What would you do if your DC had a teacher like this?

[bisous]

This is happening to a friend of mine. Her DS is at their local elementary which she mostly likes. He is now in 3rd grade and his teacher only uses chrome books all day. She’s very direct about this. She stated at Back to School night with pride that she does no teaching unless they fall behind on their chrome books. They never do art. They never write with pens or pencils. Only type on chrome books.

My friend visited the class today and saw the kids in action. They sit in a dark room with chrome books. The classroom is silent and there is nothing on the walls. Sounds like the opposite of what I’d want my child doing all day!

What would you do? Id do anything in my power to leave that classroom but would probably want to make a formal complaint as well. Is that overkill?

[PZMommy]

Yikes!! I know there is a big push for 3rd and up to be using technology due to the state tests being on computer. However, what you are describing is extreme. I would not be okay with this at all. The principal must know what she is doing??? I would complain to the principal and want my child moved. If that got resolved to my satisfaction, I would leave it at that. I would not complain higher than the principal provided the principal moved my child.

[bisous]

Yikes!! I know there is a big push for 3rd and up to be using technology due to the state tests being on computer. However, what you are describing is extreme. I would not be okay with this at all. The principal must know what she is doing??? I would complain to the principal and want my child moved. If that got resolved to my satisfaction, I would leave it at that. I would not complain higher than the principal provided the principal moved my child.

Thank you. I value your perspective as a teacher very much!

[JBaxter]

I wrote into DS4 504 he has to have access to a paper textbook they do a lot of computer work but I know once he hits middle school most textbooks are online and have to be checked out of the library I added it this year ( 5th grade) to the 504 along with a few other things that will be more for his middle school years.

[DualvansMommy]

I wouldn’t be happy as well! For reference I also have a 3rd grader and his classroom is so far from what you’re describing for your friends kid. My kid use chromebook too, they get their own starting 3rd grade but it’s only used minimally.

They still do a lot of hand writing, assignments on paper with pencil though too. Also it’s brightly lit, decorated with age appropriate books and art.


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[PZMommy]

I wouldn’t be happy as well! For reference I also have a 3rd grader and his classroom is so far from what you’re describing for your friends kid. My kid use chromebook too, they get their own starting 3rd grade but it’s only used minimally.

They still do a lot of hand writing, assignments on paper with pencil though too. Also it’s brightly lit, decorated with age appropriate books and art.


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This is what a third grade room should look like! My DS had a male teacher for 3rd grade, and while it was not as brightly decorated as some of his previous teachers, it had age appropriate work posted, and was warm and inviting.

Bious, is your friend in my district? I know my district requires us to have student work posted. How the walls could be bare, is beyond me. Also is this a newer teacher?? Those poor kids must get bored being on a computer all day. Plus that is not healthy for them!!!

[KpbS]

That sounds like the opposite of anything I’d want for my kids, elementary or high school, no difference. I would find out if the other 3rd grade teachers run their classrooms the same way. If they do, I would pull my kid in favor of a different setting altogether.

[ourbabygirl]

Get that kid out of there!

[georgiegirl]

That sounds horrendous. I can’t imagine anyone being okay with that.

[bisous]

That sounds horrendous. I can’t imagine anyone being okay with that.

I think the school this is at is the one your sister's kids are zoned for!

So PZMommy, not your district. It is a very small district and I feel like its pretty backward.

This just seems so extreme and so counter to everything I've ever learned about what makes a good environment for a child. I don't believe the other 3rd grade is like this (but I don't know). My friend is deeply concerned and doesn't know how to handle it. If it were my kid he wouldn't be in there any longer. I'd either be successful in having him moved, move schools or homeschool. But not only do all people have different circumstances that make these options more or less difficult but I'm realizing that many of my friends are significantly less confrontational than I am, for good or ill.

[petesgirl]

Heck no. I would have had my child moved after day 1 of that nonsense. I don't send my kids to school to spend all day on a computer. I would get my kid and I would continue to make waves wherever needed to get the district to make the teacher chnage things. That isn't appropriate for ANY child.
My district started standards based learning this year so there is a little more computer time and even that is making me nervous.

[mmsmom]

I would complain first to teacher, then principal, then escalate if needed until changes were made or my child was moved. It seems the trend around here is moving away from technology... they still use it and have 1:1 devices but they are not used as often as before. At my DC’s (private) school there is a big push to analyze the way they use tech and incorporate other/traditional learning methods as well.

[doberbrat]

that sounds AWFUL! I cant even fathom it. Seriously. I'm in 3rd grade this year and we do have chromebook time weekly. But we also have direct instruction WITH the chromebooks. I spend all day working with kids who I know for a fact would get NOTHING out of a day like that. Why bother with the teacher? There are schools online but then the classroom teacher is just a babysitter. Dont they at least get specials? art, music, drama, etc?

Hurts my heart for them.

[mom2binsd]

I've worked in elementary schools for 15 years and had two children go through elementary school (now in 11th and 8th grade), and have NEVER EVER seen anything like that. What is wrong with the teacher? How is this allowed? I would absolutely be upset and have a lot of questions for admin for allowing that type of classroom in their school. Students need to learn about technology but there is so much more to teaching and learning that involves so many modalities/senses/and mediums, what your describe is SO WRONG!!!!!

[bisous]

I appreciate the outrage! I share it too. I haven’t seen this with my own eyes but a second friend who is a high school counselor has a child in this same classroom and is concerned too! I’m mad and my children’s classroom is not like this!

[California]

Has this been going on for a couple of years? I would guess that the principal isn't very strong, if she or he is allowing this to happen.

I'm tired (ironically from teaching!) so my brain is a bit fuzzy. What an awful situation for those kids! If I was the parent I would stress that this type of teaching is not supported by research. I'd also voice concerns on eye strain from extended computer use (which is documented), and body strain and loss of muscle tone from extended sitting. But again, my guess is the teacher is entrenched in her beliefs and the principal is not very strong. In that case, it may take getting several parents together to complain.

[TwinFoxes]

Heck no. I would have had my child moved after day 1 of that nonsense. I don't send my kids to school to spend all day on a computer. I would get my kid and I would continue to make waves wherever needed to get the district to make the teacher chnage things. That isn't appropriate for ANY child.


Same! Honestly, this sounds like some sort of bizarre experiment. And Bisous, I'm with you, I'd be making a formal complaint.

[essnce629]

Sounds awful! I've been on a lot of school tours (2 dozen at least), elementary through high school, and do not like seeing kids only working on computers or schools that tout technology is used for everything. And I much prefer minimal technology for elementary school. I would have to get my kid out of there.

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[Melaine]

Heck no. I would have had my child moved after day 1 of that nonsense. I don't send my kids to school to spend all day on a computer. I would get my kid and I would continue to make waves wherever needed to get the district to make the teacher chnage things. That isn't appropriate for ANY child.
My district started standards based learning this year so there is a little more computer time and even that is making me nervous.

This. The scenario the OP describes is beyond disturbing. There is no child best served in this way, period. I'm shocked that parents haven't been up in arms about it already.

[AngB]

I'm really annoyed my kid has already watched 4 full movies in school (his regular class, not specials) this year. I would have to move to a different classroom if not homeschool.

But more concerning is that what about all the other kids? What the heck is that principal doing to let this slide? I would probably mention it to the principal and have a short leash for going over them to the school board/superintendent if necessary. This doesn't sound like someone who should be teaching. How sad for those poor kids.

[marinkitty]

Yikes! That seems totally crazy to me.

My high school JUNIOR had a pre-calculus teacher (honors level class) at the start of this year who allowed no paper or pencils in his class, did no instruction other than giving the kids online worksheets and asking them to work together to complete them in class and assigned no homework, but told kids who said they felt like they needed more instruction/homework problems that there are "resources available on the Internet" without actually specifying any he'd recommend. I moved her out after the first week with a call to the math department chair. IMO that isn't even teaching - that's proctoring an independent study. Not how any child of any age learns best.

[specialp]

We would not have gotten past Back To School night where the teacher laid it out there without serious questioning and discussion. I'm surprised no one did then.

[Myira]

I’m just speechless how this flies at all. 7-8 hours of screen time everyday is insanity by any stretch of the imagination. What’s the need for sending the kid to school? We can just pass them an iPad over cooped up at home.
Our school sent home logins for something called prodigy math and I’m not a fan of this at all of doing things online especially at this age.


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[dogmom]

As an aside, I can imagine the other teachers aren’t thrilled about it. Imagine going to all that out of school hours work to get your classroom ready, work on lesson plans, grade work, etc. and have a colleague come in and phone it in and get paid the same amount?

I would first ascertain if what I thought was the class process was true. I would then schedule an appointment to talk to the teacher. Then I would approach the principal and ask for a meeting and come armed with the AAP recommendations on screen time and be like, WTF?! What a PIA to have to do this. I wouldn’t ask for my kid to be switched, because this teacher has got to change or go. I would be upset on behalf of all kids, not just mine. Other kids might not have parents that can advocate for them.

[PZMommy]

As an aside, I can imagine the other teachers aren’t thrilled about it. Imagine going to all that out of school hours work to get your classroom ready, work on lesson plans, grade work, etc. and have a colleague come in and phone it in and get paid the same amount?

I would first ascertain if what I thought was the class process was true. I would then schedule an appointment to talk to the teacher. Then I would approach the principal and ask for a meeting and come armed with the AAP recommendations on screen time and be like, WTF?! What a PIA to have to do this. I wouldn’t ask for my kid to be switched, because this teacher has got to change or go. I would be upset on behalf of all kids, not just mine. Other kids might not have parents that can advocate for them.

But the hard part is it could take years to get rid of that teacher. I’ve seen some pretty awful teachers and unless they physically touch a child inappropriately, it is next to impossible to get rid of them. The principal has to do various observations and offer all sorts of supports first and most principals are too busy (or in some cases lazy) to do that. Odds are everyone at this school knows she does this, but can’t do much about it. That is why I would push to get my child moved, because this teacher won’t be leaving anytime soon.

[bisous]

So apparently both sets of parents have asked to move their child and the administration won’t do it. Both classes are “full” at 24 kids and that’s all they’ll say!

Dogmom, yes this is actually confirmed by the teacher who is weirdly proud of this??? and also when my friend visited the classroom she observed it personally. And I agree that it’s sad and unfortunate especially for parents who don’t or can’t advocate for their children.

At the same time PZMommy is correct that the behavior is not outrageous enough to remove a teacher with tenure. My mom (retired elementary teacher) said the principal can and should tell her to stop. But what if she refuses? I don’t know what the story is with the principal.

I’m super worked up about this and it isn’t even my child. I think all children deserve better!

[doberbrat]

drs note prohibiting computer use over 1h? letter to superintendent?

eta: I agree that there are 2 issues - removing MY kid from the class and getting the teacher to change or getting rid of them.

Getting rid of tenured teachers IS notoriously difficult esp if the principal does not want to force the change. But I cant believe that the other parents have not complained.

I have a friend who did pull her child from PS and home school them using an online school (so computers all day) she said it was a really good program and there was much she liked about it but I still cant fathom having this environment in a classroom.

[AngB]

But the hard part is it could take years to get rid of that teacher. I’ve seen some pretty awful teachers and unless they physically touch a child inappropriately, it is next to impossible to get rid of them. The principal has to do various observations and offer all sorts of supports first and most principals are too busy (or in some cases lazy) to do that. Odds are everyone at this school knows she does this, but can’t do much about it. That is why I would push to get my child moved, because this teacher won’t be leaving anytime soon.

Yep. But if we had a situation like this, I personally would be putting my kid in private school or homeschooling for the year. With written complaints over the principal if the principal wouldn't change the student's class.

[PZMommy]

If the principal wouldn’t move my kid, I like doberbrat’s suggestion to get a doctor’s note and contact someone higher than the principal. I’m glad I’m in a district where you can freely move to another elementary school, as I would not let my kid stay in a class like this.

Bious, our of curiosity is this a younger/newer teacher??

[bisous]

If the principal wouldn’t move my kid, I like doberbrat’s suggestion to get a doctor’s note and contact someone higher than the principal. I’m glad I’m in a district where you can freely move to another elementary school, as I would not let my kid stay in a class like this.

Bious, our of curiosity is this a younger/newer teacher??

Older teacher, recently divorced and recently enrolled in a masters program. This was all laid out at back to school.

[KpbS]

If I was your friend, I would do everything possible to move my kid to a new school—-maybe magnet, charter, private, etc or homeschool him. I would very clearly outline all my objections in a letter to the administration and the district, including citing evidence of the AAP and child development specialists of why this “style” of teaching is so detrimental and unacceptable.

And I would do it tomorrow.

[PZMommy]

Older teacher, recently divorced and recently enrolled in a masters program. This was all laid out at back to school.

Wow! Usually the older teachers tend to not use as much technology. I thought you were going to say she was young and right out of college.

[bisous]

My friend pulled her son. She put his name in for the lottery at our charter but for now she’s homeschooling! I told my other friend about the doctors note idea which I think is pretty brilliant.

[Melaine]

My friend pulled her son. She put his name in for the lottery at our charter but for now she’s homeschooling! I told my other friend about the doctors note idea which I think is pretty brilliant.

I'm glad but I hope she continues to advocate for the other children. I am just gobsmacked that this could actually be happening with the knowlege of the principal!

[mom2binsd]

I really think she should talk to the school district/media, this is so wrong, and there are probably kids in the class who don't have any idea what is going on in that school, the principal is not doing her/his job.

[bisous]

I know you guys. I wish I was a parent at the school so my input would mean something. I want to go in there guns blazing (figuratively!) and organize a walk out of all the kids but so many parents are afraid to advocate for their kids or they are overwhelmed and they can’t. I have lunch with a 3rd friend tomorrow from that school who was PTA president last year. I’m going to get her take on it.

[gymnbomb]

If I was your friend, I would do everything possible to move my kid to a new school—-maybe magnet, charter, private, etc or homeschool him. I would very clearly outline all my objections in a letter to the administration and the district, including citing evidence of the AAP and child development specialists of why this “style” of teaching is so detrimental and unacceptable.

And I would do it tomorrow.


I completely agree that I would too, but this bothers me so much because soooo many parents don’t have those options! There is zero chance we could pull a kid and home school. It is just so far outside the realm of possibility. There are no other public options here. There are a few charter schools, but most are far away and all have HUGE waiting lists. Private school is $$$$$ to the point where if we could find a spot, and that would be a big if, we could swing a year for an emergency situation like this, but really not more than that unless we asked our parents for help (which they would give instantly in a case like this).

It makes me so sad that we are solidly middle class (very low 6 figures household income in moderate cost of living area) and would have almost no options in this situation.


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[bisous]

I’m wondering how she could be following the district approved curriculum. Wouldn’t that necessitate cracking open an actual book?

I’m wondering if that could be a way to require change?

[DualvansMommy]

I completely agree that I would too, but this bothers me so much because soooo many parents don’t have those options! There is zero chance we could pull a kid and home school. It is just so far outside the realm of possibility. There are no other public options here. There are a few charter schools, but most are far away and all have HUGE waiting lists. Private school is $$$$$ to the point where if we could find a spot, and that would be a big if, we could swing a year for an emergency situation like this, but really not more than that unless we asked our parents for help (which they would give instantly in a case like this).

It makes me so sad that we are solidly middle class (very low 6 figures household income in moderate cost of living area) and would have almost no options in this situation.


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ITA! We’re strictly zoned to our district schools, so if you wanted to change schools it’s actually isn’t as easy to do so. Real options is going private whether by way of religious schools, often with its own real set of issues or non secular private schools. Then there’s charter options, but for those who really live in suburbs, it isn’t a real option as nearest one is often so far away. But having that said, I really do wonder about PTO/PTA as our committee here is quite strong and very involved, so if we had a teacher like that, more would be taking notice! I think it’s due to the fact our district is so small, that complaints get taken seriously.


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[PZMommy]

I’m wondering how she could be following the district approved curriculum. Wouldn’t that necessitate cracking open an actual book?

I’m wondering if that could be a way to require change?

The district approved curriculum is a tool that we can use, but we do not have to use it. As long as we are teaching the standards, we are free to use whatever we want. Most teachers use parts of the curriculum and then supplement with other things. Last year I used a reading curriculum that I purchased with my own money. My kids’ scores went through the roof, and I had the highest scores in the grade level. This year another teacher at that school started using it. The year before that, my 4th grade level team ditched the district reading program and we did core lit and other things we pieced together from TPT. Our fourth grade scores saved the school from being put on a watch list. Our district reading program is awful, and most teachers are ditching it in favor of other options that we can pull together on our own. Plus more and more districts are no longer buying the textbooks and workbooks, and are requiring students to either use the online components, or for teachers to print out and make copies. Every school I’ve worked at limits how many copies a teacher can make per month, so you can’t print out everything.

[petesgirl]

I’m just speechless how this flies at all. 7-8 hours of screen time everyday is insanity by any stretch of the imagination. What’s the need for sending the kid to school? We can just pass them an iPad over cooped up at home.
Our school sent home logins for something called prodigy math and I’m not a fan of this at all of doing things online especially at this age.


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My son's school uses prodigy (not in school, just if the kids want to for extra math practice at home) and I don't care for it--it's 90% video game and 10% math practice. Not very effective IMO.

[petesgirl]

Older teacher, recently divorced and recently enrolled in a masters program. This was all laid out at back to school.

So she is probably doing her masters coursework during school hours.

[Melaine]

So she is probably doing her masters coursework during school hours.
That’s exactly what I was thinking.

[bisous]

So my friends opinion is that the teacher is going through a tough time and needs compassion. She’s divorced slightly over a year and around that time that’s when the chrome books started. Still, she hopes her now 2nd grade son doesn’t get here next year. There are only two classes so it’s a 50/50 chance!

I guess that’s why she stays! Parents don’t like it but they don’t care enough to do something about it.

ETA: my use of “She” is complicated in this post. The friend I met with today is the former PTA president. She’s got a 5th graded, a 2nd grader and a TKer at the school. My friend with the child in the class is outraged but did remove her child from school. He’s being homeschooled right now but is hoping to get into the local charter school.

[doberbrat]

I would have been compassionate after the divorce - a year later?, not so much!

If HS works for her, great. But I would push the issue. Principal, Superintendent, news? And I would let the principal know NOW no way no how should they place my next child in that class.

[mom2binsd]

I'm sorry, this teacher has made a conscious decision to abandon all of the basic teaching skills used for elementary education and is using methodology that is absolutely not aligning with any curriculum for elementary school. There is NO WAY the amount of use of chromebooks and lack of all other mediums and teaching to warrant this.

I am sorry if this sounds cold, but her divorce is no excuse for this, honestly any type of personal crisis (severe illness of family/death in the family etc) is no excuse for this. If she is struggling and just dialing in the year, she needs to take a year off (teachers can usually get extended leave for medical/stress etc as their benefits are often pretty extensive).

I would encourage her to not give this teacher a pass.

[bisous]

I'm sorry, this teacher has made a conscious decision to abandon all of the basic teaching skills used for elementary education and is using methodology that is absolutely not aligning with any curriculum for elementary school. There is NO WAY the amount of use of chromebooks and lack of all other mediums and teaching to warrant this.

I am sorry if this sounds cold, but her divorce is no excuse for this, honestly any type of personal crisis (severe illness of family/death in the family etc) is no excuse for this. If she is struggling and just dialing in the year, she needs to take a year off (teachers can usually get extended leave for medical/stress etc as their benefits are often pretty extensive).

I would encourage her to not give this teacher a pass.

Oh I’m with you. Because as hard as her life is she still needs to do her job. Teachers are so crucial for kids. They spend six hours with her every single day. I think there is room for compassion but not at the expense of all these children!

[Globetrotter]

I can’t think of too many other jobs where such incompetence is ignored, and as you said our kids are with teachers several hours every day so it is an extremely important job.. yet I’ve seen this play our year after year In our school system as it’s almost impossible to fire a tenured teacher.

[Mommy_Mea]

We had a kindergarten teacher that went through a divorce a few years ago, and she went from one of the best, most loved kindy teachers to two years of being grumpy with the kids and not teaching well. I have several friends who say because of that year, their kids have struggled with anxiety about school and haven't recovered well even several years later. At least two have ended up at private school. I understand divorce is a horrible, horrible personal thing to go through, but teachers, especially elementary school teachers have such a direct impact on our kids. It is so frustrating that this level of incompetence is tolerated, no matter what is going on in their personal life. I am all for compassion, but that teacher needs to figure out a better way to handle what is going on in her life. [emoji45]