My daughter was punished in school today.
She forgot to bring her ID badge. She discovered this half way to the school. I offered to drop the boys off to school, return to get her badge and then drop her off a little late. She declined. She said the only teacher who would punish her would be her math teacher, who she thought said he would take a point from her daily points or something. She wasn't worried, so neither was I worried.
Her punishment?
She told him that she forgot it straight away and he waited until the class filled up and then told her to sit on the floor. She asked him, "Really?" She couldn't believe it. He said, "really." Then she asked where and was directed to the back of the room on.the.floor. This was for the entire class period of about fifty-five minutes - and during a test he gave them today to "decide their placement; whether they belonged in that class or not."
What would you do?
I rang up the office straight away and was put through to the VP and had to leave a message. I have yet to hear back from them, but they know I know and they know I'm pissed. There just is no other word for it. If I did not have to go get my youngest so soon after picking her up, I would have marched into the office faster than a tick can bite a dogs ass. I am very angry. I left a polite message about what happened and that I was extremely angry.
The teachers all send home their class rules that parents have to sign in order to show that we acknowledge the rules and just punishments. This teacher did not have sitting on the floor as punishment listed, nor humiliation of a student. I will bring that up when I visit the office tomorrow (if there is school; if not, whenever the next day is, I will not rest). My girl did say that he had mentioned that would be a punishment if they forgot their ID. It was said about the third lesson. It was never mentioned to me, but it is still quite beyond the point. Why would he have a "secret" punishment? If he believed it was a good policy, it should be on his list he sends home. It is not a just punishment for forgetting a badge. To take a test on the floor, in tears, embarrassed beyond belief is just plain cruel. She's not a dog!
Oh, let me tell you: Tropical Storm Felicia has nothing on this mama's fire storm. The winds are a'blowin'!
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16 comments:
That's outrageous!! To be fair I would first speak to the teacher and get his side of the story. Then you are free to rip his head off.
What a sad situation and my 'mama genes' are so strong and so protective, but I think I would do this...
I would approach the whole thing with genuine incredulity (squelching the urge to choke the offender) saying something to the effect that I know this must be some sort of exagerration on my daughter's part as a wise, mature and tenured (you do need to control yourself and sound real here and not sarcastic) teacher such as yourself would NEVER SUBJECT A STUDENT TO what she reported to me. With that in mind, I have come to get the truth from you knowing you would not purposely humiliate a student in front of her peers. Delivered in that manner and with some praying beforehand, he should have some mighty explaining to do.
I would also pretty much do the same with the powers that be, above him, emphasizing your confidence in the principal's and/ or vice principal's wisdom and desire to have a fair and just school system.
Meanwhile I would also counsel and comfort my daughter and pray together that no teachers ever do such things again!
blessings and hugs,
marcy
These are the kinds of things that drive parents to homeschool their kids. What did the teacher think he was accomplishing? How did the punishment "fit" the crime? Seems to me teaching the child some organization or memory technique would have dealt with the situation much better. Yep, bad psychology at work here! Good luck with your talk with the VP. (Ask the VP how s/he punishes the teacher if s/he forgets a pass, book, supplies, ID, etc. Does the teacher have to sit on the floor in the office?)
I really find this a little extreme for forgetting a name tag. There is no call for "public humiliation" over something as minor as this mistake. One that she told him about at once. He needs counseling!!!! or some "public humiliation." I am so sorry!!!! I wish I could help. Cathy
Reading this post just makes me shake my head in disbelief. This kind of punishment has no place in education, no matter what kind of school you're in. I think Blessings Each Day's advice to approach the teacher directly (calmly and politely) and express your concern is probably the best thing to do next, especially since you've already left a message with the school office. If you're not satisfied after talking with him, then speak to office personnel face-to-face. Good luck!
I am sorry to hear that she had to go through that. It makes me wonder what has this man been through with his students that he finds this type of action the best way to deal with this type of situation.
First of all, I would be extremely proud of your daughter for having the courage to admit her mistake in a very straightforward fashion and accept the horrendous punishment without complaint. Sounds like you've got a terrific girl there!
My oldest son was punished in a humiliating fashion during the beginning of 5th grade and I will never forget and imagine neither will he. He has always been a well behaved boy and has never gotten in trouble. It seems the whole class was chattering and the teacher was not able to control the class. John was sitting in the front row, and in her irritation, she grabbed John in his desk, and pulled him up to the chalkboard to sit for the remainder of the day. No other child was punished like this, even though they all were talking. It is the only time I have ever complained about the behavior of a teacher and she did apologize, but in my eyes, I could never like or respect her again.
It seems to me that teachers who can't control their students are the ones who should be publicly humiliated. But, we both know that these types of teachers are the exception thank God, and not the norm of which are mainly wonderful, caring, loving teachers.
Best of luck to you in dealing with this situation. Your anger definitely seems justified!
So, give her a "zero" for the day or make her spend 30 minutes in detention...or whatever! But I'm sorry, making her sit on the floor is NOT an appropriate form of punishment.
Granted, the teachers point is well taken.....she probably wont EVER forget again.....but still.
I would definitely have a chat with the school too. Does the county have a website for the school district? The districts policies should be public and should say (at least in general) what is acceptable punishment.
I'm certainly glad it's not me having to deal with this.....my anger would probably far outweigh sensibility!!
It would be one thing if the punishment had been listed in the class rules, but it wasn't. I would definitely follow through on this one!
I bet Teenie doesn't forget her id badge again, though. Poor girl.
This is what scares the hell out of me now that I'm being forced to send my son to public school.
Like Teenie having to adjust to a new school isn't enough. As a teacher, to see another teacher with "punishment" like this drives me bonkers! I am glad you are being a strong "Mama Bear" for her as the punishment does not fit what she did, and it should have been listed in the policies...best of luck!
I am just outraged and sick to my stomach!!!! That is not a just punishment at all! She is new to the state, public school, so many changes and then humiliated for not just a little bit, but the whole entire class time!! How is a young girl supposed to make friends after that? What is wrong with this guy?
Any way you could just homeschool her?
I'm so sorry that your daughter had to endure that. Not only was the punishment excessive and unreasonable, but it really bothers me that he waited until the class was full to humiliate her in front of everyone. Life is hard enough at a new school without a teacher singling her out in a negative way. Is it possible to have her moved to another class with a different teacher? I always found that I did much better in a class where I like my teacher. Give Teenie a big hug for me!
I'd get your daughter to protest by trying to get the rest of the kids in the class next time to sit on the floor with her the whole class period and refuse to get up. :-) But hey. That's me.
how terrible! poor thing didn't deserve to be humiliated like so. i don't blame you for being upset, mama. there was no need for a punishment like that. i hope you can resolve this matter!
I'm just glad I'm not the teacher.
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