, you guys are just the greatest!!! It feels so good to vent to a group of people who totally and non-judgementally understand! To answer your questions, we have a 504, but b/c we had a change in phychiatrists (and treatment adjustments) just after school started, the 504 coordinator and I decided to keep it the same until now. The conference we had included the OT, school counselor/504 coordinator, teacher and me. I didn't realize that the teacher may not have gotten a copy of the 504 plan at the beginning of the school year so she didn't even know Lysa's circumstances until I brought it to her attention. I'll certainly know to do that NEXT year. My other child had to have surgery the week before school started--he's doing fine now--but because of that, I had to miss open house and he had to miss the first week of school. So when Lysa started having problems right off the bat, I couldn't be there to help her with them. I'm having chronic headaches and I know it comes from all the stress I've been under already--the first quarter of school isn't even over yet and I'm spent! Too bad I don't drink...I could use one right now! HaHa Thanks for passing the hat and broom on to me. I may definitely need it! Ya'll are a blessing! --Coach |
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Post by finnmom on Sept 14, 2004 14:22:01 GMT -5
Coach (((((((((((((((((((hug´s and support)))))))))))))))))))))))) to you. You´ve already got some great advice´s, so go with them!! If you have 504 working, get the theacher familiar with it, she has to know, it belong´s to her work. "Doesn´t have time for you! Well... too bad, it´s her job to make that time Your child has no one else than you, so just go for it. It´s no need to be offending or rude, but get thing´s right out and open, that´ll come as your dd´s benefit someday. I see someone has already gotten their hat and broom from summer storage, feel free to use them ;D You´re doing thing´s that good mom´s do Keep on the good work |
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Post by mskris on Sept 16, 2004 11:30:42 GMT -5
Coach:
If the teacher thinks you're doing your child's homework, is there any way she can orally check with your child?
I was once accused of cheating when I earned 100% on a math test in a class where I was a "c" student. I told the teacher that my older sister (16 yrs older and a math major) had taught me the whole chapter's worth of work the night before the test. He was skeptical until I showed him how she did it (used a deck of cards to teach me positive/negative numbers). Then he shut up. Obviously, my sister was a better math teacher than he was (and she wasn't a teacher)!!
Kris
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