I'm looking for a list of topics to help my teachers this summer during some coaching sessions. I want to know: what are the biggest stressors for teachers?
I need help figuring out what to do. I am a teacher but I also have a son that is a student in my district. He is in preschool and he is being bullied by other boys in his class. My wife and I have noticed a personality change in him, and so have his teachers. The main student that is bullying him has an IEP and is believed to have a behavioral dis...See MoreI need help figuring out what to do. I am a teacher but I also have a son that is a student in my district. He is in preschool and he is being bullied by other boys in his class. My wife and I have noticed a personality change in him, and so have his teachers. The main student that is bullying him has an IEP and is believed to have a behavioral disorder. This child hits, shoves, and is generally just an overall bad kid. Not only is he bullying my son, but he has also (unprovoked) smacked my 2 year old daughter in the face when she was with her mother to pick up my son from school. According to the teachers, they have tried to get this child removed but apparently can't do anything about it BECAUSE HE HAS AN IEP! What about my childrens' rights to go to school without being physically and emotionally harmed? I have found no resources of how to deal with SP.ed kids who bully other students, only thousands of resources explaining that disabled students are more likely to BE bullied. What do I do? I want action. But I can find nothing to support my claim that this child SHOULD NOT be around other children. I fully believe that he is causing harm to my child and possibly others, and his rights under the IDEA should not take precedent over my child's right to not be bullied and physically harmed. And no...I am NOT pulling him out of the school, because there are no other schools for him to go to in our area.
Secondly, the IEP is irrelevant. Being on an IEP does not give a student a free pass to bully, harass or physically assault other students. You need to follow up on every single incident that affects your child and demand to know what is being done about it. What is the plan for making sure there is not a next time (or at least to minimize the chances)?
If the child in question cannot stop hurting other children, then the IEP is not providing adequate support. Make sure every incident is being documented and be the squeaky wheel. Every time there is an incident, request a meeting with the principal, not the teacher. Are they providing a unique aide for the student? Are they considering changing the placement to a more restrictive environment for the safety of the child and the other children? They should not tell you any of that, but asking the principal will get them to ask the teacher/SPED staff those exact questions if they have not already.
I'm a SPED teacher and parent of a child with a disability and what you describe is not working for anyone right now. Good luck and hang in there.
First - do not take ...See MoreI substitute also while studying for my grad degree - and work in low-income schools which are tough to manage (middle school especially). Subs are treated with less respect because the kids do not think you are a threat (you can't call their parents, etc) Plus they think they won't see you again -- hope they don't :)
First - do not take any behavior challenge personally - the kids act up with every sub. Learn to call support and do not take disrespect - do not get into a power struggle - act like you and the teacher you are subbing for are BFF.
You figure out the tricks that work - incentives like longer chromebook time, leaving a minute or two early if they are lined up and quiet. Following a good teacher and getting clear , organized sub plans help. These problems will go away (for the most part) if you are a permanent fixture. YOU have the power to call their parents YOU are not going away YOU are grading their papers, have the ability to take recess away or bring fresh baked treats as a reward. Talk to seasoned teachers. You'll be just fine when you are not someone that is going away - :) Best of luck and have fun with it !! :)
My name is Danielle Smith, and I am a student in the Community Health Department at the State University of New York at Potsdam. I am working on an Honors Program research project with Dr. Brent Crow (PhD, CHES), also of the Community Health Department. The purpose of this project is to investigate assess school-wide access, attitudes, quality of services, and staff coordination regarding mental health in high schools in the United States.
If you are a principal or administrator, guidance counselor, mental health worker, student health services worker, teacher, or special education professional at a public high school in the United States, we could use your help in this project. Please note that your involvement is completely voluntary. Should you choose to participate, we would kindly ask that you complete the survey by clicking here if you have not already done so: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FKYX8N3. It should take no more than fifteen minutes, and your responses will be kept anonymous.
Any questions may be directed to myself by sending an email to smithd198@potsdam.edu. Dr. Crow can also be reached for correspondence via email to crowbm@potsdam.edu or by phone at (315) 267-2124. Thank you very much for your time and your consideration.
8,796 steps today. Thank goodness I banked some from yesterday. I walked with a friend in the woods again tonight, and then I opted to pull weeds instead of walking after dinner. I'm listening to "Almost Sisters" by Joshilyn Jackson. she writes amazing books set in the South. Chick lit with lots of humor and some veiled commentary. This is one of her best.