Mom Is Teaching

Ok, I’m going to do my best to be as general as I can so that I do not directly point out someone.  However, if it looks like a ass, acts like an ass, then it is probably….an ass (and I’m referring to an animal here, I just liked the lingo and you will see why).

I’ve made it clear in no uncertain terms that my son got the best teacher he could have for his personality.  I’ve watched the other 2 kindergarten teachers and they are good teachers in my opinion but I don’t think they would have been able to handle his little quirks and rapidly running mouth near as well as his current teacher.  And, realize that I’m going way out on a limb here by even writing this, if word gets out, my child is doomed…..but it is that important.

With that, I’m going to generalize here for a minute.  I am going to assume that most teachers are aware of parents visiting the school.  And, as a teacher and a daycare owner, I know that teachers tend to be on their best behavior when parents are around.  I am ashamed to say that this is true, but the truth is the truth….see that ass above.

Anyway, my point is this, there is a teacher at my son’s school who teaches a primary grade that I don’t like.  I’m not being personal or emotional here, I do not know her at all.  I do not know how well she teaches at all.  I do know that she screams a lot.  Now, if you consider the amount of time that I have spent in this school (Friday lunch dates that last about 40 minutes and the grandparents day celebration for a total of about 3.5 hours), and realize that  I have noticed the amount of yelling that this teacher does, then certainly it is noticeable to others. 

So, I start to question other parents.  I did learn from one parent that this teacher is supposedly a “good” teacher (I’m not sure by what standards good is defined but the parent did say a “good teacher”).  I have asked around and found out that she and another acquaintance worked together as teenagers and had problems. 

Further investigation into Teacher A (no pun intended), I find that yes, she does indeed yell at the children a lot.  She does indeed yell at them most of the day and that nearly every parent I questioned voiced dissent about it.  Parents whose children simply escaped her wrath by the luck of the draw (supposedly how children are placed in a particular teacher’s room) voiced strong opinions as to what they would have done if their child had ended up in Teacher A’s room. 

I can tell you right now.  Unless I see some drastic changes, there is no way in the world of education that my child will take the abuse that Teacher A puts out.  I will not accept it.  I considered intervening on a child’s part on one of my Friday Lunch Date visits.  It is that bad. 

When questioning one parent in particular I was asked if Teacher A yelled more than this other teacher that everyone knows.  Teacher B that she referenced is known for her yelling.  My answer is emphatically yes yes yes.  Teacher A is way more abusive (and it doesn’t just border on abuse, it is pure abuse in my mind) than the Well-Known Teacher B.   This particular parent said to me, “Yes and that’s the teachers that the Principal likes the best”. 

What that tells me is this, those teachers don’t send very many children to the office.  Thus, the Principal isn’t bothered with disciplining children in Teacher A or Well-Known Teacher B’s classroom, and occasionally a parent that has never witnessed the yelling compliments one of these teacher’s ability to teach.  That Principal then deems them a “good” teacher.

I’m no dummy, I know that administrators have a hard job.  But, part of their job is to see that the children aren’t mistreated.  And, in my opinion, the children in this teachers care are abused for at least 40 minutes every Friday and then some.  I don’t like it.

So, what should I do?  Nothing since it doesn’t affect my child?  Speak up because it affects the child of someone that might not be able to visit the school as often as I do?  Just wait it out and hope my son doesn’t get Teacher A or Well-Known Teacher B? 

What would you do?