Normal teacher behavior?

Question

I am a para at a local high school. Our teacher is always late, makes us read the books to the entire class and leaves all the time. When she is in there she is on her computer reading emails. I saw her maybe teach math to the students 5 times in one semester!Then on half days she brings in her 2yr old and we have to smell dirty diapers. I am not going to work there again because I can't take it. But I also feel that someone should do something about this. What do you think I should do?

It is a special education teacher also the special education department is hired out from a seperate company than the actual school. I spoke to another teacher about my concerns and he said other paras have quit because of this to.

Answer 1

Not only is this unprofessional...it is illegal. The teacher is the one that is to be in charge of the classroom, not the paras. My first question would be: have you talked to this teacher? If not, that might be a place to start. If she blows you off, speak to the building administrator. He/She should address this (if it has not Been addressed in the past). If nothing changes, go to the "private company" that hired her. Also, go to the board of education and bring the issue to their attention. Worst case scenario, write a letter to the state board of education.

Since the special education teacher is not educating her students, she is not legally maintaining her responsibilities. She has to run the classroom based on student's IEPs, district curriculum, and state standards, not whatever she feels you as paras can teach them. Once a board member catches wind of this (especially someone from the state), heads should roll.

Answer 2

WOW! I can't believe the school district allowed her to continue teaching! THAT is not normal behavior for ANY job let alone teaching. I'm curious though, why wasn't your principal aware of this situation? What kind of class is she teaching? How long has she been there? Unfortuanately, there are some positions that are difficult to fill, and this might be that kind of situation. Some times principals will overlook a great deal to make sure they've got a warm butt in the classroom (especially if it's not their own). As a teacher, I'm appalled that someone like that is allowed to continue in the profession. It's that kind of behavior that allows politicians to say how crappy the state of public education is.

Answer 3

I believe she is taking advantage of the fact that she has a para-professional in her room and is almost making you guys do the work that she should be doing. I would talk with the person over the department first and then if they don't do anything about it I would go to the next highest person principal or whomever.

Answer 4

It seems that there is a problem here. I would write a letter to the Principal or, if you feel comfortable enough, I would speak to him/her about the situation. In a good school, the management team ought to be paying unscheduled visits to the classroom on a regular basis. It sounds like it is not happening there though, and so the problem is unchecked. Definitely take action, but don't risk your own career - try to do it subtly. Suggest some classroom visits might be appropriate.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Document! The more specific you can be, the better. Include dates, times, and observed behavior. Set an appointment with your principal and personsonally hand a copy of the documentation to him or her. But do not stop there. Hand deliver a copy to the superintendent and to the personnel director of your school system. Give the same exact copy of your concerns to each. This 'master copy' should include a cc listing the names of each person that received this information.

Although hand delivering the documented information ensures the intended person has received it, you may also want to consider using posted mail.

Answer 6

Typical public school teacher. They are all overpaid, whinning cry babies. She'll be the first to complain that she needs more money, more benefits, and smaller class sizes. They are off June, July, and August, come back in Sept. and start buring vacation days and sick days and missing days for teachers conferences, etc. and have the nerve to whine that they are over worked and underpaid. They work part time, get full time pay and benefits unheard of in the private sector for full time or part time work. I say fire them all, do away with the teachers unions, and hire all new, non union teachers.

Answer 7

tell the principal and she will observe her if she's able to control this teacher because she's hired out. She shouldn't be allowed to bring her child to school. Is this a private school?? Is a para an aide?

Answer 8

Talk to the principal. Explain to him/her what's been going on. Don't be a tattle-tail, just express your concern about the quality of education being received, her commitment to education, concern about her--

"Is everything all right? she seems to be having trouble at home- she's late an awful lot, and on half-days, she brings her little boy- Is she having a hard time finding a sitter?..."

Answer 9

This is a matter for the school board to address eventually. The normal channel of communications is that this be brought to the school principal; he or she would then take it to the superintendent; and then he or she would take it to the school board. Should you notice a break in this channel of communications, a letter or phone call from you to each board member may be appropriate. Should the school board be unresponsive, you can channel your frustration in letters to the editor of the local newspaper.

Answer 10

That is not absolutely a normal behavior of a teacher. She is not a good model for her students as well. All you have to do is report or make complain about her.... good luck!