You complain and you dont stop complaining. U start visiting the class and u ask other parents to do the same. I sign in at the office so there is a record and you put on a visitors badge. There are official complaint forms for everything from bad books to bad teachers and building issues. They are located in every school office. Sometimes u can find them on the School district website. If yo do not want to go to your school office for the forms go to another school in the same district the forms would be the same. Keep copies of everything you turn in and follow up. I am the office manager of a public middle school the the east bay.
Do what I did. Go to the Director of the school with your concerns. Sit through a follow up meeting with teacher and director so you can learn what will be done. If not satisfied then pull your child out immediately. Kids bounce back and will respond happily to a nurturing environment. My son is literally thriving at his new school despite having left his old friends behind. Like you, I was so mad that I tried to make things right. In the end what was right was removing my son and moving on. You can't fix idiots like that teacher.
I am a retired teacher from Lafayette, and I can tell you that you don't need to put up with a student teacher who is emotionally abusing to the students. You don't say whether you've talked directly with the student teacher, expressing your displeasure. What did she (he?) say? You may be coming across as an over-protective Mom. I that does not work, here's what you do:
1. Start a dairy writing down the dates and situations in which the teacher has said the things that upset you.
2. Talk to the other parents and see if they have noticed this and ask them to keep an "abuse journal", too.
3. After about a week, make an appointment with the principal (new or not) and the supervising teacher with at least one other parent to back you up. You would be surprised how much the schools respect parents' concerns. Just be calm and helpful.
4. Give copies of your abuse journal to each of them and in a very calm way, suggest that this student teacher be warned and watched over very carefully.
5. If this doesn't help (altho I'm sure it will), contact the University which placed this teacher and write a letter to the student teacher's supervisor asking for a phone appointment.
I have worked in public schools for over 8 years and I know that not all public schools are equal and they certainly don't handle all situations the same, so answers could certainly vary depending on your school. My first thought though is that you have MUST to do something, because your child can not. I would begin a log keeping track of all the reports you hear from others, all calls you make regarding this issue, keep names of those to whom you spoke, record responses from those conversations. The more, specific information you have the better you will be able to support your own cause. It is tricky to contact the teacher directly, because they are with your child everyday. While they shouldn't take it out on your kid, if they are speaking that way in general you may suspect that she won't handle your direct confrontation in the best way either. Is it possible to get support from other parents (past or present)? You should definitely register your complaints with the new principle (and express your desire to stay anonymous-if that is what you want). A principle cannot do anything to help if they don't know there is a concern. If this was happening in my child's class I would be in an absolute uproar. I would expect a report of regular observations, possible monitoring of the classroom. The things she is saying would be considered verbal abuse and intimidation. I would threaten to get an advocate to support the student needs. If the principle seems unwilling to evaluate the situation I would let them know you will be contacting the superintendent. Don't stop, keep going, put this person on their guard. If you don't want to be that person (because it is hard to be that person) and you could afford it, consider private school for the remainder of the year or possibly home school them for the rest of the year. It is drastic, but if the school realizes that you are serious, they may take it seriously too. For even the very best schools I have worked, this saying is true, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Squeak loud, squeak strong, squeak long and good luck.
I am a teacher and a mom. What you describe is completely unacceptable. As a mom, I would go to the principal and let him/her know what is going on and that you expect it to change. If it does not, I would demand a classroom change and threaten to pull my child from the school. I don't know what school district you are in, but you may be able to change schools. You may need to homeschool or send your child to a private school for the remainder of the year, if necessary. I would definitely not allow my child to be in a negative environment like that. As a pearent, you have rights - don't be afraid to demand them!
1 document names dates times everything as much as you can. Then take it to the next level principle. If that does not work keep going up the food chain. Someone will listen talk to other parents see if they have the same problems.
I can tell you from personal experience that it takes a lot to get over abuse by a teacher.
Melanie
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY!!!
First, remove you child from the classroom. It doesn't matter if she will miss her friends. You know this is not a good situation.
Second, document as much as you can, time, date, words and send a copy to the principle as well as to the district.
Third, explain to your child that Mrs. So and So is not behaving the way an adult should and her words are hurtful. As your daughter's mommy, you are tying to make sure that the teacher gets the help she needs and that the kids are not hurt by her actions/words.
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
I can say this because I have been in the exact situation with my daughter. Every year there were complaints but no one did anything about it. I talked to the principal but got the party line. I asked the principal to transfer my daughter to another classroom but was told there were no openings. Finally, I called the school and left a message for the principal that I was removing my child from school until an appropriate classroom could be found. You should have seen them jump.
I made an appointment with the head honcho at the district and went in with a file that included other parents' experiences. He said he had never heard anything about this but was appalled. Party line? Who knows. What I do know is that it took 3 more years to remove this teacher from the classroom. Imagine if everyone had lodged a complaint in the very beginning.
By the way, my daughter adjusted just fine to a different classroom and saw her old friends on the playground as well on play dates.
At some point children have to learn to deal with problems themselves, but not when they are 6 and never with an adult who has absolute power and control over them.
Take a deep breath and load your guns!
Elizabeth
Go to the principal first. Tell her about everything that you are having a problem with that teacher. I want you to also know that the principal will be on the teacher's side because it is her job. Then, if nothing changes you go and help in the class. You be there and have a talk to the teacher. Get other parents involved, see if they have or see the same problem like you do.
I have experienced this problem and this is what worked for me. I volunteer at the school every week and I have since my first child started school. Everyone knows me and they know that I am a good parent. Stay involoved in the school and your child's class. The teacher is a bully in it will stop with you!
Hi Ashley,
I can understand your concern. I work for a local school district. First call the principal and address the issue than follow up with a letter to the school and principal. Keep all of your paperwork and a diary of what happens day to day in the classroom if your child has a complaint. Next,(if nothing is being done about this at the school level), take this matter to your local school board. Go with all you information that you have collected. I hope this will be of some help to you. I never ever speak to my students like that and never will, some people aren't meant to be teachers.
Good luck with this.
Well I would like to thank everyone who responded !!! I went and talked to the supperintendent (who could not believe that his employee would do such a thing) and wants us to sit down and talk this ou. He at this time says he will only move my daughter as a last resort. Im not to pleased but it a battle its going to take I guess with all the support Ive recieved Thank You All, Im ready to put my gloves on!!!