You sound like the petty and spiteful one. Unless any of you have taught before, don't judge and presume it is a bed of roses.

Crew Chief "Most teachers in my district once they reach tenure it is very very hard to remove them" ...whoever said that is right on the money.

Thats why your letter wont change a thing, but it WILL make you feel good that you did the right thing. cc your depart letter to the superintendent too not just the principal.

Calm cool and collect, is the tone for the letter.

Isnt it a gas how some teachers seem to need just alittle bit more schooling themseleves???
HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont take it personally, was a need on the part of the teacher most likely and had NOTHING to do with your childs performance. Sounds like one could almost make wine (sour grapes).

Thank you ladies. I needed a sympathic ear.

I guess the part that bugs me most is that it's really a personal issue between two adults and she used her 'power' as the teacher to get in a last dig, using my son as a pawn. That's so weak.

I never used my work at school to get an in with my son's teachers or tried to use my access to them as convenient parent/teacher conferences. If I was at school, it was to do PTO work. I still followed appropriate processes for parent/teacher feedback. Grrrrr

You're right, pals. I need to follow my own advice about acting while angry. I'll calm down(eventually), write an appropriate letter to the school and leave town with my head held high.

I read your post crew chief and wanted to tell you to write the teacher but wait until you calm down a minute . When you do write it you could say something to the effect "I am sorry that you had not addressed this to me earlier via phone call or talking to me while at school volunteering" That way you are pointing out "hey I am here, talk to me"
Most teachers in my district once they reach tenure it is very very hard to remove them, but maybe your principal could talk with her. I actually had the exact oppoisite years ago when my oldest son was here I was approached by his teacher all of the time, and alot of it was minor boy stuff (yes he does have his own major issues and I admit that). I ended up dreading to volunteer and talked with the principal that I appreciate the updates but that unless it is a major problem please handle it, I really dont need to know he was chewing gum! The principal addressed the issue and it was fine afterwards, I guess it is finding a middle ground. I mean I am sure that teachers dont want to be get approached off guard by a volunteer and in my case like wise.
So take a breather and then write the letter, just be tactful and not blaming!

Had a similar experience. Teacher had all the time in the world or catch me while I was volunteering at the school, or god forbid, pick up the phone and call me. But chose to write in final report card that the child had "just shut down" towards the end of the year. HELL-O, I could have used that news earlier. Turns out teacher did same exact wording on other students' report cards. Laziness? Spite?? Arogance?? I sure didn't think it was right, whatever the reasons were. I have made it a point to never recommend that teacher to anyone in the future.

Grrrrr, I'm completely disappointed in my son's computer teacher.

Before I start into my rant, I should mention that I am normally a calm and reasonable person. I can take constructive criticism and useful comments. I don't believe my child is perfect and can handle words of advice from his teachers. But here's the thing:

The computer teacher is incompetent. She knows very little about the subject, doesn't really seem to like children, has no control over her classroom and is just generally a very negative person. And, for some reason, she just has never really liked me.

My son is a normal 12 year old boy. He gets straight As, has good friends, works hard and has earned the respect of all of his other teachers.

Computer class is a nightmare. The kids are rowdy, talk to much, are bored with the lessons (really, they knew more in kindergarten than this particular teacher is able to teach) and have no respect for the teacher.

For five (5!) years, she has given my son As in her class, has never so much as made a comment on mid-term or report cards, never sent a note home or talked to him or me about his behaviour in class.

Now we're getting ready to move and he had his last day of school on friday. She chose this time to make a negative comment on his report card. "Xxxxx would benefit from focusing during class instead of talking." But she still gave him an A!

I want to resond with a note to her with a cc to the principal saying, Xxxxx, and all other students at the school, would benefit from a teacher who is literate in the subject she is teaching, can maintain a modicum of control over her class and is able to effectively communicate with her students and their parents."

Yes, I know. I sound like a mother grizzly who's cub has been threatened. But here's my question:

Do I persue this issue in an attempt to make things better for the students who still must work with this teacher or do I walk away knowing that my own child, at least, never has to have her again?

[ 06-04-2006, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: CrewChief ]