How much unresponsiveness to email do you tolerate?

[Anonymous]

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When a teacher doesn't respond to my email within 24 hours, I will ask my DC if the teacher has been in school. If so, I will wait another 24 hours (48 total). If still no answer, I forward my sent email to the teacher's boss (department head, principal, whoever), explain that the teacher hasn't responded and ask the supervisor to help. I cc the teacher on the email, so the teacher knows I've gone up the chain.

Teachers are professionals, they should be expected to behave like professionals. I would be fired from my job if I didn't respond to customers, clients or consumers.

I am PP above; of course I don't expect any reply on holidays or weekends. That is the teacher's time.

The end of the next business day is more generous than the 24 hours you cited above.

I think it's ironic that people state that they'd be fired if they didn't respond to customers, clients or consumers, because I can't tell you how often I email parents and get a bounce back message that they are out of the office for a meeting, or at court or something, and thus can't reply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all the teachers on her quick to judge--the lack of response has been a pattern and the most recent email was sent early this week with break not starting till yesterday. Of course I don't expect a response during Xmas vacation. I've been waiting 5 days to get her opinion on an issue about my child that is directly related to school. So sick of this. Last year we had a teacher who was great with email. I really think she's just collecting a check.

Unless the opinion is about a very discreet issue and can be conveyed in three sentences or less, you should be requesting a phone call to discuss the matter.
Writing an opinion sounds like a potentially time consuming task.

Also, it is not advisable for teachers to get into details about a student via email. General emails outlining the issue then a face to face of phone call to discuss in detail. Don't let parents bait you into something that will later come back to bite you if you give a wrong response because you didn't have time to think it through or consult with the right person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think it's ironic that people state that they'd be fired if they didn't respond to customers, clients or consumers, because I can't tell you how often I email parents and get a bounce back message that they are out of the office for a meeting, or at court or something, and thus can't reply.

An out of office message IS a response. What do you think the purpose of an automatic - out of office reply is for? It is to manage the expectations of the sender that the recipient is not in a position to respond within normally expected time frames. The out of office message typically indicates when the person will be back in the office. It allows the sender to determine if she can wait until the recipient returns to the office or should contact someone else. The out of office message should communicate who to contact if the sender cannot what until her return.

I'm surprised so many seem to have such limited knowledge of professional norms.

So, that's all I need to do, set an automatic email that says I'm teaching, and so not able to respond? And parents will be good with that?

It would be acceptable to tell them you cannot respond 'immediately'. You should then indicate when the parent should expect a response from you. For example: "Thank you for your email. At this time, I am teaching and not able to read your email until my planning period at 4:00 pm. I understand the importance of parent/teacher communication and will do my best to respond within 1 business day of reading your email. If you need an immediate response, please contact an adminstrator at 703-313-XXXX. Thank you for your patience."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all the teachers on her quick to judge--the lack of response has been a pattern and the most recent email was sent early this week with break not starting till yesterday. Of course I don't expect a response during Xmas vacation. I've been waiting 5 days to get her opinion on an issue about my child that is directly related to school. So sick of this. Last year we had a teacher who was great with email. I really think she's just collecting a check.

Unless the opinion is about a very discreet issue and can be conveyed in three sentences or less, you should be requesting a phone call to discuss the matter.
Writing an opinion sounds like a potentially time consuming task.

Also, it is not advisable for teachers to get into details about a student via email. General emails outlining the issue then a face to face of phone call to discuss in detail. Don't let parents bait you into something that will later come back to bite you if you give a wrong response because you didn't have time to think it through or consult with the right person.

Parents nd teachers need a paper trail to show what was said. A phone call is not enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How frequently do you email the teacher?

OP here. I do not email excessively. I find it odd that when I contact her about a logistical matter with DC's schedule I often receive a message back quickly with a comment or two. When I have emailed about therapy services or curriculum I am getting no reply.

Why would you email a classroom teacher about therapy services? Curriculum question should be discussed at parent teacher conferences or directed to the principal.

Sounds like she is answering those things that are straightforward / within her control quickly. The answers to the other sort of questions you describe are probably more complex and require coordinating with other people. IMO if you are emailing more than 2-3 times per month it is probably excessive.

A simple email stating that she has received it and needs time to get the answer is important to me. Otherwise I have no idea what is happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CC'ing the principal after only 24 hours is kind of intense

And makes you look like a whack job. It might be wrong- but we laugh about parents like you.

Honestly, I don't care if you laugh at me; it just reflects your lack of professionalism. I can assure you that supervisors above you take note of your lack of response and snickering and it is a detriment to your career progress and opportunities.

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CC'ing the principal after only 24 hours is kind of intense

And makes you look like a whack job. It might be wrong- but we laugh about parents like you.

Honestly, I don't care if you laugh at me; it just reflects your lack of professionalism. I can assure you that supervisors above you take note of your lack of response and snickering and it is a detriment to your career progress and opportunities.

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.

Can you elaborate on the 'terrible position' we put ourselves in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CC'ing the principal after only 24 hours is kind of intense

And makes you look like a whack job. It might be wrong- but we laugh about parents like you.

Honestly, I don't care if you laugh at me; it just reflects your lack of professionalism. I can assure you that supervisors above you take note of your lack of response and snickering and it is a detriment to your career progress and opportunities.

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.

Can you elaborate on the 'terrible position' we put ourselves in?

NP but it's a boy who cries wolf scenario. Using all your chits on minor grievances or issues means you will be less likely to be taken seriously if/when something more egregious happens.

[Anonymous]

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.


Can you elaborate on the 'terrible position' we put ourselves in?


NP but it's a boy who cries wolf scenario. Using all your chits on minor grievances or issues means you will be less likely to be taken seriously if/when something more egregious happens.

I'm struggling to understand why you would need to use a 'chit' to get a response. We're talking professional behavior here, not 'favors'. The school staff that we have encountered who have not been responsive/professional are the exceptions, not the rule. Nearly all of the staff we've dealt with have been good to great. While I've had my issues with FCPS, the 'system' is effective at dealing with unprofessional behavior (at least IME). While it's been unfortunate that my child has had experience with an unprofessional staff member and has to endure it longer than I would have cared, when brought to their attention, the principal/central office have quickly addressed and resolved the issue. I don't let things slide because my child needs a professional teacher and it's not just about my child. It's about every child that comes after him who has needs and whose parents don't have the capabilities that I have.

While there may have been some staff who have 'laughed' or not take me 'seriously', their superiors/peers/mentors soon address those issues with them. I suspect I have a lot more experience with this than the 'laughing' PP. I assure you the Procedural Support Liaisons and the Due Process folks in the Central Office aren't laughing and do take parental communication seriously.

But, I am still interested in the 'terrible position' the PP refers to.

[Anonymous]

I'm another teacher. Sorry if you don't like me being here.

I think you should expect a response within 1-2 business days. However, if a parent is constantly emailing and it's not relevant, or about something I don't have control over, or it's nitpicking, I'm going to get annoyed real fast. I have a lot of students and a 50 minute planning period which I would like to use to plan or grade.

99% of the parents I am HAPPY to hear from.

Also, sometimes I get questions that would take a LONG time to explain or are complicated. So I might say, "Hi, this question requires a longer conversation and would be difficult to explain over email. Would you mind coming in for a meeting?" I'm not trying to punish you, but responses over email can end up having the wrong tone or be misconstrued.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.


Can you elaborate on the 'terrible position' we put ourselves in?


NP but it's a boy who cries wolf scenario. Using all your chits on minor grievances or issues means you will be less likely to be taken seriously if/when something more egregious happens.

I'm struggling to understand why you would need to use a 'chit' to get a response. We're talking professional behavior here, not 'favors'. The school staff that we have encountered who have not been responsive/professional are the exceptions, not the rule. Nearly all of the staff we've dealt with have been good to great. While I've had my issues with FCPS, the 'system' is effective at dealing with unprofessional behavior (at least IME). While it's been unfortunate that my child has had experience with an unprofessional staff member and has to endure it longer than I would have cared, when brought to their attention, the principal/central office have quickly addressed and resolved the issue. I don't let things slide because my child needs a professional teacher and it's not just about my child. It's about every child that comes after him who has needs and whose parents don't have the capabilities that I have.

While there may have been some staff who have 'laughed' or not take me 'seriously', their superiors/peers/mentors soon address those issues with them. I suspect I have a lot more experience with this than the 'laughing' PP. I assure you the Procedural Support Liaisons and the Due Process folks in the Central Office aren't laughing and do take parental communication seriously.

But, I am still interested in the 'terrible position' the PP refers to.

I thought an earlier poster explained it quite succinctly. Are you not familiar with the "boy who cries wolf" reference, then? If you are the parent who constantly picks, pounces, and complains, the admin WILL come to view you as a pest. They will not take you seriously, and this puts you at a disadvantage because your complaints will carry less and less weight, and will be taken less seriously. If something "really bad" happens, you will not be considered a reliable voice. (And yes, my principal most certainly DOES laugh at the handful of ridiculously intense helicopter moms who blight his inbox on a daily basis. This doesn't mean he doesn't reply to them, but he certainly doesn't take them seriously).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CC'ing the principal after only 24 hours is kind of intense

And makes you look like a whack job. It might be wrong- but we laugh about parents like you.

Honestly, I don't care if you laugh at me; it just reflects your lack of professionalism. I can assure you that supervisors above you take note of your lack of response and snickering and it is a detriment to your career progress and opportunities.

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.

Can you elaborate on the 'terrible position' we put ourselves in?

NP but it's a boy who cries wolf scenario. Using all your chits on minor grievances or issues means you will be less likely to be taken seriously if/when something more egregious happens.

+100
CCing the principal after 24 hours is nuts, and getting a response at that point is winning the battle but losing the war. It' not a smart strategy.

[Anonymous]

I can't say how bothered I am by the portrayal of mothers (and it's always women isn't it?) who are staunch advocates for their child as nutty/helicopterish/busybodies. I'm not sure if I fall into this category or not. I don't email a ton and for the most I leave the teachers alone but I am working to make sure that I get the best possible educational experience for my kid. And as a system that is set up serves the masses, when you have a kid who does not fit a typical profile, even a typical SN profile, that is a challenge. So yes I will complain when my kid watches a movie in school instead of doing work, is given busy work instead of real instruction, when an itinerant therapist doesn't show up and doesn't have plans for session makeups, when a teacher has a pattern of not even acknowledging emails I will complain. When it comes to the IEP, trust but verify.

[Anonymous]

But, I am still interested in the 'terrible position' the PP refers to.


I thought an earlier poster explained it quite succinctly. Are you not familiar with the "boy who cries wolf" reference, then? If you are the parent who constantly picks, pounces, and complains, the admin WILL come to view you as a pest. They will not take you seriously, and this puts you at a disadvantage because your complaints will carry less and less weight, and will be taken less seriously. If something "really bad" happens, you will not be considered a reliable voice. (And yes, my principal most certainly DOES laugh at the handful of ridiculously intense helicopter moms who blight his inbox on a daily basis. This doesn't mean he doesn't reply to them, but he certainly doesn't take them seriously).

No, this doesn't explain the 'terrible position'. You've provided no real life examples. A 'terrible position' is where I have documented my attempts to bring an issue to the attention of the school and have not gotten timely responses and/or appropriate attention. But, it's not me in a 'terrible position'. It's the teacher and/or principal. While you and your principal may not consider me a 'reliable voice', an independent 3rd party does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CC'ing the principal after only 24 hours is kind of intense

And makes you look like a whack job. It might be wrong- but we laugh about parents like you.

Honestly, I don't care if you laugh at me; it just reflects your lack of professionalism. I can assure you that supervisors above you take note of your lack of response and snickering and it is a detriment to your career progress and opportunities.

Not the PPP, but my supervisor laughs at whack job parents too. EVERYONE laughs at the handful of super intense helicopter moms, and none of us take those moms seriously. The whack job moms have put themselves into a terrible position because admin will never take them seriously now.

I don't care if you "take me seriously." I do care if you follow the law. If you are doing something wrong, I will attempt to get in touch with you and ask you what is happening and why. If you can't be professional and get back to me in a day or so, I am going to your boss. If you and your boss remain unresponsive or imappropriately responsive, I will reach up further. As a special needs parent, I am sick of the bullying that my child and I are expected to tolerate. I don't care if you think I'm a pain or if you snicker or laugh at me. The law obligates you to do certain things and if you can't or won't, I will complain until I get what my child needs and is owed under the law. The law isn't only for nice, polite good girl women who ask for things politely and butter you up and beg and wait and plead.

The sexism inherent in the PITA mom stereotype bugs the crap out of me, especially because the staffers who wield that sexism as a weapon are teachers and admin who are typically women. PITA mom is just a school-based version of being called a bitch or bossy.