I'm sick of it…How can I get it to end? – Teachers.Net (Upper Elementary)

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Upper Elementary Teachers Chatboard

I'm sick of it...How can I get it to end?

by Tayy

Mar 23, 2009

Every time I turn around a parent has called the principal, not me, to complain about something. I have tried to reach out to parents and encourage them to contact me with any questions or concerns they have, yet, they choose to go to the principal. It makes me angry and even though my principal is supportive of me, I feel my reputation is damaged with every complaint. I am now feeling like I need to appease the students and parents and am "hoping" for no complaints via letters or phone calls to my boss. I don't like feeling like this. I am a strict teacher and manage my class very well. The students show me respect when they are in my presence but bad talk me to their parents and paint the wrong picture. Any advice for dealing with this type of problem with a class?

You're not going to like this, but.... it might be time for a little self-examination. Your post implies you see parents as problems rather than solutions.

You say you're strict. Are you TOO strict? Do you let the kids cut loose every once in a while? Do you let little things go occasionally?

Because if you develop a reputation of being too strict, parents are going t...See More

Mar 23, 2009

good luck On 3/23/09, Tayy wrote: > Every time I turn around a parent has called the > principal, not me, to complain about something. I have > tried to reach out to parents and encourage them to > contact me with any questions or concerns they have, yet, > they choose to go to the principal. It makes me angry and > even though my principal...See MoreOn 3/23/09, Tayy wrote: > Every time I turn around a parent has called the > principal, not me, to complain about something. I have > tried to reach out to parents and encourage them to > contact me with any questions or concerns they have, yet, > they choose to go to the principal. It makes me angry and > even though my principal is supportive of me, I feel my > reputation is damaged with every complaint. I am now > feeling like I need to appease the students and parents > and am "hoping" for no complaints via letters or phone > calls to my boss. I don't like feeling like this. I am a > strict teacher and manage my class very well. The students > show me respect when they are in my presence but bad talk > me to their parents and paint the wrong picture. Any > advice for dealing with this type of problem with a class?

What is the problem exactly? What are they generally complaining about? That would be my first question. Complaints are not always without merit - let's acknowledge that even while not saying that their complaints have merit. And yes, you often are damaged with every complaint if for no other reason that no one including principals liked to be bugged over and over again about something. Depending on what stance you choose to take.... no one can really give advice because we don't know what you want to achieve. You want the complaints to stop? Or you just want them to come your way? If you truly want them to come your way, call your kids' parents - or certainly call all the ones who complained to the principal. Thank them warmly for taking the time to speak to the principal - sound sincere - and then open a dialogue with them on the matter. Open a dialogue is key - don't call with the idea of shutting them down or stonewalling them. For if you do that, you'll be pushing them right back to the principal. The word spreads fast - a few positive conversations with parents and the rest of the parents will hear about it and - if you're sincere- and receive their 'complaints' with an open mind, caring soul and a willingess to take constructive criticism or just to take criticism, the parents will likely stop complaining altogether instead of just switching their complaining from the principal to you. If they all have the same 'complaint' - well, then it's a bit like the kid in the parade who's out of step but Mom says "everybody's out of step but my Johnny'. If you're doing one thing that upsets all the parents all of the time, figure out a new 'spin' to put on what you're doing. I'd be very curious to know what it is they're complaining about and just because the kids are respectful to your face doesn't mean they don' t have something to say about your class. Maybe start with a dialogue with the kids - but takes a very open mind and nerves of steel. Some kids will misinterpret strict as rude. Be careful of how you present. Good luck.

Mar 23, 2009

The first two replys are correct. In other words, you'll HAVE to lick butt and eat doo-doo. Just reread what those people told you, and see how sad it sounds. Education has gotten pathetic. Do know that if the principal does nothing that makes them happy, they'll go on to the superintendent and to the school board to get you fired. Just read from the books and say nothing else, nev...See More

Mar 24, 2009

3rd Grade Teacher On 3/23/09, Tayy wrote: > Every time I turn around a parent has called the > principal, not me, to complain about something. I have > tried to reach out to parents and encourage them to > contact me with any questions or concerns they have, yet, > they choose to go to the principal. It makes me angry and > even though my principal...See More

Mar 24, 2009

Amanda Our parents do the same thing. The reason is that the principal is a consistent connection for the parents, he is extremely social, and his door is always open. He likes to hear things first hand from parents, and he encourages them to come to talk to him. There is usually a line outside his door.

On the off chance that we hear something b...See More

Mar 25, 2009

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