So your son is literally attending school virtually with a teacher and classmates who are there in person while he is online? For some reason that feels like a disaster in the making to me. Our online option is truly online with a different curriculum and separate teachers for online learners.
eta: It feels like a disaster in that I can totally see how a teacher who isn't all that patient to begin with isn't going to be very accommodating of kids who aren't physically in her classroom.
Yup! That’s how they’re doing it. It’s a live cast. I don’t like it but now that school has started II can see how it’s a model that makes sense when you have in person school and are going to be having kids quarantine regularly. It’s an easier model for them to pivot to. Day two and we already have a class in our district that has to quarantine and an entire bus route. .
You're right. It does make it easy to pivot to online learning for an entire class.
My guess? She didn't realize she needed to admit him from the lobby or forgot to, and she doesn't understand the technology well enough to realize that he couldn't do anything until she admitted him, so she yelled at him instead of acknowledging that this new set up is hard for everyone.
For your kid's sake, I truly hope she and other teachers are able to work out most of the kinks this week.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Aug 12, 2020 18:51:05 GMT -5
I’m so sorry that happened. We’ve been having horrible connection issues, Wesley is shutting down and crying, nothing is where it should be. But his teacher is nice and patient about it at least. I would definitely be sending an email and I’d have a hard time being nice.
This is hard for everyone, Christ on a cracker, give him a fucking break teacher. My jaw dropped at her attitude. It’s not like it’s December and they’ve been doing this for months.
I’m in a bad mood over all of this bc it’s such a fucking shitshow.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
She absolutely should not have responded that way. Don’t go too crazy. She is being asked to teach two classes at the exact same time. You have the right idea asking her what to do if she doesn’t see that he needs to be admitted right away. I think I would have your DS send one email and send one yourself. I would say something like when we couldn’t get in touch with principal x and she said to do x,y, z to make sure we could get in. Is there a different procedure you would like us to use. Now she knows you really were trying AND she knows that her boss knows she was out of line.
What the hell? If my H can be patient with his college students, and allow lots of exceptions because this is an exceptional time, that teacher can fucking chill out and be gentle with your 11 year old! Team you 💯.
Post by Patsy Baloney on Aug 12, 2020 19:18:19 GMT -5
“Dear 2nd day of school Biznatch, Remember to exit out of your first period meeting, open your meeting room, and let kids in from the waiting room. After doing that, don’t be a fucking snatch about your mistake to a kid also navigating his 6th grade year virtually.
With the sincerest hope that you’ll stop being a douche, Me”
Yup! That’s how they’re doing it. It’s a live cast. I don’t like it but now that school has started II can see how it’s a model that makes sense when you have in person school and are going to be having kids quarantine regularly. It’s an easier model for them to pivot to. Day two and we already have a class in our district that has to quarantine and an entire bus route. .
You're right. It does make it easy to pivot to online learning for an entire class.
My guess? She didn't realize she needed to admit him from the lobby or forgot to, and she doesn't understand the technology well enough to realize that he couldn't do anything until she admitted him, so she yelled at him instead of acknowledging that this new set up is hard for everyone.
For your kid's sake, I truly hope she and other teachers are able to work out most of the kinks this week.
No, your first instinct was correct. This insanity was sold to parents (hard) under the guise of continuity, but, it's largely because it's the only virtual option that keeps funding whole. Every FL school district has multiple virtual school options (true virtual schools)- but, even the one run by my district- staffed with district teachers and with district aligned curriculum- is a $2k hit on FTE. And the fun part is- if students don't complete courses (a semester) successfully on the true virtual models- the school gets nothing. They walk back into school without funding attached to them. So, naturally- the districts all pushed this "innovative" option.
I'm sorry that happened to your son, readyin07 . I'm sure it wasn't personal- and I hope he understands that. Adults- even teachers- are frustrated and scared and something unable to be as kind and patient as we all deserve.
I would help him write an email to explain what happened (in a totally matter of fact way) and ask what she wants him to do if it happens again. Have him CC you and your H, too- it helps keep everyone honest.
You're right. It does make it easy to pivot to online learning for an entire class.
My guess? She didn't realize she needed to admit him from the lobby or forgot to, and she doesn't understand the technology well enough to realize that he couldn't do anything until she admitted him, so she yelled at him instead of acknowledging that this new set up is hard for everyone.
For your kid's sake, I truly hope she and other teachers are able to work out most of the kinks this week.
No, your first instinct was correct. This insanity was sold to parents (hard) under the guise of continuity, but, it's largely because it's the only virtual option that keeps funding whole. Every FL school district has multiple virtual school options (true virtual schools)- but, even the one run by my district- staffed with district teachers and with district aligned curriculum- is a $2k hit on FTE. And the fun part is- if students don't complete courses (a semester) successfully on the true virtual models- the school gets nothing. They walk back into school without funding attached to them. So, naturally- the districts all pushed this "innovative" option.
Oh, I still think it sounds like a terrible option.
Education in this country is such a shit show. (Like, all the time, not just now. But, you know, especially now.)
I should also mention on the first day this same teacher went around the room and asked the kids in class to say their name and what they did over the summer and...did not ask the same of the remote learners. I let that one go.
So your son is literally attending school virtually with a teacher and classmates who are there in person while he is online? For some reason that feels like a disaster in the making to me. Our online option is truly online with a different curriculum and separate teachers for online learners.
eta: It feels like a disaster in that I can totally see how a teacher who isn't all that patient to begin with isn't going to be very accommodating of kids who aren't physically in her classroom.
This is my situation. I have 40 kids. 32 will be there in person. 8 will be learning from home. One is in China
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
As an aside, what is this business with being admitted to the room? The teacher has to approve each kid that enters?
If you are contacting them, is there a way to suggest that they remove that requirement? That sounds like a hassle for the teacher and a good way for stuff like this to keep happening. I host multiple meetings every week, some with up to 60 or more attendees, and as long as I've opened the meeting, people can just join without me doing anything else. Can she do it that way?
Not a chance. It's a privacy thing. I need to see exactly who is coming into my class to avoid the Zoom-bombing issues everyone was dealing with in the spring.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
So your son is literally attending school virtually with a teacher and classmates who are there in person while he is online? For some reason that feels like a disaster in the making to me. Our online option is truly online with a different curriculum and separate teachers for online learners.
eta: It feels like a disaster in that I can totally see how a teacher who isn't all that patient to begin with isn't going to be very accommodating of kids who aren't physically in her classroom.
This is my situation. I have 40 kids. 32 will be there in person. 8 will be learning from home. One is in China
Well, my takeaway is don't yell at any of your online learners if they're a few minutes late to class the first week. lol
Yup! That’s how they’re doing it. It’s a live cast. I don’t like it but now that school has started II can see how it’s a model that makes sense when you have in person school and are going to be having kids quarantine regularly. It’s an easier model for them to pivot to. Day two and we already have a class in our district that has to quarantine and an entire bus route. .
You're right. It does make it easy to pivot to online learning for an entire class.
My guess? She didn't realize she needed to admit him from the lobby or forgot to, and she doesn't understand the technology well enough to realize that he couldn't do anything until she admitted him, so she yelled at him instead of acknowledging that this new set up is hard for everyone.
For your kid's sake, I truly hope she and other teachers are able to work out most of the kinks this week.
Right. Here's what happened. She was teaching in person and online at the same time (impossible task) and didn't see the waiting room right away, because it doesn't make it obvious. Then she got flustered and handled it poorly.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
As an aside, what is this business with being admitted to the room? The teacher has to approve each kid that enters?
If you are contacting them, is there a way to suggest that they remove that requirement? That sounds like a hassle for the teacher and a good way for stuff like this to keep happening. I host multiple meetings every week, some with up to 60 or more attendees, and as long as I've opened the meeting, people can just join without me doing anything else. Can she do it that way?
Not a chance. It's a privacy thing. I need to see exactly who is coming into my class to avoid the Zoom-bombing issues everyone was dealing with in the spring.
This is interesting, because to my knowledge nobody has been Zoom bombed at my university with our corporate account. Perhaps it's a difference in types of account/IT security available - I would have assumed schools would have access to something similar to what we have. It's too bad, because this sounds way too complicated, especially if you are also managing kids in-person at the same time!
Post by notsopicky on Aug 12, 2020 19:39:20 GMT -5
Our kids came late to sessions all.the.time last year, and it would never occur to me to speak that way to a kid. We always said, "hi, welcome", etc.--kids were getting in late, getting kicked off, etc. We did that with the adults who would drop in too--HI, so-and-so, good to see you, here's what we're working on, repost links in the chat.
Well, my takeaway is don't yell at any of your online learners if they're a few minutes late to class the first week. lol
I'd ask that parents extend me the same grace. I'm human. This is hard as hell.
Yep, you're right. I'm not advocating for parents being assholes. And I agree that she (and you) have been tasked with the impossible. I don't know how you're supposed to handle a class full of kids AND a virtual platform AND make sure that everyone, both in person and online, knows what's going on and understands all the instructions, and and and...
This is why I didn't comment on the fact that she left out the online kids when she asked what everyone did over the summer. She deserves some grace. But yelling at a brand new 6th grader on day two of online learning is pretty shitty and I'm not in a grace-giving mood for that.
Post by Patsy Baloney on Aug 12, 2020 19:44:12 GMT -5
Yeah, please don’t make your son apologize. Hopefully, his teacher realizes she was a major dickhead in the moment and apologizes to him, along with developing procedures for what students should do if they’re having difficulty joining the online class meeting.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Aug 12, 2020 20:07:22 GMT -5
Kids are stressed out too. Expecting a child to email and have more grace and politeness than the teacher is kinda blowing my mind. I’m pro teacher but you come at my kid super nasty on day 2 of a completely new way of learning and then expecting grace is super unfair. (and I’m not saying I’d bitch the teacher out but damned if im gonna put this burden on my child)
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2020 20:08:43 GMT -5 by Leeham Rimes
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
“Dear 2nd day of school Biznatch, Remember to exit out of your first period meeting, open your meeting room, and let kids in from the waiting room. After doing that, don’t be a fucking snatch about your mistake to a kid also navigating his 6th grade year virtually.
With the sincerest hope that you’ll stop being a douche, Me”
Post by yourmother on Aug 12, 2020 20:22:36 GMT -5
The teacher had an absolute horrible attitude. Says a lot about her. I understand stress, however, her response was belittling and really uncalled for. You’ve already notified the principal, so hopefully they will address it with her.
I would be sure to be with your son (if possible), off to the side during his next class and record her behavior. Perhaps, it was a one-off and she lost her cool because of the new system. But, if not, her attitude needs to be recorded and presented to her superiors to get additional training on how to relate to children.
I’ve had a glass of wine or four, so ignore me if I’m sounding whacko.
Well, my takeaway is don't yell at any of your online learners if they're a few minutes late to class the first week. lol
I'd ask that parents extend me the same grace. I'm human. This is hard as hell.
I agree, except that this is the SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL and THE FAULT WAS HERS. I will extend grace to my kids’ teachers (they will be attending online while almost all of their peers are in person) but not if their teachers are complete assholes to them for no good reason. Likewise, if I’m a royal bitch to a kid for no reason I rightly expect that their parents will rip me a new one and include my administrator in the conversation. This is stressful, but we cannot take our stress out on our students. The reopening decisions were made by adults. Children are not the ones at fault here.
I'd ask that parents extend me the same grace. I'm human. This is hard as hell.
I agree, except that this is the SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL and THE FAULT WAS HERS. I will extend grace to my kids’ teachers (they will be attending online while almost all of their peers are in person) but not if their teachers are complete assholes to them for no good reason. Likewise, if I’m a royal bitch to a kid for no reason I rightly expect that their parents will rip me a new one and include my administrator in the conversation. This is stressful, but we cannot take our stress out on our students. The reopening decisions were made by adults. Children are not the ones at fault here.
I'm not saying she wasn't wrong. I'm putting myself in her shoes - stressful as hell situation, trying to learn a new platform, set expectations for the year - she said something that I bet she regrets. Should she reach out to him? Yes, for sure. I would be kicking myself and I'd shoot him an email apologizing and offering to help. But I wouldn't write her off as a complete asshole just yet.
Honestly, I'm not going to argue about this. I am projecting my own fears about how parents are judging me as a teacher right now when I know that I am doing everything I can and am definitely going to make mistakes and I really hope that parents won't bitch about me or contact my principal without giving me a chance to correct it.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
I did email her under the guise of “Here’s what happened. How would you prefer we handle it if it happens again?” It was a very nice email imo, but I pointedly added that I normally let him take care of his own business, but that he felt embarrassed and like he had started class off On the wrong foot.
Her response back was fine. She said she was sorry she had embarrassed him as that was not her intention, but that she liked to set expectations right off the bat, but she understands that there will be kinks. I mean to me there’s a better way of going about that, but we’ll chalk it up to lots of week 1 stress.
I’m actually really glad I got involved. Her response made my son really happy and he was glad I had gone to bat for him. I’ll be honest that I’m typically a doormat, just let it lie type person. I want to be more assertive for my own sake and to teach my kids too