From: CREECH@LSTC2VM.stortek.com (Teresa Creech)
Subject: Re: HELP!  Teacher problems
Organization: StorageTek SW Engineering
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 14:39:43 GMT

In article <KMURPHY.92Dec13210234@orangutan.cv.nrao.edu>
kmurphy@orangutan.cv.nrao.edu (Kim Murphy) writes:
 
>About two months ago, we made an unplanned move to a neighboring
>county.  Unfortunately, the school at our new home is not quite as
>good as the old one.  While the Kindergarten program is not a bad one,
>the teacher our son (B.J.) received is definitely not very good.  Our
>intention is to put him in a private school next year (they were
>filled by the time we learned we were moving), but in the meantime
>we're not quite sure what to do.
>
>We'll try to be as brief as possible.  B.J. is 5 years old, and has
>had 1.5 years of preschool.  He started off in a wonderful
>Kindergarten.  After the move, he adjusted to the new school with no
>problem, and fortunately he still likes school.  But he no longer
>comes home and tells us all of the exciting things that have happened
>during the day.  Naturally we became concerned and visited (several
>times).
>
>What we found was very disturbing.  The classroom situation is very
>disruptive.  We don't mean the "kids will be kids" type, but a total
>lack of control by the teacher and a non-learning environment.  TV is
>frequently used as a babysitter.  We have checked the other
>Kindergarten classes and found no evidence of this.  We have also seen
>the children under control on one occasion -- when a sub was present.
>
>We did speak to the teacher with no result.  Recently we also spoke to
>the principal.  He consulted with the teacher and we finally started
>to see work come home everyday to get an idea of what they were
>supposed to be doing.  He also suggested we speak to the teacher
>again.  We did and spent an hour in non-communication.  She always has
>an excuse why her personal life is keeping her from doing things and
>why she wants to give up teaching (anything but answering our
>concerns).
>
>Personally we think this class is too much for her, and she's at her
>wits end, but this doesn't help us with B.J.'s education.  So far,
>we've tried to be diplomatic when we've talked to the principal, so
>his advice was to "hang in there".  Now, we are checking out other
>public schools in other districts to see if we can afford the tuition.
>
>Our question is: how shold we phrase our frustration to the principal?
>We would be content with keeping B.J. in the present school if he was
>placed in one of the other teachers' classes.  On the other hand, we
>hate to keep moving him around.  Any and all help is appreciated, but
>we have to do something about this soon.
>
>                                - Kim & Pat Murphy
>                                  kmurphy@orangutan.cv.nrao.edu
>                                  pmurphy@nrao.edu
>
>P.S.  Moving from this county in the near future is not a viable option.
 
If the teacher really can't teach the class, the principal should be doing
something.  You shouldn't have to pay tuition because one of your employees
is not doing her job.  TV in kindergarten on a regular basis?  Even daycare
doesn't rely on TV.  I nearly came unglued when I read this!!!
 
At the very least, the principal should transfer your son into one of the
other kindergarten classes.  The timing is good - he could arrange the
transfer now and your son could start in the new class after the holidays.
 
The principal should be actively looking for an immediate replacement for
this woman and if he isn't, you should contact the school board and
superintendant.  I don't know about where you work, but where I work people
are expected to do their job.
 
good luck,
Teresa
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