I had problems with a teacher and the way she mistreated my child. I did speak to her - behavior continued, took it to the principal - had conference between the teacher, principal my husband and myself, when we mentioned some of the comments and non verbal actions the teacher expressed to our daughter, the teacher did admit to it and the prncipal put her on check. Of course when the principal was not present, ie-out on meetings, this teacher continued with her negative behavior wih my child. She was an option 2 substitute teacher - after her assignment I have not seen this subst. teacher at our school. We also took it to one of the district superintendents. We as parents worked through the chanels of command. With our previous principal, with one of the old timer teachers we had a situation with another one of our children, she completely sided in with the teacher. Apparently it is okay for a teacher to break parent teacher confidentiality and redicule a child in class with something that was brought up during a conference. In both cases regarding the teacehrs, one was elderly and the other was young.

Hey I LOVE a veteran, its just when they really don't seem to like their job or the kids anymore that I say "Move on!"

I've had the reverse problem. One of my kids had a first year teacher in her early elementary years and that teacher was terrible. My daughter didn't learn a thing and got so far behind. Fortunately a couple of years later she had a veteran teacher with 20 plus years of experience who absolutely changed my daughter's life. I am now so happy when my kids get veteran teachers. I have yet to have a problem with a veteran teacher. Their experience has enabled them to notice strengths and weaknesses more quickly and to know what teaching methods work and what don't. Experience certainly has its pluses!

Doctors and accountants who are rude and unprofessional lose business, and possibly their liscence to work in that area. So, yes, they are under that scrutiny as well.

I was teacher in a private school where we were evaluated on a routine basis, and were held to a high scrutiny, both in school and "off" hours. Personally, i liked that i was evaluated by my performance. When i lost my drive to be an excellent teacher i left the feild, some people know when they're burnt out...but some don't.

The problem with public schools is that teachers do get away with more than other business professionals ever would. And if anyone thinks that a teacher would never take their frustrations out on a student, well...watch the news, some do.

I'm not saying there are not great teachers out there. There are, i know of many. But there are also some not so great, and some terrible, i know of those too. Like any profession, there are those that work and do their best, and there are those that just work and get their paycheck. But, I have a choice on what doctors, accountants, mechanics, and so on that i trust with my health, money, and such. I don't have a choice which teacher i trust with my child in the public school. And before anyone says i have the choice to send my child to a private school, i really don't.

So, for example, if i have a problem in the public schools with wich i pay taxes for, with a teacher, why don't i have a choice? Maybe in other districts, but i know in mine, there is no choice, they make that clear.

I agree with all of those who said teachers should be evaluted on rountine basis, and without warning sometimes...and that their position depends on their job performance (like any other profession).

Okay, what are your alternatives if you feel a teacher is unfair to students--you can only deal with the way the teacher treats your child. So, first, talk to the teacher in a respectful manner about your concerns--take your child along. A teacher may shed a light on another side to the story of which you are not aware. If the problem is not resolved and there is still a legitimate concern, request a meeting with the school counselor, the teacher and the principal of the building. Any teacher who attends such a meeting will know that he/she must treat your child with respect--but make sure you have your facts straight. A parent cannot go on hearsay. Children can and will tell stories to save themselves, especially if a parent in any way indicates that he/she is uncertain about a teacher's behavior. Most of us--no matter the job, would like a chance to explain a situation. Just complaining behind a teacher's back and not making them aware of concerns in a respectful manner won't change anything. Parents have to be willing to try to make a difference. Contrary to your belief that the teacher will take it out on your child--today, teachers know they will be held very accountable if a parent has made a complaint. That was old school--parents have much more power than you give them credit for having.

jshultz, other professions are judged as well, what do you do when someone is rude to you anywhere? You either say something or you never go back to that place again, however a teacher is different if you complain about the teacher there may be retaliation against your child. I do work at a school and teaching is very hard. But like everyother job there are consequences to your actions and behavior. Teachers are teachers because they love what they do but when they tire of the job it shows, as in any other profession.

I agree with Maggie93215 regarding evaluations for teachers to be done unannounced. I also believe age does not always matter. My daughter who is diagnosed with ADHD had a young teacher who mentally tormented and rediculed her as well as an older teacher retirement age did the same. I also believe retirement should be on a case to case situation. She has also had teachers who understood her and her condition, that did not baby her, made her accountable for her actions in a caring manor without redicule or embarrasement. I also agree that certain older teachers are stuck in their ways, do not want to grasp new teaching methods, technology, and be more creative in their teaching, this also needs to be addressed during their evals.

From the previous comments that were made, I didn't get the impression that anyone was talking about a teacher having a "bad day". I thought they were referring to ones who CLEARLY hate their job and perhaps have been there too long. At any rate, that's the experience I was referring to. I never expect anyone to be perfect, but I DO expect a person who has chosen teaching as her profession to possess patience and a genuine love for children that is evident to others. If I don't threaten and scream at my children at home then I'm surely not going to tolerate a burned out teacher doing it at school!

I think it has to be case by case. I certainly have worked with people like the ones you describe. I've also worked with others who have been teaching longer and who still love going to work each morning. I've been teaching for 15 years and I'd hate to have to give it up soon because someone thinks I've been at it too long. I love working with the children and sharing their excitement as they learn new things.
One other point - just because someone's been around awhile doesn't mean they don't keep up to date on trends or learn new skills. You should see my summer reading list! I love reading other people's success stories and finding new ways to help children succeed.

I hope that you aren't judged so harshly at your job. Do you like every moment you work? Why are teachers held to a much higher standard than other jobs? Doctors, who are rude, or accountants who make us wait as though our time is not important are still respected. Teachers take more scrutiny from the public than just about any other job out there. Try it for a day or two and see what I mean. Teachers can change with guidance and kind input.

I believe that each teacher is different and should be evaluated that way. At the school where I work at the teachers are told when they will be evaluated, is this good or bad? I think evaluations should be done randomly and without warning. Walk into a classroom and stay more then the usual 5-10 min. stay for a whole period. then go back soon after that check to see how things getting done in that particular class. I also would like to see surveys going home as to what parents think about the teaching method or if they have any questions regarding teachers. It's a good thing to keep the teachers on their toes, just like the kids they are teaching we want them to successful at what they do.

Teachers should be made to retire the moment they don't like it anymore. Nothing worse than a teacher who hates their job but is assigned to teach your children.

With anything, I believe it's a case by case type thing. I would hate to see someone who sincerely loved kids and had a lot to offer be forced out simply because of his or her age. On the other hand, I've experienced a few of my children's teachers who have lost their love of kids and teaching and in my opinion, should no longer be in the classroom. Honestly, I wish parents' comments and concerns about inappropriate and unwanted behavior in the classrooms were addressed more seriously. I don't think there should ever be a situation where the majority of parents have major issues with their child's teacher and feel like they have to grit their teeth in bear it because nothing can or is being done about it.

I think this is an interesting topic. I enjoy my job (I am not a teacher) and I would not want to be forced to switch departments or retire after a specific period of time. I don't necessarily believe teachers should be held to something much of the public would not be willing to do.

I am required to complete a certain number of training hours per year- something I strongly believe everyone should do. Otherwise, work can become mundane. By attending trainings, teachers (an everyone else) get exposed to new ideas, have a change to network, and often find a new excitement about their job.

Rather than searching for ways to get rid of the bad teachers, which I readily admit there are, I think we should search for ways to challenge, motivate, and reward the great teachers to ensure they remain great.

I am a teacher and have always felt that teachers should be evaluated more often and if they are doing an effective job w/ students, then they should teach and if they are not doing a good job - find another profession! Age doesn't matter!!!

I do not think teachers should retire at a certain age if they are effective in engaging students and teaching them the skills and attitudes they need to succeed.
As an educator, I recognize it's not the age of the teacher but his/her love of learning, love of the students, knowing the subject content and how to teach all students within a class that should determine who teaches. However I strongly believe a teacher should learn new methods and continue to develop strategies to address the present generation.

As a veteran teacher of 36 years in both public and private school--7 years at high school, 9-12, 6 years at preschool, ages 4-5, 5 years at elementary, grade 5, and 18 years at middle schoool, grade 8, I have seen both sides. I know a kindergarten teacher, who after 30 years, still loved coming to work every day, showed enthusiasm for her students, and bubbled with excitement at their new discoveries. Her secret, trying new ideas, changing rooms, redoecorating, updating her own skills. I've also seen teachers who no longer belong in the classroom and who should be removed because they've lost their love of learning, forgotten that students are still youngsters and are still learning and need guidance. Perhaps giving such teachers a new assignment in a different building will give them a new perspective--perhaps it will make them more hardened--but it is worth a try. For myself, I retired a year ago, taking classes to keep my skills fresh, to meet other teachers with new ideas, and attending conferences in my subject area were necessary to stay current in my field. I highly recommend it.

I don't think there's any "single answer" for how to treat all teachers, just as there should be no single approach for how to teach all students. Everyone is unique.
I believe that "tenure" and "the pull of teacher unions" sometimes result in less-than-enthusiastic instructors remaining in classrooms long after they've "burnt out," but I don't think all instructors should automatically have to retire. It might be helpful to have teachers rotate to different schools within a district after every few years, but even then, their attitudes are probably as much a factor of administrators who allow them to become "fossils" and "set in their ways" instead of encouraging more enthusiastic and innovative teaching approaches, and keeping a better "eye" on what really is happening in terms of parent-teacher communication.