What to do if your childs teacher is bullying your child?

Question

My daughter is 12 years old and in the 6th grade. She has a learning disablilty. I have struggled with her reading, school work and confidence for the past 3 years. Recently a teacher of hers has accused her of plagiarizism. My daughter came home from school with a note that she wrote me. My daughter told me that her teacher was scolding her and said the following. Said " If I where you I would be crying right now". " I am going to tell all of your other teachers and they are gping to keep a close eye on you and watch your every move." Threated her with suspension and compared her to other smarter kids. My daughter is mortified, feels like there is a target on her back and is afraid if I say anything that this teacher will come after her. No proof of this so called plagiarizism was sent home with my child. I am so furious right now and I don't know what I should do. Looking for some help.

Answer 1

I had the same sort of problem with a teacher. My parents went in and talked to my teacher and explain that is didn't like the was she was treating me and she said it was a 'misunderstanding' anf has changed for the better.

Answer 2

Ask her if anyone else heard the teacher or saw her talking to her and if anyone saw that the teacher looked angry or distressed. Other than that you have no proof so speak to principal nad see if they can watch that teacher for the next few days.

Good luck and best wishes!

Answer 3

call the school and request an appointment with the principle

Answer 4

I would have a talk with her supervisor.

Answer 5

why dont you try takin to this teacher and tell her if she doses it again your tellin the police or her boss and get her fired

Answer 6

You need to schedule a meeting with the Principal.  And I would demand proof from the teacher that there was plagiarizism or demand an apology if there is no proof.

Answer 7

well if you have proof for that go straight to the your school district you can get that through the principal of the school and tell them they are usually in diect contact with the police, because that is unacceptable, if that doesnt stop make sure you get something done. that shouldnt be happening

Answer 8

i was sick with mono and out of school for a month and fell behind most of my teachers were willing to help with getting me caught up and worked with me and my parents but one of them who has troubles with caring for students feelings embarressed me infront of the whole class of how i wont be able to catch up and i should feel really bad. my mom contacted my dean and we all had a meeting and ever sence then he has been more caring to people who need more help, sometimes its just showing those types of teachers what type of damage they made. but not speaking up her teacher will more then likely keep nagging your daughter because she is getting away with it and no one is speaking up. but most definately make sure to see the plagiarizism

Answer 9

I'm so sorry you have to go thru this and also your daughter. I've had very similar cases as a student, and was always afraid when my outspoken and a strong advocate mother came to school to face teachers, principals and whoever else! The thing is we were always right.. always. Mom never asked for special treatment, I was a "normal" quiet kid who did whatever she was told at school (not always at home!) You have to go to school and have meetings. No teacher has the right to treat any of the kids, w/or w/o learning disabilities like that. Speak your mind, be respectful, ask for facts and proof. And say "I do not appreciate the threats. If you have proof then suspend her, but until then my daughter and I do not want to hear any threats. This is a school where she has the right to an education, but also needs to feel safe and cared for. She's mortified and feels like a walking target on her back. If this teacher (if you're talking to the principal) cannot put aside her pre-judgmental attitudes then I respectfully am asking you to change my daughter's classroom, because I do not want to have a kid who does not want to come to school in the mornings and have psychological damages"

Before you walk into the school, breathe!! have a clear mind and a firm voice. You do not need to be yelling to be heard, actually the opposite is better. Be objective about your daughter and be fair to the teacher, and you will win!!

this is hard, but it's doable... also tell your daughter that there's nothing to be afraid of, you'll just have a meeting w/the teacher and find out what's going on. Say "after all, all of us are a team, and we should be working together to help you achieve and be the best you can be in life"

good luck

I'm pulling for you!!

Answer 10

I would go talk to her principal.  You should exlain your situation to her, and if she doesn't stop the teacher, start writing letters to the board of education.

Answer 11

call the teacher and have a one on one conference with just you (and spouse) and the teacher.  No need for the child and ask for the proof.  Calmly ask for her side of the story.  It's a mother's natural reaction to side with her child, but try to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt until you know both sides.  Kids can get worked up and elaborate on things and so can adults.  As a teacher, I know plagiarism is a huge problem and actually is illegal.  I don't know your child's educational background or what assistance she gets with her homework.  I'm not trying to side with either party, but you deserve the facts and then follow up as necessary after wards.

Answer 12

call a lawyer talking to the principal rarelt helps and then find her a new school

Answer 13

Proof of plagiarism? If you copied someone else's work at school, did you expect the teacher to send your parents home evidence that you had done so? Or was it in fact dealt with in school, as this has been?

I would ask your daughter EXACTLY what happened - and write it down. Tell her that you are going to discuss it, in confidence, with the principal, and that you don't want there to be any doubt about the facts and what she did and didn't do. And then do so.

The most likely outcome is that when she realises you are going to get confirmation your daughter's story will change - and that it will turn out that yes, in fact she did copy someone else's work and was rightly scolded for doing so. As she should be. Do that at college and she'd be kicked out. Do it in a job and she might end up in serious legal difficulties. A plagiarising child of that age SHOULD be made to feel mortified. It's important that they learn just how unacceptable it is before they are in a situation where the consequences will be far worse.

That said, if the teacher has done so in such a way that your daughter feels that anything other than "we are keeping a close eye for other occurrences of plagiarism, you will NOT get away with it" was intended, then you should definitely speak to her and say that this has happened. It's not reasonable for her to make your daughter afraid of her. But afraid of being caught plagiarising again? Oh yes.

Answer 14

Talk directly to the teacher tomorrow.  Don't wait.  Find out how the teacher came to this conclusion.  Simply find the "facts".  If there is no facts to support the claim, then that's when you can have another conversation with the teacher about false accusation, and what kind of negative imprint that puts on another persson.  In your daughter's case...humiliation.  But before you have that conversation, stick to facts.  

The teacher seems a bit unprofessional with choice in words being given to your daughter.  I myself am protective of my kids, like you, and I would have no problem expressing that personally, to the teacher.  Anyway, hope this helps.

Answer 15

you tell the principal of the school and you call the school board. maybe if this teacher is (reprimanded?)  she'll stop her shameful bullying of little children. You child should know that as long as she is trying her best there is nothing wrong with her ,some children just learn faster than others plain and simple. it doesnt mean they are dumb. some people with learning disabilities rise to high positions in there chosen fields. make sure your child hears this from you. also let her other teachers in on how this bully is treating you child. there is probably some compassionate teachers there that will give special attention to your child , im sure there great teacher like this in every school. and chances are they already know about this bully of a teacher .

Answer 16

go to the principal and tell him all about it if the teacher is bullying your child if her teacher is doing it for real

Answer 17

First and foremost, you need to contact teacher and schedule a conference.  This way you could see where the teacher is coming from. If you don't get a good feeling from the conference, then you need to take it a step further and contact the principal.

You need to be an advocate for your child and stand up for her when she cannot.

There are alot of teachers that love what they do and they love the kids. Unfortunately there are some that don't

Answer 18

well first of all that teacher

shouldnt even be working

there in the first place. because

shes super mean well i think

that you should make your

daughter transfer another school.

and talk to the principal and

tell him whats going on. :] and

how you feel about her mean

teacher treating her fair..

Answer 19

My music teacher bullied me in 6th grade she said I was the reason my best friend didnt want to be in her class So I told her off then I went crying to my gramma and she had a talk with my teacher and when my teacher didnt stop i told the principal and when they didnt do anything I started a petition to get her fired after about a month of complaining and having kids refuse to do anything in her class and other kids parents complaining she was fired...i was a very determended 6th grader

so have a talk with the teacher

if that doesnt work then the principal

then if that doesnt work the school board

Answer 20

TRUST is a five letter word that describes the fact that you allow your child to be taught by a professional. Give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. Since you are not the teacher yourself let the teacher do her job. Don't side with either your child or the teacher. Let the teacher teach... you Mother.

Answer 21

Make a meeting with the teacher and the school principal. Have her sited for bullying a child and emotionally stressing them. Then have her switched out of that particular class. If they refuse and nothing is done about the teacher's conduct take it to the board. Threaten them with exposer to all the local newspapers on how your child was treated. See if that doesn't get them moving. NO CHILD SHOULD BE DOWNED BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD BE HELPED NOT CRITIZED. My son went through the same thing with his ability to read. I placed him in extra learning classes for children with his problem. He is now eleventh grade and doing well. Explain to your daughter to hold her head up and that if she has need of help she is more then welcome to ask the counsler, you, friends, and even a teacher she can trust fully. As for the one who sent you that note I would have her as.. fired!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 22

you should ask the teacher what her proof is without letting your kid know

Answer 23

You go up to the principal and let him or her know what this teacher has said and wrote. Let them know if that your daughter should not be made a target of in school and should not be talked down to either because she has a learning disability. This is discrimination. Had someone's kids been called a n***** they'd get fired and this is just as mean to say, only worse because it's so personal. How dare her make your daughter feel stupid, because she can't learn like the other kids!

Answer 24

Call the principal and ask to see this plagiarism, and inform them that you don't want your daughter to be threatened.

Answer 25

I would be calling the school to talk to the principle IMMEDIATELY.  Those kinds of charges need to be substantiated, and if the teacher can't prove it, some kind of changes need to be made.

Answer 26

get the teacher's name from your daughter, and call the school and report her. she can't be doing this. once, my sister, when she was in high school, had this teacher. it was her english teacher and in her class they were doing a skit about a book for their final. my sis was the director of her group. then, the main character has a concussion when she falls off a horse. my sis tells her teacher, and she says "learn the lines in one night, deal with it, that's life." this girl had like 5 pages of lines. so my sis tells the principal, and guess what, they fired the teacher, and she is not allowed to work in this school district ever again. you shoul give that teacher what she deserves. also, if they don't do anything, threaten to take your daughter out of the school or refuse to go to her class. that'll teach'm lol.

Answer 27

I work at a school and had a similar situation with my son when he was about 12. I suggest that you begin with GOING IN with your daughter and talking to the teacher. That way the teacher can not deny it, and your daughter has the opportunity to make sure that the story is told correctly. Explain to the teacher that her actions have upset your daughter and that from now on you expect her to act like a teacher and an adult. Then explain to the teacher if she EVER has a problem with your daughter again, she is to call YOU IMMEDIATELY!  If the teacher seems sorry, apologises to your daughter and says she will improve, then take it from there. Let the teacher prove herself and leave it at that for the time being.  IF the teacher is a *^%$, ignores your conversation or accuses your child of this to you then thank him/her for her time and GO directly to the Principal.  Do NOT do this by phone. From experience I find that the teachers/administration seem to be able to lead and dominate a conversation and turn it around to your child again if you communicate by phone.  REMEMBER:  You are your childs advocate. Stay strong and keep your points on the situation. They are good at manipulating it to sound like your daughter mis-understood...etc...UmmmHummmm. Good Luck to you.

P.S. Just to clarify: My concern is not even the accusation or whether it happened or not...it's more of the way the teacher handled it by telling your daughter she should be crying and that she was going to tell the other teachers etc.  If your daughter did break a rule, there are better ways of conveying it!

Answer 28

The first thing you should do (after having a serious talk with your daughter about whether she plagiarized) is make an appointment with the teacher and the principal and ask them about the plagiarism accusation.  Just listen.  Don't be accusatory; just find out what happened and why they think she plagiarized something.  Often plagiarism cases are very cut-and-dried -- if she copied something word-for-word from the internet, for example, it will be pretty easy to tell.

If she actually plagiarized something, the best thing you can possibly do for her is to let her face the consequences.  That's not the kind of thing for which "rescuing" her will serve her long-term interests.  You can have a civil conversation with the teacher and principal about how you and your daughter recognize how serious her behavior is and that she's resolved not to do something like that again, and that you hope and expect that they'll give her a fair chance to redeem herself.  But don't expect her to be given a free pass.  In some schools you can be expelled for plagiarism.  In the real world, consequences can be really severe, as well, as you've probably gathered from several noteworthy cases in the news over the last few years.

If in fact it was a false accusation, that's a different story and you should address it with the principal.

Answer 29

Talk to the principal. That doesn't work, get a meeting with the teacher. Your child won't like it, but it's the only way to handle this.