ps...I TOLD EVERYONE THAT TEACHERS NAME AND MADE AS SURE AS POSSIBLE THAT HE'D HAVE DIFFICULTY DOING IT AGAIN. MAYBE IF WE ALL NAMED NAMES IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BULLIES DEPEND ON OUR SILENCE.

OMG I cannot believe the number of times I keep seeing parents actually wondering whether to believe their own children over someone they barely know just because they are occupying a position of authority or possess a degree. Especially a teaching credential, ANYONE can pay the fee and take the test. And who takes these low paying thankless jobs anyway? SOME because they are talented and actually do love the work, but MANY do it because its an easy degree, they want to be near kids because they ARE abusers, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF BELIEVING YOUR CHILD! MY OWN SON and another boy WERE TAKEN OFF CAMPUS BY HIS 5TH GRADE TEACHER AND GOT AWAY WITH IT because I was naive enough to have signed that "blanket" field trip permission slip they send home on the first day of school! I advise all parents to interview as if you were hiring these people because, in fact you are...paying them with your tax dollars. And they have your child at their mercy for hours everyday...JUST BE AWARE.

I also recommend that you and your son schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss the issue. Be respectful and listen to the teacher's report. As you know, there are usually more than two sides to any story. Meeting with the teacher will help you determine if the issue is one you should pursue with the principal or not. Let the teacher see that you are an involved and concerned parent. Just make sure that you take good notes during the meeting. You may need them if the situation escalates, as it did for us several years ago. I don’t believe that my son’s situation is common, but it serves as a warning.

My 6th grader told me a few weeks into the school year that his teacher was "picking on him" and "making fun of him" in front of the class. I told him that I would schedule a conference with his teacher and that he would need to join us. The teacher had a completed different take on the incident, but they came to an agreement on how to better communicate. As the year progressed, my son complained a few more times about the teacher embarrassing him, but said that he could handle the problem himself. Months later, I discovered that my son could not handle the problem.

I went to my son’s classroom one day to bring some teen reading books that the teacher had asked the PTA to drop off at his classroom “anytime.” As I quietly opened the door, I was horrified to see the teacher hurling a desk across the room...AT MY CHILD. The teacher had the desk chair in his hands when I shouted from the door to PUT THE CHAIR DOWN. He looked up and froze. He fell all over himself apologizing and trying to explain. I grabbed my child and told the teacher that I would speak to the principal about his unacceptable behavior.

The principal told me that she was very glad that I called. She had heard rumors about problems in the teacher's classroom, but when she followed up with several parents, no one wanted to talk about it. I filed a formal complaint, which nine other parents joined. The teacher was suspended and retired the next year. Turns out that the situation in the classroom had been escalating as the teacher warned the students that "if they tell" their parents, he would make their life miserable. In hindsight, I am sorry that I didn't pay closer attention to my son’s complaints earlier in the year.

Have meeting with teacher as soon as you notice problems and if problems don't get resolved take it to the principal. That's your child, nobody should mistreat him!

WELL, HUMILIATING A CHILD IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CLASS---THAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE THE TEACHER MADE. THAT IS A NO NO......
HAVE A MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND GET MORE WITNESSES...AND PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT GET ANGRY...JUST STAY CALM. AND I AGREE WITH ABOVE PARTICIPANTS...HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE....

I would go and set a meeting wiht the teacher and ask her why she did that to him publicly cause she could talk to him in private.

I hope that the teacher has admitted her wrong and showed humility. I hope all works out. I would want someone to talk to me first before going over my head. That would be showing wisdom and maturity on all our parts.

hope all goes well. Let us know what happened.

I wouldn't ever confront a teacher - confrontation most often won't get you the response you want. It will usually only add fuel to the flames. And I wouldn't want the principal at the meeting but I would ask to come in and speak with the teacher.
Telling her then that you heard from your son that his morning work is not getting done - is that true and if so wouldn't be that be because of his work on safety patrol? I'd get all that resolved and when it is then and only then would I say -
"it seems unfair then to withdraw his name from student council as it is safety patrol that keeps him from his work but so be it. Frank has made a commitment to safety patrol that we expect him to honor.
But I could ask now why you make this announcement so publically? Frank felt humiliated - was that your intention?"

Let her answer that. If she says no, - and she will - then without confronting her you've brought her to see that you're a parent who's watching and who will come in. And when you come you won't confront or scream, you'll ask quiet calm questions that must be answered.
And you'll have put her into a corner where she has to answer 'no she didn't mean to humiliate him - even if she did. And she'll think twice about doing it a second time to your son - and maybe to other people's children as well.
Good luck.

First, request a meeting with the teacher and the principal or vice principal. At the meeting be sure that your son is there to re-cap on the moment and how it felt. Let them know that you are disgusted, surprise and very much so concerned. Please do not back dowm and stand your guard. Let them know that this {what she did} will not happen again and if she has to address your son do it the proper way. I'm speaking from experience and very happy to help.

First , bring your spouse or a friend with you along with your child when you confront the teacher and make your case. Because you will really need two or more witnesses along with you son. Then get in touch with the principal so you all can sit down even with your son and as adults, and discuss this together with the teacher. Listen with open mind even if you are angry and see if you can work something out. This is a great teaching point for your son also. Usually the Principals are really good at helping parents along with their children in fixing the problem so there will be no altercations afterwards. If that does not work get in touch with the super intendment of the school systems and state your case.

Sorry to be the only one not going with the crowd, but I remember that a class was like a team, a group that works together and got to know each other. In the classroom setting the teacher could publicly praise you, and make you feel ten feet tall....or chew you up and spit you out if you were unprepared, making you feel one inch tall. Where it would be appropriate to take someone aside privately, would be of a very personal or private nature. Running for student council is something that everybody knew about. Why haven't you asked the teacher what happened and get it straight from the horses mouth. Your trusting a fellow classmate and taking his word, without hearing the teacher has to say. Also If this Safety Patrol is causing him to miss work, weather hes being graded on it or not, this teacher thinks he should be doing it like everyone else. Must be necessary for something or she wouldn't have gotten so angry. You might want to figure what is more important here,school work or safety patrol. No disrespect to all involved ,this is the way I see it from a birds eye view. Good luck and be well.

It seems wrong to say a kid isn't doing his work that doesn't even count for a grade due to another school activity. If you are concerned about the teacher's behavior, which you should be, then speak with the teacher privately about the matter and share your point of view with "I" statements (you don't want to put the teacher on the defensive). After that, request that any complaints should be talked to you and your child privately. If you are not satisified with the results of the conversation, then talk with the principal and see if he or she can do anything.

Dear Anonymous:
You are absolutely right! In the "Corporate World" this behavior wouldn't be tolerated/ excused.
Hold a conference with the Principal ,the teacher; and your child. Discuss your feelings and thoughts.Let your child express his/her's as well.If the child is to shy to comment perhaps,an alternative would be to have your child put it in writing.
I strongly believe this teacher owes your child and you, an apology (wink!) Sometimes, adults make mistakes and they don't even realize it. It's always good to bring it to their attention so,this doesn't continue to occur.

Best of luck and good wishes!,
jameela10

It sounds like the teacher is definately in the wrong and I agree with Tseremen that you should schedule a conference. Also as michellea stated, let the teacher know the humiliation your son felt and ask that any such information be sent home, not announced.

So sorry this happened to your son. It's sad to have to tell kids that teachers mess up too. It would be NICE to have the teacher apologize, though I doubt that will happen, whatever the outcome.

I agree with you and I would schedule an appointment to speak with the principal. This teacher embarrassed your son in front of his classmates. This was very unprofessional. The teacher needs to make an apology to your son in front of the same classmates.
Good Luck!

Ok, I for one would be ticked. She would not like it if someone did her kid that way. I've had problems with teachers in the past myself. But I am the type that has a bad temper. So I politely told the teacher that if I had to come back for something stupid, I would drag her across her desk and whip her right on the spot. I've never had problems since. So I would talk to the teacher and find out what the problem is. Then do what you need to do. It's up to us to protect our children.

I think you hit the nail on the head - this kind of feedback should be made privately - never in public.

That said, it is important to get under the teacher's concerns. I agree that you need to meet with the teacher to find out what is going on from her perspective. Make sure you have your child's planner and other information you are using to track his homework. I'd ask a bit more about morning work - maybe in her mind it does count. I'd also be ready to offer some suggestions on how to track assignments, how to balance his morning responsibilities etc.

Finally, I would be prepared to let her know that your son felt humiliated that he was called out in front of the class and let her know that you expect that this kind of "feedback" be given privately from now on.

I think the best thing is to schedule a conference with the teacher. Write down what you need to ask and any suggestion you have for the teacher. Make sure you listen to yourself and the teacher and ask follow up questions to get to the root of the problem.

Good luck!

Does he do his work?