motivation for parent going directly to principal regarding issue with teacher

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. Interested in a parent's perspective on why a parent would go past the teacher directly to a principal regarding an issue in the classroom/with the teacher?
Hoping to get perspective without specifics but will add more info if necessary.
What would motivate you to do this?

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher too but I did have to do this once. My child was going to another teacher for reading group and was terrified of the teacher. In a perfect world, I would have tried to discuss it with the teacher first. I just couldn't be certain that if I did it wouldn't have a more negative impact on my child. I guess it came down to my not trusting the teacher to be fair and kind. It was unfortunate, but I did what I felt was best. For what it's worth, this was in early elementary.

[Anonymous]

I've only done that once, and it was a school-wide curriculum concern. So while my specific issue related to one classroom, the change I was seeking was going to have to come from the principal. I figured it was best to start with the person who had the ability to address my concerns and actually do something about it.

[Anonymous]

I would only do this if I tried to address it with the teacher to no avail.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP -- I would go to the principal if I had zero trust in the teacher. I would also go to the principal if my child were alleging abuse by the teacher.

However, in general I try to work within the system, not least because it makes a person more credible when it's necessary to escalate. So ordinarily I would first talk to the teacher even if I thought that the teacher was a complete fool. Not everybody does things that way, though.

[Anonymous]

Because sometimes the teacher is a nutcase and will retaliate against the student.

[Anonymous]

I have a real issue with my child's teacher right now. I think it's a personality thing- and by that j mean my inability to deal with the fact that she doesn't do her job. Her communication is absolutely horrible- she communicates important information both late and incorrectly- and every interaction with her makes me, and the other parents, want to pull our hair out. I started going to her directly with concerns about communication issues but nothing changed. I hate being that mom, but if i say anything else I'm going right to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a real issue with my child's teacher right now. I think it's a personality thing- and by that j mean my inability to deal with the fact that she doesn't do her job. Her communication is absolutely horrible- she communicates important information both late and incorrectly- and every interaction with her makes me, and the other parents, want to pull our hair out. I started going to her directly with concerns about communication issues but nothing changed. I hate being that mom, but if i say anything else I'm going right to the principal.

It's not her job to communicate with you! It's her job to teach the kids in her class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher too but I did have to do this once. My child was going to another teacher for reading group and was terrified of the teacher. In a perfect world, I would have tried to discuss it with the teacher first. I just couldn't be certain that if I did it wouldn't have a more negative impact on my child. I guess it came down to my not trusting the teacher to be fair and kind. It was unfortunate, but I did what I felt was best. For what it's worth, this was in early elementary.

We had the same issue. Child was very afraid of the teacher and crying about it. You can't talk directly with the teacher about that, it's a managment issue and in our case the Principal handled it swiftly, lightly and very effectively.

[Anonymous]

The motive is that the parent does not believe discussing the issue with you will be productive and probably does not like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real issue with my child's teacher right now. I think it's a personality thing- and by that j mean my inability to deal with the fact that she doesn't do her job. Her communication is absolutely horrible- she communicates important information both late and incorrectly- and every interaction with her makes me, and the other parents, want to pull our hair out. I started going to her directly with concerns about communication issues but nothing changed. I hate being that mom, but if i say anything else I'm going right to the principal.

It's not her job to communicate with you! It's her job to teach the kids in her class

Actually, it is her job. She is entrusted with teaching children. Those children have parents. Part of her job is to keep parents informed of a student’s progress and what is happening in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real issue with my child's teacher right now. I think it's a personality thing- and by that j mean my inability to deal with the fact that she doesn't do her job. Her communication is absolutely horrible- she communicates important information both late and incorrectly- and every interaction with her makes me, and the other parents, want to pull our hair out. I started going to her directly with concerns about communication issues but nothing changed. I hate being that mom, but if i say anything else I'm going right to the principal.

It's not her job to communicate with you! It's her job to teach the kids in her class

Actually, it is her job. She is entrusted with teaching children. Those children have parents. Part of her job is to keep parents informed of a student’s progress and what is happening in the classroom.

I think the pp said she communicated horribly. That's just too bad if you don't like it. That is probably only 1-2% of her work obligations, it's minor. Don't waste her time and let her get back to the teaching work

[Anonymous]

I have generally gone to teachers first.

I know one of my sons teachers complained directly to me about not contacting her first, but in truth, I had tried.

She did not respond to my inquiries, so I emailed her assistant principal to ask what to do. The issue was about grading. My complaint wasnt about how she graded, but about the fact that she didn't seem to be grading at all.

I did not approach the assistant principal with all guns blazing, but simply stated facts and asked for her input on what to do.

[Anonymous]

Me again: so what would motivate me? If I didn't trust you, if I wanted a witness to any discussions between us, or if you were otherwise not behaving in a professional way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a real issue with my child's teacher right now. I think it's a personality thing- and by that j mean my inability to deal with the fact that she doesn't do her job. Her communication is absolutely horrible- she communicates important information both late and incorrectly- and every interaction with her makes me, and the other parents, want to pull our hair out. I started going to her directly with concerns about communication issues but nothing changed. I hate being that mom, but if i say anything else I'm going right to the principal.

It's not her job to communicate with you! It's her job to teach the kids in her class

Actually, it is her job. She is entrusted with teaching children. Those children have parents. Part of her job is to keep parents informed of a student’s progress and what is happening in the classroom.

I think the pp said she communicated horribly. That's just too bad if you don't like it. That is probably only 1-2% of her work obligations, it's minor. Don't waste her time and let her get back to the teaching work

It is her job to be professional. Communication is always a tough topic, but wrong information? That is ridiculous.