Kindergarten Teacher

[Macaela25]

There are seven kindergarten classes at my son's school, which starts Monday. I know several parents of children who have gone to K at his school and asked their opinions on the teachers. All nine parents told me (by name) that five were great, one was a disorganized drama queen, and the other was a cold, heartless witch who was horribly mean and nasty to the children.

Guess who my son got.

I went to meet her at orientation tonight, and told her immediately that I was a certified teacher taught kindergarten and PreK for 17 years. She was very nice and careful with the way she spoke to me, but as I walked around the room (it was as bare as a prison cell) my son was counting the squares on her rug. He miscounted, and I heard her say in a low voice to him she thought I couldn't hear - "Wrong! Start over."

My sister and mother were with us (also both kindergarten/PreK teachers), and they were livid. I am going to see the principal first thing in the morning to request transfer to another class. Transfers are not encouraged, especially before school even starts. I'm going to tell the principal the following, as I really don't know what else to say but the facts:

I have been told by numerous parents that this particular teacher has a very harsh and negative demeanor. I expect a positive, caring teacher for my child's first kindergarten experience and I will not tolerate his progess being hindered by fear or intimidation. My family and I can be a great asset to the school and are happy to volunteer, donate, serve on councils, or whatever is requested of us...or I can be an extremely persistent and painful thorn in the teacher's and principal's side for the next nine months.

I am trying to be as professional and positive as possible, but also make it VERY clear that I will not tolerate a teacher who is a bully. If just one or two people had bad things to say about her, I would take it with a grain of salt. But nine people who all tell me horror stories about screaming, getting in children's faces, and stomping her foot at them? Anyone can do the math on that one.

Thoughts?

[sns4063]

Personally, I wouldn't threaten to be a PITA. Always take the high road. I think you went in with an agenda and found what you were looking for. Obviously the woman still has her job, so she can't be THAT bad. I'd give her a chance.

[clippyclippy]

Pretend that no one ever gave you negative reports about her, go into the year with a clean slate. Be friendly, warm and offer to help if needed. You might be surprised to get a totally different experience than the others have had.

[bali1228]

There are seven kindergarten classes at my son's school, which starts Monday. I know several parents of children who have gone to K at his school and asked their opinions on the teachers. All nine parents told me (by name) that five were great, one was a disorganized drama queen, and the other was a cold, heartless witch who was horribly mean and nasty to the children.

Guess who my son got.

I went to meet her at orientation tonight, and told her immediately that I was a certified teacher taught kindergarten and PreK for 17 years. She was very nice and careful with the way she spoke to me, but as I walked around the room (it was as bare as a prison cell) my son was counting the squares on her rug. He miscounted, and I heard her say in a low voice to him she thought I couldn't hear - "Wrong! Start over."

My sister and mother were with us (also both kindergarten/PreK teachers), and they were livid. I am going to see the principal first thing in the morning to request transfer to another class. Transfers are not encouraged, especially before school even starts. I'm going to tell the principal the following, as I really don't know what else to say but the facts:

I have been told by numerous parents that this particular teacher has a very harsh and negative demeanor. I expect a positive, caring teacher for my child's first kindergarten experience and I will not tolerate his progess being hindered by fear or intimidation. My family and I can be a great asset to the school and are happy to volunteer, donate, serve on councils, or whatever is requested of us...or I can be an extremely persistent and painful thorn in the teacher's and principal's side for the next nine months.

I am trying to be as professional and positive as possible, but also make it VERY clear that I will not tolerate a teacher who is a bully. If just one or two people had bad things to say about her, I would take it with a grain of salt. But nine people who all tell me horror stories about screaming, getting in children's faces, and stomping her foot at them? Anyone can do the math on that one.

Thoughts?

Not much to add, you pretty much covered it. I'd do the same. I'm fair to the teachers (pre-k) and I really try to see things from their perspective, and not just as a mom....but when it comes to my child's education...I don't play.

[3timesoccermom]

Please do not take offense if this sounds rude. I have NO intention of that.

Since you have been a teacher yourself for a very long time I would think the bar is already set extremely high and because of that you might be one tough cookie to please (no offense!!).

I don't think many principals are going to give much credence to the word of mouth thing and if you base your wanting to switch him on 2 words the teacher said to your son the principal might think you're a bit of an alarmist.

Have the parents who said she was a witch had their own experiences with her or are they basing that on word of mouth from others?

There are tons of teachers needing jobs - I would think also that if she'd had many complaints that she'd have been replaced. I think it would be good to give her a chance as well and not to let your son know that you have any doubts at all.

I also think it's a bad idea to say anything along these lines as it sounds like a threat:

"My family and I can be a great asset to the school and are happy to volunteer, donate, serve on councils, or whatever is requested of us...or I can be an extremely persistent and painful thorn in the teacher's and principal's side for the next nine months. "

All that said, however, I'd heard for years about a 3rd grade teacher my youngest got and she was actually WORSE than they'd said. I don't expect a soul on this board to believe me but this is the truth - my youngest was removed from her classroom and put into another (that was NOT a gifted and talented class where she'd been) with 1 month left in the school year because I "wrote too much correspondence." Before that happened my daughter was sent to the office for things like "not doing her work" or "tapping her pencil." Both annoying yes, but IMO a decent teacher can certainly find another alternative than sending a student to the office. My child was/is not a trouble-maker or instigator of any kind.

Good luck!!!!

[motherofmolly]

definately leave out the "pain in their side part". i would at first start with just stating that you want your child transfer due to a conflict. if he wants further just add a conflict with the teacher.

if they press then toss out the rest and i would add in that you gave her the benefit of the doubt and the first things she says is "wrong try again". a teacher should of said "maybe we should start again and count together outloud" and then she could of helped him along to get the right count and then encourage him. i would point out that that is what the other teachers are talking about.

and if that doesnt work, i would watch the teacher and if she says somethign like that again i would remind her that teachers should encourage and not demean. and ride her butt like a mac truck on a highway

[thorrocks1]

I would be very careful how you approach the Administration in the school or else you are going to be labeled "one of those parents" .. nothing worse than an parent that starts making waves before the first bell rings ..

My son had a 1st grade teacher many parents had horrible things to say about her .. I was sick to my stomach and lo and behold he had a fabulous year .. he will be in the 11th grade this year and if you ask him he will tell you Ms. Nelson was his favorite (sadly we lost her a year ago to a brain tumor)

Is this your first child going to school?

if you do decide to talk to the Principal choose your words wisely ... remember, she/he runs the school and makes all the decisions .. that is the last person you want to piss off ..

[434Teresa]

Personally, I wouldn't threaten to be a PITA. Always take the high road. I think you went in with an agenda and found what you were looking for. Obviously the woman still has her job, so she can't be THAT bad. I'd give her a chance.

I agee with this above post.

You will do nothing but get yourself off on the wrong foot with this school. Being that you were a teacher for all those years then go in talking about a teacher this way is not the way to start off your sons years of school at this school.

Wrong start over is not something bad being said, its just saying that was wrong start over. What would you had her say I am sorry son that was a good try but you messed up so I need you to start over. There is about 25 to 30 kids in K here so the teachers dont have the time to do that everytime a child gets a number or letter wrong..wrong start over is just short and to the point so she can move on to the next child so they all get their fair shot at counting ect. I know you see him as your baby still but she has several other babies in the room to deal with and teach each day.

I have had two babies to go threw grade school and is now in 12th and 9th grade. I have twins going into pre k on monday so I know that you want a teacher that is going to do the loving & careing thing with your son but that is not always the best way even if you feel it is.

If you came into my school talking to me that way it would make me look away roll my eyes and think oh no another one of those moms..

[434Teresa]

I would be very careful how you approach the Administration in the school or else you are going to be labeled "one of those parents" .. nothing worse than an parent that starts making waves before the first bell rings ..

My son had a 1st grade teacher many parents had horrible things to say about her .. I was sick to my stomach and lo and behold he had a fabulous year .. he will be in the 11th grade this year and if you ask him he will tell you Ms. Nelson was his favorite (sadly we lost her a year ago to a brain tumor)

Is this your first child going to school?

if you do decide to talk to the Principal choose your words wisely ... remember, she/he runs the school and makes all the decisions .. that is the last person you want to piss off ..

pretty much what I said..you just said it better.

[Spanelli8706]

We had one of these at the daycare I worked at. She was horrible. She yelled & screamed at the kids so much and we could hear her FOUR rooms down! She was as awful as everyone said... and I knew it for a fact as I had to listen to her evey day. Parents complained about her, other teachers complained about her and many of the students complained about her. I was called into the administrators office to discuss my opinions on her once, as they felt I was an honest, trustworthy person. I told them matter-of-factly how she acted and treated the kids. They did NOTHING about it. I worked there 5 years ago... and guess where she is today... still employed at this daycare. Not only is she still a teacher, she is the supervisor/lead for the rest of the pre-k teachers. It's pretty ridiculous. She went to church with several of the administrators...so I am assuming that is why she never lost her job. But I guarantee you, my kid would have NEVER been in her class or under her supervision...EVER.

If I were in your shoes, I would go in and politely request your kid be switched before school starts. I wouldn't mention any type of negativity or threat unless they tell you no. Then I would be more persistant and voice my reasons.