We had our meeting with the Head of the School Curriculum today and laid out the issues we have with respect to Claire's teacher and schoolwork. We went armed with this year's and last year's homework books and Claire's school diary to show her the comments (or lack thereof) by the teacher(s). We also had specific examples of behaviours by the teacher with names of students involved and approximate times.

She was quite surprised and embarrassed at the extent of it and was very supportive of Claire and her issues. She is taking it to the school Principal and will get back to us with their action plan. She said that she'd rather not see Claire moved and lose her student leader position and she was shocked that Claire had suggested that she would voluntarily make such a move. She also stressed that she didn't want to place Claire in a position where she might be victimised by the teacher.

So, it seems that it's so far, so good and we'll wait to see what comes of it. in the meantime, we're giving Claire advice on how to handle difficult personalities and defuse tension. But a 7 year old can only do so much.

Durro

Durro wrote:We had our meeting with the Head of the School Curriculum today and laid out the issues we have with respect to Claire's teacher and schoolwork. We went armed with this year's and last year's homework books and Claire's school diary to show her the comments (or lack thereof) by the teacher(s). We also had specific examples of behaviours by the teacher with names of students involved and approximate times.

She was quite surprised and embarrassed at the extent of it and was very supportive of Claire and her issues. She is taking it to the school Principal and will get back to us with their action plan. She said that she'd rather not see Claire moved and lose her student leader position and she was shocked that Claire had suggested that she would voluntarily make such a move. She also stressed that she didn't want to place Claire in a position where she might be victimised by the teacher.

So, it seems that it's so far, so good and we'll wait to see what comes of it. in the meantime, we're giving Claire advice on how to handle difficult personalities and defuse tension. But a 7 year old can only do so much.

Durro

I'm glad that went well. Please keep us up to date on how the rest goes.

I'm glad the administration is working with ya'll.

Can't wait to hear how it turns out.

Sounds good Durro.
Hope that they get that teacher tamed.

Durro wrote: in the meantime, we're giving Claire advice on how to handle difficult personalities and defuse tension. But a 7 year old can only do so much.

She's doing a lot more than her teacher.

Sounding good so far Durro - the situation needs to be known by the Principal and it seems like that's going to happen.

What a coincidence. My 3rd grade teacher took me to the verge of a nervous break down. Had me breaking out in hives. I showed such promise but school was never the same after that. I too was ahead of my class before that. Change classes now. Show her that sometimes sacrifices (giving up Pod Rep) are necessary to do the right thing. Character building will come in due time but what’s most important is to NOT let some asshole teacher kill her spirit.

To give you an indication of her mood concerning her teacher, her combined grade 2 and 3 class is being split for preparation for the annual standardised testing - the NAPLAN tests. These are Australia-wide tests in literacy, maths and writing for grade 3,5,7 and 9 students. Last year, when she saw the grade 3's preparing for the tests, she wanted to join in an asked us to print out the past exam papers for her to try - she did and scored over 80% on every test as a grade 2 student. Even up to a week or two ago, she was asking us to print out last year's test for her to try out.

Now, her teacher told her yesterday that as she isn't doing the test (we'll be on a family holiday for our 20th wedding anniversary and both childrens' birthdays during the testing period), she could skip the test preparation and practice tests the other grade 3's are doing. Claire jumped at the chance to get away from her teacher, and joined the grade 2's to sit down and listen to the other (NICE) teacher read a book instead of learning how to do a formal exam and learning exam strategies with her peers. Claire later told us she was glad that she did this, as she could hear the grumpy teacher yelling at the grade 3 students through the wall from the class next door.

It's yet another indication that our lovely and very bright child is having the life sucked out of her at school by a teacher that is merely going through the motions and being hostile and sarcastic towards the children.

We will wait to see what happens with the Principal and take it from there, but more and more, I'm thinking that she just needs to change classes. Or the teacher needs to be removed if she can't change her attitude.

This is something out of a Roald Dahl book. What's it called? Matilda?:P

It's good to hear that the Head Councillor is taking it seriously. Hopefully he/she can really talk to Ms Pants and really get it in this woman's head that she needs to change. Hopefully she will.

But if not, I guess it's just between your daughter dealing with that crank or losing her position.

What's it doing to all those second graders having to listen to this in the next room?

Grimstad wrote:What's it doing to all those second graders having to listen to this in the next room?

Durro wrote:...she could hear the grumpy teacher yelling at the grade 3 students through the wall from the class next door.

If your daughter could hear the Grade 3 teacher in the Grade 2 classroom... so could the Grade 2 teacher.

I wonder if the Grade 2 teacher might have some words for some of her colleagues about what she's witnessing.

Durro,
You're a wonderful example of a concerned and attentive parent and your young Claire sounds like a remarkable child. With your support and concern this will likely be a valuable lesson for her in her ability to affect change in a mature fashion.

lordshipmayhem wrote:

Durro wrote:...she could hear the grumpy teacher yelling at the grade 3 students through the wall from the class next door.

If your daughter could hear the Grade 3 teacher in the Grade 2 classroom... so could the Grade 2 teacher.

I wonder if the Grade 2 teacher might have some words for some of her colleagues about what she's witnessing.

The grumpy teacher is known for her behaviour we've learned after speaking to a few people. I hope that by raising the issue at a higher level that something will be done about it and perhaps the other pod teacher may support us. If not, we're going to probably move Claire, as she's really developing a stressful attitude towards her grumpy teacher.

Just got this from the Principal via e-mail.

Hi Steven and Leanne,

Thank you for making us aware of your concerns with XXXX POD and XXXXXXX. I have been aware of your conversations with Ms XXXX, and can assure you that this matter will be addressed accordingly. You will already realise that I firmly believe that children learn better when they are in a supportive, caring , engaging and happy environment. I want all children to be happy and want to come to school, and if that is not the case than I will do everything in my power to address any issues that are occurring. Please keep Ms XXXX and I posted, your feedback is vital.

Kind regards

Mrs XXXX
Principal

It's a start. I hope it goes well.

Durro wrote:Just got this from the Principal via e-mail.

Hi Steven and Leanne,

Thank you for making us aware of your concerns with XXXX POD and XXXXXXX. I have been aware of your conversations with Ms XXXX, and can assure you that this matter will be addressed accordingly. You will already realise that I firmly believe that children learn better when they are in a supportive, caring , engaging and happy environment. I want all children to be happy and want to come to school, and if that is not the case than I will do everything in my power to address any issues that are occurring. Please keep Ms XXXX and I posted, your feedback is vital.

Kind regards

Mrs XXXX
Principal

Sorry mate, that sounds like the brush off to me. Any teacher who has her kids stressed about being at school needs to be removed from the class-room. I gather you are in the public system, which in my experience means you have to fight much harder for the rights of your kids over and above the stretched resources of the system. There are always assurances that 'the right thing' will be done, but I found a chasm between what I thought the appropriate action was & the school administration's idea of same.

I would ask to see the Principal in private for details what specific measures are being taken (not just the nebulous "I can assure you this matter will be addressed accordingly") and by when - so that you know what changes to expect & how long to wait for them. If that isn't to your satisfaction, then you be specific about what you expect and what you think is a satisfactory outcome. Document all of it. There was a teacher like this at our son's last school, it took the parents storming the school council meeting to have her removed - her rights were protected at every turn & to hell with the kids. She ate 7 year olds for lunch & nobody seemed to care much because she had tenure and would be too hard to move.

Frankly that is my experience of the public system whenever your standards are even slightly higher than settling for average for your kid & it's why we, with great disillusion, left it. The last thing you need is what we experienced & that was having our childs love of school extinguishing before our eyes.

The Principal is a scary woman in her own right - the sort that makes parents check to see that they're doing the right thing just by casting a glance their way, let alone mentioning the kids. I suspect that she will not be shy in addressing the situation, as she's been one of Claire's supporters. I wouldn't want to be performance managed by her.

But we'll keep on top of it and if necessary, kick up a fuss with higher authorities. I will be asking for and expecting an outline of the changes and outcomes. And of course, Claire's feedback will be carefully recorded.

Yeah, play it close & make them do the work. After all, they are being paid by all of us!

Durro wrote:Hi,

Snip



Durro

Haven't read beyond the op but does she have any strong reason to remain in that class (friends etc). Can she be moved to another? In a school that large i would guess yes. If the teacher is as bad as you say then I would definitely tell everyone who would listen, I would have my kid moved.

Now I'll calm down and read the rest of the thread. Sounds like you got the kid.