Dear netters,
I apologize for sending the odd message yesterday about my address
book. I am about to have surgery done on my cpu and I may lose every
thing in the process. So I tried to think of a way to have a hard copy
of my address book.
I have just finished reading the responses to evil teacher. I have
agreed with much of the responses. I can remember back over my 26 years
of teachers approaching teaching from many ways some not very kid
friendly.
However , the manner in which the parent approached this teacher was
in excusable. To lurk by a door and treat the teacher, is seems, the
same way the parent felt the art teacher had been treating her
daughter. that was unfair. The parent missed the opportunity to make
the situation better. I heard ( the not-necessarily-evil art teacher)
from her message that the student may not have been painting an accurate
picture to the Mom. Kids sometimes do that. Provide only their story.
What can good can come of this? The art teacher could call the
parent and be honest, that the way the parent approached them, in the
hall and yelling was in appropriate. That you did hear her concern and
you would like to work with the parent to help make her daughter
experience in art better. If you can get the Mom to believe that you are
working together... she may allowthe art teacher to express some of
their concerns. You would then get a chance to explain what her daughter
is missing in regard to how you grade and how you are building skills.
Then you have an opportunity to build a relationship with the kid.
Susan's idea the 'good and bad" is a super approach. I am very blunt
and I might sayto the child given a quiet opportunity, " You know I was
very surprised that you were were unhappy in art, I really enjoy______
about having you in my class." I try to find something genuinely
positive. I woo the child with "honey." you may be SO surprised by
the student. That student may SO crave your respect and honor that they
may completely turn around and show their sunny side.
Then again they may not ;). Try following through to the parents
in about two weeks, to check in with what's being said at home. Then if
the parent has had a turn around, thank the parent for working together
with you to solve the problem.
Took 25 years to get here. It took lots of other caring people
making suggestions to me to come up with some of this.
PS How did the parent get outside your door with out the office
letting you know??? Sounds like someone slipped there.
