Do you see this as an intimidating comment by a teacher?
DS13 told me that yesterday he and a friend were in an area of the Pod where they shouldn't have been. They were called over by the teacher of that area and he asked them "what would a pitbull do if you entered it's territory"? DS said "bark" the teacher replies "no it will go for your neck, I am the pitbull and if you come back into my area there will be severe consequences". It almost sounds like a threat, I just fail to understand why he couldn't have just told them plain and simply to stay out of his area.
I would hope the teacher didn't mean it as a threat and that it is a really bad analogy. I would be taking it up with the principle or his Department head just to make it clear that it is unacceptable.
WOW, i know some teachers use intimidation or their 'reputation' as a tactic to get kids to toe the line but honestly... i don't think it's appropriate a simple "what are you doing in here" and a "you know your not allowed, come back and you ill be in trouble" would have done.
I'm going to ring the school I'm just not sure if I should speak to the Yr8 Co-ordinator or the Principal. Was also thinking of ringing the Department of Education as I'm not confident the school will do much. DS13 said he wanted to go and talk to the principal himself so I told him if he feels comfortable in doing that then he should.
I think it's a bad analogy in poor taste but I don't think it's particularly threatening. By that I mean I don't think you have anything to worry about the teacher being physically violent against your son.
I think the teacher was probably trying to get a point across but spoke before they thought.
Sounds like there is more to the story. When I was in high school yes teachers spoke like that, but not all the time and only when either they or their position was threatened. And it meant very little anyway. I would be more concerned that perhaps this wasn't an isolated incident (ie. they had done it before) or that perhaps the person he was with is a known trouble maker.
It sounded quite threatening to me and quite honestly, if it's enough to upset your DS and yourself then definitely speak to someone about it, whether it be the coordinator, the Principal or the Dep. Ed or all 3. Teachers shouldn't speak to students like that ever.
I wouldn't take it further, but that's just me. I wouldn't want myself or my child to be known as 'that' person, always making complaints etc. Teachers are people too, not jut these infallible figures in our kids lives. His comment was a little forceful, but maybe he was totally fed up with kids breaking the rules and not doing the right thing. Maybe your DS's friend (or your DS? I don't know his history) are getting into trouble a fair bit. I'd probably just tell my child to stay away from out of bounds areas, and if the teacher makes another comment that upset them like that, to let me know and if reconsider from there. But not for an isolated incident.
Totally agree with teachers being people too. And unlike primary school they are given more freedom and respect and sometimes it doesn't get reciprocated to the teachers. I know this because I've been on both sides of the track and I don't know if it's changed much but when teachers were dobbed in it usually wasn't because they were at fault but often because there was a gripe because they could hold their own. Not that I'm accusing your son of anything just want to offer another perspective.
Actually no i don't agree. Yes teachers are people but so are students and in no way should a student ever feel threatened or harassed by somebody that they are learning from. There are MANY other ways to get a point across. Who knows maybe they didn't know where they were was a restricted area, considering its a new school year and maybe rules have changed, i don't know. But his comment was very out of line and if nobody is willing to speak up then this teacher will get away with it over and over again.
So what if you are seen as 'those' people. I would rather stick up for my kid and be seen as a dibber dobber then ignore things and have them become depressed/anxious everytime they have to go to school. The worst that can happen is the teacher will be spoken to.
Dianne, you do what you feel is best for your son. Maybe even get him to approch that teacher and say that the comment was uncalled for. If the teacher then laughs or dismisses him then he should seek somebody higher up to talk to.
Ok have to disagree there. I never said I would dismiss it, but I wouldn't go in guns blazing without all the facts, or better yet seeing if it was an isolated incident. And I certainly wouldn't send my child to talk to him about it for two reasons, it could make it a lot worse for for him or if there is an issue it could provoke more grief between the two of them.
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Do you see this as an intimidating comment by a teacher?
wow! That is really not on.
and I don't know if it's changed much but when teachers were dobbed in it usually wasn't because they were at fault but often because there was a gripe because they could hold their own. Not that I'm accusing your son of anything just want to offer another perspective.
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