It's no wonder kids go postal

[Detector]

With all the recent attacks by school kids going postal I have tried to imagine what could be the cause. I know a lot has to do probably with home issues, but I heard this story and was appalled that we allow this grade of teachers on the payroll.

A student at the Middle School got his test paper back with an A and was very excited. He was so excited he jumped up and down and said "WooHoo!" when the teacher saw him she approached him and angrily asked what he was so happy about. He said he was happy because he got an A. She grabbed the paper from him and said it was a mistake and marked the A and F and made him set in the hall while the rest of the kids had a party.

When the parent approached the teacher to ask why her kid was punished she said it was because the kid was happy about receiving the F. The parent showed the teacher where the A had been changed to an F and said her son thought he had gotten an A not an F and thats what he was happy about but it didn't matter to the teacher.

I hear this incident may be taken to the superintendent or higher but I doubt it will make a difference. Now I can understand the mistake in the grade on the test but I just don't get the lack of tact in correcting the mistake. If this kid was prone to going postal I could sure see where this could trigger a retaliation from the student. How many innocent bystanders could also be hurt from this teachers obvious lack of caring?

The reason this story hit home with me is because I had a similar situation but it was handled totally differently.

In Junior High I took a test and the teacher made a mistake and gave me an A. I was very excited, and surprised, and the teacher seeing this approached me and saw the mistake. She explained that a mistake had been made but told me if I had a 15 minutes, she would give me a chance to earn that grade. She went through each question I got wrong and made sure I understood how to arrive at the correct answer. Once she felt confident, and myself as well, that I could get that A she left the grade as it was.

Not only did I really feel she cared about me as a student I was encouraged to do better and did so. It also made me feel better about myself. I've heard that infamous teachers excuse for not wanting to help of "He could do a lot better thats why I punished him." and "He's not doing as good as he has the potential to do." This is nothing more than an excuse to keep parents from going postal.

A good teacher has the ability to bring the potential out of a student. Some of the teachers are there simply for a paycheck but they seem to forget just where that paycheck comes from.

[Tee]

Originally Posted by Detector

In Junior High I took a test and the teacher made a mistake and gave me an A. I was very excited, and surprised, and the teacher seeing this approached me and saw the mistake. She explained that a mistake had been made but told me if I had a 15 minutes, she would give me a chance to earn that grade. She went through each question I got wrong and made sure I understood how to arrive at the correct answer. Once she felt confident, and myself as well, that I could get that A she left the grade as it was.

Not only did I really feel she cared about me as a student I was encouraged to do better and did so. It also made me feel better about myself.

You're right! The teacher screwed up by grading the material incorrectly, but could have used this incident to help the student. This could have been a positive turning point if handled correctly. Then again, it could have been a very negative turning point, if not handled correctly. Sounds like the latter has occured. Too bad this had to happen. I am sure it will have a profound affect on the child from here on out.

Who says teachers don't teach? She just taught him it's bad to get an F and it's bad to get an A.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by Tee

....Who says teachers don't teach? She just taught him it's bad to get an F and it's bad to get an A.

Also that its bad to be happy.

[Made in the USA]

Let's go shoot some cans---------

[tat2me82]

I would've taken my son out of that class!! The teacher should've realized the impact her actions could cause. Kids are in school at least 7 hours each day for 5 days, teachers need to realize that they play a big part in those kids lives. I think that if there is a problem student, the answer should be "tougher love." Teachers lose faith in some of the students way too soon (understandably some of them can be complete hellions) I remember when I was in school teachers usually had more interaction w/ the popular kids (i.e athletes, cheerleaders etc.) and wouldn't pay much attention to the ones that really needed the help. I don't know how it is now, but that's how it was when I was in school. I can understand how alot of problems w/ kids start in school. I dunno though... it just seems that alot of teachers have lost their oomph for teaching. When I was para at the middle school I seen teachers that you could just tell have completley given up. It's sad.

[Made in the USA]

Part of the reason that teachers have given up, is that the kids have no bringing up at home anymore! Most kids nowadays are "scary"!!

[K C Muffin]

I'll go along with that, mitUSA....my boss' wife resigned from teaching (and I imagine she was excellent because she has that patient way with her) because she became afraid of the students. She said nothing was worth that. The school she was teaching at excused the students' behavior as the fault of their upbringing, so they were allowed to bully everybody, including the teachers. She decided it just wasn't worth it and left. Can't say I blame her!

[Made in the USA]

I have been in the Jr. High at class break, and I have to say, it was nothing like when we went to school. Kids have no manners or discipline anymore. Plus if the teacher tries to discipline a rowdy kid, the parents blame the school instead of the kid! On the other hand, I have also been in Correctional facilities where I have felt more safe!

[Detector]

Teachers are no longer allowed to discipline students and the students know it. Thank the parents that removed the teachers ability to control kids.

[lurker]

Don't forget to thanks the judges, lawyers and some jurors....