My 15-yr-old told off her teacher!?

Question

My 15-yr-old daughter has always done extremely well in school, in spite of the fact that she has had some less than adequate teachers; such is the case with her English teacher this year. When I went to parent's night earlier this year, I was shocked. This woman seemed to care more about impressing people than she did about educating our children. She made a point of telling us that "the expensive-looking Cadillac in the parking lot " was hers and that her husband was the retired baseball coach for the school. A few weeks ago, I got a call from this teacher saying that my daughter "had become belligerent toward her" after class. According to her my daughter rudely told her that she should spend less time worrying about impressing people by wearing designer pantsuits and more time trying to keep her class under control. My daughter confirmed all of this. How can I let her know that while I don't agree with how she adressed the teacher about it , I think she's absolutely right?

Answer 1

Say "Honey, you're very right, but you only have to deal with this teacher for a few more months so you should try to be civil with her."

Answer 2

I think it is a subject that should be brought to the principals attention, as well as the school board. If the teacher is more concerned with impressing people with her things or status, then I wonder at her competency as a teacher. Her focus should be on the curriculum and the students, not making sure everyone knows who or what she has.
While you should talk to your daughter and let her know that while you believe she was correct in her assessment of the teacher, she is still a student and for the time being at least she is a teacher, and deserves the respect due a member of the school staff. If you and your daughter have a problem with the conduct of this teacher, then you are probably not the only ones, you should talk to other parents of students in your daughters class. You are not looking to get this teacher fired, just make her see the error in her focus in teaching.

Answer 3

can you say statutory rape? The age of consent in Texas is 17 {Texas Penal Code Section 21.11}. However , "...It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor...was not more than three years older than the victim and of the opposite sex...(and) did not use duress, force, or a threat against the victim at the time of the offence" and is not a registered sex offender {Section 21.11(b)}. Section 21.12 further prohibits all sexual contact between an employee of a school (including educators)and a student enrolled at the primary or secondary school where said employee works. No age is specified by the statute (thus, even if the student has reached consent age of 17, it is still a violation), and violations are a second degree felony. ''Not all boys are heartless, sex-searching jerks ou know. A lot of them have to same views i do about intimacy.'' yeah and age 15 you know EVERYTHING about guys. All I know is, that when I was 18, I was not looking for a highschool girl to date, I was looking forward to college and started dating the girl who is now my fiancee. So when I hear about an 18 year old kid intrested in a 15 year old, all I see is him wanting sex.

Answer 4

Your daughter is right; God bless that child. Teacher sounds like a superficial moron, no wonder she does not have a real job.

However, you may want to suggest daughter manage her mouth a bit only because teacher is in position of power and could get revenge on her somehow, like down-grade her work or bad mouth her to other teachers.

As alternative, she should let you, who has more power, do the dirty work, she gives you facts, and you find other parents who feel the same and petition principal (assuming he/she is also not asenine, good luck) or school board on teacher's inadequacies to advocate this teacher's termination, sounds like the arrogant speech at parent's night is grounds enough for termination. Also, call the newspaper, demand investigation into outrageous salaries that allow her to afford Cadillac. Lesson to teach your daughter for adulthood: don't get mad, get even!

Answer 5

Your daughter insulted the teacher, that is the issue. She did it because she was echoing your sentiment. The teacher might have bragged to you. Your daughter has no right to tell the teacher how to teach or dress. If the teacher is less than adequate you should have been adressing that to the principal, which is yoru right and duty as a parent, not giving your child tacit permission to be rude to her. If you look carefully at your wording you are just as much of a braggart as that teacher was. EVEN suggesting to your daughter that being rude to an adult or superior is right under ANY circumstances is wrong on every level. There is a time and a place for holding your tongue. At her age and at yours you both should know it. You are blaming your daughters behavior and lack of basic social skills on teachers, their cars and their clothes, not on your parenting.

Answer 6

I would express to your daughter that her opinions and comemnts are valid but should be addressed at the appropriate time, context and even using subtle language. Of course I understand she is only 15 and when you are 15 you just blurt anything out that you want to say. You have obviously raised your teenager to think openly and say what is on her mind and my opinion that is great. I would just explain to her that sometimes we keep things to ourselves no matter how badly we want to say them.Also it is wonderful to hear that your daughter values education more than materialistic things.

Anastasia( Year three teacher)

Answer 7

Sounds to me like your daughter voiced YOUR opinion. I'm not saying that you are wrong and that the teacher isn't focusing on what really matters.... but you have to remember that WE ARE ALL HUMAN!!!!!!!!! In other words, I know you expect the best from people, but just remember, people are not robots or computers. They are flesh and blood with faults like you and me.
If you think she is inadaquate, pull your daughter out of school, and home school her, or send her to a different private school.
Did your daughter come up with that doosie on her own or did she hear it somewhere? I mean, it sounds to me like she heard you saying it and then she said it.
I think the reason you are asking this question is because you want approval of everyone here to say it's ok. I mean, you expressed how you feel about this teacher and then when your daughter got loose-lipped with it, you are defending her after she got in trouble. Well, of course you are defending her. #1 She's your daughter. #2 That's your opinion, fault she went and said it. I blame you. There were no problems between them until you came into the picture.

Answer 8

tell her its fantastic she has an opinion and its great that she can voice it but there are times when its not appropriate.
i know how she feels i had some very irritating teachers at my new school after i moved house. they thought themselves as a higher class of person, wore expensive clothes but had no compasion or enthusiasim in teaching.

Answer 9

Stay on your daughters side through everything, especially at her age. I believe kids should be encouraged more to stand up to their teachers, they all get screwed around so much, most teachers don't care about their students, thats sad, but we as parents have to stand up wth our children and fight for their education.

Sounds to me like your daughter did a great job, just be straightforward with her, if she used bad language, just tell her she shouldn't have done that. but you need to tell her that you feel the same, she needs to know you support her and that you will be behind her no matter what.

Answer 10

I have a teacher like that and your daughter is right!

Answer 11

i think your daughter was totally right in her actions. she should be commended for demanding her education. i sincerely hope that if ever faced with the situation, my son would do the same. i would gladly visit the principals office daily if it was about my son standing up for what is right.