known bad teacher

[Anonymous]

What do you do when there is a teacher known for being awful in instruction and expectations? When in the same subject there are huge differences in the amount of work, the lack of actual instruction (kids expected to basically TEACH themselves the material) than the same course by other teachers. Particularly, when this reputation is known far and wide and has been a problem for years. When the class average on tests is consistently in the 60% range. And this is not due to the intelligence or lack of work on the students' part, straight As in all courses and certainly capable of the subject matter and would excel in the same course/different teacher. And, when more than 1/2 the class is cheating on tests to try to get by and encouraging it to others--and the student is upset by that fact but not a rat and not a cheater so obviously won't do it too. And kids are dropping the class like flies after the first few weeks of school when it's an appropriate level and they would succeed in the same level course with a different teacher.

Any recourse? Does anyone have that at their school--a teacher with tenure that they obviously aren't going to terminate but know it's a big problem? Trying to be diplomatic, but severely pissed we pay $ for this kind of crap. I'd expect it in public school but not a private. And, kid has never in his entire academic career ever had a problem with any teacher (even tough ones) and just soldiered through. It's not a matter of the teacher just being 'tough and grades harder', it's a matter of incompetence.

[Anonymous]

OP, every single school has one or more (hopefully not many) of these teachers.

If you're on child #2 or beyond, you actively work to make sure your kid doesn't get this teacher. If you are a newbie and unfortunately end up with him/ her, there is not a lot you can do about it, but you do get involved in the situation and get vocal if you have to.

Document and complain. Go to the division head with concrete proof about your points, not just accusations. Talk to parents of other kids in the class behind the scenes and encourage them to do the same. Most likely, you are right - the school will not do anything to help your child, but continued pressure on this situation may help another family/ kid in the future.

And in the long run, don't worry about it. Chances are your kid will have mostly amazing teachers throughout his/ her time at this school. One bad apple won't sink it all, although unfortunately, we've had the experience of a teacher so bad that she effectively killed my DC's budding interest in the subject.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, every single school has one or more (hopefully not many) of these teachers.

If you're on child #2 or beyond, you actively work to make sure your kid doesn't get this teacher. If you are a newbie and unfortunately end up with him/ her, there is not a lot you can do about it, but you do get involved in the situation and get vocal if you have to.

Document and complain. Go to the division head with concrete proof about your points, not just accusations. Talk to parents of other kids in the class behind the scenes and encourage them to do the same. Most likely, you are right - the school will not do anything to help your child, but continued pressure on this situation may help another family/ kid in the future.

And in the long run, don't worry about it. Chances are your kid will have mostly amazing teachers throughout his/ her time at this school. One bad apple won't sink it all, although unfortunately, we've had the experience of a teacher so bad that she effectively killed my DC's budding interest in the subject.

DP. Very helpful post.

With regard to the bolded above, how do you make that happen 'actively work'? If the school won't change classes just for a teacher, what avenue is there to prevent it from happening to 2nd/subsequent child.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I know exactly which teacher you are talking about, although I guess there is probably one or two at every school. Last year, we tried working with the teacher first, then the administration, and no, there was no recourse. Local tutoring companies have tutors that specialize in this particular teacher, and when I raised that fact to the administration, they scoffed at the unprofessionalness of the tutoring company telling me that, which earned an eye roll from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, every single school has one or more (hopefully not many) of these teachers.

If you're on child #2 or beyond, you actively work to make sure your kid doesn't get this teacher. If you are a newbie and unfortunately end up with him/ her, there is not a lot you can do about it, but you do get involved in the situation and get vocal if you have to.

Document and complain. Go to the division head with concrete proof about your points, not just accusations. Talk to parents of other kids in the class behind the scenes and encourage them to do the same. Most likely, you are right - the school will not do anything to help your child, but continued pressure on this situation may help another family/ kid in the future.

And in the long run, don't worry about it. Chances are your kid will have mostly amazing teachers throughout his/ her time at this school. One bad apple won't sink it all, although unfortunately, we've had the experience of a teacher so bad that she effectively killed my DC's budding interest in the subject.

This is what I'm worried about. I've seen that happen in the past and then cause 'anxiety' in the future in that subject. If it's a 'foundational' course it's really bad since the subsequent courses build off of what should have been learned well/solidly in the base course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I know exactly which teacher you are talking about, although I guess there is probably one or two at every school. Last year, we tried working with the teacher first, then the administration, and no, there was no recourse. Local tutoring companies have tutors that specialize in this particular teacher, and when I raised that fact to the administration, they scoffed at the unprofessionalness of the tutoring company telling me that, which earned an eye roll from me.

Omg.

[Anonymous]

What school is this?

My kid has a very difficult instructor this year. Lots of failing grades. But I find the teacher very thorough and offering good material. I’ve just stayed out of the way.

Since school administration has heard about this teacher for awhile, I’d try the board or any religious entity governing the school.

[Anonymous]

what school is this?

Can you share OP? This by no means identifies you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what school is this?

Can you share OP? This by no means identifies you.

This happens at EVERY school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what school is this?

Can you share OP? This by no means identifies you.

This happens at EVERY school

I'm the poster you're replying to and one of my kids at a Big3 has had a teacher like this.
I'm curious if it's the same one.
My other kid has not had any (different school).

[Anonymous]

Op, please speak up. I am a teacher and we have some of these at my school. (I am at a doctor's apt so don' t jump on me for being here during school hours.) You have to tell the admin. They need to hear it from the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, every single school has one or more (hopefully not many) of these teachers.

If you're on child #2 or beyond, you actively work to make sure your kid doesn't get this teacher. If you are a newbie and unfortunately end up with him/ her, there is not a lot you can do about it, but you do get involved in the situation and get vocal if you have to.

Document and complain. Go to the division head with concrete proof about your points, not just accusations. Talk to parents of other kids in the class behind the scenes and encourage them to do the same. Most likely, you are right - the school will not do anything to help your child, but continued pressure on this situation may help another family/ kid in the future.

And in the long run, don't worry about it. Chances are your kid will have mostly amazing teachers throughout his/ her time at this school. One bad apple won't sink it all, although unfortunately, we've had the experience of a teacher so bad that she effectively killed my DC's budding interest in the subject.

DP. Very helpful post.

With regard to the bolded above, how do you make that happen 'actively work'? If the school won't change classes just for a teacher, what avenue is there to prevent it from happening to 2nd/subsequent child.

PP who wrote this. In our case, we went to the curriculum/ academic person of the division (the person who handles scheduling kids and their classes - not the division head) early on - as in, the spring before DC2 would be taking that particular course the following fall - and told this person point blank that we didn't want DC2 to have that teacher, because we as a family had such a bad experience with him/ her and DC1. With four kids we've had to do this only twice, but at two different schools and the request has been honored.

Believe me, they know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, every single school has one or more (hopefully not many) of these teachers.

If you're on child #2 or beyond, you actively work to make sure your kid doesn't get this teacher. If you are a newbie and unfortunately end up with him/ her, there is not a lot you can do about it, but you do get involved in the situation and get vocal if you have to.

Document and complain. Go to the division head with concrete proof about your points, not just accusations. Talk to parents of other kids in the class behind the scenes and encourage them to do the same. Most likely, you are right - the school will not do anything to help your child, but continued pressure on this situation may help another family/ kid in the future.

And in the long run, don't worry about it. Chances are your kid will have mostly amazing teachers throughout his/ her time at this school. One bad apple won't sink it all, although unfortunately, we've had the experience of a teacher so bad that she effectively killed my DC's budding interest in the subject.

DP. Very helpful post.

With regard to the bolded above, how do you make that happen 'actively work'? If the school won't change classes just for a teacher, what avenue is there to prevent it from happening to 2nd/subsequent child.

PP who wrote this. In our case, we went to the curriculum/ academic person of the division (the person who handles scheduling kids and their classes - not the division head) early on - as in, the spring before DC2 would be taking that particular course the following fall - and told this person point blank that we didn't want DC2 to have that teacher, because we as a family had such a bad experience with him/ her and DC1. With four kids we've had to do this only twice, but at two different schools and the request has been honored.

Believe me, they know.

Our schools claims they have a policy of not allowing changes for teacher's preference. They won't do it for anyone we were told.

I wish they had a policy of removing incompetent teachers they have known about for years and years.

[Anonymous]

Drop the class. Not worth it, school needs to push them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, every single school has one or more (hopefully not many) of these teachers.

If you're on child #2 or beyond, you actively work to make sure your kid doesn't get this teacher. If you are a newbie and unfortunately end up with him/ her, there is not a lot you can do about it, but you do get involved in the situation and get vocal if you have to.

Document and complain. Go to the division head with concrete proof about your points, not just accusations. Talk to parents of other kids in the class behind the scenes and encourage them to do the same. Most likely, you are right - the school will not do anything to help your child, but continued pressure on this situation may help another family/ kid in the future.

And in the long run, don't worry about it. Chances are your kid will have mostly amazing teachers throughout his/ her time at this school. One bad apple won't sink it all, although unfortunately, we've had the experience of a teacher so bad that she effectively killed my DC's budding interest in the subject.

DP. Very helpful post.

With regard to the bolded above, how do you make that happen 'actively work'? If the school won't change classes just for a teacher, what avenue is there to prevent it from happening to 2nd/subsequent child.

PP who wrote this. In our case, we went to the curriculum/ academic person of the division (the person who handles scheduling kids and their classes - not the division head) early on - as in, the spring before DC2 would be taking that particular course the following fall - and told this person point blank that we didn't want DC2 to have that teacher, because we as a family had such a bad experience with him/ her and DC1. With four kids we've had to do this only twice, but at two different schools and the request has been honored.

Believe me, they know.

Our schools claims they have a policy of not allowing changes for teacher's preference. They won't do it for anyone we were told.

I wish they had a policy of removing incompetent teachers they have known about for years and years.

Would you pleaser reread PP's post? This is not a change. You ask not to be put there in the first place. And yes, they will do it. You were given bad information.