End o' School Year Follies

With the encouragement of Raccoon readers, I decided that I was obligated to investigate what I could do about Juniorette's teacher who has very poor written language skills. I sent an email to the appropriate person at the district office, who responded promptly, and referred me to the building principal.  She, too, responded promptly and with concern, but I'm beginning to see how bad teachers get to keep their jobs. Basically, I am supposed to talk to the teacher, and then if the problem is not resolved (nothing that a couple years of composition and grammar won't fix), I need to file a formal complaint.

Arghhhh!!!   I explained that it was a pretty daunting task to grade your kid's teacher, and that my concerns had little to do with my daughter, since she's well aware of the problem, and is learning in spite of it.  Wouldn't you think that the school would be all over this?  Doesn't her poor teaching reflect in her students' perfomance?  My guess is that the teacher has tenure, and that no amount of righteous fuss will make a difference.  She got through a 4-year program, maybe a Master's and has somehow passed exams.  What's her incentive to improve? I've asked for additional guidance from the principal and will keep you posted. 

In other school sux news, Juniorina got her 5th grade memory book, a spiral bound book that her teacher puts together every year for each child.  She includes photos, and quotes and memories from the kids.  And there are pages of platitudes and stuff that you'd find on motivational plaques (like quotes from Dale Earnhardt).  There's a list of 10 Tips for Life, with such culturally sensitive tips as "Have good eye contact" and "Have a strong handshake."   Those are followed by "Leave your feelings in your pocket," which is seemingly countered by "Always smile."

This woman is very old school--in some ways, it's really great.  She truly loves teaching and she sincerely believes that she is doing the best she can for these kids.  A lot of the kids don't have much parental support, and maybe this sort of teaching makes a difference.

But, when I got to the six-page section "Let Your Faith Be Your Strength," complete with Bible verses, prayers and an essay from Guideposts magazine, I was flabbergasted.  I ranted on at length, until Juniorina tried to cover for her teacher by saying, "Well, she did have us sign up and write down our religions."  Juniorina wrote "Christianity" only because she didn't know that she could leave it blank, and probably because that's what all the other kids wrote. At that point my jaw dropped in disbelief. Wow!  Honestly, I don't have a problem with "Silent Night" or "The Dreidel Song" at the Christmas program, but the six pages of proselytizing crossed the line.  Am I going to do anything about this?  Nope. She's retiring.  And, at least she can spell and use punctuation.

Comments

I hope you some day will realize the love that someone can show you and that hopefully you will also see it when your time on earth is over.