DS16 was told "you are crap" by a teacher

[diannescruffy]

Yesterday in one of DS's classes he was debating a topic with his teacher, first she told him what he had said was crap then proceeded to tell him that he is crap. DS is very outspoken so he said back to her "you're crap" which resulted in the whole class laughing. His reasoning was "if she can call me crap, I can call her crap back". I've been half expecting a phone call from the school, will call the co-ordinator later, this teacher should not be talking to my son like this.

Regards,
Dianne

[Charlotte91]

Aw, Dianne. That's not good enough! I'd be so mad!

I know it wasn't the best thing, but good on your son for standing up for himself!

[toomanyshoes]

dianne thats shocking, if you aren't happy with the schools handling of the situation get in contact with the education department in your state. We did that this week because of stuff happening with DD and the education department has been wonderful!

Nothing wrong with outspoken students.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

No that teacher should not be speaking to ANY student like that! If she didn't agree with what your DS was saying there are MANY other ways to say that! That is so far out of line its not even funny and yes your DS is right if its ok for her to speak to him like that then yes he should be able to as well! If he gets into trouble for what he said i would take it further because name calling is not acceptable.

[Bern]

i agree , whats good for the goose is good for the gander.... id be making a complaint to the principal.

[OceanPrincess]

Absolutely take that up. That is in no way ok behaviour.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I would be furious if that happened to my son. It happened to me (teacher called me thick) and it isn't something you get over, someone who is supposed to be able to make a value judgement on you and your work dismissing it like that.

FWIW, in the UK doing that sort of thing gets you black marks on your permanent record and can even get you barred from teaching if it is more than a one-off.

[Amity]

During my articles year, I was told by my "mentor" (I use those inverted commas for a reason) that I would "never amount to anything as a lawyer".

Let's just say when I won the State's best junior advocate award, two years later, I faxed him a copy of the newspaper article. Anonymously

But yes, it still sticks in my mind years later. Good on your DS for standing up to her. Her behaviour is unacceptable.

[StrawberryFields]

Thats appalling! A teacher should never speak to a student like that! Ever!

DS probably shouldn't have called her crap back but you know what? He's 16, he's entitled to make those kind of slip ups, and if you ask me telling a 16yo boy he's crap is just asking for it.

Sounds to me like he had her beat and she couldn't take it

[JellyBean]

Wow - that is really appalling! I wouldn't be surprised if you don't hear a thing from the school because the teacher is probably too embarrassed to admit that she stuffed up and 'lost it' at a student. Best of luck - hope your DS can forgive this teacher and move on from it. Big call for a 16 year old because it was a very demoralising statement to make to an adolescent whom she is supposed to be setting an example for.

[Miss.September]

During my articles year, I was told by my "mentor" (I use those inverted commas for a reason) that I would "never amount to anything as a lawyer".

Let's just say when I won the State's best junior advocate award, two years later, I faxed him a copy of the newspaper article. Anonymously

But yes, it still sticks in my mind years later. Good on your DS for standing up to her. Her behaviour is unacceptable.

Yep, same thing with DH's teacher. DH was told he was crap at maths and would never ever be an electrician. It made him strive harder once he left school and he's now been an electrician for 13 years.

I agree what the teacher said should never have been said, but hopefully it will have a positive outcome for your son. And yay for him that he was brave enough to say something back.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I'm glad it made your DH try harder, Pac. I just gave up. I mean, if your teacher thinks you're too thick what chance do you really stand? I don't cope with even "well-intentioned" lying very well: if someone says you are crap then there must be a reason for it. I didn't even apply for the careers I had originally wanted to take at school. And am doing something completely different now.

This does need taking further and reporting.

[Miss.September]

I'm glad it made your DH try harder, Pac. I just gave up. I mean, if your teacher thinks you're too thick what chance do you really stand? I don't cope with even "well-intentioned" lying very well: if someone says you are crap then there must be a reason for it. I didn't even apply for the careers I had originally wanted to take at school. And am doing something completely different now.

This does need taking further and reporting.

I don't think it's well intentioned lying, I think it's just mean! Teachers should never say things like that to students, I just wanted to say that it did have a positive outcome in the end for my DH.

[Purple Penguin]

She said what? That is dusgusting behaviour, take it up with the Principal and if he/she won't do anything then take it further.