Teacher put hands on my child in anger.

[Anonymous]

They don't stay and observe specials the whole time but homeroom teachers definitely arrive early often or the specials lesson runs late. I often see homeroom teachers waiting outside the specials classrooms and peeking inside. They also sometimes just happen to pass by especially as the layout in some schools is for those classrooms to be near the cafeteria.

I was once told by an aide that I happen to know from volunteering but who does not work with DD that she observed one of the specials teachers raising her voice inappropriately to my child and others. We looked in to it without mentioning the aide and she was correct that the specials teacher acted improperly. The aide wasn't observing the special but happened to be walking down the hallway when she overheard the commotion. The principal put in some surprise observations and confirmed that teacher was basically screaming at the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Received a surprising call from the principal today. My son's (6yo, ADHD, IEP in progress, MCPS) homeroom teacher witnessed another teacher put her hands on my son out of anger. Apparently, my son was interrupting this teacher and she squeezed my son's chin/cheeks between her middle finger and thumb to stop his mouth from being able to move. This happened in front of his classmates. He was not hurt, but embarrassed. Homeroom teacher intervened. Principal had him checked out by the nurse (all was fine) and called me, saying very little other than the facts of what happened and that there was protocol in place for situations like this and that the school would follow it. Prior to today, this is a teacher DS really liked and a special that he very much looked forward to each week. I'm so grateful for his amazing homeroom teacher, but absolutely shocked that this happened. How would you proceed in my shoes?

I would ask for a meeting with the principal and ask for full details on the protocol and whether it includes a (mandated) report to CPS. Give them the benefit of the doubt - the fact that the homeroom teacher handled it well and the principal called you shows, I think, that they are committed to doing the right thing. But I would demand transparency around the process. It may be that this special teacher is really great and had a weak moment, but they have to deal with the consequences before this person spirals out of control.

This is the most reasoned post. Follow up with the school but don't overreact. I am the PP who had a child handled roughly by a teacher a few years ago and while I'm still upset at that teacher and think she deserves a reprimand I don't think she deserves to lose her job or be the subject of a CPS investigation.

[Anonymous]

Reporting should not be up to the parent. It is required by the teacher and the principal. I wish OP would name the school because I would personally call CPS and MCPS Central Office and tell them that this school is not reporting an incident of potential abuse by a teacher.

Just know -- you are leaving a potential abuser in charge of children.

And please remember the children sexually abused by John Vigna at Cloverly ES. The principal knew -- for years -- that children were being abused and just gave this creep verbal and written warnings. This is why reporting is mandatory!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/he-was-warned-about-getting-too-close-to-students-but-this-maryland-teacher-was-allowed-to-stay-in-the-classroom/2017/08/25/5ac2ad76-7bbe-11e7-a669-b400c5c7e1cc_story.html?utm_term=.32525b768e8c

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't stay and observe specials the whole time but homeroom teachers definitely arrive early often or the specials lesson runs late. I often see homeroom teachers waiting outside the specials classrooms and peeking inside. They also sometimes just happen to pass by especially as the layout in some schools is for those classrooms to be near the cafeteria.

I was once told by an aide that I happen to know from volunteering but who does not work with DD that she observed one of the specials teachers raising her voice inappropriately to my child and others. We looked in to it without mentioning the aide and she was correct that the specials teacher acted improperly. The aide wasn't observing the special but happened to be walking down the hallway when she overheard the commotion. The principal put in some surprise observations and confirmed that teacher was basically screaming at the kids.

If the classroom is close to the cafeteria, the door HAS to be closed or else it gets too loud. Most MCPS classroom doors have a small opening -- so unless they put their face right at the door, there is no way of seeing what's going on.
Also, I am not advocating that raising the voice solves problems. However it is not up to the aide to decide if the voice was raised inappropriately or not.
The aide should stick with her work instead of reporting on teachers. If indeed the teacher was very loud, she should have gone to administration.

[Anonymous]

Report to CPS asap.
If this is what happens in front of Witnesses, what could happen in private ?
Must be reported. Stat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd talk to your child about it and let the school handle it. I'm impressed they told you. Great homeroom teacher. She's a keeper.

I am a bit surprised at OP's post. As an MCPS specials' (PE, Art, Music) teacher, the homeroom teacher drops the students and leaves the room for 40 minutes until the special is over. The students remain with one teacher unless there is a 1-on-1 para for a student with a physical disability or severe cases of ADHD. OP's child is in the process of being diagnosed so he does not have a 1-on-1. In my over 10 years' of teaching at MCPS, I have not had any classroom teacher sacrifice prep. time to stay with the classroom during specials. There is more to this story.

My kid's homeroom teacher goes with the class to Media and Computer specials. I've always wondered why.