Teachers Yelling at Young Children

[Anonymous]

DC doesn't want to go to school; her teacher yells at the class and individual children. Have spoken with teacher and principal who are either in denial or think its not a big deal. Are we out of touch thinking that this is unhelpful and even harmful? We're raise our voices at times yelling a little at home. How much is going on in DC schools? Truly, need some perspective here. We think DC is not learning as much and talks about school much less. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Not appropriate behavior, period. Unfortunately it's pretty common at some DC schools. Watkins comes to mind. Poor teachers have this as their only classroom management technique.

You could try talking to the Principal, but it's probably already a known issue. I would look at moving to another school.

[Anonymous]

You really think you're going to find the answer on this blog? We don't really know what is going on with your child or school, clearly this is not a DCPS policy? Discuss with family, partner, friends, other parents at the school and make the decision that you can live with. Give me a break!!!!

[Anonymous]

hmm, let me guess....Lafayette? It has been a problem for many years. The principal does not care. The teachers know they can get away with whatever they want. Everyone who thinks Lafayette is a great school has no idea how some of the adults treat the children. Several teachers behaviour is appalling and it's no wonder that there is a problem with bullying.

[Anonymous]

What grade?

[Anonymous]

Which school and grade? Watkins and Lafayette were named by PPs but not the OP. No one can give any perspective without some context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which school and grade? Watkins and Lafayette were named by PPs but not the OP. No one can give any perspective without some context.

Exactly. Either post the details if you really want help, though why you would seek to find the answer here I don't know, or is this a fake posting. Sounds awfully similar to a previous post, equally ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Keep complaining. Demand a meeting with the principal. If they don't respond go over their heads. I am so tired with DCPS. My DC is in PK3. I am not happy either.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Kindergarten. Don't want to get into school details, need a reality check and help on what to do. I will research the earlier thread-thanks. Appreciate the reminder to keep on it and go higher if not resolved.

[Anonymous]

meant to say OP not PP.

[Anonymous]

I also encourage you to make an issue out of it and elevate as necessary. Many people will say one bad teacher does not make a difference in the whole scheme of things but kindergarten is the starting place to love learning and becoming a lifelong learner. We have a mediocre but not harmful K teacher and are figuring out ways to maximize the school year without feeling like it was a complete waste. Verbal abuse in kindergarten is inexcusable.

[Anonymous]

Please keep raising the issue. At our private school we had a 4th grade teacher with anger issues. Parents complained for years. Some kids were able to say which words or responses from the teacher they felt most threatened by. The school hired a classroom assistant to help the teacher. The parents told the teacher and principal and the teacher tried to reform. The class was told they could say a special code word when they felt the teacher was losing self-control. That was suppose to trigger a timeout to defuse the sitation. But it put the kids in a difficult position. As smart or educated the teacher was, the anger and yelling were a deal breaker. After about 5 years she was let go.

A couple of years ago I had a friend who was a principal at a Mont Co elementary school in a wealthy neighborhood. She was dealing with a parent who was complaining about one of the teachers being nasty. My friend said she couldn't admit it to the parent but the parent was absolutely right about the teacher being out of line. All she could do was try to pass that teacher on to another school at the end of the year. So it happens in the best of public schools and in our private school. Sorry to be so pessimistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Kindergarten. Don't want to get into school details, need a reality check and help on what to do. I will research the earlier thread-thanks. Appreciate the reminder to keep on it and go higher if not resolved.

I have three children, and we are east of the park. We have been in a combination of two charters and one private from pre-school up to 3rd grade. We have never experienced what you are describing. I don't know what your school is, but I am absolutely positive that you and your child deserve - and can access - something much better.

[Anonymous]

A new popular charter has a yeller too. Parents couldn't have the teacher removed.

[Anonymous]

Parents couldn't have the teacher removed because the parents didn't hire. Classroom mismanagement is not a removable offense.