Saturday, January 23, 2010

What SHE Deserves

What does my stunning, red-headed, ornery, smart, strong-willed, funny special needs child deserve from EVERY educator that EVER is blessed enough to be a part of her educational journey?

She DESERVES to be treated with dignity
She DESERVES to be given respect
She DESERVES to have that educator be a role model to the other students on how she should be treated
She DESERVES to be pushed to succeed to the highest level of her ability
She DESERVES to feel safe

Does Emma deserve to have it announced in front of her entire class....and 5 minutes later in front of the entire school...that she was "naughty" today and maybe tomorrow she will choose not to be a "bad" girl?

Does she deserve to step off of the bus and come running to me with tears rolling down her face while she is saying, "I lost my sticker, but I'm not a bad girl...I'm a good girl"....and continue to cry about it until 10:00 at night? Only to have the same teacher the next day say, "Well, she doesn't look too traumatized from it!

Do Emma's parents deserve to open her communication notebook (the teacher writes what she did at school that day) to read the words, "Emma was VERY NASTY to me today".

Is it just me or does the "educator" need to be "educated" on how to be a professional.

I have gone through so many different emotions on this whole thing. This is just one of MANY incidents from this year that have happened. But, I am done.....I am turning it over to my husband for him to deal with.

This "teacher" used to be one of my best friends, and I think that makes this situation that much more difficult. She came to Denver (10 hour drive) for both of Em's major surgeries, she has watched Emma for us at times that no one else would......she used to really CARE about Emma.....but now it is quite apparent from her words and actions that she does not like her at all!! It makes me sad....it makes me mad....I do not understand....

And it makes me feel that throughout Emma's educational journey this is what we are constantly going to come up against....teachers who do not see Emma as someone who deserves dignity and respect....teachers who do not treat her as they would any other child....teachers who know that she cannot go home and fully communicate her thoughts about what happened at school that day so that her parents can decipher through it to know if she is being treated well.

I was out of the building the day that the above happened.....I heard it through the grapevine after I made some calls when Em was crying. I feel bad that others are talking about this teacher, but then again I don't!!!

I have taught in that school for 10 years, and I can honestly say that I cannot think of one incident where I said or did something that I would not want a child to go home and tell his/her parents about. So, if the teacher didn't want it to get back to me....she shouldn't have done it....and she shouldn't have written it in the notebook.

A meeting has been scheduled. A meeting between us, the teacher, and the principal. I have had 2 other conversations with this teacher this year about this same issue....apparently it is not going to change with just me. The principal has also already spoken to her (after 6 out of 8 of our staff went to talk to him about the way she was treating Emma). It's an issue that is bigger than I can make it sound on here. I don't know what will be done about it???

Yes, we could move Em to another school, but should we really have to do that when the school that she is in is best for her in every other way?? Should we really have to do that when the teacher is the problem???

Too many questions...too many issues....have I mentioned that I am tired???

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8 comments:

Myssie@PendletonMarket said...

Oh Angie, I am so sorry that this has happened. I feel so bad for Emma. No one should be treated like that. I will be thinking about you and Emma and pray that the meeting will provide some solutions.

R said...

A teacher behaving that way towards a young child in their care has demonstated quite clearly that they are not remotely fit for the job. It's a sacred position of trust and immense responsibility and she has fundamentally breached that trust.

I hope that with some time and respect Emma will be able to trust her teachers to treat her fairly again, and if the school takes any action other than summary dismissal of this person then you'll need to be asking why

I'm fuming... thinking about how vulnerable very young children are to adults who abuse the power and trust they hold, and how little kids, especially kids like Emma can do about it. I'm so glad she has you.

Argh. What scum.

Good luck with sorting this out. At a minimum I would want this person removed from Emma's class, I think.

Had a similar experience as a young'un, think that's why I feel so angry.

~friendly lurker, heading back into the shadows.

Kelly said...

Angie
I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. As a teacher, I know what a tough situation this is for you. I can't believe that teacher is acting this way. What are her reasons? Does she do this to others?
I hope this problem is taken care of NOW...Emma does not deserve this!

Kelly

Angelica mom to JesusRTS said...

No Emma does not deserve this! I hope that this issue is handled fast. It brings tears to my eyes that this teacher would treat her like this. i will be praying for you and your family!

Elisabeth said...

As a college student majoring in Special Education, I am horrified at this story. How can anyone treat a child so badly? I am so sorry that this has happened to your sweet girl. Thank you for sharing your struggles with the education system with us all. It gives me a lot to think about as I head into my student teaching years. Praying for you and your beautiful, smart, talented girl. My wish is that people see her in the same light you do!

~another friendly lurker~

Anonymous said...

Absolutely not.. She deserves so much more. I'm disgusted with this teacher and I'm sure it hurts so much since she was your friend. You are such a great mom Angie and I know you will work this out for Emma. She is beautiful, smart and an angel in my eyes..

Terri H-E said...

Children network and form lifelong relationships when they are in kindergarten. Not only should Emma not have to endure this disrespect,the other children in her class are being cheated out of the opportunity to think creatively and respectfully when it comes to those with differences. The teacher is not showing Emma's future friends, roomate,colleagues that is is possible and desirable to nurture the connection.

If she cannot be canned immediately, is there another classroom for Emma while you wait for this teacher to get axed?

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