Q for Teachers: When you teach another teacher's child...

[Anonymous]

What do you worry about? Or what annoys you?

I would never ask for any special favors, but I realize that I may have a certain amount of inherent privilege due to teaching in MCPS. Help me navigate the fine line between advocating for my child and abusing that privilege. A little background is that my child is new to MCPS, but I am not. Dad is also a teacher. DD has mild SN that we are trying to address without a 504 plan, but met with resistance from the school all last spring and this summer. We think we may need to resort to requesting a 504 and bring an expert advocate with us to get the school to really listen. Meanwhile, my child needs to have very small schedule tweak to reduce her anxiety. I know the language and channels some parents use to get what their child needs quickly. If I wasn't a teacher, I wouldn't hesitate to use those methods when called for. But I don't want to look bad professionally for going the nuclear option in September rather than following their timeline to talk about DD's needs in November.

[Anonymous]

Is your child in your school or another? If your child needs something, be their advocate. You are parent first. I have worked with other teachers and even principals kids through the process. They used the lingo, but were polite. No different than going in with an advocate.

[Anonymous]

You need to get an 504 or IEP. They cannot do changes if you do not have one. No one cares you work for MCPS.

[Anonymous]

You need a 504 or an IEP. That has nothing to do with you being a teacher or not. (Fwiw, I am a mcps teacher and my son has a 504. And I use my professional knowledge to insist on appropriate accommodations for my son.)

[Anonymous]

Thank you. We figure we will soon pursue the 504, but we don't need it for the school to make this tiny schedule adjustment. I know because my school makes the same change for students without SN all the time if parents push for it. My school just waits for the major words (which aren't please and thank you).
DD isn't at my school because our zoned school is a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Just say what you have to in the most respectful way that you can. It's your child. Put him first.

[Anonymous]

I would start the process for a 504. It can take months to get it in place. In a few months, she is ok, you drop it.