What to do about a verbally abusive 2nd grade teacher?

Question

I removed my 7 year old son from her class after he informed me that his teacher called him and 3 other boys "pond scum" , "the lowest lifes on earth", and told them they "would never amount to anything". All this because she was "furious" at them for acting up for a substitute teacher. I know she has said other degrading things to moy son throughout the year. This incident was the last straw. Since being removed from her class nearly a month ago, I have noticed a huge change in his personality and behavior, he is much happier and excelling in his new class. But I still wish I could do something about it, I feel so sorry for the children that remain in her class. What, if anything, should I do?

Answer 1

Seek a private school.   Take a second job if necessary.  The public school system is a cesspool.   The teachers generally have no interest in their chosen "profession."  It is a national disgrace that has worsened over the last 45-50 years.   The school system has no concern for you or your child.  Just summer vacation.  And, sadly, they really think that they work  hard!!   You have no inexpensive solution to your problem.

Answer 2

Call some of the members on the school board.  These people are your neighbors.  They are elected by you.  Tell them your story.  Have friends contact them too, that have had the same problem.  You should get action.  Call someone at the school and they will just cover it up.  Good Luck!

Answer 3

Contact the school board.  I assume the principal already knows and is protecting the teacher, but school boards have more important things to do then protect teachers.... like protecting the school from lawsuits.

Answer 4

You can talk to the principal.  It is highly likely he or she will do nothing.

The best thing you can do is contact the parents of these children to give them a heads up.

It is highly likely that they, too, will do nothing.

I congratulate you on protecting your precious son.

Answer 5

Have you discussed this with the principal of the school, or taken it before the school board?  That would be the best place.  As an educator, this person should be aware of the proper way to deal with children.  Calling them names and berating them certainly isn't going to do anything.  If she was upset that the students were rude to a substitute, there would have been a better way to handle it.  This person needs to be curbed, and quickly, to prevent her from doing some serious emotional harm.  Good for you for removing your son from that vipers pit.  And kudos for actually wanting to take this further.  As parents, it's our responsibility to look after all children.

Answer 6

put in a written complaint to the education department

Answer 7

as a teacher and substitute teacher, I know what happens in classrooms.  Yes, children act up.  Although I'm glad that the teacher addressed the problem with disrespecting a substitute with the kids, the name calling is childish no matter what your age.  The teacher was probably upset and you deserved an apology.  I don't know much background on the situation other than what you have given, but what exactly did your son do?  Disrespecting a person of authority is a very bad problem and you should address that with him.  Make sure you tell him that you have taken care of the teacher's name calling, but also talk to him about what he did wrong.  I think it would be proper to ask his teachers to follow up with you when he is acting out of line or for you to keep frequent contact with his teachers to monitor his behavior.  As far as his teacher, the principal is aware of the problem and let him/her handle it.  If you hear other parents complaining, tell them to speak with the principal so that everyone is going to the same person so it gets documented.

I would have suggested that you talked with the teacher much earlier when you were first aware of the "degrading" things to see both sides of the story and to possibly have prevented this last outburst.  I don't want to take sides on this question because of the limited info, but all you can do now is monitor your child's behavior and follow up with future teachers regularly to make sure that you are well informed about his behavior and education.

Answer 8

I would go to the principle first, then the school board if I had too. She would not still be teaching if she said that to my child. The teachers job is to build self esteem not break it.

Answer 9

First talk to the teacher if you get no results speak with the principal if you still don't get what you where looking for try the school board each teacher and principle are under the jurisdiction of someone in the school board office I'm a school teacher for the Oakland unified school district if you let me know what district your in i can find the name of the person at the school board you need to speak with.

Answer 10

In 1st grade I had a verbally abusive teacher.

My mom talked to the principal and I got switched out of that class.

I'm pretty sure the teacher got fired after the year ended, 'cause I never saw her again.

Answer 11

You should contact the school board.  first, contact other parents of the the children in this class, start a petition that this teacher be removed from the school,  Go to the board meetings with all this information, bring it up at PTA meetings, until something is finally done about it.  if you get no result through your local school board, go to the State Board every state has one. usually in your capitol city.  There will be an investigation.

Your child will have to speak to them just encourage him to be truthful.  to tell them what he did and and how she reacted to his behavior.

Answer 12

i recently heard of a mom who suspected of a teacher doing that put a tape recorder in her daughters bag and then took it to the principal and demanded that something b done if not then legal action would b taken

Answer 13

I wouldn't send him back to her class period! I had a similar experience with my sons teacher when he was in kindergarten... he started out he year so excited and so confident, and by the time the year was halfway over... he had no confidence whatsoever. By the time I realized what was happening... the damage was done. He wouldn't answer a question if he wasn't absolutely sure it was right... he is now in 4th grade and is doing much better, but I wish I could go back and spare him from her. Good luck!!

Answer 14

A couple years ago my son was also removed from his second grade class and moved to a new class also.  You need to take it to your district office and let them know that if something is not done that you are going to go to the local papers.  Depending on how long the principal has been there, there may be more in her permanent file in the district office since their personel files are not kept on the school sites for confidentiality purposes.  While the situation with my son involved a known bully and the teacher defending the bully my Dad also is a teacher at the same school so I took all the routes my Dad told me to, including walking into the district office with photos of my sons bald spot due to stress and a letter stating all the times I had spoken to the teacher about the bully and her responses.  They were more than happy to deal with me and I didn't have to threaten media even though my Dad told me to.

Answer 15

First  let me say that I do not condone a teacher being disrespectful towards a student nor do I condone students being disrespectful towards adults.One thing you are overlooking in your question is that someone in your son's class was obviously being disrespectful and/or disruptive to the substitute teacher.He/she leaves a written comment about the classroom behaviour so the homeroom teacher is made aware of any occurances while he/she was away.The name or names of the offending students is noted and sometimes the principal is also notified by the substitue teacher.I would arrange a meeting with his teacher to find out the other side of the story.Maybe the teacher was notified by the substitute that your son was disrespectful towards the substitue teacher.Somehow people seem to think it is alright to treat the substitute teacher  with less respect.I think you should be asking yourself why it has taken almost the entire school year to remove your son from this teacher's classroom.I think you should follow up on this with the principal as well and get to the truth.However a fact finding mission is only that if you are seeking the truth.

Answer 16

Report to the school board and the news

Answer 17

Talk to the principal or super indentent about it. All of my 6th grade teachers are like this they say to us stuff like " your the laziest group I've ever had" "you don't respect anybody" "think about your futures" "your the worst class I've ever had" "I've talked to the 7th grade teachers about you" "you will not pass 6th grade". They've also takin away most of our field trips.I wanted to talk to the principal but when she can't even manage her own school how can she help me? Everyone is miserable and some kids are suicidal. I hope your sons school is'nt like mine.

Answer 18

Maybe you could get in touch with the parents of the children in that class? Bring this issue up to the school board?

Answer 19

First of all, GOOD FOR YOU FOR REMOVING HIM FROM HER CLASS!

As a teacher myself, I have witnessed collegues who treat their students like that and to be honest, there is very little you can do.

Write angry letters to the school board, the trustees, the paper, the principal... anyone who will listen. Even then, don't expect anything to happen. Even good schools are so desperate for teachers that once one has been there a while, almost nothing they can do will get them removed.

I am sorry to tell you this.But you have protected your son. That is the most important thing to do.