Get Schooled

By ljcrcb

September 9, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

NO! Teachers have lives outside the classroom. Besides, even if you had reached her, there was no way she could have gotten the spelling books.

Part of this assignment was learning about the responsibility of taking home the book.

By just a teacher

September 9, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Gut response at 8:25, pre-coffee: in a word, NO.

We all have email. We are expected to check it, respond to it professionally. If individual teachers do not, take it up with them or their supervisor. Unlike medical professionals, teachers are not paid to be “on call.” (And seriously. A homework “emergency”? Truly?)

Maybe a distinction should be made between elementary and high school. At the high school level, I just think this is a bad idea.

By TinaTeach

September 9, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

A seperate answering service that the teacher can check would be fine, but as a teacher I am dead set against providing cell phone numbers to students (high schoolers for sure). For every one student who might use the line, three might abuse it. Also you must realize that teachers have a right to uninterrupted vacation time.
Is this the first time that your child forgot her homework at school? Maybe your child’s teacher can set-up a Wiki (Rockdale County currently uses this). Then the teacher could post the assignments on the website nad you wouldn’t need to call her.

By TnT's mom

September 9, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

NO. Teachers should not give out cell phone numbers, especially to elementary age students. If a student forgets something, they must learn the consequences. Teachers are people too and have their own lives. They do not need to be oncall 24/7 for students. If the assignment is that difficult and the parent can’t help, it should just wait until the next day when the student can go to the teacher and ask for help.

By sue

September 9, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Ooooo. I’m not a teacher, but I can say absolutely not!! I can imagine that their cell phones would never be quiet. Teachers have just as much right to their family time as anyone else. I don’t want my clients calling me at home…….

I think that it would be great if the teachers would be required to post major assignments on their web pages but to require that every student have access to their cell phone???

By Jeff

September 9, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

HADES NO!!!!!!

Teachers are required to do FAR more than any other profession as is!

If a teacher WANTS to do this, fine. (T does, on a limited basis. And yet she STILL has students harassing her YEARS after they had her class.)

Note that I say all this with a work Blackberry attached to my hip that is never more than a couple of rooms away unless I am on a cruise/ anniversary-related vacation and that my office line is forwarded directly to 24/7. I do it as a professional courtesy/ job security thing though, and I’ll straight up admit to being nowhere NEAR as busy in my IT job as I was back when I was teaching!

By Sweet Lou

September 9, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

Absolutely not. If teachers are expected to be accessible 24 hours a day, then they should get paid for 24 hours a day. Somehow the teacher became responsible for the student forgetting to bring their materials home from school. To expect a teacher to make themselves available over a vacation period is outrageous. This isn’t the expectation for any other profession. Shift a little more of the responsibility back to the students and off of the teacher.

If the teacher chooses to give the number out, fine. Unfortunately, some people don’t know the meaning of courtesy and will call whenever they feel the need.

By Sylvia Lang

September 9, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Let’s see. In addition to being a policeman, psychologist and part time nurse, counselor, and physical trainer, nutritionist and educator, you want your child’s teacher to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Do you want others to have access to you at their whim?

By jim d

September 9, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Well, fraid I’m going to have to disagree with many bloggers today. (nothing new—right?)

As a professional I carry my cell phone with me at all times. I expect my employees to do the same. Anyone providing a service is generally on call in our society and teachers are no different. They are providing a service!

What kills me here is the no’s, although it doesn’t surprise me. A lot of teachers clammer to be respected as professionals and yet they refuse to act as such. Is it any wonder they attain such little respect?

Aileen

Wow! 8 years already? don’t sound right does it?

Anyways, I suspect The teacher in question extended the deadline due to many students failing to be prepared to turn it in on time and her inability to fail that many students on aa major assignment without having it adversely affect their grade (reflecting on her teaching aabilities)

I’m also often amazed that bloggers who feel teachers deserve their vacation time fail to grasp that we parents and our children also deserve ours. A teacher that would assign homework or projects like these during a holiday should weigh what they are doing or be prepared to be a bit let down when it doesn’t materialize.

By please

September 9, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

Can you say, Helicopter Parent?

By dbow

September 9, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Spoken like a true parent of the new generation. Always blame the teacher and expect them to be at the students beck and call. I’ve got an idea, let me have your cell number so I can call you with inane drivel on a Sunday morning. Let’s see how quickly you tire of that before you change that number.

By dbow

September 9, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Wow, for someone that’s supposed to know something about education, you’re pretty stoooopid.

By anne

September 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

As a parent, I say, “Absolutely not!” This in no way constitutes an “emergency”. It is a good lesson in responsibility and the consequences of not remembering to bring home your homework. This is one of those times, as a parent, that you just have to step back and let your children learn what happens when they don’t do as they have been instructed.

By A S

September 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Jim D-

In “on call” professions the person usually has a higher salary than teachers. People bash teachers, but then they don’t pay teachers a fair salary. A teacher’s day does not end when the kids leave. There is lesson planning, grading, committee meetings, sports games, etc.

If you provide a service….ie locksmith you are required to be on call. The more you are on call, the more $$ you make.

Why blame the teachers? If we don’t teach students to be responsible and hold them to it they won’t turn into responsible adults!

By A S

September 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Jim D-

In “on call” professions the person usually has a higher salary than teachers. People bash teachers, but then they don’t pay teachers a fair salary. A teacher’s day does not end when the kids leave. There is lesson planning, grading, committee meetings, sports games, etc.

If you provide a service….ie locksmith you are required to be on call. The more you are on call, the more $$ you make.

Why blame the teachers? If we don’t teach students to be responsible and hold them to it they won’t turn into responsible adults!

By Teach4GA

September 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

I made the mistake of calling a parent from my cell phone in class about her child’s conduct. The parent decided to save my number and call me whenvever she saw fit. For example, my phone is ringing at 6:30am one morning as I am trying to get my kids ready for school. She called another night at 9:30pm. If you think that I would ever give my phone number out again for a measly $55K a year (with 13 years experience and a master’s) you are CRAZY!!!! I am not compensated for being on the job 24-7. And honestly, I wouldn’t accept a job that expected that of me anyway. I have a family too!

By jim d

September 9, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

dbow,

When you become a customer I’ll gladly share it!

By jim d

September 9, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

AS,

In “on call” professions the person usually has a higher salary than teachers.

Yeah but we don’t get summers off. (LOL)

By HS Teacher Too

September 9, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

It has nothing to do with salary. I don’t have my doctor’s cell phone or home phone numbers and you know damn well that the home phone numbers are unlisted. I have a medical emergency (as in, life/death), I call AN ANSWERING SERVICE which tells me to either (1) wait for a phone call from the on-call doctor, or (2) GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IMMDIATELY.

So, jim d, your little hypo fails. Why? Because you’re comparing apples and oranges. I have a medical emergency, I do not reach my doctor, and certainly if I do, it’s on his terms, not mine.

What’s more, forgetting a spelling book is in no way analogous to life or limb scenarios that would cause me to call my doctor; and likewise it is not analogous to needing a plumber at 2am when a pipe breaks, or any other of the infinite examples of “on-call” professions or trades. I simply can not think of a similarly urgent “emergency” that would require parents to have 24/7 access to their childrens’ teachers.

You know I usually think you’re on target, jim d, but you’re waaaaaaay off the mark today.

By D. Aileen Dodd

September 9, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Some of you asked about my cell phone number.

As a journalist, I am on call 24 hours a day. I work an 8-hour shift, but if a story breaks on my beat I must get on it. My cell phone number has been published on this Web site for about a year. As an education writer, I prefer to be reached on my cell phone because it is always with me.

I have gotten calls from readers at 6 a.m. wanting information about their local community. I have gotten calls from readers when I am in the grocery store check-out line over the weekend with my kids. It is part of my job to respond to readers and return urgent messages as soon as possible.

By A S

September 9, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Jim D,

As a teacher, I didn’t have the summer off. I taught summer school, and attended staff development, and went to grad school.

If I gave out my cell number for all 117 of my students that would be insane. Even if 25% of then felt the need to call that would take up all my free time. Again…responsibility of students?

By PW

September 9, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Not all on call professions get higher salaries than teachers.

Ask DFACS workers.

Some college professors don’t make $55K.

If a teacher didn’t provide alternate means of contact, then I agree that a system should be in place that allows a student or parent to check on assignments.

I’m in the minority on this blog when I say that I don’t feel that teachers have such a low paying job for the work they do. If you make $55K in 9 months, in 12, you would make over $70K. Policeman and Fireman who risk their lives on a daily basis don’t make that.

Go ahead, flame away.

By HS Teacher, Too

September 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Oops, meant to say “Immediately.”

By jim d

September 9, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Ms. Dodd,

I fear we are fighting a loosing battle here. Teachers will never willingly submit to allowing their numbers to be published regardless of how right it is.

They have this imaginary status thingy going on within their own little world.

By JC

September 9, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Was the assignment assigned on the day before the holiday break?

If so, I agree that it is a little much to expect a child to complete homework over a holiday. At that point, I would discuss it with the teacher.

However if this is a weekly assignment, assigned on Monday, normally due the next Monday, but falling on a Tuesday because of a Monday holiday, Then we would make the decision work with our child to finish early in the week or let it linger into the weekend.

Very much the same decision I would make at work if I knew I had work due after a holiday.

Either way teachers do not need to give out their cell phone numbers. This is not an emergency that requires immediate attention.

By Martha

September 9, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Give out my personal phone/cell number? Not no, but HELL no! How long do you think it would be before the number is written on every bathroom wall, sent to every person in the school and then I get calls at 1 a.m., 3 a.m.? Saturday and Sunday? No, thank you. My cell phone is for MY convenience. Your child’s lack of planning does NOT constitute an emergency for me. Let’em suffer the consequences and this crap will stop!

By Courtney

September 9, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

I’ve got to agree with the majority here. As a future teacher, I cannot imagine being at my students’ beck and call 24/7. While the situation in question is unfortunate, I do not believe that the responsibility falls to the teacher here. It is the students’ responsibility to make sure they have all of the books and supplies they need in order to do their homework.

Teachers already do so much that is outside of their job description (and are, in my opinion, paid entirely too little for doing so) that to ask them to be on call is ludicrous. I’ve seen several people mention the fact that students may abuse such a courtesy, however, I believe that there are parents out there who will abuse the number just as much as students may.

I can see where it might be useful, but I believe in the long run such a system would only lead teachers to take on more work and be more stressed than they already are.

For those of you out there who are willing to give out a personal phone number I say more power to you, but I do not believe that all teachers should be required to do so.

By Martha

September 9, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

And then I decided….well, sure. Just as soon as my board of education gives me a cell phone, sure. Let’em have the number. BUT, it will be turned off on weekends, holidays, during the school day and after 9 Monday thru Thursday.

I’d like a Blackberry with all the bells and whistles, please.

By D. Aileen Dodd

September 9, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

My mother was a teacher and an elementary school principal in a low income community. Our number was listed in the phone book. She received calls at home from parents or teachers who needed her help. Cell phones weren’t invented at the time, but she gladly gave out her home phone number. And you know what, parents and teachers did not abuse the privilege of having access to our home phone number.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Anyone care to help me out of my state of confusion?

Don’t all cell phones have a voice mail feature? If so—are teachers just not smart enough to activate it?

By Jeff

September 9, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

JC:

Even if the assignment had been given on a Friday before a 3 day weekend and due the following Tuesday, it is a valid homework assignment and there is no valid reason to not do it.

You think teachers don’t do work-related activities on the weekend?

Heck, I’m IT now and I STILL do work-related things on at leasr half the weekends in any given month!

By Old School Al

September 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

As a rule, NO!! However, I am a middle school teacher and I use my cell phone for ALL of my parent contacts. That way, I have documentation that I called when the parents say that they “didn’t know that little Johnny was failing and got into a fight!” As a result, most of my parents end up w/my cell number w/in the first month or so of school. I use two cell phones, and the one I use for parent contacts doen’t go everywhere with me — I have a separate phone for personal use. I don’t have a problem with them calling, if I don’t want to be bothered, I turn off the ringer. After 24 years, however, I have had to make my home number private, because parents have called my house as late as 1AM, getting my number out of the phone book. Calling my house bothers me more, because it affects everyone in my household.

By Karen

September 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? NO WAY…part of getting an education is learning responsibility! That is nuts to even suggest it.

By Jennifer Falk

September 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Since first grade, any teacher that my kids had, that I considered to be “outstanding” and had a true gift for teaching and making connections with kids - did provide phone numbers or emails to their students for emergencies. Now that you mention it, providing contact information happened with each one of them. Now every student and parent needs to understand the limits of those calls, and be respectful of the time and family obligations, but I think the majority do.

But I will say that the pattern of providing contact information continues today through high school. Those teachers that are accessible- kids work harder for them, because they know that the teacher really, really cares. I bet if you talked to some teachers, they would tell you wonderful “learning moments” they had with students because they were able to connect in this extra way.

By HS Teacher Too

September 9, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

This may not be true at all schools, but it was true at mine: parents did have access to a main number. If there was an emergency, they could push through the right menus to eventually reach a person who, if they agreed it was an emergency, would in turn reach me. The parents didn’t reach me; the school did. This is pretty similar to a doctor’s answering service, actually. And I will say this: I never, once, had a phone call come through to me about a homework “emergency.” (Of course, I also never, ever, as a rule, gave vacation assignments, for exactly the reason jim d said. I resented them as a student, my parents resented what they did to family time, and so I refused to perpetuate that cycle.) I have, however, had school administrators call me on occasion when I was otherwise “off,” and those calls were more than fair. I am a professional, and my bosses sometimes do need to reach me during “off” hours.

I still maintain that money has nothing to do with it.

By Jennifer

September 9, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Since first grade, any teacher that my kids had, that I considered to be “outstanding” and had a true gift for teaching and making connections with kids - did provide phone numbers or emails to their students for emergencies. Now that you mention it, providing contact information happened with each one of them. Now every student and parent needs to understand the limits of those calls, and be respectful of the time and family obligations, but I think the majority do.

But I will say that the pattern of providing contact information continues today through high school. Those teachers that are accessible- kids work harder for them, because they know that the teacher really, really cares. I bet if you talked to some teachers, they would tell you wonderful “learning moments” they had with students because they were able to connect in this extra way.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Courtney,

Teachers already do so much that is outside of their job description (and are, in my opinion, paid entirely too little for doing so)

It’s not too late to change your major to “Business” which will enable you to leave every day at 4:00pm and party all weekend.

By Gwinnett Educator

September 9, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

NO WAY! There are too many people out there that do NOT show common courtesy. I have had parents abuse the email system. I have had (first yr of teaching) a student decide they wanted to call just to hold a conversation. I check my email regularly. However, I refuse to give my cell number. If the school system wants us to have that kind of emergency line, tell them to provide us with a cellphone.

I KNOW some would call during dinner, during family time, during my bedtime. People are like that now. Basic phone etiquette is hard to find these days.

By Jen

September 9, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

Absolutely not!

I would hardly deem a forgotten book as an emergency - it’s a lesson in responsibility for the kids and that’s about it.

When my kids forget to bring something home for an assignment and they’re unable to get a copy from a school friend, they suffer the consequences of a poorer grade and additional hours at home making up for it. There’s no way I would think to bother a teacher at home - they are not on call 24/7, nor should we expect them to be.

I’ve purchased small notebooks for my kids and each day they have to write down every assignment they receive; each evening we review the assignments. They now know that it’s their responsibility to track all assignments given, and to bring home the necessary documents to aid in the completion of each assignment. My husband or I sign off on them every evening and their teachers are aware of the list and have the option of checking the notebook if they wish to do so.

By lizzylove

September 9, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? Are you REALLY, REALLY KIDDING ME? No, parents do NOT NEED an number in case of “emergency”. Keep yourself organized as a parent. And children as young as kindergarten are able to write their own assignments into an agenda. Oh, this really hit a nerve!

By Perkle

September 9, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

How about this being a lesson in responsibility? Are you going to rescue your child every time they screw up? I think remembering to take your book home is part of the learning experience. And also, the assignment does not seem like an unreasonable amount.

By Precious snowflake melter

September 9, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Look, it’s your kid’s fault for not bringing home her spelling book. Let her suffer the consequences and her lesson will be much better learned than if Mommy bails her out.

As stated before, teachers have lives outside of school. They don’t want to talk about how little Susie did on the math test with you as they try to shop for groceries. Would you have a medical discussion with your doctor in the middle of wal mart? Then why expect it of your kids teacher!?

I would venture that teachers might be more receptive to the idea of open contact if so many parents didn’t teach their precious little snowflakes that they are entitled to everything they want when they want. Raise children that are considerate, respectful, and responsible and I’m sure that the idea of reasonable after hours contact would not be greeted with such hostility.

By liza

September 9, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Jim D the difference between your clients calling you and students calling teachers is that your clients are likely to have valid business. When a student calls it is likely to be over something lame like forgotten spelling words. Best not to go there.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Perkle,

Learning to activate a voice mail could be considered a learning experience as well. Wouldn’t you say?

By D. Aileen Dodd

September 9, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Sorry to interrupt the dialogue, but I am working on another education story for tomorrow. I would like to interview English, math and science teachers living in Georgia. If you are one or know of any, please call me on my cell at 404 808 5428.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Old School Al,

A second phone! GREAT idea, and tax deductible I’d guess if used exclusively for work.

By Stacey

September 9, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

My son’s Kindergarten & 1st grade teachers did give out their cell #’s for emergency but I don’t think a forgotten spelling book qualifies as an emergency. His K teacher called me one evening to clarify something that I had e-mailed her about. I called his 1st grade teacher twice, both times at her request, because she was not able to keep our scheduled conference time. His second grade teacher did not give out her home nor cell # but she does check her e-mails, even on the weekend. I do e-mail the teachers with questions or concerns and respect that they chose not to answer after school hours or on the weekend.

By Tony

September 9, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Emergency? How dare you suggest that forgetting your spelling work at school constitutes an emergency. Media tends to distort the realities of education in order to create issues and this is an excellent example.

Most teachers I know would be willing to bend over backwards to help any student succeed with assignments. E-mail and Internet web-pages are some ways teachers provide the kind of information parents may need regarding homework. I realize not all teachers/schools are up to date in that department. After all, we do not receive funds to keep computers up to date.

Being “on-call” as many of you have alluded to with other professions is an interestingly new concept. Service calls after hours usually rake in higher than normal rates. I believe the HVAC technician that came to my house one weekend charged over $200 just for coming out on a Sunday. If you all are okay with us establishing a fee structure for after-hours service then I am all for it. Doctors charge for emergency phone consultations in the middle of the night. Business people have capitalism on their side and are able to set fees for their “emergency” services.

Do not degrade us with your negative inuendo (jim d et al) for wanting to protect what little time we have with our families.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Oh No Liza,

I’ll go there with ya. I’ve been awoken in the early am hours because someone turned off a switch. I’ve been woken in the middle of the night from someone requesting service first thing in the morning. Shall I continue?

By jeff

September 9, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

are you for real? HELL NO. Get your freakin kid organized and let me have my time as MY time. Your inability to be a parent is NOT MY PROBLEM. If you want me to be available to you 24/7, then PAY me. Otherwise, deal with it.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

LOL —- Ya gotta love her! 404 808 5428

By Missed Call

September 9, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

I missed the call (AFTER WORK HOURS) from my Mother telling me my Father was in ER from a CA and had to have a quad-bypass because I was on the phone with the country club scheduling my bosses t-time.

I am a secretary for pete’s sake. These people really need to get in reality and figure out how non-important they are in the scheme of things. Parents, that goes for you too!

For the record, work calls now rollover to voice mail and I return them during office hours. I do however, check and respond to email after hours.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Tony,

With all due respect.

Degrade? I think not. Well unless one feels expecting to be treated as a customer is degrading.

I my friend, while being able to charge the customer for a service call if I actually go out, do not charge them for answering the phone and attepting to walk them through the issue.(which I will generally do)

Personally I see no problem with teachers doing the same. This is the age of communications, right? Perhaps education should step into the new millinium.

By queeng65

September 9, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Since when does it become an emergency because someone child forgets their homework? This is part of the growing process to becoming a good student. Let teachers enjoy their few hours of free time they have. We spend many of our free hours grading papers, planning, researching, etc. Someone needs to give us a break! Although, I do give my parents my home number it is totally inappropriate to expect to be at someones beck and call 24/7. You adults act worst than the kids. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

By Private School Guy

September 9, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

I see a lot of issues with this. First I don’t even carry a cell phone. I have one that I use when I go out of town or to make long distance calls with. So is my employer going to pay for a cell phone? Second I make extensive use of a school web site for posting work. Questions can be addressed there. School got along fine for years without parents calling teachers whenever they wanted. What happened to personal responsibility? I often wonder what has happened to the brains of all those people I see in stores who have to call their spouses about every purchase. What happened to making lists, checking them and asking questions when you had a chance. It seems no one is able to make any decisions anymore they just mindlessly call people and ask for help.

By teacher teacher

September 9, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Wow, SO hit a nerve here. Jim D, I am totally surprised that you would even suggest that teachers provide their cell phones. You are usually so level-headed with your comments. If memory from my corporate experience serves, my company PAID for my cell phone bill so that I could be reached at anytime. If the counties want to provide me with a cell phone and pay for my extra minutes, then rest assured, I’ll consider it. Until then, my cell phone is a personal choice to have and as long as I am paying my own bill, I’ll choose how,when, where to answer it. And, for the record, I do currently use it to call parents.

Most of all, I am amazed that a)parents are questioning a teacher’s assignment given over a holiday weekend and b) that you would assume your child’s lack of planning is my “emergency”. Call me when you have a true family emergency (death in the family, major sickness on eve of major assignments, etc). I’m cool with that. But when I provide calendars, assignments, emails,web pages, etc to keep you informed, I expect you to take advantage of said technology and let me have my dinner in peace.

And for everyone, hasn’t this blog addressed enough and at length the amount of hours that teachers work (weekend, afterschool, summers) past their contract times? None of us (at least the good ones) are in it for clock-watching and punching a time card, but seriously? I spend a LOT of time outside my job that 8 hours a day doesn’t give me. I’m an English teacher if that helps. I am required to give at least 3 writing assignments a semester. If I have 90 kids, and I spend a MINIMUM of 10 minutes on each paper (for ONE essay), that is 15 hours of straight grading on top of planning, duty, etc. Yes, we all know the “sob” story, but now you want me to handle parent phone calls at random times in my off hours? Why can’t you use the technology I provide to help both of us?

I am sorry, but I am so disillusioned by parents who think it’s a right that I should be on call 24/7. Maybe if all of your students did their homework 24/7, we’d be having a different conversation.

By Denise

September 9, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Not a parent or a teacher but I still vote heck no. 1) In this example your kid leaving their book at school is not an emergency to discuss with a teacher. That’s no better excuse than “the dog ate my homework”. Besides, what was the teacher supposed to do? Send you an email on her/his free time to rectify a problem your child created? Go open the school so you could go get the book? Postpone the assignment? Nope! None of the above. 2) Once teachers leave the school, they are done for the day, in my opinion. Yes, they do have to grade homework and develop tests but that is a part of THEIR work that THEY decide to do outside of their planning periods. Unless someone specifically invites you to call them (I think this in most situations actually) then you shouldn’t and basically don’t have the right to. You definitely don’t have the right to call a teacher (again, or anyone else) at 0:dark:30 talking about little Timmy unless -again- you have been invited to do so.

A good rule of thumb is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Before you call a teacher in the morning when he/she is getting his/her family together and getting ready for school, think about how aggravated you’d be if someone called when you were frantic trying to get your kids ready. Before you call a teacher late at night, think about how p** you’d be if someone called you once you got in the bed. If you’d be angry at either of these, then assume the teacher will be angry too!

By catlday

September 9, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Absolutely not. When my home number used to be published, I got all kinds of stupid calls (Why isn’t my son’s (park and rec) team practicing?)

If it is a real emergency, call the principal or superintendent. If you say, ‘I don’t want to bother them” then it is not really an emergency.

I am willing to bet the students in question had the assignment WAAYY before the holiday weekend. If not, complain to the principal, and let’s see if he backs the teacher or throws them under the bus.

Ms. Dodd, times are different now than when your mother was a teacher. Heck, times are different now from when I started (1973).

Everytime I have given out my number I have regretted it.

Folks, emphasize from toddlerhood that the child has some reasonable responsibility. That so many in the example “forgot” tells you something.

By Mr. Anderson

September 9, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

No. I don’t like teachers generally (I think they became teachers because they can’t handle the adult world). But even these jerks deserve a break. Home number in case of emergency? Wha? If it’s that much trouble, the parents can help. Oh yeah, parents don’t want to parent. Nm.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Ah, teacher, teacher,

But if you’ll notice I never said teachers should supply the phone.

My employees carry phones that I provide.

My point has been and continues to be that as professionals, teachers should act as such. If this entails providing answers to the customer—after hours— so be it.

I’ve also touched on an area that few have dared embark with me in regards to assigning homework over a holiday.(one of my touchy areas for years). My feeling here is that if a teacher plans to assign something for kids to do over a holiday that the teacher must be prepared to work as well. I don’t think it is being unreasonable to require a teacher to give up their time when they may have asked 30 students, 50 siblings and 60 parents to give up theirs. Do you?

By Noelle

September 9, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

You’re kidding, right? Teachers have enough problems without having to deal with calls from parents over a holiday weekend because their kids screwed up. And that doesn’t even take into the consideration the many parents who would abuse the privilege.

Your daughter made a mistake. Don’t bail her out — let her learn the lessson, and maybe next time she won’t forget her book.

By Mike D

September 9, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

First of all why is it the teachers fault your little Dumpling left their book at school. This teaches your kid resposibility. When I have a three day weekend, I am expected to be ready for work on Tuesday morning.

By dan T

September 9, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Jim D

LOL, Stir’em up

By Get a clue

September 9, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Jesus $%^# Christ, of all the inane, make my child’s education the teacher’s responsibility requests.

Teachers on call 24/7? But of course. Perhaps teachers should also be required to carry “emergency toilet paper” on their person 24/7 in order to wipe your child’s butt if they “forget”.

Maybe Cox should have taken that money and funded long term substitute teaching assignments for reporters, so they would have a clue before commenting on education issues.

Is it any wonder teachers have become “scapegoat du jour” after reading this drivel?

By what a...

September 9, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Well, it’s quite clear that we really shouldn’t be expecting any professional behavior from teachers as they aren’t. It’s amazing how many teachers use the excuse of “well kids need to learn to be responsible.” Of course, they then complain that their students don’t complete homework or their parents don’t insist their kids to study, and that’s the reason their students aren’t performing well on the tests.

A solution is, folks, private schools. It’s time to abandon public schools with a bunch of non-professionals pretending to be educating their students.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Mr T,

You do know me—have I said anything here today I wouldn’t have otherwise said?

I think a few here would like to hear it from a teacher, that I am pretty much what I appear.

Have a great day dude, but don’t bust too many heads. BTW, the kid sends his regards. Plans to visit y’all during his first furlough.

By TheBlogger

September 9, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

You have got to be kidding with this blog, right?

Teachers are not “on call” 24/7. There is already a teacher shortage in some areas. Imagine what would happen if little Sally was given the teacher cell phone number! Sally may decide to play a prank on the teacher at 3 am - or maybe even every hour. How many people do you think would then run from the profession?

Teaching is not like a doctor where a life may be at stake. Teaching is not IS where computer systems must be running 24/7.

Also, any emergency that your little darling had was created by their own lack of responsibility. How could or should a teacher help?

Maybe, just maybe, you (as the PARENT) should teach your child about personal responsibility. Ya think?

By teacher teacher

September 9, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Hi Jim D -

My apologies - I didn’t see your original post with the fact that you provide your employees cell phones. If that were the case, then hey - time to reconsider.

To address your (and others) point about homework on a holiday weekend. For YEARS, school has been centered around certain holidays. Just because it is a holiday weekend, your child is in school and assignments are given as such. Doesn’t our state BOE stress that we start school early (in August) so that teachers can cover material in time for standardized tests? If Labor Day is such a sacred holiday and we shouldn’t give assignments for “family time”, then parents need to petiton the state to have school start AFTER Labor Day.

For the record, my weekends ALWAYS involve some measure of work. And yes, I graded assignments over Labor Day weekend. My only time I don’t grade on weekends occurs during Winter Break, Spring Break, and the summer. I would say that it’s the case for most high school teachers.

By jc

September 9, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

You wonder why ga. is near the bottom on education…big part of the problems is the teachers. Whaddya mean I have to work past the end of the school day.n Most of you teachers are LAZY

By what a...CROCK!

September 9, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

No what a… what is quite clear is not that we shouldn’t expect any professional behavior from teachers; it’s that if this blog topic is indicative of the prevailing mindset out there, then we shouldn’t expect any responsible behavior from parents.

You think your child’s boss fifteen to twenty years from now is going to want to deal with a dozen or so requests every weekend from employees who “forgot” to complete the essential elements of their job?

Seriously.

By Leia

September 9, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Absolutely not! My phone would ring all day long! What I consider an emergency involves blood gushing from someone’s body or a death in the family, not that little Johnny forgot his/her homework! I cannot believe you would even consider this. Students would abuse this and prank call the teachers in the middle of the night and on weekends as well. This is the craziest thing I’ve heard today, and I work in a public high school! Let your child learn responsibility now, and you won’t have these “emergencies” later. Unbelievable!

By Get a clue

September 9, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

jc,

Thanks for providing us with a SHINING EXAMPLE of why we are at the bottom in education. Citizens who want to shift the blame from their child’s actions to the teacher.

Did the teacher forget to take the necessary materials home, or did the child?

And if you actually think that the teacher’s workday ends when school lets out; then I’m not sure you are capable of actual intelligent thought as it pertains to education issues.

In other words, you’re clueless!

By I Teach

September 9, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

When Gwinnett County pays for my iPhone and also pays the bill, then they can dictate who gets my phone number. Jim D - I am a professional, and part of me doing a professional job does not call for me being on the phone all day long. You’re ridiculous and I’m glad your son graduated, so, I don’t have to worry about getting him in my class…

By Courtney

September 9, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Jim D - Are you implying that you personally are on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Because this is what it would mean for a teacher to provide the services you suggest. Each teacher would be on call to those 30 student and 60 parents (assuming they’re an elementary school teacher…those numbers triple for middle and high school teachers). There’s a fine line between what you deem to be a professional and what other might call a doormat.

If teachers are receiving phone calls at all hours of the night, then they will not be able to serve our children to their full capabilities during actual school hours as a result. With that being said, wouldn’t we be shooting ourselves in the foot? If a teacher is not allowed the off-time that everyone needs because of one or two irresponsible students or over-bearing parents the teachers are not the only ones who suffer. All of the students they are hired to teach will suffer as well.

How many clients are one of your employees responsible for handling by themselves? How much work is required outside of the office for your employees ? Jim, you can’t compare one aspect of your business to teaching without allowing us to see how the rest of it measures up to the teaching profession.

By jc

September 9, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Boy, Get a clue…you really told me. Sounds like you are a little sensitive to this issue.

By for the love of teaching

September 9, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

sound of head hitting my desk

forgive me, but when I have emailed an agenda to my parents detailing all books needed each day, homework assignments, and major grading opportunities, when I have posted it in my room for all the students to see, and I have copied the agenda and passed it out to each student individually …

why is MY professionalism called into question because I don’t want to have parents calling me at home because their child was unprepared?

By csquare6

September 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

To Aileen: As a professional I am certain that your cell phone and the bill that goes with it is covered by your business. Most teachers pay for their own cell phones. School systems pay for the cell phones used by administration.

You cannont require anyone to pay for a phone that will be used by the parents of the kids they teach.

It is a common problem with kids in the third and fourth grade. They will not bring their books home. If you have a kid with this problem, perhaps the system will give you another set of books to be used at home. I know it hurts but kids have to learn to listen, write down what they have to do and then do the assignment. Sometimes the parents have to let that one or two bad grades “happen” before the student learns a very valuable life lesson.

By Old School

September 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

I live happily in a small town and have a landline number that is published in our local phonebook. My school email address is posted on my page of our school website and I also give it and my workroom phone number to parents who come to our open house evenings and to any who ask for it.

I refuse to give my cell phone number to just anyone and am very particular about friends and family members I call on it.

Just about everyone here knows me and how to find me.

And jc, for the record I am anything but LAZY. My school day is from 6 a.m. until 4;00 p.m. unless there is a meeting (4 times a month) that keeps me here longer. I do not nor have I ever had a planning period. I am on a 10 month contract but usually put in 2-3 days a week at school during the summer for no extra pay because I choose to do so. I do not whine or complain. Actions speak louder than words and I prefer to do what it takes to best prepare my students for careers and/or postsecondary education.

There are myriad reasons for Georgia’s educational woes but I don’t think calling each other names or pointing fingers/laying blame is going to do much towards correcting them.

By Tony

September 9, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

These statements sound pretty degrading. Don’t all cell phones have a voice mail feature? If so—are teachers just not smart enough to activate it?…A lot of teachers clammer to be respected as professionals and yet they refuse to act as such… They have this imaginary status thingy going on within their own little world.

I know of no teacher who is unwilling to open and maintain good communications with parents. Let’s be frank about the points brought up in this blog. The items listed by the blog topic were trivial and it was suggested there were multiple parents in the same boat. As stated, there are plenty of avenues to use without creating an issue that need not exist. Calling teachers about spelling homework and other trivial matters is not appropriate. There are much more important issues to which we could devote our time.

By Get a clue

September 9, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Acutally jc I’ve never had a problem at all with giving my number out. The real problem is actually getting a working number from parents, and getting parents to return phone calls and last but not least, getting parents to understand the greater long term good of holding a child responsible for not doing work is better than staying up until two in the morning and doing it for them because the child waited until the last minute. (And what’s worse, because they are “concerned” enough to stay up until two in the morning, they have a HUGE blind spot when it comes to analyzing their actions as effective parents)

Having too many calls to answer would be actually be a nice problem to have for a change. But ONLY if parents would stop making excuses and start teaching the child responsibility.

By Jimbo

September 9, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Your kid messed up in remembering. Deal with it. That will teach them. If I forgot something I needed from work to work on at home who would I call? Life has lessons, learn them teach them.

By teach

September 9, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

wait, wait, wait …

IMPORTANT homework EMERGENCIES in the third grade?

Seriously?

By jim d

September 9, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Well Tony,

Fraid we disagree today.

I know of no teacher who is unwilling to open and maintain good communications with parents.

Wanna meet a few? Be more than happy to introduce y’all.

Calling teachers about spelling homework and other trivial matters

The question asked in the blog topic was this. Should teachers be required to provide parents or students with emergency contact numbers they can call when they are having trouble with an assignment?

You blow an assignment off as being trivial. If that is the case I’d suggest just doing away with homework and grades altogether. At least then teachers could quit gripping about students not doing it and parents not lording over their kids to see it is accomplished, Making everyones life much simpler!

By Joyce

September 9, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

The situation given was that the child forgot the spelling book. I don’t think that the ability to call the teacher after-hours would have resolved anything anyway. As far as a child needing guidance as they attempt to complete an assignment, that situation doesn’t merit an “emergency call” either. Just do the best you can and discuss it with the teacher when you get back to school. Most teachers I know would work with a child in that circumstance, or if not, would have an insight as to what happened.

Additionally, I too find it difficult to believe that the teacher just threw this assignment at the students on the Friday before a holiday weekend. It sounds like a standing assignment that should have been started on earlier in a week leading up to a long weekend!

By tony2

September 9, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

You blow an assignment off as being trivial.

No Jim D, her kid blew it off. Now it’s time for her kid to get a bad grade, and then get puniched, and then not forget the book again. it’s the LEARNING PROCESS. Perhaps some adults could stand to embrace the process as well.

By tony2

September 9, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

You blow an assignment off as being trivial.

No Jim D, her kid blew it off. Now it’s time for her kid to get a bad grade, and then get punished, and then not forget the book again. it’s the LEARNING PROCESS. Perhaps some adults could stand to embrace the process as well.

By Dan T

September 9, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

My wife teaches and she gives the parents our phone number. In the 6 parent years she has done that her and I have never had a conversation about parent calling too much or abusing it. She teaches 5th grade. I however teach high school. As a male in high school I do not give my phone number to students. It is not that I don’t want them to call if they have a problem it is just that now a days you never know what you are going to be accused of. Let say a female student calls to ask me about an assignment and decides to say something on the phone that she would normally not say at school. All of the sudden I have problems. Big problems. I don’t want to put myself in that situation.

By Chrissy

September 9, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

This is part of life. Kids need to learn how to handle the mistakes they make. Teachers have a job to do and that is it, they go home to their own families. Can you imagine the calls teachers would get? The teachers would leave the profession and find better jobs. As society we want some one else to be responsible for our mistakes. This country is spiraling down hill at a fast rate.

By mom3boys

September 9, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

So, if you were able to reach the teacher, she would what…break into the school and get your kid the book?? Are you kidding??? Geesh. In MS, we have websites and homeworknow.com where this info is often available online. Ask your teacher if that is an option for handouts to be posted for darlings who can’t remember to do their work or bring it home. Phone numbers…NO WAY!!!!!!!!

By Steve

September 9, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

You have to be kidding! This is the most ridiculous blog topic I have read in a while. Are you telling me that a teacher who already is putting in 10-12 hour days is expected to now take parent calls at home or in the grocery store or on vacation? WOW! We ask so little.
When is the last time you asked for your doctor’s private phone number, or your accountant, or your lawyer? Give teachers a break. They deserve time to have families, hobbies, …. a life. Teachers are public servants who give more that they get.

By Emily

September 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Hmmmm…let’s think about this question, should I give my number to my students?? Well, that would be okay I guess if the students were going to use it for the purpose that it is set for, but unfortunately they won’t. There might be a parent out there trying to make their kid do their work, but if the student didn’t bring their work home with them, they probably didn’t have much intention of doing it anyway. I find it HIGHLY unlikely for a huge group of students to “forget” their spelling words. When I was in school and forgot something, then my mom ran me back up to the school if it was before 8. If not then she just said too bad, you should have got it when you were at school. For the person that made a comment about parents needing a break too, you should have thought about that before having kids. They don’t go away and if you keep babying them by needing to contact their teacher at the drop of a hat or your little precious not doing what they are supposed to,they probably never will. It is time the parents start holding up to their end of the deal- TEACHERS do not raise your children. They are only educating them!!!!!!! Just like most everyone else, when I leave work, I LEAVE work!!! I’m not on call and I don’t get paid to be on call. If I wanted to take a job like that, I would not have entered this profession. For the person who said we as teachers wanted to be treated like professionals but don’t act like professionals, you’re a complete idiot! As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to be professional and not be the next teacher on the news because some kid has my cell phone number, calls me everyday and the parents sue. I’m sorry, but as a young high school teacher, I’m not interested in being the next media spectacle. I think that’s pretty professional, don’t you? As for the amount of pay we make, guess what people, EVERY single one of you had the same opportunity to be a teacher and make what we do and work the amount of days we do. If you want summers off and only 190 days of employment then it looks as though you’re in the wrong profession. We are not responsible for your child that can’t get their stuff together because you haven’t taught them any responsibility!

Let’s just be honest, there’s no reason to give a teachers number out. Your child has plenty of time at school to get that information. If they don’t get it that’s their fault! Please stop blaming teachers for the things you didn’t teach your children to do!

By MBW

September 9, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

As a teacher, I would be willing to give out a phone number for parents and students to use, but I believe that I should reserve the right to restrict when/if I answer it, since I am not officially “on call”.

Similarly, I am happy to answer questions about content, or some aspects of the assignmets, but I would not dictate an assignment over the phone.

If a child forgets his/her homework and leaves it at school, that is a mistake that your student needs to learn from.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Dan T,

I think more kids have “got your number” than you might believe. :-)

By liza

September 9, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Jim D, Aileen, etc. - do you think that our doctors should allow us to call them at home with all manner of questions? If I forgot to procure a refill during office hours should I be able to call him at home (without charge) on a Sunday afternoon to get him to call this in for me? I do agree about not giving homework on holiday time, and hope that this assignment was not given out the Friday before the weekend.

By jim d

September 9, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this<