Is this offensive?

Question

My daughter's pre-school teacher called her a "space cadet" when talking about how she is a bit naive. She said it to me, in front of my daughter. I am irate, but a few folks think I could be over reacting. What is your opinion - as a parent, or as an educator?

Answer 1

honestly instead of focusing on the choice of words the teacher made, think about what help you can give your daughter considering whatever the issue might be. teachers aren't perfect, they're just people who make mistakes. you could talk to her about it and tell her how you felt. but don't go over her head (or even talk to all your friends about it). You should go to her first if it bothered you. And try to be a little more forgiving.

Answer 2

As a teacher - I think it was pretty inappropriate. She should be naive - she's a preschooler! I could be conservative, but I would never say that in front of a student, even if I thought it privately. Likewise, if it was an issue that really, really needed to be addressed, I would think an educated person could come up with a better term than "space cadet."

Answer 3

Firstly who cares if you're over reacting??? I would be too! When my son was in preschool he had something similar like that happen. Well, I think it was a bit worse and caused some major problems. Seems some boys were holding him still so they could slam a metal door on his little hands. I WAS FURIOUS. I told off the school, I told off the "higher ups' and yes, I even threatened the parent. Maybe I shouldn't have gone that far but my three year old son's hands were bloody and he had to go to the doctor in case of stitches.

I would NOT allow a teacher, or any other adult to call my child any names. Stop it now. She has no right to do that. Your daughter is probably a great girl and does NOT need negative remarks. Overact all you want. If that's what it takes to stop it.

Answer 4

I think it is a bit offensive. I am sure your daughter would take offense to it if she was old enough to know the meaning.

I had a job as a CSR (customer service representative) a few years back. I spoke with a lot of elderly people that were ill. My personality is pretty upbeat and I love to make people smile and laugh. There was a lady I worked with that gave me my evaluation, she said that I was "bubbly" and it was a distraction to other workers. I took GREAT offense to her comment and put a complaint against her since she deducted points from my evaluation which led to me not getting a full raise.

My new job now, as a job card controller for Mesa Air, allows me to use my personality all I want. I was actually hired because of it.

I think my point is that the teacher is a bit of a "space cadet" herself if she has the nerve to say this about a pre-schooler. She has no right.

Answer 5

There is zero reason to call names .. esp. in the case of a preschooler. I would skip the riff raff and go straight to the administration of the school and make it known. This teacher needs to learn ASAP that saying things like that is NOT acceptable. As everyone well knows, you label a child and they will try to live up to that label! so call her a space cadet.. or dingy or whatever other words she might use when you arent around. As a mother of 3.. I would pity the idiot who called my child a name! and as a human being I would be very irate at anyone being called names even more so they called a child a name!

Answer 6

I think you have every right to be irate! Children's minds are very impressionable at a young age. Your daughter not understand what a "space cadet" is but if the teacher said it with a certain tone/attitude, she may have picked up on that and take it as something is wrong with her. A "bit naive"??? HELLO she's in preschool, gimme a break! I have 5 kids (21-10) and I've noticed in recent years how idiotic some of these "teachers" are!!!

I would let the teacher know how you feel (as calmly as possible, of course) you may TEACH her a lesson!!!

Answer 7

That's is a teacher and should know better than to use name calling to describe a child. The word space cadet isn't really that bad of a word but the whole principal of that whole situation would make me a little worried about her competence as a pre-school teacher!

Answer 8

I understand how easy it is to get upset when someone (especially a teacher) has inappropriately offended you and the ones that you love. In this case you are absolutley right to be offended, because the teacher used an inappropriate and derogatory term to belittle your daughter. Honestly I feel that it would be in the best interest of EVERYONE if you took the matter to the school principal and filed a formal complaint. The only that that teacher will learn to be more mindful about the names that she calls people is if the matter is treated seriously. It would be best that you try not to be emotional, but rather use your rational self to file a formal complaint, and calmly explain to her superiors that she was out of line in calling your daughter a derogatory name. There are ways for teachers to explain to parents about the behavior and habits of their children, and using "slang" is not the proper way to do this. It is highly inappropriate, unprofessional, and the only way for her to know that she was out of line is if you address the issue, but not in an emotional way. DEFINATELY say something!! You are not in the wrong here!

Answer 9

I prefer that couples be a little restrained in their affection in public. Holding hands and a quick kiss is fine. I admit that my preference is selfish. I am bisexual and I don't feel comfortable doing anything more with a man in public than I do if I'm with a woman. I also like to avoid doing things that I would find disgusting if my grandparents did in public. I just think the same rules should apply for everyone and not that you can make out all you want if you look like Barbie and Ken and other people can't.

Answer 10

I am a second grade teacher and a Mom. I think it depends on context. If the teacher was really telling her she was stupid it was big time wrong.

But sometimes teachers and kids are just, well--kidding, around. It is getting harder and harder to do that cuz everything you say could get examined under a microscope and come back to haunt you.

I would just ignore it. But I would keep my eyes and ears open for signs of this kind of behavior of the teacher. If she is putting your daughter down in this way it is way wrong and if there is an undeniable pattern I would say something.

Answer 11

I think you should have that teacher's head on a platter. There is NO excuse EVER for a teacher to call a child that kind of name in front of her. The teacher sounds like a space cadet!