openyourmind

Wingnut, I agree. It is very beneficial for children to work through relationships that are not their "cup of tea". I think the beginning years are crucial (grades k-2). But then, maturity develops in children and it is a plus for them to understand that not every teacher will be their favorite, yet they can still learn something from them. That is, of course, as long as the teacher is doing what he/she is supposed to do as an educator.

I'm an elementary school principal so I'm usually pretty effective at working with teachers. This one just left me shocked, however. My issue currently is not how he treats my daughter. She has no complaints about him. My issue is that he passed judgment without even knowing me as a person. He assumed that I was a career mother who knows nothing about how to educate her child. He was quite surprised when I mentioned that she had been in my own classroom for two years as a younger child. He had no clue that I was also an educator. My husband or older children are the ones to pick her up from school daily (which he commented on negatively). I feel like writing him, now that I have my bearings, and explaining that they pick her up because I'm dismissing 870 other young children and ensuring that they make it home safely.

Maybe if I vent this here I can get some rest tonight as my blood is boiling. I had a parent teacher conference today with my youngest child's teacher. She is the youngest of 6 children, the others are all aged 16 and older...she is definitely the baby. The teacher lives in our neighborhood as well. My youngest child struggles in school. She is extremely bright in some areas but becomes overwhelmed easily. I spent years working with her (she is in 4th now) and the stress in our house was overwhelming at times. Having a mom as a school principal was hard....she wanted to perform well....but its just not who she is. I had to let up. I was putting way too much pressure on her. She is who she is and she has many strengths to be proud of. So, on to today. This teacher had made judgments about me. He did not realize I was in education and he clearly thought I was a career-oriented mom who was checked out of her kid's life. He also had nothing positive to say about my child except that she was very obedient and never caused him trouble It was clear within the first 5 minutes of the conference. He started out by saying that she was only 9 and I would have to start helping her. He then commented on how HE had made her flashcards for her recent history exam and how she had scored a 97. He kept stressing that HE had made them and wanted to know if I understood that HE had made them. I said yes and he then stated that why couldn't I make them then, if that helped her. He then went on to state that I have to communicate and was failing to do that. I've emailed him several times. The first time was early in the year giving him a complete history on my child, her strengths, her weaknesses and areas of concern for my husband and I. I've emailed him multiple times since. He then asked me if I wanted him to get on the computer so he could show me how to access the school website and figure out how to email him. What??? He also told me that by 7th grade she would surely be failing and it would be too late to change anything or for her to catch up. Finally, he commented on how my husband is usually the one to pick her up and he rarely sees me. He stated that he was sure I was busy and overwhelmed too as I had to work and most moms have to cook dinner, raise the kids, clean the house, etc. Ummm....I do all of those things too. Like I said, he lives in my neighborhood. I drive a nice car that I worked darn hard for (drove a mini van for YEARS). I look very young for my age and I think he made a quick opinion that I'm some bimbo mom. I left the conference in tears and was horrified to walk across the grass where all the "stay at home" moms were...I'm sure they could see my bloodshot eyes. Uggghhhhh!!! I'm very frustrated that I pay $450 per month in tuition to this school that I loved up until today and that I spent hours last week baking 20 loaves of fall pumpkin bread as well as 5 dozen pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for their fall festival bake sale just to be treated like this. To top it all of, I'm not great with confrontation and my husband is bound and determined to meet with him tomorrow and give him a piece of his mind. Hubby is a firefighter and was on duty today so wasn't at the conference.

Anatess, That may work well for you but that doesn't mean it works well for everyone.

You all make some excellent points. I am somewhat of a perfectionist....and so this makes sense....I often avoid things that I'm not certain I can give my all to. Just_a_Guy, thank you for the link to the article. I am very glad to have joined this forum. I think I knew these things already but sometimes lose my perspective and need to be reminded. I need to start small and re-prioritize.

Thanks Zippy, That was very well put.......sigh.

Hello Everyone, I am new. I'm a mom of 6, aged 9-21. I am not LDS but have been involved with a great deal of members in my community as their children have grown up along side of mine. My two eldest daughters are now LDS. Here is my problem. I've always felt drawn to the mormon church. I've always felt comfortable with the religion and the people. Here comes the selfish part......I am a very busy person. I'm a mom. I'm an elementary school principal. I also tend to really enjoy my "alone" time as my life is so full and busy in so many other areas. Have any of you ever felt hesitant to commit to something because you just don't want to take on anything more? I know that I should NOT feel that way when the Lord is involved. But, I'm being honest....I do. I have my own spiritual relationship with God yet I know that I'm not doing enough. I'm torn.

Hello Everyone, I am new. I'm a mom of 6, aged 9-21. I am not LDS but have been involved with a great deal of members in my community as their children have grown up along side of mine. My two eldest daughters are now LDS.