Coteacher won't let go.

[Mary Haslett- SPec. Ed]

I'm the special ed. portion of our full inclusion classroom. I work with a great teacher, but she holds grudges against kids in the class. For example:

One student didn't do his homework for two days in a row, she made sure to give him a an alternate test than the other students. The test only consisted of work from those two days.

This is just one example, there are dozens.

How should I approach her about this?

I know I have to, but she is a well respected senior level staff member and I am, but a 2nd year teacher. Any advice would surely help.

[tell her]

Tell her that after midnight tomorrow Halloween is over and she can stop being a witch.

[Unregistered]

How should I approach her about this?

You are a junior member. Obviously you want to ask her some questions about why she does things in certain ways. So you can ask her for her rationale regarding these methods. Ask her if these practices have any drawbacks. Could they impact kids negatively? How do parents feel about this practice?

Just ask questions and let her defend her practices.

BTW, if she is tenured there is nothing you can do about it. I wouldn't even bring it up to anyone else. For all practical purposes, what you see is what you you will always see.

[Unregistered]

Are you sure she is holding a grudge? Is this the first time she has had an inclusion classroom? It sounds like she may be unable to confidently prepare for special students. You could ask her for the tests ahead of time and prepare tests that you know to be appropriate. She may just appreciate the help.

[Unregistered]

If she is as respected as you say, then she should be willing to SHARE some of her duties. One of these could be homework. Ask her if you could be in charge of the homework. This could range from handing it out, checking it, putting it in the gradebook, calling parents if it is not handed in, and also providing alternate assessments for those students that do not hand in homework.
If you present it in a positive manner, you might just be able to solve your problem

[Unregistered]

I would suggest you review what the accommodations are for this particular student. Gen ed or not, she must provide the accommodations listed for this student. Personally, I do not consider her a "professional". Every student in education has deficits and needs and most of us as educators we need to understand that in order for any student to reach their maximum potential. If she is refusing to provide the accommodations provided in the IEP she is in violation of the law and this should be reported to administration. You are the advocate for the student and you also have a responsibility for ensuring that the IEP is being fully implemented.

[Tejas Gal]

[QUOTE=Mary Haslett- SPec. Ed]I'm the special ed. portion of our full inclusion classroom. I work with a great teacher, but she holds grudges against kids in the class. For example:

What you have described is NOT the behavior of a great teacher. The child who did not do his homework certainly deserved consequences, but these were completely inappropriate. If this is typical, you'd better be documenting the occurrences, for your own protection.

I'll be charitable and say that she is perhaps not fully aware of how her behavior is perceived nor how it does/may affect the students. You have an obligation to the students to address this attitude and the resulting behaviors; you have an obligation to professionalism to start by speaking with the teacher. Then, if it continues, you have an obligation to continue up the chain of command.

Maybe you could approach it from the perspective of wanting to present a united front to the students and assure consistency. Then, suggest that you work together to develop a behavior matrix, in which you set the consequences for not complying with class rules and expectations, with increasing penalties for multiple infractions. (I can e-mail you some examples, if you want.) By bringing it as "I want to be sure that I am consistent with your expectations, too," you aren't directly challenging her, but, if she agrees to set the system up, you are alleviating at least some of the problem. If, later, she does something different from the matrix, you could act oh-so-surprised when you open your eyes wide and say, "Oh, I thought that ___ happened when someone did ___!" Might be all it takes....

[Tejas Gal]

Tell her that after midnight tomorrow Halloween is over and she can stop being a witch.

That would be my choice, too, but I suspect it might create a whole different set of problems--it's not generally a good idea to get on the bad side of a witch, is it?!;) ;)

[Unregistered]

As a teacher, I'm sure that this situation is very complicated. But, as a mother of a child with ASD, I can tell you that this is not acceptable.

My son has teachers just like the one that you have described. Since starting the school year he has become so stressed and depressed that getting him on the bus is a challenge.

Tenure should not allow human beings to treat other human beings with less respect than is allowed an animal.

But, on your side, you probably can't win this battle. It probably would not be in your best interest to try.

I have been to the vice principal, principal, special ed coord for the district, and the assistant superintendent. To no avail.

Follow your heart. I wish that one of my teachers would stand up for my son. It has not happened and frankly I know that it never will.

Mom

[Unregistered]

it's obvious that this behaviour is not alowable and something should be done.

I'd first relate to the teacher and say "I know how frustrating it is when we try to help these children and they don't help them selves. I'd get really upset too but I feel as if you're holding a grudge against this child. It's fine that you're upset, but I see the way you're acting and I feel that it's inappropriate. I'll deal with this child if that's what needs to happen, but what's happening now has to stop!" Be assertive. I know they're higher in status then you but you're supposed to be an advocate for this child and if nothing happens, the child isn't going to get what they need.

Open up some communication but remember to use "I statements" as they envoke less violence from the reciever.

[Michedu]

I am new to this board and not yet a teacher, however I am in the process of becomeing one. From my own presepctive I dont' think this is fair or right. Every child deserves the chance to learn and a child with LD's or any kind of learning problems does not deserve to be treated disrespectfully just because he/she is haveing problems.

I was a child with Learning problems and I plan on makeing a difference for as many children as I can.

Shouldn't we make the learning process a fair and pleasant one for each and every student?

Thank you!
michedu

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

maybe now the kid will do his homework next week.

[Unregistered]

Perhaps I am missing something here. The child did not hand in his homework for two days? So the teacher gave him a test on the work for those two days? Correct? If this is how it goes, than to me it sounds like a very creative consequence not a grudge. I agree with choc--perhaps next time the child will do the homework.
If I am confused, I apologize, but that is how I read it.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

you're not missing anything. This is a case of a teacher, who's hands were tied and told they couldn't grade homework. So he/she came up with this as a way to 'encourage' the kids to do homework.

And now, SPED teachers are complaining about THAT.

I guess SPED teachers just won't be happy until they can write an IEP that says

"Must provide student a grade no lower than a 75"

as an accomodation


SPED classes want to be simply diploma factories

[Unregistered]

you're not missing anything. This is a case of a teacher, who's hands were tied and told they couldn't grade homework. So he/she came up with this as a way to 'encourage' the kids to do homework.

And now, SPED teachers are complaining about THAT.

I guess SPED teachers just won't be happy until they can write an IEP that says

"Must provide student a grade no lower than a 75"

as an accomodation


SPED classes want to be simply diploma factories









I have actually heard more than one SPED teacher say that sped students can't fail.

On the other hand, I had the pleasure to work with a sped teacher who actively worked to get kids taken out of the sped system when their only disability was refusal to do work. At the time I was a first year teacher and had no idea how rare this was.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

all the time where I'm at

"why do you have ESE kids fail 7th grade because of geography, pass them on and let 8th grade state testing catch them"

[Unregistered]

all the time where I'm at

"why do you have ESE kids fail 7th grade because of geography, pass them on and let 8th grade state testing catch them"






Sounds like the sped teachers are not showing up for inclusion and don't want the extra paper work associated with an intervention. They know if you inflate the kids grades they will not have to do their job.