Teacher behavior - may be a racial issue

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A race issue my azz. It is a form of corporal punishment that is unacceptable. The teacher failure at classroom management is unacceptable.

Remember how upset we were when we found out that Michelle Rhee as a teacher tapped the mouths of children. Again, race my hind-pots! Wake up people.

I agree that corporal punishment is unacceptable and not only a racial issue (more tied to class), but the racial aspect is there when white children are treated differently. That can not be ignored. I am unfamiliar with the details of the Michelle Rhee incident you wrote about, but I doubt she was tapping white middle-class kids' mouths.

"taping"

[Anonymous]

I know a teacher who wasn't a natural yeller and who didn't want to yell at the kids, who eventually started yelling (like the other teachers) -- as the only way to get the kids' attention and command their respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A race issue my azz. It is a form of corporal punishment that is unacceptable. The teacher failure at classroom management is unacceptable.

Remember how upset we were when we found out that Michelle Rhee as a teacher tapped the mouths of children. Again, race my hind-pots! Wake up people.

I agree that corporal punishment is unacceptable and not only a racial issue (more tied to class), but the racial aspect is there when white children are treated differently. That can not be ignored. I am unfamiliar with the details of the Michelle Rhee incident you wrote about, but I doubt she was tapping white middle-class kids' mouths.

Writing words out like azz and hind-pots is, well, kind of a give-away. I think you might be a ghetto-tastic yeller and arm squeezer.

[Anonymous]

I am a new specials teacher in DCPS and my personality is mild mannered. Very rarely did I yell before at another school in the MD suburbs. At my DCPS school I have found that yelling seems to be the only way to be heard with a large classes of 28 unruly students from low SES that I only see for one hour weekly. I am not proud of it but if I were to address the students in a normal tone when I need to hold their attention I would not be taken seriously or be heard.

That is just the way it is. I always make sure that I do not use a sarcastic tone or demeaning language. My voice is neutral and I try very hard not to show any irritation. I would probably do things differently if they spent the majority of their time with me as their homeroom teacher.

I have observed many seasoned teachers in my school. The most successful ones are really strict and serious with their students. (with their voices only).

[Anonymous]

P.S. They glare and rarely smile.

[Anonymous]

16:56, sounds frustrating.

If I may offer an idea that worked for my husband when he taught middle school (lower SES, only an hour a day with each class)... try lowering your voice, instead of raising it. Then reward the kids who respond, and ignore those who don't. He said he found it made the kids more likely to pay attention across the board, because they never knew when an opportunity for a reward might be coming, so they just had to listen to everything he said.

Of course, he also thought that he had an easier time as a man, compared to his colleagues. Many of the kids lacked a male presence in their lives, and craved his attention more than that of their female teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:56, sounds frustrating.

If I may offer an idea that worked for my husband when he taught middle school (lower SES, only an hour a day with each class)... try lowering your voice, instead of raising it. Then reward the kids who respond, and ignore those who don't. He said he found it made the kids more likely to pay attention across the board, because they never knew when an opportunity for a reward might be coming, so they just had to listen to everything he said.

Of course, he also thought that he had an easier time as a man, compared to his colleagues. Many of the kids lacked a male presence in their lives, and craved his attention more than that of their female teachers.

Yes, great advice here. I used to do the same, although I'd ding a bell or blink the lights to get their attention first. Moving around the room, quick feedback/rewards for appropriate behavior, and a good behavior management system based on earned points, etc. with a chance to regain any points lost will make such a difference. It also helps to only take away portions of recess as a consequence and not the whole time.

[Anonymous]

.From an AA parent and school staff perspective, it is more helpful to give examples of discipline codes being implemented differently for kids in the same grade or classroom. Imagine the kids were all the same color, class, and gender. Then document your impressions of 2 or 3 situations where the reaction of a teacher seemed out of sync with your understanding of the school behavior code. It is also important for you to set behavior expectations for your child with the teacher in front of your child. I've had to do this a few times when my teacher's pet child acts up more than his friends whose parents I'm friendly with. Inconsistency needs to be called out for everyone's benefit. Hope things get better, OP

[Anonymous]

Wasn't the Principal at Johnson MS terminated because of a tugging, pulling and grabbing of a student. That was a black on black incident are we seeing a double standard formulating?

This viewing of it and reaction is such a NIMBY attitude. We had student protesting at the District Bldg. when their teachers were escorted out in handcuffs. Yet we acknowledge a corporal punidhment and no OUTRAGE.

Read up on Michelle Rhee her taping incident was classic fodder and was given the excuse of "she was a new teacher and was at her wits end."

If this teacher is displaying this form of handling students in November, I can only imagine what February will bring.