Hello I realized your question was answered and I love what everyone has said it feels good to know that we as parents are speaking up. although my son is still trying to fit in I feel like our voices aren't heard in the bronx at all. Teachers have no respect for these kids these days why is that.

Hello, it seems as though I was reading how my son was treated in kinder. he is now in third grade and teachers don't understand him. Before your son loses interest he should draw another butterfly and have the teacher compare it. I feel as though the teacher must watch her words. He is trying to adjust to someone else's rules and with her calling him a liar can cause him confusion. Teachers these days forgot to praise children and are now using words that are hurtful in a childs growth. Go to the oarent coordinator from the school and mention it to her or him and take it from there. But don't sweep this issue under the rug as for it can get worst.

Dear Antwan, Beatrice1013 and venicefreebird: You all have been instrumental in my decision to take action and as you all pointed out, STAND UP for my son. I am now going to take action and I am so thankful to you wonderful parents for your help and for taking the time to respond and most importantly for caring. *What you don't know is that this all occurred in kindergarten but my son is in third grade now. I have been dealing with the sneers, looks, rudeness from people I don't even know and the principal cannot even stand to look at me and has not addressed me or my son ever. My son was ignored all of last year by the teachers and he has felt left out as other children got hugs, praises and encourage-ment and special privileges. My son told me the summer after 2nd grade, that one of his co-teachers, asked him if he had written his poem (in-class assignment) or if an adult had given him help, sometimes the teachers help, I guess. He said he told her "no" and that she said nothing in response. It was a very nice poem about love. He also told me this summer that children were called up to the chalkboard (correct sentence grammar) and then the child picked someone to go up next. Elias told me he was never picked, and this was done every morning for several months. He was emotional telling me this but never told me during school. I know the chalkboard exercise was done everyday because I volunteered every day with 6-12 children doing a Great Leaps fluency program and volunteered 126 hours last year. I don't care that it occurred February '06. I am going to have the teacher apologize to my son. I have the original drawings-both of them. The first moment I looked at the butterfly artwork she made him sign, I knew he had not drawn it. It was very neat with dots painted neatly in a row. My son has always been sloppy and fast and never enjoyed coloring, drawing. When she displayed all of the children's butterflies, she put up the nice, neat dots butterfly for my son and not the new butterfly he had gotten to paint at my repeated insistence. I was livid. I don't know how else to describe my reaction. But, I was paralyzed with anger. So, thank you again for giving me the strength to do what's right for my son and me. Hopefully the mistreatment will stop.

You are so welcome. I am glad as is everyone else that we could help you. I hope, no I know things will work out for you just hand in there.

Thank you so much for your response. Prior responses said that the teacher "was not intelligent". I'm sure you'll agree this had nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with power and control (over a child). You said something very powerful and I finally understood- "...let your son know you believe him too". The minute you said that, I now know I HAVE to do something-it is not an option. Of course I believe my son, but by not standing up for him-he may have gotten the wrong impression. When I approached the teacher in person,just her and I, she raised her voice and said, "Oh, I know he lied". Prior her notes had said no such thing. The time of the incident-she told him "I just hope you're not telling the truth". I will go over the principal's head if she refuses to meet with me and I will get the guidance counselor involved as well. Thanks to you, I have the strength to stand up for my son and I am so happy. This is my first experience using this forum. I have found it is very powerful and moving to get the validation from other mothers. Thank you so very much.

If you feel that the principal and the teacher are close friends and the principal may be treating you differently I say go over her head. No it isn't that serious to go over her head, but I think that doing so will show everyone that is treating you badly that you won't take it, especially in regards to your son. Did you talk to the teacher? What happened with that, if you did? If not talk to her without your son present. Tell her what he feels and that his feelings are important. Explain that even if she thinks the picture was his, but he is so upset about it you have to as his mother respond to that and not just look over his feelings. If she doesn't care, then go over her head and the principals head too. Advocate for your son and don't let him think that you don't care about how he feels or what he thinks. Writing is okay but in person may be better so that you can actually see how she reacts and she can see how serious you are about it. Good luck on whatever you decide to do. Maybe you should let your son know that you believe him too.

I don't think it was professional that his teacher called him a liar and the staff will treat anyone in that manner me personally i would speak to the school board and see if they could help you with this situation. this teacher should be reprimanded and she need to give your son and you an apology in front of everyone ASAP.
P.S. this tell you this teacher is not very intelligent.

I have not faced the principal because she is close friends with the teacher and I didn't have the emotional strength to face her accusations on me. In the meantime, staff are treating me like I'm lower than the lowest, nasty looks won't address me. The principal has not once greeted me or shook my hand when I'm in line with others entering the school who are being greeted. She seems really angry like I harassed her employee. I was corresponding in writing that Elias wanted to draw another butterfly, frequently because they kept giving me the go around. Thank you so much for your feedback. FYI, when he told her the artwork was not his, she was upset and said "I just hope your not telling the truth". My son told me this in tears. Obviously, the repercussions were the same as if she had said "liar".

Listen YOU are the ONLY advocate for your child. You are his hero. This "teacher" and I use that term lightly, has no right to call a child anything. Name calling is a tactic used by people who have poor language skills. I would take this issue to the school principle and not let up. She owes your son an apology in front of the class.