My kids K teacher...

[Anonymous]

Could it be he is coming home crying because he doesn't like the structure? Sometimes as parents, we accept behavior from our children that in a classroom would be unacceptable. From your post she is like this with all children so that rules out him being picked on by the teacher. I would encourage you to spend a day in his class, then you will be able to see what the teacher has to contend with, with the different personalities and behaviors. Stop in an stand outside of the classroom where your son can't see you to observe his behavior. Encourage him to be the best he can be and do his best. Show the teacher some love, they are overworked and underpaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A K teacher does not have to be warm and fuzzy. What is important is that the teacher is fair and consistent. I agree with pp who think a meeting would be a good idea. Best of luck to you.

I couldn’t disagree more. A K teacher should be warm and fuzzy and those kids should feel totallly loved. My DD lucked out and had the sweetest K teacher. Here’s why it’s important. Within a day DD went from crying about being at school to practically running in the door in the morning. She was a shy a reluctant student who was reading at a second level mid year and performing classroom plays that were video taped and sent to parents to view. She learned how to take risks and got rid of some of her perfectionism because making mistakes was encouraged in that class. She learned to laugh at herself and learned to show compassion for others when they goofed. She grew to learn about the world and think like a scientist because of the hands on experiments she was conducting in class and outdoors. She learned to take care of the numerous class pets and plants. She wrote thank you notes to show her appreciation and learned to nurture relationships. She learned how to make creative and healthy snacks and the importance of sharing. That all came about because this teacher set a warm and gentle tone in that class because she did everything with LOVE. The point is happy children are learning children. This teacher really got that. My DD is in second grade now and still says her K teacher was the best teacher in the world. You DC deserves better OP. Have a meeting with all the stakeholders and don’t be afraid to get him in another class with a teacher who is a better fit. You need to be honest and forget about everything except what’s best for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:warm and fuzzy has no place in a classroom full of >25 5/6 year old's. The teachers don't have the energy and support there to manage such a big classroom so they emphasize on the rule-following more and more these days, which is hard for kids especially boys at a young age. I'd say suck it up and try your best cooperating with the teacher if you can't afford private.

I disagree. I've had 3 kids go through kindergarten in MCPS and I loved all three kindergarten teachers-- lots of hugs and smiles, yet firm voices when necessary. I don't recall seeing any major disciplinary problems they weren't on top of though of course I wasn't in the classroom much.

Plus 1.
Signed, teacher and parent of a 4 year old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A K teacher does not have to be warm and fuzzy. What is important is that the teacher is fair and consistent. I agree with pp who think a meeting would be a good idea. Best of luck to you.

I couldn’t disagree more. A K teacher should be warm and fuzzy and those kids should feel totallly loved. My DD lucked out and had the sweetest K teacher. Here’s why it’s important. Within a day DD went from crying about being at school to practically running in the door in the morning. She was a shy a reluctant student who was reading at a second level mid year and performing classroom plays that were video taped and sent to parents to view. She learned how to take risks and got rid of some of her perfectionism because making mistakes was encouraged in that class. She learned to laugh at herself and learned to show compassion for others when they goofed. She grew to learn about the world and think like a scientist because of the hands on experiments she was conducting in class and outdoors. She learned to take care of the numerous class pets and plants. She wrote thank you notes to show her appreciation and learned to nurture relationships. She learned how to make creative and healthy snacks and the importance of sharing. That all came about because this teacher set a warm and gentle tone in that class because she did everything with LOVE. The point is happy children are learning children. This teacher really got that. My DD is in second grade now and still says her K teacher was the best teacher in the world. You DC deserves better OP. Have a meeting with all the stakeholders and don’t be afraid to get him in another class with a teacher who is a better fit. You need to be honest and forget about everything except what’s best for your child.

Well said!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A K teacher does not have to be warm and fuzzy. What is important is that the teacher is fair and consistent. I agree with pp who think a meeting would be a good idea. Best of luck to you.

I couldn’t disagree more. A K teacher should be warm and fuzzy and those kids should feel totallly loved. My DD lucked out and had the sweetest K teacher. Here’s why it’s important. Within a day DD went from crying about being at school to practically running in the door in the morning. She was a shy a reluctant student who was reading at a second level mid year and performing classroom plays that were video taped and sent to parents to view. She learned how to take risks and got rid of some of her perfectionism because making mistakes was encouraged in that class. She learned to laugh at herself and learned to show compassion for others when they goofed. She grew to learn about the world and think like a scientist because of the hands on experiments she was conducting in class and outdoors. She learned to take care of the numerous class pets and plants. She wrote thank you notes to show her appreciation and learned to nurture relationships. She learned how to make creative and healthy snacks and the importance of sharing. That all came about because this teacher set a warm and gentle tone in that class because she did everything with LOVE. The point is happy children are learning children. This teacher really got that. My DD is in second grade now and still says her K teacher was the best teacher in the world. You DC deserves better OP. Have a meeting with all the stakeholders and don’t be afraid to get him in another class with a teacher who is a better fit. You need to be honest and forget about everything except what’s best for your child.

You can be a loving teacher without being warm and fuzzy. My dc's K teacher was like that. The children in that class blossomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A K teacher does not have to be warm and fuzzy. What is important is that the teacher is fair and consistent. I agree with pp who think a meeting would be a good idea. Best of luck to you.

I couldn’t disagree more. A K teacher should be warm and fuzzy and those kids should feel totallly loved. My DD lucked out and had the sweetest K teacher. Here’s why it’s important. Within a day DD went from crying about being at school to practically running in the door in the morning. She was a shy a reluctant student who was reading at a second level mid year and performing classroom plays that were video taped and sent to parents to view. She learned how to take risks and got rid of some of her perfectionism because making mistakes was encouraged in that class. She learned to laugh at herself and learned to show compassion for others when they goofed. She grew to learn about the world and think like a scientist because of the hands on experiments she was conducting in class and outdoors. She learned to take care of the numerous class pets and plants. She wrote thank you notes to show her appreciation and learned to nurture relationships. She learned how to make creative and healthy snacks and the importance of sharing. That all came about because this teacher set a warm and gentle tone in that class because she did everything with LOVE. The point is happy children are learning children. This teacher really got that. My DD is in second grade now and still says her K teacher was the best teacher in the world. You DC deserves better OP. Have a meeting with all the stakeholders and don’t be afraid to get him in another class with a teacher who is a better fit. You need to be honest and forget about everything except what’s best for your child.

My kids aren't going to school to feel loved. They are going to learn.

Let the flaming begin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A K teacher does not have to be warm and fuzzy. What is important is that the teacher is fair and consistent. I agree with pp who think a meeting would be a good idea. Best of luck to you.

I couldn’t disagree more. A K teacher should be warm and fuzzy and those kids should feel totallly loved. My DD lucked out and had the sweetest K teacher. Here’s why it’s important. Within a day DD went from crying about being at school to practically running in the door in the morning. She was a shy a reluctant student who was reading at a second level mid year and performing classroom plays that were video taped and sent to parents to view. She learned how to take risks and got rid of some of her perfectionism because making mistakes was encouraged in that class. She learned to laugh at herself and learned to show compassion for others when they goofed. She grew to learn about the world and think like a scientist because of the hands on experiments she was conducting in class and outdoors. She learned to take care of the numerous class pets and plants. She wrote thank you notes to show her appreciation and learned to nurture relationships. She learned how to make creative and healthy snacks and the importance of sharing. That all came about because this teacher set a warm and gentle tone in that class because she did everything with LOVE. The point is happy children are learning children. This teacher really got that. My DD is in second grade now and still says her K teacher was the best teacher in the world. You DC deserves better OP. Have a meeting with all the stakeholders and don’t be afraid to get him in another class with a teacher who is a better fit. You need to be honest and forget about everything except what’s best for your child.

Well said!!

+1

[Anonymous]

Get him out of the class. They are not the right fit together. (She might be a wonderful teacher, but not for your son.) Talk to the principal and/or lead grade teacher about your concerns and wishes and get him moved.

[Anonymous]

OP - I would go with your instincts. There are bad teachers. Kids don't know what specifically is out of bounds and won't proactively tell you -- "the teacher said to Johnny, you are just going to fail like your brother did" for example (true story - elementary school to someone else in my middle child's class).

When my three brought up a teacher, I would ask "what happened in the class that made you feel a little funny or think "I don't know if that's right"". It was then my job to figure out what was wrong about it. it also gives specifics and how she interacts with other students. Normally, your child will identify her poor behavior to others (and that's even better for your 'evidence'). That's how I got the quote above from my daughter.

Your child should not be crying every day. I have very different children and each presented challenges to teachers. This teacher sounds like a bully if she's making students cry.

You can strive for feeling 'loved' but we can all agree you shouldn't feel bullied. There is a range of appropriate behavior in between those extremes and you should make sure your child is being treated and seeing others treated appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP, it must be stressful for you. I would go talk to teacher because kids do need a smooth transition and crying everyday is not okay. You can work on his behavior by reinforcing at home and she can work on making him feel comfortable at school. Don't make the meeting one-way -- make it a partnership and hold her accountable too. He is only 5! It is a huge adjustment that most kids have no problem with but some kids do and yours might be one. But that does not mean it will be lasting. Don't bad mouth the teacher to your kid ever. Good Luck -- Hopefully everything will by fine by winter break.

[Anonymous]

I don't why people are assuming OP is off-base.

Her child is coming home crying.
OP has reported a harsh tone.

I've had two kids go through elementary, and have been a classroom volunteer for years, and this is not normal for a Kindergarten teacher!!!

Sure, we've had teachers who yelled in second and third grade. They posed problems, especially the second grade one.

But at the Kindergarten level, it's not right that a teacher be so mean.

OP, you should talk to the other parents, figure out what they think, how their kids have fared, and then talk to the principal to see whether this is a known situation, and whether your child can change classes.

Yes, a class change. I've seen it happen mid-year when the teacher and child were really not a good fit. In the most recent case, it was a teacher who was let go at the end of the year because she was so bad, and the student who was switch mid-year was particularly sensitive to her behavior.

So explore further, OP.
Don't let strangers pooh-pooh your child's feelings.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the typos!

[Anonymous]

My child's K teacher did pick on her. She played favorites and never looked happy to be there. This teacher is known to be strict and unfair, yet she's still there. It's infuriating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good portion of my kids MoCo class was redshirted, too. I believe you because kids talk and know each other's birthdays. I sent my late-August child and she is supposed to compete with kids a year older than her. She is used to it now but it is unfortunate.

OMG people...where are you getting your data where you say "a good portion". I can only speak for our schools, but I can say that none of the kids in my younger DD's class is red shirted. I have another older child in 4th grade and her class has two 8 year olds and none are red-shirted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A K teacher does not have to be warm and fuzzy. What is important is that the teacher is fair and consistent. I agree with pp who think a meeting would be a good idea. Best of luck to you.

I couldn’t disagree more. A K teacher should be warm and fuzzy and those kids should feel totallly loved. My DD lucked out and had the sweetest K teacher. Here’s why it’s important. Within a day DD went from crying about being at school to practically running in the door in the morning. She was a shy a reluctant student who was reading at a second level mid year and performing classroom plays that were video taped and sent to parents to view. She learned how to take risks and got rid of some of her perfectionism because making mistakes was encouraged in that class. She learned to laugh at herself and learned to show compassion for others when they goofed. She grew to learn about the world and think like a scientist because of the hands on experiments she was conducting in class and outdoors. She learned to take care of the numerous class pets and plants. She wrote thank you notes to show her appreciation and learned to nurture relationships. She learned how to make creative and healthy snacks and the importance of sharing. That all came about because this teacher set a warm and gentle tone in that class because she did everything with LOVE. The point is happy children are learning children. This teacher really got that. My DD is in second grade now and still says her K teacher was the best teacher in the world. You DC deserves better OP. Have a meeting with all the stakeholders and don’t be afraid to get him in another class with a teacher who is a better fit. You need to be honest and forget about everything except what’s best for your child.

This sounds wonderful and we would all love it for our kids to have this type of experience in K.

PP, when did your daughter go through K? Was it in MCPS?

I ask because I have my third child currently in K in MCPS and it is IMPOSSIBLE to find this nowadays. FTR, we are in a FOCUS school, so maybe the W schools do this better. But, even at all schools, there is this push in the early years. Definitely no class pets. No class plants. No outdoor time, except for the 20 minutes of recess. Making snacks?? What? The kids get goldfish and Ritz crackers daily.

I've volunteered in the K classes for years, and it is a crazy madhouse, no matter how good the teacher.