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some days I question if I should teach
Apparantly a parent made a negative facebook comment about me this morning. Another teacher saw it on his blackberry and showed it to me. She said "I hate that the band teacher scares my daughter."
Now, if I was able to commend I'd say something like "I'm sorry your daughter is nervous to come to class. Perhaps if she did one of her homework assignments in the past THREE weeks she wouldn't be scared. I've called and emailed you about this 4 times since December and have not seen improvement or heard a response from you."
Its awful though how many other teachers, families and even students will see her status. I emailed her and told her that I saw the status and would appreciate it in the future if she would speak to me directly so we can come to a positive solution for her daughter. I also told her I was hurt by it, and that I've worked hard to have a good relationship and reputation with students and families in this school district and it doesn't take much for all that hard work to be taken away. She wrote back and apologized...but I'm still feeling sick over it:(
Re: some days I question if I should teach
The parent put it on facebook or something? I wouldn't take it personally. Being a special ed. teacher I've had a few tense relationships with parents, especially those who do not accept their children as they are. I have one right now, in fact. Parents need to have a positive relationship with their teachers not for the adults involved, but the child. The parent also has responsibility here, because teachers can only reach out so much. Out of a class of 25, I know I'm not going to get them all to where I would like them to be. That doesn't mean that I don't try my best, but I usually feel like I've had a lasting impact on at least 90-95%.
I'm also sorry that you have to deal with this!! That parent should have known better!!
I've been hearing some 'horror' stories about teaching dance from my ballet professor/s and it makes me cringe...but what can you do?
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Don't let one parents comments make you question your career choice! Over my years of teaching, there's seems to always be at least one parent who is not on board with how I teach. Some parents think their children are perfect, geniuses, and without fault. So of course the blame is on the teacher. Hopefully, most of the parents do think you do a good job and your administration is behind your work.
I recently had a parent complain that I was teaching to a level that was too hard for high school students. Her son is in my HONORS class. A class that is meant to be a bit more challenging and available to those who opt for such a class. Thankfully, my AP made sure to praise my teaching and suggest that maybe her son was not cut out for an honors class. She went over an exam that I had given and showed the parent that the skills her son was not understanding were, in fact, not very advanced for his grade-level.
I think the best thing to do in these cases is to brush off cutting (and, honestly, immature) comments like that and to invite a conversation about how her daughter can be successful in your class. Be specific. Give detailed information on what the student is doing that is good as well as what needs improvement.
Thanks for all the feedback ladies... just a rough week I guess. Fortunately, my principal is very supportive... but these things when they happen still sting. I know in my head I am doing a great job (highest enrollment and retention in the district, largest turnouts for nyssma festivals, highest scores for nyssma, etc)..I'm trying to look at my numbers and listen to other feedback as well to know how I am doing.
Pre-facebook, it was one thing for a parent to say something to a friend about a teacher via a phone call or whatnot... but facebook makes it way to easy to hurt someones reputation.