Someone please set me straight - should we expect the counselor to reply?

[Anonymous]

You need to contact the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They won't respond. Can't even get them to respond to iep and 504 plan parents with questions like this even when they've already talked to the teacher. The counselors aren't equipped to handle these questions. I've found they are only good with class schedules and college questions and very minor social issues.

This is like saying “I asked my dentist to do my taxes, but it turns out they are only good at teeth and gums.”

Supervising teachers, unless it’s very specifically about 504 (not IEP) accommodations isn’t a counselor’s job. The counselor is wrong not to reply but the reply isn’t and shouldn’t be more than “I am referring you to . . .” Whether that’s an AP or the department chair or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have serious concerns about how the teacher is teaching (or not) my kid's geometry class. There seems to be way too much "read through these slides" or "watch this video and do this formative" and then telling them to ask questions if they have them. And not nearly enough of him actually teaching them new material himself. Our daughter is really struggling in the class and it's upsetting her and also making her hate math, the teacher, and going to school. We're now supplementing with a tutor 1-2 times a week and even she commented that when they were working on a homework assignment together, it seemed like it was the first time our daughter was hearing the instruction/material.

I emailed her counselor last week about my concerns hoping we could talk to her more. I'd be very happy if she could change to a different teacher. But if that isn't an option I would still expect the counselor to tell us that and hear us out and maybe even offer some suggestions.

Am I wrong to even expect a response from the counselor? Is that the point we've gotten to now?

Isn't this what parents wanted from the school math teacher? To maintain a fun and lighthearted approach to math like watching a movie, without making it complex by going into details, utilizing visual illustrations instead of dull black & white worksheets, without assigning lengthy homework, and avoiding repetitive math drills? The teacher is simply delivering the way parents wanted.

[Anonymous]

48 hours no response
Remail and email copy head of counseling or vice principal.

Do not put up with them not doing their job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:48 hours no response
Remail and email copy head of counseling or vice principal.

Do not put up with them not doing their job.

What this parent wants has absolutely NOTHING to do with the counselors job. Counselors don’t oversee how teachers teach or what the curriculum they use.

The best thing the counselor can do is not to comment because they can’t take teacher requests or transfer students every time a parent doesn’t like how a teacher is teaching. What do you expect the counselor to reply? They have to say “no comment” on teaching methods.

OP needs to first talk with the teacher, then if not satisfied the head of the math department then the curriculum department at the district and/or the vice principal or principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should expect the counselor to respond. But now you know about the necessity of a math tutor for most kids in FCPS. I messed up with my 1st kid and now start with a tutor before school starts to stay ahead of the teacher. Our tutor even analyzes our teacher's grading style - what she expects to see on a geometry test. In our experience, it was hard for a tutor to get our older kid caught up in the middle of the year.

Most kids don’t need a tutor. Some choose to have a tutor. Some need a tutor. Some were pressured to take a class above their ability level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should expect the counselor to respond. But now you know about the necessity of a math tutor for most kids in FCPS. I messed up with my 1st kid and now start with a tutor before school starts to stay ahead of the teacher. Our tutor even analyzes our teacher's grading style - what she expects to see on a geometry test. In our experience, it was hard for a tutor to get our older kid caught up in the middle of the year.

Most kids don’t need a tutor. Some choose to have a tutor. Some need a tutor. Some were pressured to take a class above their ability level.

That is your opinion. If you want your kid to have an easier time and not be frustrated, then get a tutor. Most of the kids at our school have a tutor.

[Anonymous]

What did the teacher say when you shared your concerns?

[Anonymous]

It is not the counselor's job to be in the middle of this. You need to go and speak with the teacher directly. Try and resolve it directly. If that doesn't work, go up the food chain. And hire a tutor. Your child is unlikely to be able to switch classes, so you may need to handle it with tutors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should expect the counselor to respond. But now you know about the necessity of a math tutor for most kids in FCPS. I messed up with my 1st kid and now start with a tutor before school starts to stay ahead of the teacher. Our tutor even analyzes our teacher's grading style - what she expects to see on a geometry test. In our experience, it was hard for a tutor to get our older kid caught up in the middle of the year.

Most kids don’t need a tutor. Some choose to have a tutor. Some need a tutor. Some were pressured to take a class above their ability level.

That is your opinion. If you want your kid to have an easier time and not be frustrated, then get a tutor. Most of the kids at our school have a tutor.

What about the kids who can't afford a weekly tutor, the ones not at your school... are they basically f***ed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have serious concerns about how the teacher is teaching (or not) my kid's geometry class. There seems to be way too much "read through these slides" or "watch this video and do this formative" and then telling them to ask questions if they have them. And not nearly enough of him actually teaching them new material himself. Our daughter is really struggling in the class and it's upsetting her and also making her hate math, the teacher, and going to school. We're now supplementing with a tutor 1-2 times a week and even she commented that when they were working on a homework assignment together, it seemed like it was the first time our daughter was hearing the instruction/material.

I emailed her counselor last week about my concerns hoping we could talk to her more. I'd be very happy if she could change to a different teacher. But if that isn't an option I would still expect the counselor to tell us that and hear us out and maybe even offer some suggestions.

Am I wrong to even expect a response from the counselor? Is that the point we've gotten to now?

Isn't this what parents wanted from the school math teacher? To maintain a fun and lighthearted approach to math like watching a movie, without making it complex by going into details, utilizing visual illustrations instead of dull black & white worksheets, without assigning lengthy homework, and avoiding repetitive math drills? The teacher is simply delivering the way parents wanted.

They do, but they also want it to come with an A.

[Anonymous]

You’re not wrong to expect a response but your emailed the wrong person. What do you want them to say? You basically want the counselor to listen to you vent. They can’t change the schedule and won’t agree that the teaching methods are bad to a parent. A counselor doesn’t supervise the teacher. Email the teacher if you have concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should expect the counselor to respond. But now you know about the necessity of a math tutor for most kids in FCPS. I messed up with my 1st kid and now start with a tutor before school starts to stay ahead of the teacher. Our tutor even analyzes our teacher's grading style - what she expects to see on a geometry test. In our experience, it was hard for a tutor to get our older kid caught up in the middle of the year.

Most kids don’t need a tutor. Some choose to have a tutor. Some need a tutor. Some were pressured to take a class above their ability level.

That is your opinion. If you want your kid to have an easier time and not be frustrated, then get a tutor. Most of the kids at our school have a tutor.

What about the kids who can't afford a weekly tutor, the ones not at your school... are they basically f***ed?

Yep, same as it’s been for the last 200 years.

[Anonymous]

I am currently in math teacher and had a horrible geometry teacher as an FCPS student in the early 90s. If you can’t afford a tutor, buy or rent a textbook on Amazon and put them on Khan Academy. This isn’t what you want to hear, but we’ve all had horrible teachers. You can’t make it through 12 years of education without at least one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to contact the principal.

What do you want the principal to do? They’re already aware of this teacher’s teaching style.