7th grade math teacher drama--WWYD?

[nsl]

My 7th grader's math class has been a shitshow all year. First they hired a teacher without a math background or degree (she was a landscape architect for awhile. That was her only qualification) who was a disaster. She refused to grade anything, refused to respond to parent emails--mine and others--and in the end she did something we don't know about that was egregious enough for them to fire her. There was a pretty decent long-term sub for two weeks, and her replacement started on Monday.

It may also be helpful to know that this is a very small fine arts magnet school, and there's only one math teacher for the entire grade. So anything that goes wrong in 7th grade math goes wrong for literally everyone, and the school has some pretty "involved" parents.

DS was not a fan of the first teacher because she couldn't keep the class on task, which meant over an hour of homework every night, and so far he's liked the new guy. If the homework load is anything to go on, at a minimum this new teacher (who's very new--barely out of college) is doing a few things right. I've had zero interaction with him yet because I feel like even though DS has a 504 plan that I always communicate with teachers about early in the year, the guy just started on Monday and is probably trying to keep his head above water at this point. That said, apparently on Friday he was spotted by several kids and parents vaping in the school parking lot. Tobacco use on school property is against school policy, though not against state law if it's outdoors.

On a scale of 1-call the cops how upset would you have been if you'd witnessed this? Because we received a "Dear 7th grade parents" email from the principal this afternoon that actually shocked me, and after 18 years in secondary education there's truly very little that can do that anymore.

So WWMLD if your 7th grader's brand new math teacher was seen by multiple students using a vape pen on school property after school hours?

[Patsy Baloney]

I am the do-rightiest of Dudley Do-rights, and even I am MYOB over this. If I did get in a snit over it, the *most* I would do is email the teacher and say something along the lines of, “My student saw you vaping in the parking lot and is at a very impressionable age. I hope you will abide by the school rules of blah blah blah in the future,” and admire the pearl prints on my skin from clutching them.

[erbear]

I wouldn't do anything, largely because I wouldn't necessarily believe it was true. I teach middle school. Kids make shit up alllllllll the time and it gets spread around as "truth".

He's an adult doing the one of the hardest jobs at the hardest time of year. MYOB

[penguingrrl]

1) I always heard rumors about teachers growing up, most of which weren’t true. You didn’t see it.

2) vaping is a legal activity. Yes, it would set a less than great example if he was doing it around the kids, but by his personal car when the school day is over isn’t that.

3) after all of the turmoil this year a good teacher has finally been hired, I wouldn’t risk losing him over something so insignificant that relates entirely and only to his personal life.

[rosiebear]

I can only think: “who gives a shit?”

[sofamonkey]

Is this really worth all the time you’re taking up in your day? LOL!

[beerlover]

Yeah I would not care about this at all.

[icedcoffee]

SS—I’d give him a heads up that it’s not allowed as a friendly “don’t want you to get in trouble” then I would MYOB

[lilac05]

I would be far, FAR more concerned about having a teacher without a degree than a teacher who vaped by his car outside of contracted hours.

[TR]

I’m guessing a parent called 911? Lol

[cmeon]

Dude, if you don't want him, I know a school who could use him. And does he have a friend, ha!

I abhor vaping, and this would get my hackles up but the only action I'd take would be to do my best to make sure he doesn't get caught again. It's bad out there.

ETA: I don't even care if they're certified anymore. Three years of watching MS science/math positions go unfilled, and guess what? It really is better to have a random well meaning asshole in the classroom than nobody. I am so thankful to be done with MS forever next year.

[shinyhappy]

The police??? Is that answer tongue in cheek? 🤔

[mcmel]

I’d be thankful there was a teacher willing to teach kids these days. This would be the least of my worries.

[Leeham Rimes]

Unless he’s vaping while teaching, who cares?

[sparkythelawyer]

If I had to deal with seventh graders all day, I’d need to smoke things too.

[mcmel]

Dec 17, 2023 21:01:52 GMT -5 rosiebear said:

I can only think: “who gives a shit?”

Oh my thought was “lol, it probably isn’t a tobacco vape” when she mentioned smoking tobacco on school grounds isn’t allowed. These kids (and it sounds like these parents) can be bad as hell.

[jinkies]

Shout out to Mr Tally, my 8th grade math teacher, who (ALLEGEDLY) would walk to the edge of the school property to smoke in the woods during lunch. I never witnessed it, but he did perpetually smell like a cigarettes.

Anyway.

It was a non-issue then and is a non-issue now. MYOB and thank the stars that your school found someone to fill the role who appears to actually have a teaching degree.

[waverly]

What did the email from the principal say?

My building has a no vaping policy but I don’t believe that extends to outside so should be no big deal. Does the school’s policy extend to outside for over 21?

[nsl]

Dec 17, 2023 21:15:04 GMT -5 TR said:

I’m guessing a parent called 911? Lol

DING DING DING!

Someone—almost certainly a parent—reported the teacher using a state-sponsored app that’s the equivalent of calling 911. A kid is suicidal? Their friends or friends’ parents can use the app to report it. Same thing for violent threats, suspected or witnessed sexual assault, abuse of any kind etc… It’s specifically for schools, and reports go both to school leadership and the police. I’ve used it once when a friend of Kid 1’s was sending some scary texts about bringing a weapon to school. You do not make a report on that thing lightly if you’re a serious person. 

I honestly can’t get over it. Who the hell thought that was even slightly appropriate? And what do they think the police were going to do? And moreover, who does this parent think is going to be willing to take that job if this dude quits?

[sugarbear1]

Grain of salt, because I *am* a 7th grade teacher. I would not say a damn thing. His only crime is that he could not wait to get to his car.

[quesyrah]

Whoa. That’s a pretty extreme response.

What did the email say?

[nsl]

Dec 17, 2023 21:27:18 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Whoa. That’s a pretty extreme response.

What did the email say?

The first two paragraphs were just “we’re excited to welcome Mr. X to the team and happy to see how well he’s settling into his classes.” Then the below:

“I also want to bring to your attention a recent incident that occurred after school hours involving Mr. X. We received a [state app] notification Friday evening reporting that some students observed Mr. X vaping tobacco in the faculty parking lot after students had been dismissed for the day. It is essential to note that we have recently implemented a policy prohibiting vaping near the school building. While Mr. X did not breach any laws, we want to assure you that we are reinforcing our commitment to a smoke-free campus and will remind all staff members about the importance of adhering to these guidelines.

“Mr. X has been made aware of the impact of their actions on the students and the school community. He has expressed a sincere desire to speak with his students and share valuable insights about the harmful effects of vaping. We believe fostering awareness and open communication is critical to promoting a healthy environment for our students.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to maintain a positive and supportive learning environment for our students.”

[tacokick]

That is an extreme response! He might not even know you can’t do it on school grounds. Did they think it was something other than tobacco? That’s the only thing I can think of.

When I was in kindergarten the teachers still had a smokers teacher lounge. When I taught, other teachers would smoke in their cars during lunch. Luckily the parents were all just happy they showed up and taught.

[mcmel]

Sounds like some of the parents could use a hit or two off Mr. X’s pen

[beerlover]

nsl, are you in PA? That sounds like Safe2Say, lol.

[Patsy Baloney]

I’m gonna need to hear from the people who are contacting the principal.

[nsl]

Dec 17, 2023 21:46:40 GMT -5 beerlover said:

nsl , are you in PA? That sounds like Safe2Say, lol.

Utah. The app is probably almost identical to yours—SafeUT. 

[klee23]

nsl Since it was an anonymous report- and what seems like an abuse of the system - any chance a student or group of students reported him to be funny or screw with him? That really seems like a strong overreaction from someone with a fully developed and functioning frontal lobe

[mofongo]

Oh, FOR THE LOVE!!

[nsl]

Dec 17, 2023 21:58:57 GMT -5 klee23 said:

nsl Since it was an anonymous report- and what seems like an abuse of the system - any chance a student or group of students reported him to be funny or screw with him? That really seems like a strong overreaction from someone with a fully developed and functioning frontal lobe

It’s possible, but based on the lengthy and serious email we got I doubt that’s the school’s impression. Reports also aren’t fully anonymous. You do have to submit your phone number, and I know based on conversations with my school’s SRO that the app captures metadata on where reports are coming from.