Comments on Breathe Gently: Teacher vs. Parent

Ohmygosh do I understand this post. Ours is such ...

2011-12-05T10:10:15.073+11:00

Ohmygosh do I understand this post. Ours is such a hard job - there are so many sides to every story and so many perspectives to always be thinking of. Not to mention how many people we are always trying to please and satisfy.

From this post alone, I am amazed at how thorough and patient you are... granted I deal with more, much older students but you my friend, are incredible.

I've been through similar complaint scenarios that are completely false and the hardest part for me is to continue treating the student as I had before... you become fearful and almost detached because you worry any and everything will be misconstrued!

That's awful! At least the principal and other...

2011-11-30T04:31:57.219+11:00

That's awful! At least the principal and other teachers know your side of the story.

I'm with the Modern Gal. Some parents just don't think about their children messing up the story.

Aye aye aye! You poor thing. So frustrating when y...

2011-11-24T07:02:56.530+11:00

Aye aye aye! You poor thing. So frustrating when you have gone the extra mile all year and feel like there is only acknowledgement of any problems (even though they aren't even real!!!)
Sounds to me like little X may well have had to defend own actions (dress and pizza) by saying you had said it was OK... as you said - misunderstandings. And lack of trust on the part of the parents. The least the could have done, was come and spoken to you about it first.
But it hurts. And I feel bad for you, because you obviously care and are attentive.
Enjoy the vodka! The holidays are just around the corner...

Oh honey, there are no more words, you covered the...

2011-11-23T17:49:06.060+11:00

Oh honey, there are no more words, you covered them all comprehensively! (That said, I'm still sitting at ANGER for you!)

Mrs X may not be the complainant. Mr X may well be...

2011-11-22T23:20:21.942+11:00

Mrs X may not be the complainant.
Mr X may well be "causing" the child to be transfered to the school of HIS choice.
Go easy on he vodka.
Primary Teachers my favourite people.
Cheers.

Mrs X may not be the complainant. Mr X may well be...

2011-11-22T23:20:00.566+11:00

Mrs X may not be the complainant.
Mr X may well be "causing" the child to be transfered to the school of HIS choice.
Go easy on he vodka.
Primary Teachers my favourite people.
Cheers.

Wow. Sounds like a tough and frustrating situation...

2011-11-21T10:07:16.355+11:00

Wow. Sounds like a tough and frustrating situation. I understand there are a lot of sensitive issues at hand, but I'm so frustrated that the mother didn't come to you first and get your side of the story. I mean, kids don't always get things the way they were meant and for the mom to just assume something, run with it and go so far as file a complaint against you seems ridiculous. You're a great teacher. Don't let ridiculous things like this make you think otherwise.

I'm so sorry. Some people will find anything t...

2011-11-21T02:24:44.565+11:00

I'm so sorry. Some people will find anything to complain about!!

Sorry by Kathy

2011-11-20T10:24:21.093+11:00

Sorry by Kathy

Oh I know how you feel. For many of our parents it...

2011-11-20T10:24:00.964+11:00

Oh I know how you feel. For many of our parents it is their hobby. It hurts but you will get over it and sadly eventually it won't upset you at all. I have a kid in my class who just calls out all day, nackchats me, yells and is so abusive to otehrs. believe me he calls kids words I don't use. and creative versions too. he is from an abusive home. dad has spent weeks in a psych unit this year. WELL he comes up on Friday and starts - Why are you picking on my boy, why do you get him in trouble, why did you stop him being a school captain, why do you stop him taking part in class rewards. I told him how much his sons behaviour had changed - wanted to add he was fine until you pulled a knife on your wife, held it to her throat and threatened to kill her in front of child but didn;t. Blood ass.
Worst thing is i am so used to this crap now I didn't even get upset

Ugh, sorry you're having to go through this. I...

2011-11-20T09:40:40.960+11:00

Ugh, sorry you're having to go through this. I had a similar situation last year (I'm a behavior therapist for children on the autism spectrum) where a parent made a complaint about me, but the huge difference in my situation was that I was NOT supported by my supervisors and they made the decision to take me off that child's case. You're very lucky that your principal and staff at your school trust and support you, because let me tell you, THAT was definitely the most disheartening part of the whole situation.

there are no words honey but i'm SO glad that ...

2011-11-19T12:59:11.624+11:00

there are no words honey but i'm SO glad that the principal and the other teachers are on your side.

some parents just look for trouble even if it's not there.

you're a fabulous teacher, don't let one parent make you doubt that.

~x~

Oh Aly, reading this post made my heart hurt for y...

2011-11-19T11:52:39.364+11:00

Oh Aly, reading this post made my heart hurt for you. I have so been in your position before, and it's just terrible to have parents go above you and start misconstruing things that you've done/haven't done. I've worked in education for four years, and only one of those did I ever have to deal directly with parents, and it's so incredibly difficult. My heart goes out to all of you awesome teachers who do it every single day. I have no doubts that you are an spectacular educator, and I'm so sorry that these situations were mishandled and affected you. Know that you are wonderful, and don't let this get you down!

Ohhh you poor thing, what a shitty thing to happen...

2011-11-19T08:00:19.410+11:00

Ohhh you poor thing, what a shitty thing to happen! Especially so close to the end of the year when everybody is just over it.

That's great that the rest of the staff are on your side and they know exactly what Mrs X is like... clearly if she made four silly complaints about another great teacher last year, it's HER problem, not the staff's problem.

Chin up. Drink lots of vodka. And just remember that the end of term isn't too far away! xxx

So sorry you had to go through this, you shouldn&#...

2011-11-19T07:46:02.267+11:00

So sorry you had to go through this, you shouldn't have to. At least the principal is on your side but I also hope the mother of your student will eventually come around.

First, I'm sorry you had to deal with this, bu...

2011-11-19T07:03:08.797+11:00

First, I'm sorry you had to deal with this, but very glad the staff and principal are on your side, where they should be.

Second, I bet you and Tim could have a great time swapping crazy student and parent stories. His coping mechanism of choice is whiskey, but I bet he'd toss back a few vodkas with you anyway. :)

My husband is a teacher here in the states, and if...

2011-11-19T06:20:08.333+11:00

My husband is a teacher here in the states, and if there's anything I've learned through him, it's that there are many parents out there who will never think anything ill of their child and will never admit to themselves that a teacher might have a better sense of how to teach their children than they do. I'd imagine there's probably some insecurities for the parents involved, especially with the extra challenges austism can bring. That said, considering this family's record of complaints, I think it's safe for you to trust their complaints have nothing to do with you or your talents as a teach. It sounds like you're a great teacher and always looking out for what's best for your students.

Being a teacher is awesome enough, and the way you...

2011-11-19T05:04:22.573+11:00

Being a teacher is awesome enough, and the way you handle kids with so many different needs is amazing. I've learned in the past year of lawyering (seriously- no complaints til now, but this year...??) that some people complain, and some people will hang onto their own incorrect versions of things to avoid responsibility, or share blame or whatever. And it's hard to ignore, because even though you KNOW THE TRUTH you're scared that others won't, and they'll just think you're being defensive. Or that even though they believe you, they are thinking "well, part of her must have done SOMETHING to end up in this situation."
Anyway, it's great that your colleagues and principal support you- but I know it won't always feel like enough. Hope J stopped being an arse, and that the end of the school year gets here soon!

How awful. I'm so sorry you had to go through ...

2011-11-19T02:06:12.800+11:00

How awful. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that hullabaloo. You're a fantastic person and a fantastic teacher. Don't let one cranky lady let you think otherwise.

xoxox