I will have my first teaching post next year. A reliable friend has told me that the mother of a boy I will be teaching likes to sue. She is in a very low socio economic situation to my own. In addition to joining the Union should I hire myself a lawyer as back up or let he "sue" away, either way I'm up for it :) So Bring it on!!!!
2006-12-27 18:26:46 · 5 answers · asked by ANASTASIA_NIKOLAIEVNA_ROMANOVA 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Socio-economic level doesn't have anything to do with it--some people are just like that and want to blame others for things that are their responsibility.
It's sad but true that there are parents like that, and you should be sure to keep records of *everything* you do--e.g., "3/12: Offered to help J. during recess--he did not want the help 4/16: Called J's mother and asked for a parent-teacher conference"
One year, I had a student whose dad had threatened to bring charges of sexual harassment against a colleague the previous year (because my colleague had used the sentences "Joe kissed Jane. Jane was kissed by Joe" to illustrate active and passive voice!) During the first week of school, the assistant principal came to my classroom to drop something off, and, after she left, the son made an unflattering remark about her. I called the father during lunch hour and told him he would have to speak with his son because the boy's remark could be construed as sexual harassment. I never had trouble with either the father or the son.
Good luck, and don't let this change your mind about teaching--most parents are NOT like that, and you'll run into litigious jerks in any job.
Oh, yes--yes, you *should* join your teachers' union--for one thing, they will protect you in case you are sued by someone like this, but they also protect your interests in lots of other ways.
2006-12-27 18:47:45 · answer #1 · answered by hoptoad 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anastasia - good luck with this lawsuit happy parent! You should definitely join the Teachers Union at your school - they will almost certainly be able to help you with any problems with this parent (they might even be able to get you a low cost attorney, if it came down to that!).
Also, it's not a question of the socioeconomic status of the parent - at least in this country (America) it's wealther parents who are more likely to sue teachers - since they have greater financial resources and consequently have greater means to hire lawyers.
It's more a question of bad parenting - which can be found in all social classes! Bad parents ALWAYS blame the teacher, rather than look at their own conduct!
In any case, don't let this idiot scare you away from the teaching profession - good luck!
2006-12-27 19:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ASK THE principal about the validity of this rumor first. if its true, i'm sure he will have an official stance on recommendations he has made to previous teachers. clearly if its true, the principal will understand that this job may not be worth accepting if the school as an entity hasn't done something about the problem. I have found that most parents that fight so hard (or sue) (or spit on...yes, happened to my friend) against teachers are actually horrible parents who blame the teachers for not fixing their own kids... don't take the job if this is really a threat. for what teachers get paid, you'll end up OWING at the end of the year! it would be crazy for you to have to hire a lawyer just to accept a teaching job! you get enough crap from everyone...
2006-12-27 18:32:21 · answer #3 · answered by stcroixalta 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People like that make me sick... good luck to you and congrats on the job. The world needs good teachers. Don't let the crazy mom get you down
2006-12-27 18:31:54 · answer #4 · answered by jelly 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, there is prepaid legal. They handle just about anything. Gee, i wonder why she is suing. Maybe she should homeschool her son
2006-12-27 18:29:39 · answer #5 · answered by sunshine23511 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋