Teacher still doesn't know my child's name.

[Anonymous]

I know this is different as I am not a minority, but in 8th grade my English teacher called me a different name every day. But it was the name of my friend, first same initial and we both had long brown hair. I remember being annoyed at some times and furious in others, but I got over it. I think you making a big deal about this may give your daughter the impression that the way other people view her is more important than how she views herself. Give her the self confidence to know that she is important even if her idiot teacher doesn't think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would write a letter to the teacher and cc the principal. Explain that you are disappointed that after you had discussed this with her once before and that since your daughter corrects her everyday that you feel it is extremely disrespectful and unprofessional for this teacher to continue to call your child the wrong name. Reiterate that this is hurting your child's feelings and self-image and that teachers need to be a positive influence on their students, not a negative one. Say that you expect her to be more respectful and call your child by the correct name or your next step will be to lodge a complaint with both the teacher's union and the school board.

NO way! Give the teacher a chance before blowing her into the principal! That for sure is going to create bad blood! If you haven't even breached the topic at hand(Calling daughter by the wrong name) I believe you are over reacting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is different as I am not a minority, but in 8th grade my English teacher called me a different name every day. But it was the name of my friend, first same initial and we both had long brown hair. I remember being annoyed at some times and furious in others, but I got over it. I think you making a big deal about this may give your daughter the impression that the way other people view her is more important than how she views herself. Give her the self confidence to know that she is important even if her idiot teacher doesn't think so.

OP here. I agree but I think the name mistake is a symptom of a bigger problem. For example, dd told me that the teacher would hug other students but only shake hands with her. I find this extremely odd and I cannot explain to dd why the teacher would behave this way. DD is clean, smells nice, and is a sweet little girl.

The good thing is that the teacher's behavior is almost comical at this point and dd and I are able to laugh about it.

[Anonymous]

It is October - not September. The OP said that the teacher only has 1 class. It is time for the teacher to know this child's name.

The counselor (a peer) has discussed it and it is still an issue. Time to escalate and make a change.

My daughter is a similar situation where she is the only girl of a particular ethnicity in her class. I could understand your concerns b/c you start to wonder how else is this impacting your child?

Just move your daughter and do not think twice about it.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are calling a race card before actually finding out any information. OP why do you keep posting and making fun of this teacher before actually talking to her? You may be correct, but if you want others to be sensitive toward your daughter, you're not helping the situation. Teachers read these posts btw. Post back after you've had a talk with her.

[Anonymous]

My second grade teacher called me "boy" for the whole freaking year. Ironically, I'm white and she was black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are calling a race card before actually finding out any information. OP why do you keep posting and making fun of this teacher before actually talking to her? You may be correct, but if you want others to be sensitive toward your daughter, you're not helping the situation. Teachers read these posts btw. Post back after you've had a talk with her.

OP here. How was I calling a race card? I mentioned we are minority simply to point out that dd's looks/features are visually different. I understand sometimes it's hard to tell Chinese/Asian students apart, but that's not the case here.

I have contacted the teacher and she has given me an explanation. She said it's been a busy year and she's sorry about the name mistakes. I am not asking for a lot here. I am asking her to remember one name.

[Anonymous]

OP, is she making mistakes with any other students' names?

[Anonymous]

Why haven't you actually talked to the teacher directly?

[Anonymous]

Ok! So you've brought it to the teacher and she has apologized. This is a good step!

I would now wait a couple weeks. Check in with your daughter. Prepare for your next step, should you need it. (Personally, I would follow the advice of the teachers/principal who have responded.) Generally try to focus on the positive and put this behind you (unless it comes up again).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are calling a race card before actually finding out any information. OP why do you keep posting and making fun of this teacher before actually talking to her? You may be correct, but if you want others to be sensitive toward your daughter, you're not helping the situation. Teachers read these posts btw. Post back after you've had a talk with her.

OP here. How was I calling a race card? I mentioned we are minority simply to point out that dd's looks/features are visually different. I understand sometimes it's hard to tell Chinese/Asian students apart, but that's not the case here.

I have contacted the teacher and she has given me an explanation. She said it's been a busy year and she's sorry about the name mistakes. I am not asking for a lot here. I am asking her to remember one name.

OP, I completely understand what you're going through. I'm Chinese and DH is white. Our child is the only mixed child in the class and the teacher "guessed" that our child's name was one of the other kid's names (one set of parents gave their child a 'unique' name). I was furious. Why would she assume my child had the unique name? It's not playing the race card; it was wrong for her to assume that my child had the foreign sounding name just because she's half Chinese. My child also has a simple, classic name. I think you did the right thing in calling the teacher on it and I hope that your (and my) suspicions about her motives for calling your child "Susan" is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Since your daughter has a sense of humor about it (good for her!), how about buying her one of those personalized necklaces like Carrie on Sex and the City wore?

[Anonymous]

If I were the teacher, at this point I'd just call the girl honey or sweetie, or call on her by pointing or nodding at her and saying "yes?" Poor teacher has so much pressure on her, it'll probably make the slip-ups worse!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree w/ 20:52.
I am a teacher.

+1, I'm a teacher who had 50+ names to learn every year, many of which were similar sounding.

OP, shaking in anger over this is overreacting. Calm down and approach the teacher in a kind manner. This is not something that should be addressed in an email. Some of us are not as good with names as others, and it takes us a while to connect the name with the face.

Please, OP - This is not the end of the world. I have had up to 150 student names to remember - 5 classes X 30. I've often mixed up names, too. It's only early October. Give her a chance w/o throwing around the race card, as you will look like an ass. And you'll ruin your reputation and become "that" parent.

Also remember that some people are better at remembering names than others. I never forget a face - even YEARS later. But I will not remember your name.

I wonder if your attitude is rubbing off on your daughter??

[Anonymous]

OP said this teacher only has one class to teach, right?