The above photo of a letter has been circulating on Facebook. The Date of the letter is 1994! The gist of the letter,since it is hard to read, is a teacher was having trouble with a student arguing with them in class over material. The student called the teacher a liar and was rude to the teacher. The teacher was incorrect too. AH! Yes, this happens sometimes. But parents refuse to accept that answer. Or be the ones to properly fix it. The parents could have been the voice of reason in the situation.
Those of you who have kids bitch about them driving you nuts from time to time right? Yet, you expect teachers to never have that feeling,correct? Even better, parents typically have one, two and in today’s world maybe four to six children tops!!! Teachers have at least 20 or more in a classroom. Parents expect ONE teacher to see all, hear all, and deal with all BUT when things go wrong in the parents home they expect people to understand. You hear such phrases as “parenting is hard” and some days you lose your patience or you have miscommunication or you missed the sign and so on. All things I agree with but these same things are never afforded to a teacher. Sorry to burst your bubble but teachers are human. Sometimes they make a mistake. Either a mistake with material or with classroom management. Have you ever made a mistake on your job? Have you ever gotten something wrong? Did you want fired immediately? I think most people hope their boss would teach them; give them a second chance.
Once students hit a certain age they tend to love to find mistakes with teachers. You know outsmart them and embarrass them in class. They like to do it with their parents too. Most parents like respect but you get a few that get a kick out of it and love to say, “Look at my kid he is so smart and he loves to make a fool of me, isn’t he great!” Those are just awesome and fun parents (insert eye roll). And, those parents are teaching their kids great skills for the world of business! A boss loves a smart ass, NOT!!!
The teacher above should have met with the parents and explained the situation. The teacher should have told the class the error but also explained that the student was wrong too. The student should have politely called the teacher out. No need to call the teacher a liar and be rude. Both handled it wrong. It could have been a ‘teaching moment’. Teaching a child how to handle life.
But then again look at the adult comments on Facebook!!! (I removed commenter names and made comments which are in italic and parenthesis)
WOW! What a moron! (in regards to the teacher)
I think this is good evidence for the parents to have the teacher removed from his/her position. (Sad, have them removed? People have no problem getting someone fired)
There were a ton of comments mostly against the teacher. I found that sad. As a former teacher it bothers me. I think we have a serious problem with parents today. They lack respect for teachers. I can’t understand why they believe their children are smarter and more intelligent than the adults? A child still has a child’s brain. A kid might be able to Google a fact but they still process like a kid. An adult has more mileage and growth.
Once again, the above letter was wrong. The teacher needed to meet with the parents and communicate the real problem. I think it is sad that parents today tell their kids to embarrass adults and as another commenter said, ” I would tell my kid to ‘Argue Away’ ”
Here is the situation: Where does that get you in life? Do you ‘Argue Away’ with your boss? Truly, do you? Would you embarrass them during a presentation? Would you call them a liar and make a total fool of your boss? Is that how you would handle their mistake? It is about tact,respect and understanding.
I am thinking soon we will have a shortage of teachers,coaches and youth volunteers. Please don’t misunderstand me,I totally believe you stand up for yourself but there is the right way and there is the wrong way! Kids still have to learn manners when they are young. It is up to all of us to teach them. Remember, it TAKES A VILLAGE!! I would love to see some parents in a classroom of 22 teenagers and see if they would enjoy “Argue Away”!!! I have seen many parents not handle their OWN , ONE CHILD “argue way!” And,yeah, a teacher might get paid and have been trained but some days the little darlings get the best of you!!
I think everyone missed the ‘teachable moment’!
Alright, I opened a can of worms, sound off!!!
{ 4 comments }
Too many parents think their children are and/or should be “exceptions” to the rules. Not cool.
I have to say that, from being back with students for only 4 months, the sense of entitlement they have has become prevalent. It’s disgusting. Even at the elementary level which is where I teach. I completely agree with you about missing the teachable moment. Those times are so precious and so meaningful. If there’s one thing my students know about me, it’s that I’m not afraid to say I was wrong. Of course, I don’t teach the older kids so it’s a bit easier. Except for that entitlement issue. Sheesh.
I would have liked to see not a detention, but a paper on the metric system and an apology. The teacher also should have known her subject. The student went about it the wrong way, but the teacher’s attitude at the end of the letter is worrisome. She just wants the kids to believe verbatim. There’s imbalance on all sides of this issue.
I had a professor who incorrectly marked down my paper. After class was over I spoke to her privately, pointed out where she was wrong, of course she was not happy, but then she admitted I was right, changed the grade, and we were both somewhat okay with the ending. I never trusted her knowledge again as this was one of several times she steered the class to the wrong info.
“I think we have a serious problem with parents today. They lack respect for teachers. I can’t understand why they believe their children are smarter and more intelligent than the adults? A child still has a child’s brain. A kid might be able to Google a fact but they still process like a kid. An adult has more mileage and growth.”
Amen, Lucy.
And man, I sure have missed your rants!!
XOXOX
Comments on this entry are closed.