parents and teachers

Thank you speaking up Bobbie. I have definitely been able to tell the difference between the teachers who want my child in class vs. those who don’t.

I think it is also true that we, as a whole, make the most excuses for those in the field of education. Why do we keep accepting all of the smoke that is put up into the air when we ask for accountability? We would just never accept this from any other professional that has contact with our child. The pediatrician who would claim he could not figure out why our child keeps falling down for no explainable reason, because he just has too many patients and no one will pay for him to be further educated in his field that might possibly lead to an answer. So mom, it’s just one of those things. Deal with it. I don’t think we would be satisfied with that approach of dealing with the problem that could possibly be a life-long issue. So be it with any sort of disability that our child is dealing with. We do not even accept these sometime lame excuses from our own children.

I have tried to make the point here before that if I were to use some of the lines that I have been fed in my occupation, I would not have a job. But again, only defensive responses.

In order to avoid being labeled as negative, I will just say this: parents look to the professionals for the answers and when they are disregarded they become angry and even more persistent for answers. If a teacher feels that they are not able to handle a particular child’s limitations for whatever reason, why not just say so? Instead, my experience has been that they just ignore it and get through the end of the year. Child left to fend for himself, parents none the wiser. That is what makes me crazy.

I observed all the 4th grade teachers at the end of my daughter’s 3rd grade year. I asked them all the same question, “How do you feel about having a child with a laptop in your class”? Most of them said they were open to it however, they had never had a child with a laptop. One even said she would welcome it (I hope I get her!) One when asked this question, never looked me in the eye and said, “I’ve never thought about it”. I said “She’s proficient on it, has been using one at home, used a computer in class in 3rd grade and I just wondered how you would feel about it”. Same response, no eye conduct and a repeat of “I’ve never thought about it”. Translation: “I’ve never thought about it and I’m not planning on it”. I wrote a letter to the school, advising that Ms. _____________ was not open to the use of a computer in her classroom, and therefore I don’t want my child placed in her class. I don’t have a problem with this teacher, I would rather know at the onset her feelings and we can avoid the whole situation of a bad year.

I observed all the 4th grade teachers at the end of my daughter’s 3rd grade year. I asked them all the same question, “How do you feel about having a child with a laptop in your class”? Most of them said they were open to it however, they had never had a child with a laptop. One even said she would welcome it (I hope I get her!) One when asked this question, never looked me in the eye and said, “I’ve never thought about it”. I said “She’s proficient on it, has been using one at home, used a computer in class in 3rd grade and I just wondered how you would feel about it”. Same response, no eye conduct and a repeat of “I’ve never thought about it”. Translation: “I’ve never thought about it and I’m not planning on it”. I wrote a letter to the school, advising that Ms. _____________ was not open to the use of a computer in her classroom, and therefore I don’t want my child placed in her class. I don’t have a problem with this teacher, I would rather know at the onset her feelings and we can avoid the whole situation of a bad year.

Welcome. You will learn many things here. Including the fact that parents across the country are enraged by the lack of support they get from their children’s schools. If that bothers you… go away. We are here to support eachother, not to cater to the fragile egos of weak kneed teachers.

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I pulled my child out of his special ed summer school program today because the all the changes and lack of structure over the summer are stressing him out and his behavior is being effected. I recently had to ask for help from security to get my child to my car in a parking lot because he was tatrumming so badly I couldn’t physically handle him. He’s not even five years old yet. If we don’t get appropriate intervention for him now… what will we have to look forward to? And we still haven’t had an IEP regarding his fall placement because they keep being cancelled by the school. Now his placement won’t be settled until after school starts. One of my best friends in this county is in a similar position. So please excuse me if I’m a little impatient with the coddling the teachers are demanding around here. I haven’t observed as much support for the victims of the system around here recently and I may well go away. When I first came on this board someone came on posing as a mean spirited school administrator and everyone was encouraged to vent. I now understand that we are not allowed to express our feelings here unless we’re responding to fictional characters. By the way… that character really did fit the director of our school perfectly. I hear the theme song of the witch in the Wizard of Oz along with the clicking of her heels echoing down the school hall.

Oh Rose I am so sorry… that’s awful. I hope this straightens out soon and well for you both…

It isn’t that teachers object to venting I think- it is the global statements about all teachers- they are all uncaring, unprofessional, unskilled, unwilling- whatever…When you are taking extra time from your day to provide someone with information and some support then it feels- justifiably- like an attack. If you have also had a bad day- my most memorable was when one of my students tried to hammer me over the head with the cast on his arm- it is almost impossible.

I raged and laughed at Peter Principle (Principal?) too- that poster served a very real need for a target in their clicking shoes- and their pointed prose would be well exercised here again!

Robin

Indeed, you need some help, maybe to see an MD, if you have not already done so.

Now, if you cannot handle your child yourself, what makes you think this so-called appropriate placement is going to work a miracle at school? There are no magic bullets.

I don’t believe she asked for a magic bullet, anonymous. I believe she is simply trying to get help for her son, starting with an IEP meeting.

Kids can take a lot but they also have very fragile spirits. A mother doesn’t want to send her child off to school knowing he or she isn’t getting the help he deserves. How is Rose supposed to feel comfortable if the school won’t even meet with her??

I don’t recall her posting said I need a miracle and the school will have the magic bullett. She said < If we don’t get appropriate intervention for him now… what will we have to look forward to?> What does he have to look forward to anonymous?

You obviously post here becuase you have some connections to learning disabled children?? I am not sure what the point of your response was?? Other than to try and blame a parent.

Thanks
K.

Anonymous,
How is this different than when our kids are ill with something that “we can’t handle ourselves” and we bring them to a medical professional for help. Just because our children learn differently, behave differently or whatever does not mean that they don’t need the assistance of professionals as well. Yeah, I don’t have any background in teaching a dyslexic child, I look to someone who has the experience. I do expect the proffesionals to do their jobs, and, as in any profession, some are more capable and conscientious than others. That is the whole story. Why are people giving each other a hard time over this? Some proffesionals are clunkers,don’t do their jobs effectively. Happens everywhere, we are just more sensitive when are children are the ones who suffer because of it.

My child is autistic. There is no magic cure. Only a lot of hard work by all of us. I admit that I can not do it all by myself and that I need help. In the last 2 1/2 years he has made so much progress that most of the time, people don’t observe autistic behavior from him. A lot of this has to do with the structured education his teachers have been able to provide for him. He needs structure like a diabetic needs insulin. In the summer the schools cut back on structure and his symptoms become more apparent. Also, there is a limited window of opportunity in which we can help him aquire appropriate language skills and summer school is a waste of thaat time. Add to this that the school has made comments about changing his placement and reducing his hours… but hasn’t followed through on any of the three IEPs it scheduled and you have a stressed out parent. I am very grateful for the teacher that has worked with my son this past year. She is a speech and language specialist with years of dedicated experience . She has a classroom filled to overflowing with children who have a variety of special needs and she does the best she can to accomodate them. I understand the position she is in and I do not blame her for problems the school administration creates. As for the school administration… that’s a different story. Hopefully, in september I’ll be able to come here and update you all with good news.

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It was a response to anonymous’ last entry.

Frankly, summer school is probably a waste. I am teaching for the first time this summer. I have 4th-5th SDC students who are from at least 4 different SDC classrooms during the school year. I did not know any of these students, I teach resource (hardly anyone WANTS to teach summer school, so I volunteered).

I spent a morning at district office reading psych. reports and current IEPs, making notes (I was furnished nothing but the class list). I then administered a couple of quick assessments to get a picture of who needed what.

I have tried to make the 4 weeks meaningful and relevant for the 19 students I was assigned. I may have done a better job than some, esp. colleagues who take a thematic approach and do lots of “fun” activities (which don’t promote IEP goal progress). I have not had the time or resources to really do as much as I typically do during the school year with my own students.

It is very hard for a stranger to pick up a diverse group for a short summer session. And I do agree, some teachers seem to think that summer school should be fun, less structured. My class is just like school, only I give no homework, that is the concession to summer school (district policy for elem. grade summer school).

I know there is more that can be done. Our sped. director is so very busy, she is pulled in many directions. So, she really cannot provide the leadership to the teachers, she just keeps things afloat.

I think what you have done is wonderful though. You educated yourself and put your best foot forward for your students. I am sure they will get something out of such a postive experience even if it is not quit what you were looking for. I think 19 students is a little much for elementry summer school. I am fortunate in that my 4th grade son who is doing summer school only has 5 kids in his class. The class is 3 1/2 hours a day M-F, runs for 7 weeks, and the 3 R’s are covered. I have really noticed an improvement in my son with such small group instruction. He use to be a reluctant writer now he writes willingly and does a half decent job, his reading skills have improved, and his multiplication facts or now solid. I wish ALL districts were able to have the resources that we do here. I may cringe at first when paying my property tax bill which is well over 4,000 but then look at my boys and pay happily.