Should a teacher with O.C.D be allowed to teach?

Question

I am a head custodian at a elementrary school, recently another custodian and I had stacked new books that we just delivered to a teacher. She had us come back and restack them so that all the books were facing the same direction and each stack had the same amount of books. Also, she had me climb a ladder so I can straighten up a blind that was off by a fraction of an inch that wasn't causing any problems to anyone. We thought that this was a bit obsesive of her and we began to wonder what kind of tedious demands does she makes of her students, who are in second grade.

I just wanted to add one more example another teacher just now reminded me about. The teacher who I believe to have OCD made a student who was wearing a ball cap for hat day at our school, straighten it so that it was facing foward. (many kids nowdays like to wear them slightly crooked) She then warned him she would make him remove his hat if she saw him wearing it that way again. It was supposed to be a fun day for the kids.

Answer 1

Although sometimes teachers with OCD can be great instructors (being great with handling details), this sounds like someone who is making unsuitable demands of you and is tempermentally unsuitable for dealing with the chaos of 2nd grade. I would pass on your concerns (preferably in writing) to your principal.

Answer 2

OCD is often (and maybe even usually) is limited to a specific, limited focus. Examples include keeping books on a shelf all facing the same way, and keeping other things straight. It is entirely possible that she is an excellent teacher who is trying to control her OCD and that she is not allowing it to impact her students.

In any case as a new teacher she will be evaluated regularly and if there is a problem it will come to light sooner rather than later. Cut her a little slack!

Answer 3

Well if the students aren't complaining perhaps she's doing alright with them. With ocd there is an underlying fear. For example a person who locks and unlocks doors constantly is in fear of being robbed. A person who turns on and off the stove constantly has a fear of fire. Perhaps she feels she will be a failure in class so she has these quirks. Normal people have them too. If it doesnt interfere with her teaching then there is not a problem. There is treatment for the disease so if it is a problem she can get help. Just don't fire the poor thing for being sick.

Answer 4

If it's that big of an issue, the parents would have complained. Trust me, as a teacher, parents complain about the best of teachers, so if she's that bad, you would have heard about it. Maybe she just likes her classroom a certain way. I'm not sure what you descibed is OCD. Having books face the same direction is pretty standard, and blinds that are crooked do look bad. Maybe you just have different opinions on order.

Answer 5

Her obsession compulsion should not interfer with YOUR work. You have better things to do. Explain that past general cleaning and repair the organization of her room is HER responsibility. Better yet have the principal tell her. As for her students, informing the principal is going to help him or her if that teacher does make obsessive demands on students. She does have the right to work, but her disorder can not be foisted on others.

Answer 6

the best thing to do is talk to the teacher. ask her wether she is aware of her Obsesive compulsive disorder, and if she is receiving any kind of therapy for her condition. Also, of you have concerns for her teaching ability, then ehy not ask if you or another teacher sit in and observe one of her lessons. just because someone is OCD, does not make them incopmetent.

you may want to read up on the condition to. it may help you understand it. there is a link below.

Answer 7

Sure! Why not!
Nothing wrong with demanding perfection. I wish more people had "OCD" (as you call it)---like the person at McDonalds this morning who didnt care about "perfection" when he bagged my breakfast order. I was missing my sandwich and isn't that the whole point of going to McD's for breakfast?

Sheesh!

Answer 8

im beneficial maximum of that property you pay attention is only rumors. human beings might nicely be cruel, and he or she's probable dealt with that her finished existence- because of the fact she seems distinctive- and that's probable why her character is the way it extremely is. she extra suitable than probably only on no account found out to slot in, and thanks to this she stands proud plenty now. if it extremely bothers you im beneficial you should chat to a preparation counselor and get transferred to a distinctive instructor, yet do no longer attempt to tell them its only when you consider which you do unlike her. enable them to be attentive to you do no longer experience risk-free in her class and it makes you uncomfortable to be round her. yet do no longer only say you think of she's a freak and might't stand her, because of the fact they're going to only think of you should earnings to be extra accepting and make you reside in her class.

Answer 9

Listen...when you allow yourself to be taken advantage of, YOU allow it to happen. You have to be strong enough to say in a respectful tone, "My job duty was performed according to my job description and any rearrangements desired by you, need to be addressed and altered, by YOU" Further add that "The rearrangement of books to satisfy your particular desire is not only uneccessary as part of my job description, but actually interferes with my actual job duties. Rearranging books to your liking takes time away from work that actually NEEDS to be accomplished."
When you GIVE IN to people like this, they will have an EXPECTATION for you to continue to give into their ridiculous demands.
YOU need to go to your boss and explain to him or her, that youre concerned with the unecessary demands on your performance by a select teacher and DO NOT Mention your belief that this person has OCD. Thats not for you to say. What is for you to say is that you FEEL like youre being USED to perform a select teachers PERSONAL DESIRE and not a teachers actual NEEDS.

And DO NOT listen to anyone who tells you to CUT HER SLACK. She is abusing her authority by demanding you take time away from YOUR JOB duties to PLEASE her.

DO NOT listen to people who tell you that if its not interfering with HER teaching that its not a problem. IT IS A PROBLEM because she is going out of her way, to interfere with YOUR job.

And for the record, OCD has nothing to do with demanding perfection- IF this person has OCD this person is suffering from an UNCONTROLLABLE NEED to have everything be done a SET WAY. Example being, the teacher wont START Class until she says 3 times in a roll "its time to start class", not 1 time, not 2 times, and NOT 4 times, but ALWAYS 3 times. And also, someone with OCD will not ask someone else to do things FOR THEM, they will THEMSELVES feel COMPELLED to do the task themselves. THEY will find themselves rearranging books to THEIR liking and will be able to DO NOTHING ELSE UNTIL those books are rearranged. they cant help it. HOWEVER making demands on SOMEONE ELSE to PERFORM actions that are SOLELY rooted in THEIR OWN psychology is WRONG.

AND NEVER EVER talk to ANYONE about a disorder that they have- ITS NOT your place- and you will find yourself the subject of being fired. DO NOT bring the subject of OCD up. LEAVE That out of the conversation and STICK with the facts ONLY.

to make note of your comment about the ballcap. Listen, MANY school systems view wearing a ballcap BACKWARDS as being a symbol for gang activity. I really wouldnt focus on that without knowing her reasoning. Id also refrain from making assumptions about her having OCD. Thats really and truly outside of your educational ability to ascribe a behavioral problem onto someone. Your not qualified to make that assumption as a school janitor.

Answer 10

i am giving u a F for your poor writing skills