When the teacher is too burnt out to accomodate

[Anonymous]

OP again...after realizing what she is up against I wonder if I should buy her a bottle of wine, some chocolate and just hire some extra outside help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers don't care about your kid beyond what they have to do for that paycheck. It's up to you to provide any extras your kid needs.

OP here. I honestly believe most teachers do care. I just think everyone has their limits. I think in this case, she really does care, but at this point she is just trying to keep her head above water until the end of the year.

I completely agree OP! My DS has some incredibly caring teachers, he's in MS in a MoCo Public. And no, I am not naive....I am really good at reading people's body language; and actions do speak louder than words! I know that, of the 6 teachers he has 5 of them do give a damn.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher, and I sympathize with both of you so much in this. It sounds like she's got a lot going on (and you couldn't pay me enough money to go back to being a first year teacher again) and you want the best for you child, obviously. I'm sorry for the situation, but you sound so sympathetic. I wish all my concerned parents could be like you!

That said, you are your child's best advocate. I suggest being a consistent, gentle, sympathetic, squeaky wheel.

And maybe offer her the chocolates (although wine would be appreciated, it would seem a little strange!).

[Anonymous]

If I were you, I would focus the conversation on my child, not on the teacher. Example, start by saying that you think your child is not making adequate progress toward IEP goals. Show concrete examples from your child's work. then discuss what can be done to help rectify the situation. Does your child require additional supports, etc.

I would not just let it go however. Caring about your child and showing results are differnt things. I would not mix the two. Of course teacher cares...but your child's educational success is the most important thing. Push for what you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again...after realizing what she is up against I wonder if I should buy her a bottle of wine, some chocolate and just hire some extra outside help.

This is the approach I took. I've tried to support her in her efforts and have additionally been an available parent (for events and fundraising, etc.). DS gave thank you cards, in Spanish, to the teacher and classroom aide. Instead of written updates, which she didn't have time for after an initial strong showing, I would just arrive early for pick up and get a general idea of his day. He and his sister have a tutor/babysitter who helps reinforce the techniques used in the classroom and has been creative in coming up with his own as well, which I share with the teacher. I made sure to write a letter to the school about her obvious dedication and referenced my own gratitude, acknowledging her responsibilities to the entire class and how well she manages to make every child in her class feel special. I bring snacks. I mean, whatever I can do to help.

FWIW, I do the same for his sister's teachers. She younger and still takes naps. I think they really appreciated the lullaby cd I gave them. I've donated snacks and educational toys. I've volunteered to read special stories to the class, which the kids seemed to enjoy. It also freed the teacher and aide up to catch up on whatever they needed to handle that day.

I admire what they do and how well they manage so many young ones.

I think the most important thing I've done is honor the methods they use in class. We follow it at home, reinforcing the teachers' efforts. I treat us all as a team with shared goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the input!

A little more info-this should help explain why she is so burnt out

-3rd grade

-Teacher's first year teaching-graduated last May

-Special Ed teacher also new and recent grad

-Teacher is a hard worker-first 5 or so months- creative lessons that take a lot of effort, lots of differentiation, reviewed all homework, noted weaknesses and tried to address them-or did before she got burnt out

-mainstream class with a handful of kids with IEPs (that I know of since I usually connect with other SN parents)

-class at full capacity

-accommodation issues are academic not behavioral

-some kids with challenging behaviors in the class, but all sound reasonable for the age-nothing extreme, also some girl dramas

-teacher has difficulty managing such a large class so lots of time trying to get people to settle down and pay attention

-Looks exhausted-sense she is working long hours and is getting disillusioned

Everyone in my school is just worn out. The testing is exhausting and all of the schedule changes that go along with it are tiring too. Spring Break cannot get here fast enough. We had grades due yesterday (on our own time of course) and our SLOs are due on Tuesday. What accommodations is the classroom teacher required to make for your child OP? Does your child get pulled out of the classroom to work with the Special Ed teacher or does the Special Ed teacher push in?

[Anonymous]

OP again. The advice on here is great and I am getting ideas. I am reluctant to share the accommodations that are not being implemented because I see there are on caring teachers on here and I'd hate to have my child's teacher see this and know it's her.

I do plan to use some of the advise you (both parents and teachers) shared. I will say this, the seasoned teachers who care and are good at what they do make it look so easy even though I know they are working just as hard. I really have to decide what I want to politely push for and what I need to let go. She looked so sad and defeated the last I saw her and I hope she doesn't drop out of the field.

[Anonymous]

She may not need to drop out if she is in MD. Budget cuts may make that decision for her. If your child is suffering academically or emotionally due to this, I would make an appointment with her after break. Bring some cookies or something she might like and talk to her. If you can include the special education teacher, do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers don't care about your kid beyond what they have to do for that paycheck. It's up to you to provide any extras your kid needs.

OP here. I honestly believe most teachers do care. I just think everyone has their limits. I think in this case, she really does care, but at this point she is just trying to keep her head above water until the end of the year.

I completely agree OP! My DS has some incredibly caring teachers, he's in MS in a MoCo Public. And no, I am not naive....I am really good at reading people's body language; and actions do speak louder than words! I know that, of the 6 teachers he has 5 of them do give a damn.

We have found most teachers to be incredibly caring as well. As a general rule if they were focused on paychecks first and foremost, they would have pursued another line of work. Most of them do what they do because they care a lot about kids (having said that, there are exceptions, of course. . . )