MY KID'S TEACHER

My Kid's Teacher | May 4, 2003 | Luis Gonzalez

[Luis Gonzalez]

Just before going to bed tonight, as I kissed my oldest boy good night, he perked up and reminded me of the note his teacher had sent home on Friday. I assured him that I would read it, and tucked him in.

I knew that the note was about the upcoming School Book Fair, he attended his first one last year, and it was a great experience for him. It was the first time he was trusted with money to spend all on his own.

He is a First grader with Third Grade reading skills, I was an avid reader as a kid, and every time I see him sitting with a book on his lap, I feel like I'm walking on air.

I went downstairs and looked for the note, I wanted to see what was expected of him, and how payment for the books would be handled.

I have copied the note word by word below, the note written, and sent home, by the person who is teaching my boy to read and write.

I have left the particulars out for obvious reasons.

I am sending the note to Tallahassee, and asking for this teacher's removal.

[dixie sass]

Vouchers?

[Texas Mom]

Our class has ran out of tissue boxes, if possible, please send a box to our class. The colds, coughing, is ongoing in the classroom.

Does she want boxes of tissues or just the boxes? That's what it sounds like to me. Send some empty tissue boxes.

[nopardons]

Great choice for a black American "hero" ( should be HEROINE ), Luis. I bet it drives the teacher up the wall.

As to her writing skills ( lack thereof ! ) ... I must confess to having NEVER, not whilst a teacher, attending college and university ( under grad & grad schools ), nor as a parent, seen such a mess. If Florida has a test for its teachers, I don't see how she passed it.

[truthkeeper]

I agree with you completely. I don't know how they have gotten away with this either. Apparently the problem is not only district wide, but state wide as well. Additionally, it doesn't seem to bug many of the other parents...only me.

But then, I've been telling my kids to avoid the school restrooms entirely for years...

[annyokie]

Why are you slamming Mykidsmom? If our public school teachers were the best of the best there would be no argument. She is merely stating what the lot of us are who have kids in public school and can't change that because of our financial conditions.

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

Please -- someone -- who was the guy who posted here in 2001 or 2002 who "spoke" phonetically? Someone must remember -- Texas Bob was his handle or something. He was hilarious. Anyone know who I'm speaking of?

[nopardons]

Yes you can remove Commie propaganda. I did...so can you.

[neutrino]

I'm curious. Suppose - purely for the sake of discussion - that a very capable, highly motivated teacher with high academic standards was hired.

Please suppose also that the teacher then demands a considerable quantity of quality work from the students.

In this hypothetical class, most students would ge assigned a grade of C. Some would receive B's, and a similar number would receve D's. A very few would get A's. And a few would get F's.

Would you, as a parent, support this teacher's practices? Or would you deplore and decry them?

Please note that the students would have an academic record that reflected modest levels of achievement when compared to others who were graded less strictly.

[FirstTomato]

The teacher's note to you is not part of her in-classroom performance. In fact, it sounds as if she didn't even have to write the note--she could have just let the kids wipe their noses on their shirtsleeves and run around loose at the bookfair, without adequate supervision. She thanked you for your anticipated cooperation and what she gets in return is an all-out assault.

But just because I think you are over-reacting doesn't mean I don't see your point. The note has errors and you are afraid these errors will make their way into your child's head. If that's the case, you really should consider home-schooling, because trust me, there will be a lot worse than grammatical errors being fed to your son!

[MHGinTN]

Written like a typical 'Crockett' or 'Boone'. : {)

BTW Luis, I love the Condi Rice action! ... Uh, and are you readin' muh final draft out loud? Oh my!

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

"The teacher's note to you is not part of her in-classroom performance."

I passionately disagree. The teacher's note is a direct reflection of her skills as a TEACHER. Sorry, I disagree 100%.

[truthkeeper]

Anyone know who I'm speaking of?

Uh-oh...yer gonna catch it now... ;-)

[Luis Gonzalez]

First time I visited England, on my very first day there, I was having a spot of lunch in a local eatery with the rest of my traveling group, when I excused myself and headed for the restroom to rid myself of the several pints of good English lager that I had downed with my fish and chips. I entered the "loo" and stood there dumbfounded...not a urinal in sight, and the two WC's available were occupied.

I could not figure out what the hell was going on, until a local walked in, said "cheers", and began to urinate against the wall!

I was aghast!

It took me quite some time to get used to the occasional troughs that passed for urinals in the older Pubs in Jolly Old England, but I made damned sure to pee before leaving our hotel room for dinner every day of our stay there.

[annyokie]

Budget contstraints preclude private and/or parochial school at this time. We use supper-table conversation to deactivate the indoctrination that goes on during the day.

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

Where in England, if you don't mind my asking? I've only been to London, Salisbury and Canterbury. Possibly may be visiting Durham in August.

[nopardons]

It appears that YOU are the one with problems,since you thinink that Luis has one. Prohjection can be helped; seek help immediately. There ARE free clinics.;^)

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

Dear nopardons,

Do you agree that the teacher's note is a direct reflection of her skills as a TEACHER? This is how I feel, anyway.

[Southack]

Your child's teacher is married, and she also appears to be compassionate.

The problem, of course, is that she is academically unqualified.

Perhaps the solution would be to offer to tutor her at night. The other path, removing her through full frontal confrontation, has a lower chance of succeding.

Worse, you might win the battle only to lose the war, as her replacement may be some single, athiestic, uncaring monster who is similarly unqualified academically.

Well, it's just a thought.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Would you, as a parent, support this teacher's practices?"

I would cheer, and encourage that teacger.

In the real world, the one that teachers are preparing these children for, those who strive to achieve, rise above the rest, those who do not, remain in the pack.

Teach the kids to strive for excellence, not to hide behind mediocrity.

Those few that achieve the "A" grades, worked hard, the others did not.

I don't believe in teaching down to the lowest common point.

[dixie sass]

I suppose that you feel it is all right for a teacher, who obviously can't write, can't spell, and more than likely cannot speak correct English, to be teaching your child?

These people are college educated. They are supposed to be able to speak, write and teach English and a variety of other subjects. If they cannot or will not, yes, they should be removed.

This is not fair to the child, you, or the future of this country. The majority of people graduating today read and write on a third grade level or lower.

Have you ever sat at a desk and had a person ask you how to spell their own first name? I have - it was a sailor at the WPNSTA, Chasn. Do you think that made me feel good about the safety of our country.

Have you ever had to rewrite something because even your boss couldn't read and comprehend at the level you wrote the instruction? I have and it's pathetic.

I agree with Luis, this is a problem and should be handled post-haste with the powers that be.