BCC teacher has a problem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure the vast majority of the people on this forum are foaming at the mouth at the opportunity to step in and take the place of these teachers. Please, be a part of the solution. Instead of whining on these forums, quit your big law, tech, or sales job. Wake up at 6 am. Deal with 150 teenagers a day and their screaming parents. Coach a team and then drive 75 minutes home up 270 because your $60k / year salary can't buy you anything south of Germantown. The world needs you to step up and take the place of this man you demand be fired.

Don't come between a man and his meal.

There are individuals who have to deal with all of those things and don’t use blatantly racist language such as that. Let’s also recognize the fact that they chose that career as well.

As a Black B-CC alum, there have been many times where my classmates and I reported similar behavior and nothing was done. The teacher was probably warned multiple times. “Don’t come between a man and his meal”? How about not doing things (along with daily microaggressions) that make the people affected feel as though they don’t belong or they can’t succeed, because that line of thinking follows them for years and years. When these complaints are made, they should be taken with the highest seriousness. The drawbacks of the job or “can you do what they do” aren’t an excuse.

If we read the original post...

This morning parents received an email from the principal telling us that a teacher had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart. The email, which of course was written or edited by the central office, further stated that they were "investigating," blah blah blah.

The email, and the lack of immediate action, made me want to vomit. Is this 2023? Have we somehow completely lost our way? The only solution, if this is true, is to fire the teacher. Do not send him to a DEI training, do not reassign him to a different MCPS school, do not pass go. No adult who interacts daily with CHILDREN should have such crap coming out of his mouth.

My kid just got home and said the teacher lacks a filter (based on DC's personal knowledge) and that teacher was, in fact, fired. I hope this is true.

...

It's quite vague exactly what all of this means. I read this as a teacher, speaking to two students, said that he had trouble distinguishing one of them from the other. But again. I restate my original claim. The county needs teachers. Please, step up and take this man's spot. Do whatever he had to do to obtain the position necessary to teach this class (degrees and all) and then take a $60,000 / year job.

My argument is don't be overly critical of a job that sucks. People are nicer to service staff than they are teachers who give their child a bad grade.

Reading comprehension is absolutely critical, yet lacking here. I understand the job is hard and that we have a shortage of teachers right now. I come from a family of public servants, including teachers. What I am saying is that the level of difficulty of a job doesn’t call for lack of accountability. It’s not about whether we’re being nice to the teacher or not. It’s the fact that this absolutely isn’t the first time this has happened at B-CC, and it turns off many families who want to move here, not just BIPOC families. Going through a grueling process doesn’t just mean that you get to say any and everything. Maybe I’m in a job I don’t particularly like - that doesn’t mean that I go out of my way to make others feel uncomfortable. The claim you are making is not only dismissing the gravity of what was said, but how it affects those the comment was directed to.

My reading comprehension skills are not lacking. I can guarantee that. The wording of the original statement is ambiguous. The phrase "had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart." is not clear enough to determine exactly what was said. As such, it is open to interpretation that will be heavily influenced by one's previous experiences. It could be read as he told [two] black students that he could not tell them (referring to those two) apart". Alternatively, it could be a read as "had told [all] black students in his class that he could not tell them (referring to all back people) apart". It could also be interpreted as a multitude of ways that fall in between those two extremes.

You, the author, have failed to distinguish which situation it was. This ambiguous language is dangerous and leads to people talking across each other in a way that cannot solicit mutual compromise. Which cable news network do you write for?

That is nice that you come from a family of public servants. However, that tells me nothing except that you have decided to go a different route. It's great for you that you got out of the world of teaching before it went to shit. If this teacher had done what you did, he wouldn't be in this mess! What a terrible mistake he made. Sorry people don't want to move to their neighborhood, especially not good teachers. It couldn't be because the median home value is $1.2M and the teacher salaries are $60k starting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody should be fired for a slip of the tongue.

That’s not a slip of the tongue. That’s racism stuck in your teeth.

I couldn’t tell all the blond 4 year olds apart in my son’s preschool. Is that racist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure the vast majority of the people on this forum are foaming at the mouth at the opportunity to step in and take the place of these teachers. Please, be a part of the solution. Instead of whining on these forums, quit your big law, tech, or sales job. Wake up at 6 am. Deal with 150 teenagers a day and their screaming parents. Coach a team and then drive 75 minutes home up 270 because your $60k / year salary can't buy you anything south of Germantown. The world needs you to step up and take the place of this man you demand be fired.

Don't come between a man and his meal.

There are individuals who have to deal with all of those things and don’t use blatantly racist language such as that. Let’s also recognize the fact that they chose that career as well.

As a Black B-CC alum, there have been many times where my classmates and I reported similar behavior and nothing was done. The teacher was probably warned multiple times. “Don’t come between a man and his meal”? How about not doing things (along with daily microaggressions) that make the people affected feel as though they don’t belong or they can’t succeed, because that line of thinking follows them for years and years. When these complaints are made, they should be taken with the highest seriousness. The drawbacks of the job or “can you do what they do” aren’t an excuse.

If we read the original post...

This morning parents received an email from the principal telling us that a teacher had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart. The email, which of course was written or edited by the central office, further stated that they were "investigating," blah blah blah.

The email, and the lack of immediate action, made me want to vomit. Is this 2023? Have we somehow completely lost our way? The only solution, if this is true, is to fire the teacher. Do not send him to a DEI training, do not reassign him to a different MCPS school, do not pass go. No adult who interacts daily with CHILDREN should have such crap coming out of his mouth.

My kid just got home and said the teacher lacks a filter (based on DC's personal knowledge) and that teacher was, in fact, fired. I hope this is true.

...

It's quite vague exactly what all of this means. I read this as a teacher, speaking to two students, said that he had trouble distinguishing one of them from the other. But again. I restate my original claim. The county needs teachers. Please, step up and take this man's spot. Do whatever he had to do to obtain the position necessary to teach this class (degrees and all) and then take a $60,000 / year job.

My argument is don't be overly critical of a job that sucks. People are nicer to service staff than they are teachers who give their child a bad grade.

Reading comprehension is absolutely critical, yet lacking here. I understand the job is hard and that we have a shortage of teachers right now. I come from a family of public servants, including teachers. What I am saying is that the level of difficulty of a job doesn’t call for lack of accountability. It’s not about whether we’re being nice to the teacher or not. It’s the fact that this absolutely isn’t the first time this has happened at B-CC, and it turns off many families who want to move here, not just BIPOC families. Going through a grueling process doesn’t just mean that you get to say any and everything. Maybe I’m in a job I don’t particularly like - that doesn’t mean that I go out of my way to make others feel uncomfortable. The claim you are making is not only dismissing the gravity of what was said, but how it affects those the comment was directed to.

My reading comprehension skills are not lacking. I can guarantee that. The wording of the original statement is ambiguous. The phrase "had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart." is not clear enough to determine exactly what was said. As such, it is open to interpretation that will be heavily influenced by one's previous experiences. It could be read as he told [two] black students that he could not tell them (referring to those two) apart". Alternatively, it could be a read as "had told [all] black students in his class that he could not tell them (referring to all back people) apart". It could also be interpreted as a multitude of ways that fall in between those two extremes.

You, the author, have failed to distinguish which situation it was. This ambiguous language is dangerous and leads to people talking across each other in a way that cannot solicit mutual compromise. Which cable news network do you write for?

That is nice that you come from a family of public servants. However, that tells me nothing except that you have decided to go a different route. It's great for you that you got out of the world of teaching before it went to shit. If this teacher had done what you did, he wouldn't be in this mess! What a terrible mistake he made. Sorry people don't want to move to their neighborhood, especially not good teachers. It couldn't be because the median home value is $1.2M and the teacher salaries are $60k starting?

Whether it was “(all) Black people” or “both”, and aside from both being racist, it’s mid-February. Whether this is a full year or a second semester class, surely this teacher knows everyone’s names by now. It’s basic respect. The statement that was made shows clear intent, so if you’d like to defend a losing cause, be my guest. Still not seeing what the salary and demands of the job have to do with the statement, by the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody should be fired for a slip of the tongue.

That’s not a slip of the tongue. That’s racism stuck in your teeth.

I couldn’t tell all the blond 4 year olds apart in my son’s preschool. Is that racist?

Did you teach them every day or for any significant amount of time, week after week and month after month?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My favorite high school teacher (had her for 3 years across multiple science courses) called me by a name that was slightly different than my own. Think of the commonly confused names common to white people (ya know where you change a letter or two). I was a white student and she was a white teacher, so let's assume racism wasn't at play here.

I never had the heart to correct her. She was caring, kind, energetic, patient, and put forth an incredible amount of effort every day. I could forgive this minor incursion because she had a heart of gold and was incredibly competent. She was my first AP teacher and I cruised to a 5 thanks to her lead.

WTF is wrong with everyone these days? Not everything is an intentional micro-aggression that demands someone be fired immediately. High Schoolers are tough creatures. They look for opportunities to disparage any teacher that makes them do work that they don't like. It is the wisdom of the county to succumb to their every demand because they video-taped something possible out of context and out of character? BCC has lost several competent and experienced teachers over the past decade as students have purposefully "baited" them into such situations. There is a sick power dynamic emerging where students can trap teachers into these discussions.

Seriously, think back to being a teenager? Remember trying to get the teacher off topic for the day so that you wouldn't have any homework? Oh boy was it fun! Find a trigger point for a teacher and get them going on that topic.

Nowadays, you don't even have to fish for these topics. The county provides them through consultants who present language so exciting that FOX news and CNN have to run specials on it. Gosh what I would've done with the opportunity to "poke the bear" of so many teachers with this wonderful set of ammunition. My inner child is elated just thinking about what I could have done!

Only a white person could think this anecdote is relevant in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody should be fired for a slip of the tongue.

When you are teaching/working with kids, yes you should. (Educator here)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure the vast majority of the people on this forum are foaming at the mouth at the opportunity to step in and take the place of these teachers. Please, be a part of the solution. Instead of whining on these forums, quit your big law, tech, or sales job. Wake up at 6 am. Deal with 150 teenagers a day and their screaming parents. Coach a team and then drive 75 minutes home up 270 because your $60k / year salary can't buy you anything south of Germantown. The world needs you to step up and take the place of this man you demand be fired.

Don't come between a man and his meal.

There are individuals who have to deal with all of those things and don’t use blatantly racist language such as that. Let’s also recognize the fact that they chose that career as well.

As a Black B-CC alum, there have been many times where my classmates and I reported similar behavior and nothing was done. The teacher was probably warned multiple times. “Don’t come between a man and his meal”? How about not doing things (along with daily microaggressions) that make the people affected feel as though they don’t belong or they can’t succeed, because that line of thinking follows them for years and years. When these complaints are made, they should be taken with the highest seriousness. The drawbacks of the job or “can you do what they do” aren’t an excuse.

If we read the original post...

This morning parents received an email from the principal telling us that a teacher had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart. The email, which of course was written or edited by the central office, further stated that they were "investigating," blah blah blah.

The email, and the lack of immediate action, made me want to vomit. Is this 2023? Have we somehow completely lost our way? The only solution, if this is true, is to fire the teacher. Do not send him to a DEI training, do not reassign him to a different MCPS school, do not pass go. No adult who interacts daily with CHILDREN should have such crap coming out of his mouth.

My kid just got home and said the teacher lacks a filter (based on DC's personal knowledge) and that teacher was, in fact, fired. I hope this is true.

...

It's quite vague exactly what all of this means. I read this as a teacher, speaking to two students, said that he had trouble distinguishing one of them from the other. But again. I restate my original claim. The county needs teachers. Please, step up and take this man's spot. Do whatever he had to do to obtain the position necessary to teach this class (degrees and all) and then take a $60,000 / year job.

My argument is don't be overly critical of a job that sucks. People are nicer to service staff than they are teachers who give their child a bad grade.

Reading comprehension is absolutely critical, yet lacking here. I understand the job is hard and that we have a shortage of teachers right now. I come from a family of public servants, including teachers. What I am saying is that the level of difficulty of a job doesn’t call for lack of accountability. It’s not about whether we’re being nice to the teacher or not. It’s the fact that this absolutely isn’t the first time this has happened at B-CC, and it turns off many families who want to move here, not just BIPOC families. Going through a grueling process doesn’t just mean that you get to say any and everything. Maybe I’m in a job I don’t particularly like - that doesn’t mean that I go out of my way to make others feel uncomfortable. The claim you are making is not only dismissing the gravity of what was said, but how it affects those the comment was directed to.

My reading comprehension skills are not lacking. I can guarantee that. The wording of the original statement is ambiguous. The phrase "had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart." is not clear enough to determine exactly what was said. As such, it is open to interpretation that will be heavily influenced by one's previous experiences. It could be read as he told [two] black students that he could not tell them (referring to those two) apart". Alternatively, it could be a read as "had told [all] black students in his class that he could not tell them (referring to all back people) apart". It could also be interpreted as a multitude of ways that fall in between those two extremes.

You, the author, have failed to distinguish which situation it was. This ambiguous language is dangerous and leads to people talking across each other in a way that cannot solicit mutual compromise. Which cable news network do you write for?

That is nice that you come from a family of public servants. However, that tells me nothing except that you have decided to go a different route. It's great for you that you got out of the world of teaching before it went to shit. If this teacher had done what you did, he wouldn't be in this mess! What a terrible mistake he made. Sorry people don't want to move to their neighborhood, especially not good teachers. It couldn't be because the median home value is $1.2M and the teacher salaries are $60k starting?

Whether it was “(all) Black people” or “both”, and aside from both being racist, it’s mid-February. Whether this is a full year or a second semester class, surely this teacher knows everyone’s names by now. It’s basic respect. The statement that was made shows clear intent, so if you’d like to defend a losing cause, be my guest. Still not seeing what the salary and demands of the job have to do with the statement, by the way.

It’s basic supply and demand. When the salary places teachers in tiny apartments in the city they teach or requires them to add an onerous commute, you can’t be surprised when burnt out people do things that burnt out people do. Of course you wouldn’t understand this though. You live in BCC!

[Anonymous]

What subject did this teacher teach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My favorite high school teacher (had her for 3 years across multiple science courses) called me by a name that was slightly different than my own. Think of the commonly confused names common to white people (ya know where you change a letter or two). I was a white student and she was a white teacher, so let's assume racism wasn't at play here.

I never had the heart to correct her. She was caring, kind, energetic, patient, and put forth an incredible amount of effort every day. I could forgive this minor incursion because she had a heart of gold and was incredibly competent. She was my first AP teacher and I cruised to a 5 thanks to her lead.

WTF is wrong with everyone these days? Not everything is an intentional micro-aggression that demands someone be fired immediately. High Schoolers are tough creatures. They look for opportunities to disparage any teacher that makes them do work that they don't like. It is the wisdom of the county to succumb to their every demand because they video-taped something possible out of context and out of character? BCC has lost several competent and experienced teachers over the past decade as students have purposefully "baited" them into such situations. There is a sick power dynamic emerging where students can trap teachers into these discussions.

Seriously, think back to being a teenager? Remember trying to get the teacher off topic for the day so that you wouldn't have any homework? Oh boy was it fun! Find a trigger point for a teacher and get them going on that topic.

Nowadays, you don't even have to fish for these topics. The county provides them through consultants who present language so exciting that FOX news and CNN have to run specials on it. Gosh what I would've done with the opportunity to "poke the bear" of so many teachers with this wonderful set of ammunition. My inner child is elated just thinking about what I could have done!

Only a white person could think this anecdote is relevant in any way.

+1000

[Anonymous]

OP here. To clarify

The subject line of the email was"Community Message Hate Bias Event." I am not making that up. Their words not mine. It seems central office thought it was fairly serious as of their reporting this to parents.

The principal said in the email, "Students reported to school administration that a teacher said to several African American students that he was 'unable to distinguish them from other African American students' in the classroom."

Repeating, Teacher said this to SEVERAL black kids, not just two, so please don't think or make it sound like he simply confused two kids with each other.

To BCC alum PP, really very sad that this is a pattern at the school.

Agree that the radio silence from PTSA is odd.

Waiting for more official news. Have other BCC parents heard more from their DCs? Where is The Tattler on this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody should be fired for a slip of the tongue.

When you are teaching/working with kids, yes you should. (Educator here)

No, you really should not, in any job. It’s also horrible modeling to kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure the vast majority of the people on this forum are foaming at the mouth at the opportunity to step in and take the place of these teachers. Please, be a part of the solution. Instead of whining on these forums, quit your big law, tech, or sales job. Wake up at 6 am. Deal with 150 teenagers a day and their screaming parents. Coach a team and then drive 75 minutes home up 270 because your $60k / year salary can't buy you anything south of Germantown. The world needs you to step up and take the place of this man you demand be fired.

Don't come between a man and his meal.

There are individuals who have to deal with all of those things and don’t use blatantly racist language such as that. Let’s also recognize the fact that they chose that career as well.

As a Black B-CC alum, there have been many times where my classmates and I reported similar behavior and nothing was done. The teacher was probably warned multiple times. “Don’t come between a man and his meal”? How about not doing things (along with daily microaggressions) that make the people affected feel as though they don’t belong or they can’t succeed, because that line of thinking follows them for years and years. When these complaints are made, they should be taken with the highest seriousness. The drawbacks of the job or “can you do what they do” aren’t an excuse.

If we read the original post...

This morning parents received an email from the principal telling us that a teacher had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart. The email, which of course was written or edited by the central office, further stated that they were "investigating," blah blah blah.

The email, and the lack of immediate action, made me want to vomit. Is this 2023? Have we somehow completely lost our way? The only solution, if this is true, is to fire the teacher. Do not send him to a DEI training, do not reassign him to a different MCPS school, do not pass go. No adult who interacts daily with CHILDREN should have such crap coming out of his mouth.

My kid just got home and said the teacher lacks a filter (based on DC's personal knowledge) and that teacher was, in fact, fired. I hope this is true.

...

It's quite vague exactly what all of this means. I read this as a teacher, speaking to two students, said that he had trouble distinguishing one of them from the other. But again. I restate my original claim. The county needs teachers. Please, step up and take this man's spot. Do whatever he had to do to obtain the position necessary to teach this class (degrees and all) and then take a $60,000 / year job.

My argument is don't be overly critical of a job that sucks. People are nicer to service staff than they are teachers who give their child a bad grade.

Reading comprehension is absolutely critical, yet lacking here. I understand the job is hard and that we have a shortage of teachers right now. I come from a family of public servants, including teachers. What I am saying is that the level of difficulty of a job doesn’t call for lack of accountability. It’s not about whether we’re being nice to the teacher or not. It’s the fact that this absolutely isn’t the first time this has happened at B-CC, and it turns off many families who want to move here, not just BIPOC families. Going through a grueling process doesn’t just mean that you get to say any and everything. Maybe I’m in a job I don’t particularly like - that doesn’t mean that I go out of my way to make others feel uncomfortable. The claim you are making is not only dismissing the gravity of what was said, but how it affects those the comment was directed to.

My reading comprehension skills are not lacking. I can guarantee that. The wording of the original statement is ambiguous. The phrase "had told black students in his class that he could not tell them apart." is not clear enough to determine exactly what was said. As such, it is open to interpretation that will be heavily influenced by one's previous experiences. It could be read as he told [two] black students that he could not tell them (referring to those two) apart". Alternatively, it could be a read as "had told [all] black students in his class that he could not tell them (referring to all back people) apart". It could also be interpreted as a multitude of ways that fall in between those two extremes.

You, the author, have failed to distinguish which situation it was. This ambiguous language is dangerous and leads to people talking across each other in a way that cannot solicit mutual compromise. Which cable news network do you write for?

That is nice that you come from a family of public servants. However, that tells me nothing except that you have decided to go a different route. It's great for you that you got out of the world of teaching before it went to shit. If this teacher had done what you did, he wouldn't be in this mess! What a terrible mistake he made. Sorry people don't want to move to their neighborhood, especially not good teachers. It couldn't be because the median home value is $1.2M and the teacher salaries are $60k starting?

Whether it was “(all) Black people” or “both”, and aside from both being racist, it’s mid-February. Whether this is a full year or a second semester class, surely this teacher knows everyone’s names by now. It’s basic respect. The statement that was made shows clear intent, so if you’d like to defend a losing cause, be my guest. Still not seeing what the salary and demands of the job have to do with the statement, by the way.

It’s basic supply and demand. When the salary places teachers in tiny apartments in the city they teach or requires them to add an onerous commute, you can’t be surprised when burnt out people do things that burnt out people do. Of course you wouldn’t understand this though. You live in BCC!

So the teacher being burnt out is an excuse for problematic language! If they had a raise, they’d avoid that! Sure!! As I stated earlier, I attended BCC but I understand the hard work the profession requires. I also understand that BCC has a culture where BIPOC are attacked and put down in subtle and sometimes overt ways — you’re not realizing that there’s a culture of people saying whatever they feel like it towards marginalized groups and get away with it. It’s tiring, to say the very least, and reinforces the socioeconomic gap. The teacher is in the wrong here, let’s handle it constructively instead of going after my background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. To clarify

The subject line of the email was"Community Message Hate Bias Event." I am not making that up. Their words not mine. It seems central office thought it was fairly serious as of their reporting this to parents.

The principal said in the email, "Students reported to school administration that a teacher said to several African American students that he was 'unable to distinguish them from other African American students' in the classroom."

Repeating, Teacher said this to SEVERAL black kids, not just two, so please don't think or make it sound like he simply confused two kids with each other.

To BCC alum PP, really very sad that this is a pattern at the school.

Agree that the radio silence from PTSA is odd.

Waiting for more official news. Have other BCC parents heard more from their DCs? Where is The Tattler on this?

Nice conclusion that this was a “hate bias event” based solely on the reports of the students. I feel like school
admins have zero sense about how to handle this stuff. Not the least of which, they aren’t going to be able to fire this guy based on the students word, or even if he actually said that. Admins need to resolve conflict not fan the flames because they are scared themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. To clarify

The subject line of the email was"Community Message Hate Bias Event." I am not making that up. Their words not mine. It seems central office thought it was fairly serious as of their reporting this to parents.

The principal said in the email, "Students reported to school administration that a teacher said to several African American students that he was 'unable to distinguish them from other African American students' in the classroom."

Repeating, Teacher said this to SEVERAL black kids, not just two, so please don't think or make it sound like he simply confused two kids with each other.

To BCC alum PP, really very sad that this is a pattern at the school.

Agree that the radio silence from PTSA is odd.

Waiting for more official news. Have other BCC parents heard more from their DCs? Where is The Tattler on this?

Nice conclusion that this was a “hate bias event” based solely on the reports of the students. I feel like school
admins have zero sense about how to handle this stuff. Not the least of which, they aren’t going to be able to fire this guy based on the students word, or even if he actually said that. Admins need to resolve conflict not fan the flames because they are scared themselves.

Hate bias event at BCC. I'd expect this at a W but BCC?

[Anonymous]

To the PP who said it's February, the teacher has had months to get to know the teacher, were you aware that many classes are single semester and many classes that run full year will switch teachers in late January. So the teacher may well have only had about 2 weeks with the students and that teacher probably teaches hundreds of students every day.