APS teachers - be careful about what you send to parents

[Anonymous]

APS teacher here. I’m a member of Arlington Parents for Education and support most of their advocacy. I’m disappointed about what some parents are doing though. A few days ago another APS teacher emailed families to say that learning may be uneven next month because of COVID and referenced vaccinations and masking, pointing to the Arlington website. It was a perfectly ordinary message but rubbed some the wrong way. Someone copied it, posted it to the FB group and then everyone dumped on it because some are against masks or vaccines, or because they think a teacher should never mention them. Some thought it was to avoid work. It makes me queasy to think that a well meaning message I might send would get treated that way and scorned for something that I didn’t say or intend. I don’t think the whole group is bad or anything like that. But be careful what you send to parents right now because you could have your message passed around that group.

[Anonymous]

That is awful. I am so sorry for this teacher. Nonsense like this hurts all of us because then teachers are afraid to communicate at all, and most sane parents want more communication not less.

[Anonymous]

In fairness, initially a bunch of people dumped on it but then several others chimed in to say what you are saying here.

[Anonymous]

I know some of those APE folks. I could’ve told you they’re like that.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why the teacher took it upon themselves to send that email when the messaging on this should (and has) come from school and central administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here. I’m a member of Arlington Parents for Education and support most of their advocacy. I’m disappointed about what some parents are doing though. A few days ago another APS teacher emailed families to say that learning may be uneven next month because of COVID and referenced vaccinations and masking, pointing to the Arlington website. It was a perfectly ordinary message but rubbed some the wrong way. Someone copied it, posted it to the FB group and then everyone dumped on it because some are against masks or vaccines, or because they think a teacher should never mention them. Some thought it was to avoid work. It makes me queasy to think that a well meaning message I might send would get treated that way and scorned for something that I didn’t say or intend. I don’t think the whole group is bad or anything like that. But be careful what you send to parents right now because you could have your message passed around that group.

That email was from one of the heads of the teachers unions too who is a COVID fanatic (his name was redacted but my friend’s kid received it and she was outraged too). But he loves to ride motorcycles in his free time, as he told the W-L newspaper (one of the most dangerous activities around).

His zero COVID evangelicism is completely offputting. We teach our kids not to wear masks, just as the majority of the country is doing. COVID is never going away and these fanatics will not quit until they ruin our children’s childhood completely trying to avoid the equivalent of a bad cold (considering they’re vaccinated and boosted).

This zero COVID fanaticism is so bizarre, and it really only seems to be a neurosis in the deepest of blue America.

[Anonymous]

That was awful and I was horrified at the reaction, but I am also working this week and have some issues on my staff that are emotionally draining and I don’t have the mental energy to get into a fight on the internet.

The teacher basically said that the next few weeks would be tough and teaching may move at a slower pace.

I interpreted it as an acknowledgment that many students may be out of class or undergoing a lot of stress and that the teacher would read the room and take that into consideration as to not pile on and compound that stress.

APE, per usual with their victim mentality, interpreted it to mean that the teacher was already making excuses not to teach new material. For a bunch of parents who want schools open so bad, they sure do a great job of getting decent and caring teachers to quit.

[Anonymous]

When the AEA is calling for APS to go fully virtual at least until Jan 18, I can understand why some people are really angry with teachers right now.

[Anonymous]

Honestly PP I think you seem like the fanatic to most folks here…

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a sixth year teacher, so fairly experienced. I was a teacher as well. I truly do not know how teachers are staying sane. I’ve never seen more whiny, entitled, caustic parents in my life. I would probably have quit. I’m so impressed by the teachers who are staying. It has to be just awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a sixth year teacher, so fairly experienced. I was a teacher as well. I truly do not know how teachers are staying sane. I’ve never seen more whiny, entitled, caustic parents in my life. I would probably have quit. I’m so impressed by the teachers who are staying. It has to be just awful.

Ive never seen a more entitled whiny profession in my life than the 20% of the teachers who post on AEM and are in charge of the AEA.

We just elected a governor to ignore those whiners. Can’t wait for January 15th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here. I’m a member of Arlington Parents for Education and support most of their advocacy. I’m disappointed about what some parents are doing though. A few days ago another APS teacher emailed families to say that learning may be uneven next month because of COVID and referenced vaccinations and masking, pointing to the Arlington website. It was a perfectly ordinary message but rubbed some the wrong way. Someone copied it, posted it to the FB group and then everyone dumped on it because some are against masks or vaccines, or because they think a teacher should never mention them. Some thought it was to avoid work. It makes me queasy to think that a well meaning message I might send would get treated that way and scorned for something that I didn’t say or intend. I don’t think the whole group is bad or anything like that. But be careful what you send to parents right now because you could have your message passed around that group.

That email was from one of the heads of the teachers unions too who is a COVID fanatic (his name was redacted but my friend’s kid received it and she was outraged too). But he loves to ride motorcycles in his free time, as he told the W-L newspaper (one of the most dangerous activities around).

His zero COVID evangelicism is completely offputting. We teach our kids not to wear masks, just as the majority of the country is doing. COVID is never going away and these fanatics will not quit until they ruin our children’s childhood completely trying to avoid the equivalent of a bad cold (considering they’re vaccinated and boosted).

This zero COVID fanaticism is so bizarre, and it really only seems to be a neurosis in the deepest of blue America.

Whoa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here. I’m a member of Arlington Parents for Education and support most of their advocacy. I’m disappointed about what some parents are doing though. A few days ago another APS teacher emailed families to say that learning may be uneven next month because of COVID and referenced vaccinations and masking, pointing to the Arlington website. It was a perfectly ordinary message but rubbed some the wrong way. Someone copied it, posted it to the FB group and then everyone dumped on it because some are against masks or vaccines, or because they think a teacher should never mention them. Some thought it was to avoid work. It makes me queasy to think that a well meaning message I might send would get treated that way and scorned for something that I didn’t say or intend. I don’t think the whole group is bad or anything like that. But be careful what you send to parents right now because you could have your message passed around that group.

That email was from one of the heads of the teachers unions too who is a COVID fanatic (his name was redacted but my friend’s kid received it and she was outraged too). But he loves to ride motorcycles in his free time, as he told the W-L newspaper (one of the most dangerous activities around).

His zero COVID evangelicism is completely offputting. We teach our kids not to wear masks, just as the majority of the country is doing. COVID is never going away and these fanatics will not quit until they ruin our children’s childhood completely trying to avoid the equivalent of a bad cold (considering they’re vaccinated and boosted).

This zero COVID fanaticism is so bizarre, and it really only seems to be a neurosis in the deepest of blue America.

People in Arlington tend to be more highly educated than rednecks in the rest of the country.

[Anonymous]

I just found and read the thread, and I think you are mischaracterizing the comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just found and read the thread, and I think you are mischaracterizing the comments.

Isn’t there a moderator? Be careful who you mix in with. Some of them are awful. I wouldn’t be a part of that group.