Son Poked by Teacher! what to do?

Question

Ok, today my 8 Year old son came home from school with red marks, crying telling us his teacher agressivly poked him on the shoulder, telling Him " JUST WRITE IT" over and over again.. he estimates she poked him about 10 times in the middle of class with all the other kids watching..I contacted the teacher and asked her if there was a problem she said " not that she was aware of" after a little talking she admited she did touch him. i told her not to ever touch him again. i Recorded the conversation, because IOWA ( the sate where i live is a one party state ) the Conversation IS admissiable in court. I then contacted the super intendant, who said i should contact law inforcement, we contact law inforcement who took pictures and copied the recording. Do I press charges? police said it would be a simple Assult if found guilty,with$100.00 fine and they would put him on the stand and it would be hard.Do i Take Civial action?this has been on going problem&she is Definatly singaling him out

Answer 1

If you want to pursue a Civil action, you would have a much better chance if you had pursued criminal charges against the teacher.

There was a similiar case at my son's school and the matter was not taken seriously until the mother of the boy pressed charges and alerted the media, then teacher was suspended. The mother didn't want the teacher to go to jail or try to get any money out of the situation; just not have her child or the other children exposed to abusive behavior.

You might want to get in touch with other parents of kids in your son's class to see if they have had any issues or problems or see what their children have witnessed. Although she may be singling your son out, he might not be the only one.

Prior to the final incident at my son's school where the teacher picked up the boy's desk, dumped the contents out on top of him then accidently dropped the desk on the boy's leg (bruising it badly) in front of the whole class, my son came home and told me of things that I thought were odd for a teacher to say or do and just thought he had either misunderstood or was exaggerating. It wasn't until after the final incident when the parents started comparing notes that the situation had been brewing for a time.

Answer 2

With this limited information it sounds to me like your son was NOT doing what he was instructed to do. What led up to that is in question, but regardless children need to follow the directives of their teachers ALWAYS --I would find out why before going any futher.....perhaps your son is a difficult student or perhaps he was just having a bad day (good kids do from time to time). The point is unless this teacher has a history of assaulting students (doubtful) she was just trying to get your son to follow directions. Were there marks/bruising on your child? You said he had 'red marks'....how long does it take him to get home from school? I doubt a 'poke' would leave marks for more than a few minutes. But if there were, then you may have a case. If not--tell your child to shape up and follow direction. If there is ever an emergency at school you will be thankful you child is respectful of his teacher and listens when he needs to be kept safe.

Answer 3

I frankly don't think it hurt me or made me a failure for life when my teachers whipped me for being out of line. My high school football coach broke a clipboard over my head (I was wearing a helmet). My principal in junior high school used to jab his finger into our chests (hard!) when he was having trouble getting through to us.

Guess what? I have grown into a successful person with a good family, and the fact that I received a quality education from tough teachers helped me, not hurt me.

The problem with today's kids and parents is that if someone farts it is a federal lawsuit with potentially millions of dollars in damages. People, get real.

(Oh, by the way, if YOUR teacher had poked you a bit when you were in school, do you think you might have learned how to spell better?)

Answer 4

Son was poked? God damn.. what ever happened to being spanked with a switch? We should bring that back then maybe kids these days would be back on track. I'm sorry to say but kids do exaggerate greatly. You should call your teacher and apologize and spank your kid on the *** and tell him to do what the teacher says. He didn't get poked for no reason, he was obviously defiant of the teacher.

Answer 5

You've told us just enough to make me wonder whether the teacher is the problem or whether you and your son are the problem.

Later edit:
I have to ask:
1) You don't think that your son, an 8 year-old might have exaggerated the number of pokes? [I had 3 boys and a girl. Trust me--they exaggerated some times.]
2) Are you at all concerned about why your son had to be told to write? Did you check with him about that?
3) For you: I have a suspicion that you need to grow up. It will make it more likely that your son will be able to grow up.

Answer 6

What I would do is arrange a meeting to find out what started this. Something tells me that you aren't getting the whole story from your child.

Secondly, I'd suggest that you hope that your child gets a better education than you obviously did.

You're incorrect on your information, and as far as "law inforcement" goes, you could probably file a complaint but I'd suggest you take Junior out to the woodshed instead. Just my opinion.

Answer 7

not telling you how I know ;) you better check your Iowa code again about the tape recorder! Second go to your state representative.. NOW! Press the charges YES she'll lose her job over it as long as you go through the proper procedures.. defense lawyers will have fun with this one that is for sure. There is a loop hole in the clause of the tape recorder.. you'll find out I am sure eventually hopefully not too late and she's back to prodding at your kid and singling him out more!

Answer 8

Oh yes...Please do so...I am a teacher and no matter how crazzy kids can drive us, we should never ever touch a child that way!!!! YOu know what We ARE NOT ALL Like that and it makes me sick that a small group of teachers are giving this impression to the world out there!!!!
I am pretty sure that the teacher is probably saying, I have rights, That child did this to me, I should not take any of this, and we have tried everything and the child does not behave...REGARDLESS...NO MATTER WHAT, EVEN IF A CHILD SCREAMS at YOU, SLAPS you, SPITS at you, YOU DO NOT TOUCH THAT CHILD>>NO NO NO NO NO...

Answer 9

Start by bring up charges with the local school board and contact all local TV stations and newspapers so they can follow this story. You will be amazed at how much research and help they will be able to provide.
Do the right thing
Peace

Answer 10

Take your gun and shoot her!! Now really, I agree with delray, I think you may be the problem! Judging by your lack of spelling skills and piss poor grammer, you should have been poked a lot more when you were in school.