Re: Repercussions

September 25, 2000

In a message dated 9/25/00 1:24:13 PM Central Daylight Time,

sbntwong@... writes:

<<

Now then, last week I sent a long vent about an incident at school, I

thought it was all sorted, there was still an issue with damaged

relationships becoz of my temper outburst but the issue with tim was sorted.

Today I went to school and the head asked to see me, she was miffed becoz I

apparantly didn't tell her about a workshop I helped organise this weekend

(I did tell her but I agreed to make completely sure next time that she

knows, fair enuf. Then she said she understood I had ahd a few minor

concerns last week, and that the teacher is still finding her feet with tim,

and is concerned herself and that I should back off going into school and

stay out of tims class for a while. Didn't say how long a while was. But I

could still come in as a governor and visit the other classes, just not tims

to let the teacher stop worrying for a while. I came home and have spent

two hours in tears over this. I am SO upset that relationships seem to be

even worse than I thought and really angry that I am not welcome in the

class anymore. I have written a letter to the head which I may or maynot

give her, I needed to write it but I might not need to give it if you know

what I mean. I cannot go into school merely as a governor, I am a parent

governor, thats my title, parent governor and I am responsible to ensure

that the needs of kids with SEN are being met, including my own child but

not putting my child above others. But the parent bit seems to have been

ignored, I am not being allowed to be a parent, I am expected to

professional 100% of the time even when my own child is affected. I'm sorry

but I can't be that objective all the time. I have said that unless I can

go back into class in an effort to repare damaged relationships and to work

with tims class (as I have always done) then I am not prepared to stay on as

governor, I can't be either or, I am a parent AND a governor, they are

seperate roles and I need to be allowed to be a parent and be allowed to

behave like any other parent would if they felt their child was being

treated inappropriately. I might rewrite the letter so it is less emotional

but then iagain I might not! I really don't know what to do, I want to be a

governor, I want to work in school, in all the classes and to be not only a

parent helper but also a good governor, I just hadn't realised how

incompatable the two seem to be.

sue wong

>>

Sue,

Even as a professional I've gotten emotional at times. This is part of being

human and being an advocate for individuals. It is just my opinion but I feel

that the teacher is being a bit thin skinned about the whole thing (too

sensitive). People are going to get upset at times and may say or do things

that are difficult to take but she as a professional needs to set her ego

aside and listen and hear if what is being said has merit and act on the info

rather than being set back by how it was delivered.

I also think the head was being a bit overprotective of this teacher. If she

is a quality teacher and would like to learn how to better work with children

then maybe she needs to talk to parents a bit more rather than trying to

exclude them.

What would have happened if it was another teacher that this teacher had a

run in with? Would they avoid each other or would they be professional and

work together and patch things up?

Karyn

September 25, 2000

I would be VERY suspicious of a school / teacher that did not

welcome a parent into the class room!!

Charlie.

Repercussions