Those are the only words that came to my mind Monday during an exchange I had with a teacher at my kids' school.
So, Monday morningish, I went up to school to do some copying for Little Red Riding Hood's teacher. While I was at the copy machine, a teacher I didn't recognize, a NEW teacher I gathered, walked up. Being the ever obedient rule follower that I am (sign somewhere that says teachers have copy machine right of way), I finished what I was doing to let her "cut" in front of me. Not a problem. As I was gathering my things she says,
and I quote,
"Oh Mondays (loud sigh). Kids don't want to be here. And the teachers don't want to be here either."
Oh yes she did.
We are two weeks into the school year, peeps, and she was already complaining. And she's friggin NEW!
Like I said, all I could think of was "Oh that's nice, and my kids DO want to be here thankyouverymuch." Can I add "wench" to that? No? Dagnabit.
Here's the thing. She had no idea who I was. Meaning, I could have been the parent of one of her students. I was stunned. I just smiled and didn't say a word. What could I say, "Yeah, I'm so glad you are here edumakating these kids with that crappy attitude, (I'm sorry. I hate that word, but it is so fitting for this situation.) but lady you just gave me a great blog post."
Now that I'm "Monday morning quarterbacking," I can think of lots of things to say,
but I'd like to say it to the Principal.
Oh, I wouldn't. I couldn't. I won't. I'm just venting.
But still.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Oh that's nice
Brought to you by Debbie at 11:41 PM
Labels: Little Red Riding Hood, school
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34 Comments:
Oy vey. Really? Madalyn LOVES school. On weekends she misses her teacher very much. Last year during the first week of school, she cried when she got home because she missed her teacher. I am sure the feeling will wane eventually - especially as more and more is expected of her. But for an elementary teacher to be that jaded that quickly...wow.
I worked at school for 4 years and the stuff that I didn't hear from those teachers, not only do they talk about the kids but the parents too. That is another reason I started homeschooling my kids. I didn't want them around teachers that had their pick of kids they liked or didn't like. Much Love
09/17/08 - stop on by; I have a little somethin, somethin for ya!!
That would have been my reaction, too!
Now really, by virtue of sheer volume I have gotten to be close friends with some of the teachers. Like the kind of friends that have dinner together. Regularly.
I feel for the teachers and the kind of CRAP they have to put up with with disrespectful children and castrated parents! When I was mulling over the homeschool issue my biggest supporter was one of my next-door-neighbor-school-teacher sitting-on-my couch-friends.
I think teachers start to teach because they have this idealized picture in their heads from a generation or two ago and very quickly they get slapped in the face by 3 1/2 foot tall reality.
Still, she shouldn't have said it. Good thing it was you and not me, because I have been known to speak first and think later.
Oh yeah, and they totally do talk about us parents!
Vent away! ;)
I can admit, that as a teacher, Mondays are hard. Yes, I can admit it. But I wouldn't ever broadcast it to a parent I didn't know. Nope. That's plain dumb.
You know...even as a new teacher, only a few weeks into the school year, Mondays can be hard, however, there are some things better left unspoken and gotten over. That teacher should have kept her mouth shut and put a bright big smile on her face for that Monday morning.
That being said, teachers do have to put up with a lot of crap, even in non-regular public schools like I teach at. And, there is a fine line that a lot of parents and teachers have a hard time establishing when it comes to who gets to be in charge in the classroom.
I guess I think its unfair to judge someone like a teacher too quickly. Most of us are smart enough to realize that the classroom is not a picturesque environment all the time, but regardless, its a harder job than most people will ever realize. A rewarding job, yes, but a really really tough one. Especially when you are new.
Oh Debbie, I can totally relate to how you're feeling. (I still say this is some kind of hormone monster overtaking our bodies)I give you a lot of credit for only saying "Oh that's nice"...it is a totally crappy attitude for her to have especially for a NEW elementary school teacher. (I could probably understand her saying it if she was a HIGH school teacher, since teenager's attitudes can be a bit more trying...)Wonder why she became a teacher in the first place?
That's awful!
Teaching is tough enough when you want to be doing it. I just hope that she doesn't let the kids see that attitude.
My husband is a teacher, and I've said to him in the past as we get into May "Are you counting down the days until the end of school?" Every time he looks at me like I'm nuts and carefully explains that if he didn't like what he did and want to be there, he wouldn't be a good teacher. Oh. Yeah.
And yep, my kids are so excited to be back, too. I probably would have acted surprised that she didn't want to be there and talk about how excited the wee ones were when the bus came. But I hate people (the general mass of people, not individuals) and tend to be snarky when people make inappropriate remarks like that ;) You're just much nicer than I am!
I guess I wouldn't like Mondays if I were in her class either. Seriously though, I can understand her not enjoying Mondays. (Who likes to go back to work? Weekends are great.) But the kids LOVE to go back to school and I hope she keeps her class loving Mondays and hides her attitude. Maybe she'll learn to love it more as the year goes on.
The big point is she shouldn't have said that to you, when she doesn't know who you are. The end. Period.
It is only the 2nd week of school, but teachers are tired. My mom is a 4th grade teacher and she's wiped out. It's an adjustment to get back into the swing of it.
She shouldn't have said that.
You wanna have an eye opening time? Go to a teachers TGIF party. Growing up I got to go to a lot of them, that whole mom/teacher thing. You ain't seen nothing till you've seen prim & proper Ms. Anderson (a lovely spinster type lady) tanked up on vodka and sitting on a piano bellowing show tunes...
OH yeah
I taught at our local school before Maddy was born. I stayed until I was about 6 months along then I needed rest. You hear a lot of things in that lounge... you really do. Do I think she was wrong for saying that?... yes! I would hate to know that she was teaching my child but to her it was a Monday and that is a job. Im sure we have all felt that way on a Monday from time to time. She has a lot of learnen' in that class to do... and what not to say in a lounge...smile!
Try to be forgiving. No, I agree with you, she should not have said that. But maybe could she have meant, "Monday morning. The kids would rather be out playing and I'd rather be sleeping in." I mean, who wouldn't? Yes, ideally, school should be the place we want to be all the time, it's so darn fun and entertaining. But especially at the beginning of the year it's hard to break back in to that cycle of getting up early for work/school. And, for us anyway, this weekend's weather was totally awesome. I could've handled another day at home to hang with the kids.
Anyway, though, You are right that she shouldn't have said what she did but I don't think it warrants a report to the principal. Any more than we should be reported to the Child Protective Services when we say "I just have to get away from these kids. I want to choke them!!!"
Hmmm...that is a bit scary. But, if she's new, she's probably witnessing the death of all her college ideals. It's not all sunshine and rainbows.
You know, as an employee, you wouldn't say that to your boss, so why would a teacher say that to a parent? Maybe since she's new she didn't think you were a parent?
I know my son is very excited about school. He wants to go to school on Saturday and Sunday. I sometimes wish he went to school on Saturday and Sunday.
Did I just say that out loud?
You are so gracious because if it were me, I would have looked her in the eye, smiled my sweetest, most glamorous smile, and said, "Are you kidding me?"
I might have smiled and asked, "Wow--are you wishing you chose a different career already?"
And been all sweet about it.
I MIGHT have. Or else I would've been all, "Wench." Behind her back, of course. 'Cause sometimes I say the first thing that comes into my head. Not proud of it, but still.
Vent away...
I HAVE to second Kimberly on this. And that is all I can say, because if I really get rolling then I am bound to vent out two years of frustrations and I really like you Debbie and I wouldn't want you to take it personal or anything like that. But maybe you have inspired a "please love teachers" post from me. yeah. Thats all. Thank you very much for your help with the classroom teacher. I promise she appreciates it more than you might realize.
that's unbelieveable!
There seems to be a big lack of personal responsibility in my generation .. this being an example of not being responsible enough to check your tongue. I can understand her feelings, but a little forethought into who she was speaking to would have been nice. Lucky for her you are you, and not a mom with lesser standards. Way to handle it gracefully :o)
This reminds me of the time I was volunteering in my daughter's second grade class while the students were at recess and her teacher was talking to another teacher in the room. She was recounting how she was having medical issues and her new medication made her forget things and made her tired. She laughed that she had to ask one student to remind her what his name was--and it was the end of the year!
And they brag about their teachers and how they do it out of dedication to teaching, and not for the pay. If you want to gripe about Mondays, go get a 'regular' J-O-B! Get 'er Debbie!
Well, THAT is just so very sad :( I wouldn't have know what to say...I think my jaw would've just been agape the entire time! It's your blog...you vent allll you want :) You are in a LOT of great company. You have some awesome readers!
I can't believe she doesn't watch her mouth. Maybe she was having a personally bad day, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt...
I can say for myself, this is the fourth year homeschooling and it's going the best it ever has. Sure there are bad days, but I watch who I tell.
The first few weeks can be much harder than the last few weeks. I agree that she should have watched what she said. Seems like she may just be a negative person in general (not such a great quality for a teacher). I mean, who really complains to a complete stranger?
That's awful, especially since like you said, she didn't know who you are.
I loved your comment on my blog. When Zander starts talking, I will definitely have him post a recipe on my recipe blog. ;)
Just smile and don't nod Debbie :)! I never know what to say in situations like that either, though in my head I'm sayin' PLENTY!!!
I homeschool our children. The problem I have is when I say "I don't want to be here." ;-)
hi debbie,
i wanted to spread this to all the "true southern belles" in the blog world. as you know, i live in los angeles and often hear of different casting opportunities for shows as my husband works in the industry and so do a lot of my friends. i just think that it would be neat if any of the great ladies i've gotten to know through their blogs make it to this show. i posted the details on my blog. you can delete this if you don't want this long comment left here. i didn't know how else to email you the long info. outside of leaving it on your comment box.
Do you know a SOUTHERN BELLE living in Charleston, SC?
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thank you debbie!
mary anne
That is just sad...and wrong! I can't stand that kind of attitude.
Let's hope that was a rookie mistake on her part. Not good judgement. I've been so blessed with wonderful seasoned teachers for my daughters. That would be very disappointing.
Teachers set the mood for the day.. too bad she is such a grouch!
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