Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Parents feel free to criticize teachers, especially parents who have troubled children. They don’t realize we’re on the same team.

And they sure as hell can’t stand up to the same scrutiny.

First, acquaint yourself with the story. Then read the mom’s rebuttal.

If the school would let the parent know when a child skipped class, that would be great also. Alot of times he is put in another class and teachers forget and call him absent.

He tells me that he doesn’t have any homework. He never had homework in his classes in middle school . Everything was done in the classroom. I am not told any different from any teacher until final grades come out. Maybe someone should show interest in Adam and get him back on track, instead of just failing him with no conference with his parents. Has anyone set a conference with me?? other than an IEP meeting in December, I got no communication, until we discovered Edline reports, in March. Superior’s teachers are too busy to be involved with someone like Adam. He had A’s and B’s and C’s in middle school. I believe it is the teachers that are not experienced enough to deal with Adam. There are ways to teach Adam and make him want to do good. But most teachers just give up as you have and give him F’s

My response:

Hi there,

So nice to hear from you again.

I’m not sure you understand the role of a high school teacher or our policies here at Superior High School. Luckily, I’m happy to help.

We are trying to prepare our students for the real world where they will be held accountable for their actions. Our educators know how to teach and deal with all kinds of students, Adam included. We do not benefit from parents assigning blame when they’ve never attended a conference night (we have four a year), requested a private meeting, or set foot inside our classrooms. Your son has many issues, most of which began long before he arrived in our school. Perhaps you’d do better to sort out those particular problems before coming down on his teachers. We see Adam for fifty minutes a day and cannot possibly undo sixteen years of unaccountability and bad
habits.

If Adam comes to class prepared and eager to learn, I will gladly do the rest. An “F” is a reflection of his work or lack thereof, Mrs. Moonhead, not a reflection of the teacher. Adam will never learn to be a responsible adult if his mother continues to make excuses and blame others.

Please read this more than once if you need to: When Adam doesn’t work, then his consequence here is a failing grade. When Adam breaks our rules, his consequence is detention or suspension. If these consequences don’t work, then I’d suggest holding him accountable at home. After all, Mrs. Moonhead, you see him for more than fifty minutes every day. It’s really up to you.

We can only help those who help themselves.

Have a wonderful weekend.

She sent back another email quickly and her final decision should surprise no one. I want to tell her that Adam has exhausted his options and that I’m the only show in town. I want to tell her, “Good luck with that.” I want to tell her to get help before it’s too late.

But I won’t. Less than five weeks left in the school year, I am hoping she takes a deep breath and thinks about it.

Anyway, I’ll give her the last word. This is her final email. So far, anyway.

I really see now why you have no success with Adam. I want another teacher
assigned. You are something else I tell you.

***cross-posted at Out in Left Field***