I can't believe this woman.

She is at both the speech and the german classes by sons are taking. She follows her teen daughter to every class she has and then proceeds to become  "teachers helper". Not that I care.....but irritated me yesterday was what my 14 yo Dyslexic son told me happened in German class. This woman waas grading papers for the teacher, and when she got to ds#2''s paper, she announced " I have a new Acronymn....for Too Many To Count"! Haha. Then while grading she also looked over at the teacher and said "I can't even tell what those letters are!"In reference to his handwriting.

So ds#1 got 6 wrong, and ds#2 got 33 wrong. Yet I know he knew the stuff because I watched he and his brother practice the German conversation from memory. But the Dyslexia make handwriting very diffficult for ds#2, thats why we use a computer curriculum so he can type his schoolwork.

I can't believe the unprofessionalism of that mother. My son was embarrassed. This was their second class. But he still wants to learn German and is willing to put up with her...at least for the time being. What makes me upset is I paid $120 EACH child last month to send them there! I really could not afford it but they need a language credit and wanted German and a friend of theirs is in the class.Strange thing is that ds#2 was not the worst paper in the class. What is wrong with this mother anyway?! I had already heard how critical she was of ds#1's speech in speech class....after the teacher had already graded him on it. But ds#1 ignored her being she was just someone else's parent and of no real consequence in the class. I guess that's the attitude ds#2 is taking, and it's good, but as a mama bear it makes me upset and embarrassed for him too.

I kept him out of public school just for this very reason....so he could do his schoolwork without being labeled 'stupid'or 'dumb''.

 

Cinnamonhuskies:

I can't believe the unprofessionalism of that mother.

Had she been trained as a professional (teacher) she would have been able to recognize your sons handwritting issue immediately.

Cinnamonhuskies:

She follows her teen daughter to every class she has and then proceeds to become  "teachers helper".

My guess is that she's not interested in helping the teacher, she's there to make sure her daughter passes.

Cinnamonhuskies:

This woman waas grading papers for the teacher, and when she got to ds#2''s paper, she announced " I have a new Acronymn....for Too Many To Count"! Haha. Then while grading she also looked over at the teacher and said "I can't even tell what those letters are!"In reference to his handwriting.

Are you going to say something to her about this? Or the speak to the teacher? I don't care what environment you're in, public humiliation is unacceptable.

Michell I'd be having a heart to angry heart with both that mom and the teacher before the next class! The woman is totally clueless as to how to act like an adult in the presence of teen agers. Your son has a learning disablity which doesn't mean that he's stupid but that his brain works in a non conventional way as did the brains of many of our greatest scientist and inventors. For her to hold up your son's paper like that and make comments about his errors is totaly uncalled for if the woman had an ounce of courtsey she should have set the paper aside and spoken quietly to the teacher.

If this is only the second class and she assumes it's ok to pick on a student then what will be happening as the semester progresses? Will she be pulling this stunt again on your ds or any other student who's paper she finds has a low grade? These things need to be straightened out quickly before the semester progresses too far and your ds ends up failing the class because of his hand writing and her treatment.

 IMO if you are paying $$$ for the class, you can complain.  I'd let them know what you did here - you kept them out of ps for this very reason, they DO have special needs, it is very very very unprofessional.  I do realise it is the helper doing this but the teacher should have nipped it.  

If you get the blow off from this, I'd tag along with the kids and a video camera.  Anytime she started I would focus right in.  I'd also share how much I loved You Tube, America's Funniest Videos ...

First of all, my son is dylexic, 10, and struggles with disgraphia, bad handwriting, as well.  I would become unglued.  There are several serious issues that are being breached.

 

  #1 Whether or not your child has an IEP, Individualized Education Program, within this school district there is a violation of privacy here.  (The IEP is a federal law, and every state public schools needs to unhold this.) Nobody other than the teacher or a representative from the school, para, etc. should be grading your son's papers.  That's why many schools no longer trade papers and have students grading them.  This was common in the past.

#2.  Why is this person allowed to interrupt the class, period?  Why is she singling out kids?  That is a form of bullying or harrassment from an adult.  She's in a position of power, being an adult, and embarrassing/humiliating a person with a "disability".

#3.  I would have a talk with the teacher and an administrator present about this situation.  If it's a public school, she's allowed to be there.  She's not allowed to interrupt the learning time or treat people the way that she is.

#4.  You may want to talk to the teacher and administrator.  If your son is enrolled full time with the school district the school can make accomodations for testing your son.  They can allow extra time, give him a computer to use to take the test, have him take the test orally.  Basically, they can allow many things to facilitate his learning process.

It sounds as if you have a weak teacher who doesn't want to step on toes.  That is why I would have the administrator there.  I would ensure that this child's needs are met.  We know our son's are smart.  We just have to find the key to unlock the method that allows them to be the most successful.  You need to be your son's voice and advocate for him, even if he is in high school.  Again this is should be totally confidential, so as not to embarrass him any further.

From what I've read and from the experience with advocating for my son, I know how closely tied the self confidence level and success are intertwined.  It's hard enough with peer pressure, you certainly don't need an "adult" doing damage.

I feel for you, and hope you take your anger to the next level. This really is a breach and should be taken care of swiftly.

Cinnamonhuskies:

But the Dyslexia make handwriting very diffficult for ds#2, thats why we use a computer curriculum so he can type his schoolwork.

English is hard enough for our sons. I know my son's Latin writing is a nightmare. It would really upset me for someone to be critical of his writing. The fact that our boys are even learning another language and able to muddle through some of the writing is amazing!

I sympathise. I would also have a talk with whoever is administrating the classes. You are personally paying for a service and the critical comments even though they are not from an actual teacher in the program is uncalled for. If she can not be a healthy part of the program then she should not be there assisting.

 

 

 

 This is ridiculous, and I don't blame you for being upset! Along with what other posters have said, I wanted to chime in that this teacher is getting paid to grade these papers. That is where part of your fees go. PS teachers can't have parents help grade papers, and this teacher is very unprofessional and unethical to let a parent help grade HS student papers. That's what he gets paid for.

There should be no parents at all assisting with cirriculum work, it's unethical. They are not the teacher, they are not being paid, certified by the program to help, or necessarily meeting cirriculum training requirements.  If parents want to be present, fine, they can sit there with the rest of the class. If the teacher feels the need to have them help, they can pass out and collect papers, organize snacks, etc. Having them participate in cirriculum work is highly unethical in any setting, PS or HS is irrelevant. 

I would contact the cirriculum administrator (you mentioned it was accredited, so there is one) and let them know what is going on. You paid very good money for this class in expectations of a professional, accredited experience for your children. Otherwise, you'd have just gotten them interactive software. If the teacher isn't going to stand up for the  rights of the children and the ethical standards required (and he clearly isn't), then the administration should know this. They probably won't be thrilled to hear he's getting unqualified help with something he's getting paid to do.

Striving1:

#1 Whether or not your child has an IEP, Individualized Education Program, within this school district there is a violation of privacy here.  (The IEP is a federal law, and every state public schools needs to unhold this.) Nobody other than the teacher or a representative from the school, para, etc. should be grading your son's papers.

I was under the impression that the program Michelle's sons are in are private.

The same things would not apply outside the public school system, would it?

 

 

Dh wants me to leave it alone until it becomes another problem. I would like to reach the contact person who set up the classes for the teacher and at least tell my side of story.

This is a large homeschool group that I belong to , in order for ds to have a graduation, that puts on parent led co op classes and these teacher led classes. I was a member years ago and quit paying dues because of the cliquiness of the group. But if ds wants a graduation, I have to be a paying member. then with his social issues I wanted him out with some other homeschool kids, and ds#2 wanted to learn German too. Unfortunately I remember now why i left before. BTW I have seen this mother's names in years past under different offices of the homeschool group. (This is a large group with a baord and directors, etc) She is one of the movers and shakers of the group. I want to tell someone my son's experience, but I'm not sure I'll have anyone on my side KWIM? I guess I can do it, and they might kick ds#2 out anyway for his dyslexia.

I emailed the contact person; I'll have to see what the fallout will be. If the teacher doesn't want to teach a dyslexic boy then I expect a full refund.