Anonymous wrote:We're kind of in the same boat except it's not us hearing bad things it's us observing her interactions with people. At both the open house and at back to school night she ignored several current parents who were lining up to talk to her to schmooze with PTA moms whose kids had graduated from her class but stopped in to say hello.

It's not just like she said hi to them. Both time these were15- 20 minute conversations and used up all of the available time. This is a school where the parent organizations give teachers grants conferences and funding for laptops, etc. so it makes sense from one standpoint that she should be nice to them but I was disturbed by how it was at the expense of current students.

I think you are exaggerating.

Anonymous wrote:This is a common problem and hard to solve. Students and parents have been complaining about our art teacher for years. The students hate and dread art. Why does the school system keep her on?

Tenure?

Anonymous wrote:We're kind of in the same boat except it's not us hearing bad things it's us observing her interactions with people. At both the open house and at back to school night she ignored several current parents who were lining up to talk to her to schmooze with PTA moms whose kids had graduated from her class but stopped in to say hello.

It's not just like she said hi to them. Both time these were15- 20 minute conversations and used up all of the available time. This is a school where the parent organizations give teachers grants conferences and funding for laptops, etc. so it makes sense from one standpoint that she should be nice to them but I was disturbed by how it was at the expense of current students.

How is this "at the expense" of current students? Back to School Night is an evening for the parents to hear information. It sounds like this teacher develops relationships with her students and their parents. What a shame that you view that as "schmoozing".

You need to give your child's teacher a chance, and assume until you have a legitimate grievance, your role as a parent is to support your child and support the teacher. If legitimate issues arise, raise them with the teacher. If she doesn't handle them appropriately, document and take it to the principal. I realize you're in a W cluster, but that doesn't mean you get to override the school's placement of your child because you heard some unfavorable things about the teacher.

Assuming this is just based on "hearing bad things" about the teacher, suck it up. Luck of the draw. I didn't like all of my teachers growing up, but I turned out fine. We are all going to have to be taught by, work for, or be around people we don't like at some point or another. Don't create a problem that doesn't exist. Sounds like you're just trying to game the system to get something you perceive as better.

I never pay attention to what others say about a teacher as I make up my own mind. I often have a completely different feeling than other, and you should wait it out and see what YOU think.

I think it's really sad that OP is basing her judgment of this teacher, whom her child has only had for one week, on what other parents have said. Be an adult and form your own opinion, OP! Don't let someone else's opinion cloud your judgment and affect the way you approach the teacher.

If OP is the one with the child with the urinary issue here's what I'd do:

Drop off a written letter, and also copy the teacher and principal on email, stating the issue. Recap what your DD told you about what happened. Request a meeting with both the teacher, principal, and any other relevant teachers at their earliest availability to address this special medical concern. Say that you want to get ahead of any problems and what happened must have been a misunderstanding.

I assume you have medical documentation for this issue. If so, attach it to the letter. If not, get it.

Documenting is important. This way, if it happens twice again before October, you can escalate with proof that it's worth escalating.

Anonymous wrote:We're kind of in the same boat except it's not us hearing bad things it's us observing her interactions with people. At both the open house and at back to school night she ignored several current parents who were lining up to talk to her to schmooze with PTA moms whose kids had graduated from her class but stopped in to say hello.

It's not just like she said hi to them. Both time these were15- 20 minute conversations and used up all of the available time. This is a school where the parent organizations give teachers grants conferences and funding for laptops, etc. so it makes sense from one standpoint that she should be nice to them but I was disturbed by how it was at the expense of current students.

This would annoy me. But....are you saying that you ant your child removed from the teacher's class because of the way the teacher treated you? Isn't it about your child? Is the teacher a good one?

Again, I would be very annoyed at being ignored. I might send her an email saying that I had some things I wanted to talk about, but did not have the oppportuntiy due to her PTA conversations and would like to schedule a time to talk, or something. But I wouldn't want to necessarily change teachers over this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yeah, it's shocking how much of this immature, adolescent behavior goes on between schools and the PTA moms. That is precisely why I boycott the PTA and any other "ask" that come home from the school in the backpacks. Why aren't there more grown ups in the PTA?

Maybe there would be more grown-ups on the PTA if you didn't boycott the PTA?

Agree. I think the child sounds like the one boycotting. The PTA actually helps the school. The bitchy sideline moms who have nothing better to do than to make fun of the situation instead of improving it, is a bunch of hot air not needed.

I know this is not on the main topic, but to the parent whose child has the urinary tract disorder, schools must accommodate a child's disability. You may want to look into asking for a Section 504 plan that will ensure your child can use the bathroom when she needs to. It may just help get everyone on the same page, and hopefully alleviate some of the stress for your child. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Yeah, it's shocking how much of this immature, adolescent behavior goes on between schools and the PTA moms. That is precisely why I boycott the PTA and any other "ask" that come home from the school in the backpacks. Why aren't there more grown ups in the PTA?

Maybe there would be more grown-ups on the PTA if you didn't boycott the PTA?