Re: Adam's teacher

[Guest guest]

Deb,

I don't have any wonderful words of wisdom or anything but I just had

to say ... I really don't understand why this unfeeling, uncaring,

wretch of a person is a teacher! UNBELIEVABLE! I know that doesn't

help you at all ... if I think of anything profound I'll let you know

and please know that I wish you all the luck and that something

happens with this dude that a light bulb comes on his his little

brain and he brightens up!

Dawna

>

> The update. Our schools have meetings 3 times (or so) a year called

SBST. (school based support team meetings). They involve the

principal, the special ed. teacher(s), the classroom teacher and the

parent. It's the first step when there is a problem (whether it be

emotional, academic, social etc.) Basically the teacher has concerns

and she/he " brings the student " to the team to discuss strategies.

After that we have the next level JTM (joint team meeting; that

involves support staff eg psychologist, social worker etc) and that

is usually where it is determined a student might need an assessment.

>

> So anyway, there's your special ed. 101 course from Canada. Our

first SBST is Thurs. Being I am the SBST teacher, I am organizing the

meeting.

>

> Adam's teacher came to me and asked me to put Adam's name on the

list. Well right away my gut instinct took over (not as a mom but as

special ed. teacher) and said " he doesn't need to go to SBST, he's

already been formally identified; any further discussions would go

through his IEP or if there were major CHANGES then he would be

brought up to JTM not SBST " (that's the same as going to your GP for

cancer treatment after you have seen a cancer doctor!)

> But then I realized.....Dah!!! there's my chance at a sit down

meeting.But this becomes formal and is documented to his file!

>

> So I need some good wishes from you all and any thoughts or advice.

I am trying to write down my words now so that I can go in prepared.

This man talks in such a way that he never " hears " you and he goes on

and over you so that whatever YOU are saying, is not heard and then

he can turn the conversation on a dime to another issue and the

previous one has never been solved. So I need to have my Ps and Qs in

order.

> Oh by the way, the teacher who was TOLD to mediate this and see

what is going on with Adam's IEP has been TOO busy to do so. UGH

again!

>

> You know what I found out today? Adam takes instrumental music (all

grade 8's do). The music teacher, , sent a note to me to come

and see him. I went out and he asked me if I had any suggestions on

what to do with Adam. Apparently the classroom teacher told to

just let Adam colour or something during that time and not be

bothered with him. But is finding it is distracting to the

other students. I was gobsmacked. What??? Adam wanted a new

instrument which he told HIS teacher but not the music teacher. So

the music teacher didn't know this. HE wants to play but hates the

saxophone. said that due to Adam's stature he can't play the

saxophone (which I had HUGE fights with the other music teacher last

year, she wanted him to play the TUBA......geez he would have fallen

INTO the tuba and never been seen again!! So after much upset on my

part, she agreed to the saxophone, but he can't do it).

>

> You know there are so many things WRONG with this man I don't know

if I can address them all.

>

> So what do you think my key areas should be?

> I was thinking:

>

> 1. He must use his lap top (the teacher yanks to cord out of the

wall whenever Adam tries to use it.....how do I know?? The teacher

TOLD me: he doesn't think that is wrong!!!!)

> 2. He must be encouraged to eat IN CLASS AT HIS DESK.

> 3. He should receive positive praise regularly (dah! Why should

that be a request?????)

> 4. The other grade 8 class should not be joined with Adam's class

for lessons : one it is illegal according to the board, but they are

hoping they won't get caught and 2. they are allowing that stupid

bully chick to sit in Adam's seat and she wrote " F**K YOU ADAM " on

his desk last week!!

>

> And well, I could go on and on with my list. But I don't know which

focus/priority/style to take. I need some hot advice from you all.

>

> thanks

> Deb

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I can't believe you have to face this with a teacher. That is truly

embarassing to the profession. I think you have a good list set up to

address at this meeting. What a shame you have to ask to have him

praised. I spend my whole day praising kids. Man, I should only get

a quarter of the praise I give out and I'd be happy!

Try to keep you list short as it is. Don't add anything else. Just

take these small steps. Teachers like this get me so angry!!!! Send

Adam to my school. I'll take care of him and he'll think he's the

best thing since slice bread!

Jodi Z

And he'll get to eat his snack, too, whenever he wants. I'm so used

to kids not having ANY food available to them, especially breakfast.

I bring in my own food for them. Amazing.