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Monday, October 13, 2008
What to do when you disagree with a teacher’s discipline?
A local mother needs our advice about how to deal with a teacher who has punished her child inappropriately.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I got an email over the weekend from a mother who was very upset about the treatment her child had received from his teacher. This is what she wrote to me:
“Today something happened in my child’s class, and I’m at a loss. The teacher decided that my child talks too much. He’s 6, and, yes, he is quite chatty, as is the whole kindergarten class. Well as a way of disciplining him, she took his desk away and gave him a step stool as a desk where he sits on the floor in front of the class. Now I’m not sure how long this had been going on because she never has called me about him. Although, I have repeatedly told her if there is ever a problem call me. To make matters worst, I’m standing in the class and other children were acting up, and she goes ‘Do you want to be like that boy and have to sit on the floor in front of the class?’ My son was working at the time, and I really felt that was a cheap shot and not very encouraging for him. When I asked her to take him off the floor she asked me ‘What did I want her to do with him?’ ”
“Now I’m not one of those parents who says their child is perfect, but she is the ONLY person he has come in contact with that makes him out to be so disruptive. His previous teachers can’t believe this, they agree he is chatty as do I, but not to this extent. There are other children in the class who physically hurt others, but they don’t get singled out.”
“So Theresa, I’m at a loss. I feel like I should move him out of her class. I emailed the principal to have a meeting and I’m waiting to hear back.”
“I’m wondering how do parents deal with teachers when they think their child is being mistreated or singled out?”
This mother needs some advice. Have you guys ever experienced your child being singled out in this manner or had a punishment that was degrading and inappropriate to the problem? What should she say or demand from the teacher and principal? Should the child be moved from the class? Would that be too hard on the child to have to switch classes mid-year? Or would he be better off with a whole new environment?
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