special ed writing teacher can't write!

[Anonymous]

My child is in mid-elementary school and has an IEP for, among other things, writing. Based on the progress reports and other writings we've received from the special ed teacher, the teacher does not know the basics of writing -- run-on sentences and fragments, commas in arbitrary places, pronouns with no antecedents. Essentially, many of the things my child is supposed to be learning. How can she teach a skill that she doesn't have herself? What can I do?

[Anonymous]

OP you can't DO anything! What do you expect the school to do - remove her from her teaching position? or make her take a grammar class?

Look, I hear you on the issue - don't get me wrong. I see these types of errors all the time, and it blows my mind that people who should know better do not.

Just let it go. If you really are concerned then bring it to the attention of the head of SpEd and let them know that because of the poor writing and grammar skills of your child's teacher, you are having to hire a private tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you can't DO anything! What do you expect the school to do - remove her from her teaching position? or make her take a grammar class?

Look, I hear you on the issue - don't get me wrong. I see these types of errors all the time, and it blows my mind that people who should know better do not.

Just let it go. If you really are concerned then bring it to the attention of the head of SpEd and let them know that because of the poor writing and grammar skills of your child's teacher, you are having to hire a private tutor.

OP here. We are using a private tutor, but the tutor can't replace the 3.5 hours a week of special ed writing instruction we're supposedly getting. I don't think it's unreasonable for a teacher to have the skills she is supposed to be teaching. What I'd like (for this and other reasons) is for my child to be assigned a different special ed teacher.

[Anonymous]

I'd find another basis for a request for reassignment. This just isn't going to end well.

[Anonymous]

Elementary school paras and even teachers are sometimes not well educated, although they are nearly always enthusiastic and warm-hearted. Sometimes the latter doesn't make up for the former and your child seems as though he might be in this sad situation.

I would keep a record of all this teacher's writing, and go and talk to the principal. Share your concerns and see what he or she says.

[Anonymous]

Fortunately, your child won't be writing IEP progress notes. Your child is to demonstrate skill in an entirely different type of writing. Also, the computer system for completing IEP is very clunky. Only a certain number of characters is allowed or it won't save a section. Also, sometimes punctuation marks are transformed somehow into something upon printing. I once had all of my periods changed into upside down question marks! Worry about your child's progress and don't focus on the teacher's personal writing in another area. Finally, the IEP paperwork is everyone's least favorite part of the job---not a strength for most. Our strength is putting our energy into time with your child. Your concern is natural, but observe the results of instruction instead.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the teacher rushes through the notes or emails that you receive. Probably not the most professional thing to do, but I imagine the teacher is cutting corners just to get through a slog of emails or reports. This is small potatoes! Save your outrage for the things that truly matter to your child, unless you have evidence that the teacher is not teaching the material accurately.

[Anonymous]

This was also the case at our MS. At first it sounded like a good idea that our sped teacher actually had a learning disability himself; we thought he could be a positive role model and would understand how kids with dyslexia and dysgraphia could learn to write. But, ultimately he wasn't able to teach, and insisted the kids work hard instead of teaching them how to work smart according to their individual strengths/weaknesses.


This year we pulled DC out of resource and insisted he be mainstreamed in the Eng class commensurate with his ability and delivered services there. Overall, it's much better because that English teacher knows how to teach English and writing.

I've also goven up on MCPS and provide outside writing tutoring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was also the case at our MS. At first it sounded like a good idea that our sped teacher actually had a learning disability himself; we thought he could be a positive role model and would understand how kids with dyslexia and dysgraphia could learn to write. But, ultimately he wasn't able to teach, and insisted the kids work hard instead of teaching them how to work smart according to their individual strengths/weaknesses.


This year we pulled DC out of resource and insisted he be mainstreamed in the Eng class commensurate with his ability and delivered services there. Overall, it's much better because that English teacher knows how to teach English and writing.

I've also goven up on MCPS and provide outside writing tutoring.

in 6th grade my DD had a teacher who had ADHD and took adderall.

[Anonymous]

This is not okay. I would take copies to the principal and say you want a different teacher. It is unprofessional to send things home that are not carefully proofread. The principal can't address it without knowing about it. The teacher does need to take a writing class.

[Anonymous]

Admittedly, this type of thing is a pet peeve of mine. Teachers are teaching our children with mistakes regular mistakes in the curriculum and their grading. Its ok to make a mistake, but to consistently make mistakes is not. I have found many errors in math handouts, in notes that they send home on students' work, and in their grading. Its hard to accept because most classrooms have a teacher, and at least one assistant or special ed teacher in the classroom most of the time. Someone should be able to catch these errors. I also think that in a way, this is how schools are lowering their standards for students and teachers. They aren't teaching precision and being responsible for one's work.