incompetent teacher -- what can parents do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A truly incompetent teacher is a blight. We are paying for a private school this year and have one of the most inefficient and stupid women I've ever had the misfortune to meet,as the teacher of our DC.

We itemized her incompetencies and asked the principal if they would move our kid to another class.

No. We get to "work with" the fool for the rest of the year.

If I don't die of a heart attack first.

Why would you pay for that?

My thought exactly! (And I'm a private school parent.)

I'm not the PP, but my guess is that she's already paid the tuition and doesn't want to waste the money but putting her DC in a public school classroom with a competent teacher for the rest of the school year. Instead she'll just come of DCUM periodically to complain.

Oddly, PP's situation kinda reminds me of the joke in Annie Hall:
“ two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of ‘em says, ‘Boy, the food at this place is really terrible.’ The other one says, ‘Yeah, I know; and such small portions.’”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A truly incompetent teacher is a blight. We are paying for a private school this year and have one of the most inefficient and stupid women I've ever had the misfortune to meet,as the teacher of our DC.

We itemized her incompetencies and asked the principal if they would move our kid to another class.

No. We get to "work with" the fool for the rest of the year.

If I don't die of a heart attack first.

Why would you pay for that?

My thought exactly! (And I'm a private school parent.)

I'm not the PP, but my guess is that she's already paid the tuition and doesn't want to waste the money but putting her DC in a public school classroom with a competent teacher for the rest of the school year. Instead she'll just come of DCUM periodically to complain.

Oddly, PP's situation kinda reminds me of the joke in Annie Hall:
“ two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of ‘em says, ‘Boy, the food at this place is really terrible.’ The other one says, ‘Yeah, I know; and such small portions.’”

Actually I have only ever written about this situation once, right here, but thanks for that vote of confidence.
The reason we haven't changed schools for our DC yet is that it would be too disruptive for the child. And yes, a lot of money has left our account which was a personal sacrifice, not an easy loss. We will see the year out and then change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A truly incompetent teacher is a blight. We are paying for a private school this year and have one of the most inefficient and stupid women I've ever had the misfortune to meet,as the teacher of our DC.

We itemized her incompetencies and asked the principal if they would move our kid to another class.

No. We get to "work with" the fool for the rest of the year.

If I don't die of a heart attack first.

Why would you pay for that?

My thought exactly! (And I'm a private school parent.)

I'm not the PP, but my guess is that she's already paid the tuition and doesn't want to waste the money but putting her DC in a public school classroom with a competent teacher for the rest of the school year. Instead she'll just come of DCUM periodically to complain.

Oddly, PP's situation kinda reminds me of the joke in Annie Hall:
“ two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of ‘em says, ‘Boy, the food at this place is really terrible.’ The other one says, ‘Yeah, I know; and such small portions.’”

Actually I have only ever written about this situation once, right here, but thanks for that vote of confidence.
The reason we haven't changed schools for our DC yet is that it would be too disruptive for the child. And yes, a lot of money has left our account which was a personal sacrifice, not an easy loss. We will see the year out and then change.

What could be more disruptive than a lost foundation year because the teacher is so incompetent and stupid?

'Fess up, PP. Is the teacher REALLY that bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For obvious reasons I don't want to be too specific.

I have a kid in middle school in MCPS, and one of her teachers is clearly incompetent. I have spoken to school administration (as have many others) and I gather that some sort of performance improvement plan (if that's the right term in this context) is in place.

Anyone know how this process plays out, and how long it takes? The school seems to be doing what it can with "resource teachers" and other supports for the kids, but I want to know if there is any hope that they can get this teacher out and a new (presumably competent?) teacher in the classroom before too long.

Has the teacher improved? Left?

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but I teach for MCPS and my school is having difficulty hiring to fill an opening currently occupied by a LTS. LTS is now several months pregnant. She did the big reveal to admin on 1/4 and they have been freaking out daily. I suspect there is a County-wide issue either financially or a shortage of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't vote for politicians of a political party that is beholden to teachers' unions.

Don't vote for politicians that want to dismantle public education and anything else that benefits "the public".

[Anonymous]

I wonder if this is a reading teacher at Hoover Middle School. My son had a horrible teacher in 6th grade. She is still there unfortunately, but my experience with her was horrible and I know she has had several warnings. Kids hate her as well as parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if this is a reading teacher at Hoover Middle School. My son had a horrible teacher in 6th grade. She is still there unfortunately, but my experience with her was horrible and I know she has had several warnings. Kids hate her as well as parents.

The consensus a few months ago was that it was a social studies teacher. I think someone had narrowed it down to Julius West.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For obvious reasons I don't want to be too specific.

I have a kid in middle school in MCPS, and one of her teachers is clearly incompetent. I have spoken to school administration (as have many others) and I gather that some sort of performance improvement plan (if that's the right term in this context) is in place.

Anyone know how this process plays out, and how long it takes? The school seems to be doing what it can with "resource teachers" and other supports for the kids, but I want to know if there is any hope that they can get this teacher out and a new (presumably competent?) teacher in the classroom before too long.

You have to document and send forms into central office. Find the right forms..maybe someone on here has already responded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For obvious reasons I don't want to be too specific.

I have a kid in middle school in MCPS, and one of her teachers is clearly incompetent. I have spoken to school administration (as have many others) and I gather that some sort of performance improvement plan (if that's the right term in this context) is in place.

Anyone know how this process plays out, and how long it takes? The school seems to be doing what it can with "resource teachers" and other supports for the kids, but I want to know if there is any hope that they can get this teacher out and a new (presumably competent?) teacher in the classroom before too long.

You have to document and send forms into central office. Find the right forms..maybe someone on here has already responded.

lol!

a parent sending "forms" to central?

THAT'S hysterical!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but I teach for MCPS and my school is having difficulty hiring to fill an opening currently occupied by a LTS. LTS is now several months pregnant. She did the big reveal to admin on 1/4 and they have been freaking out daily. I suspect there is a County-wide issue either financially or a shortage of applicants.

This is impossible for me to believe. I read on DCUM all the time how teaching is such a desirable profession -- relatively salaries, those summers off and so many vacation days, easy hours, and not a lot of education needed ("Teachers have the lowest SAT scores!") That being the case, there should be flocks of applicants for unfilled teaching positions -- people should be knocking each other down trying to apply!

[Anonymous]

PP, All teachers eventually need a Masters Degree. MCPS requires teachers to take continuing education courses to keep their teaching certificates. I find you saying that teachers do not need a lot of education is fairly offensive.

To answer your question, MCPS is currently in a hiring freeze and most unfilled teaching positions are currently being filled by long-term substitutes which are significantly cheaper than hiring a new teacher once benefits are factored in.

[Anonymous]

PP, All teachers eventually need a Masters Degree. MCPS requires teachers to take continuing education courses to keep their teaching certificates. I find you saying that teachers do not need a lot of education is fairly offensive.

PP is mocking the sentiment that is echoed all over DCUM, not claiming it as his/her own opinion. S/he probably does not really believe this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, All teachers eventually need a Masters Degree. MCPS requires teachers to take continuing education courses to keep their teaching certificates. I find you saying that teachers do not need a lot of education is fairly offensive.

To answer your question, MCPS is currently in a hiring freeze and most unfilled teaching positions are currently being filled by long-term substitutes which are significantly cheaper than hiring a new teacher once benefits are factored in.

PP was clearly being sarcastic.

[Anonymous]

We had a new teacher when DD was in 6th. But he mostly taught 7th. Apparently he was kinda crazy and even threw pencils at the kids. My DD did not like him but never gave me an example that I thought was incompetent. But the 7th grade parents banded together and he was fired by the end of the year. Our principal seems to be pretty responsive. Maybe this was just a unique situation because he was new?