Teacher troubles for teen

[Victoria66]

What is the name of your state? Utah

My son is 14 years old and was attending our local jr high school. Recently my son heard from two different friends, that the shop teacher, a teacher my son has never had and never met by the way, called him a "pothead loser" to the whole class. One boy told the teacher he better not be saying these things about his friend, but the teacher continued on. I should add that my son wants to take a drug test to prove he is not a drug user.

My son has never been in trouble at school, has never been in a fight or caused issues with teachers. He is a VERY slow learner, and has trouble with keeping up in class. He also looks different. He has black hair and a lip ring. He is very popular and has friends from every kind of clique in the school. This has not been the first issue I have had with this school, but was the last straw. I pulled him out this week after complaining to the district.

This troubles me. A teacher calling a 14 year old a loser is very disturbing. Especially a kid he has never met. Teachers are there to encourage and help our children, not to drag them down. Every parent I have told about this has said to take legal action. I am just not sure that is an avenue thats needed.

Thanks for your help
VictoriaWhat is the name of your state?

 

[lealea1005]

What is the name of your state? Utah

My son is 14 years old and was attending our local jr high school. Recently my son heard from two different friends, that the shop teacher, a teacher my son has never had and never met by the way, called him a "pothead loser" to the whole class. One boy told the teacher he better not be saying these things about his friend, but the teacher continued on. I should add that my son wants to take a drug test to prove he is not a drug user.

My son has never been in trouble at school, has never been in a fight or caused issues with teachers. He is a VERY slow learner, and has trouble with keeping up in class. He also looks different. He has black hair and a lip ring. He is very popular and has friends from every kind of clique in the school. This has not been the first issue I have had with this school, but was the last straw. I pulled him out this week after complaining to the district.

This troubles me. A teacher calling a 14 year old a loser is very disturbing. Especially a kid he has never met. Teachers are there to encourage and help our children, not to drag them down. Every parent I have told about this has said to take legal action. I am just not sure that is an avenue thats needed.

Thanks for your help
VictoriaWhat is the name of your state?

Have you asked for a meeting with the teacher and the principal to discuss this?

 

[Victoria66]

Hi,

Yes as soon as I found out I called and was told that the pricipal would be out of town until
Monday, that is when I called the district and spoke to the gentleman who is over the jr high. He told me he couldn't help me because he doesn't know that teacher personally. I really didn't understand that statement at all.

Thanks again,
Victoria

 

[Just Blue]

How do you know that the teacher ACTUALLY DID say this??

 

[lealea1005]

Hi,

Yes as soon as I found out I called and was told that the pricipal would be out of town until
Monday, that is when I called the district and spoke to the gentleman who is over the jr high. He told me he couldn't help me because he doesn't know that teacher personally. I really didn't understand that statement at all.

Thanks again,
Victoria

Is there no Asst. Principal or "acting" principal during his/her absence? Perhaps you can start by speaking directly to the teacher.

 

[Victoria66]

How do you know that the teacher ACTUALLY DID say this??

It was told to my son by two different kids at different times. These are good kids and have no reason to make any of this up. It was the exact same quote both times. My oldest son has had this teacher and says he has been in trouble before. He is a very lenient teacher, according to my son he lets his students swear, eat in class that kind of thing.

Of course at this point it is all hearsay, but I do tend to believe it. I'm not out to get anyone into trouble, but my son is crushed.

 

[fairisfair]

did you transfer your son to a different school?

 

[Silverplum]

You pulled your son, age 14, slow learner, out of school over this?
What does this teach him in the long run?

 

[Victoria66]

I pulled my son to homeschool him and get him up to par for when he starts high school. He is getting nowhere fast and I can give him full attention. We have excellent home school resources in Utah. He will also have a teacher visit him once a week to make sure he is on track.

 

[Silverplum]

I pulled my son to homeschool him and get him up to par for when he starts high school. He is getting nowhere fast and I can give him full attention. We have excellent home school resources in Utah. He will also have a teacher visit him once a week to make sure he is on track.

Why is he "getting nowhere fast"? What does that have to do with the teacher's supposed remark?

 

[Victoria66]

Why is he "getting nowhere fast"? What does that have to do with the teacher's supposed remark?

It doesn't. He is struggling tremendously at school. I had been thinking about homeschooling for a while.

 

[David Jonathan]

I'm kinda biased against the public school system due to my own expirences. Either way, I think some people are missing the point.

The facts as I see them (please correct me if I'm wrong)

Teacher made slanderous/defamatory remarks about your son

Two different students, not related, relayed this information, at two different times to your son

Your son was upset by this, and felt he was then in a harmful environment

Your son has dificulties learning (not really needed information but you included it)

You removed your son from this environment so you could help him concentrate on his studdies at home, both to get him "caught up" and to get him out of harms way from the remarks made by this teacher.

Your son said he'd be willing to take a drug test to prove his innocence

I am not a lawyer, but this is what I would do ...

Get the kids to write a statement and sign an affidavit (sworn in, and notarized) as to what happened, includning dates, times, etc. GET THEIR PARENTS PERMISSION. You may not be a cop, but if you follow the same rules the police have to follow, this will help you. They (the police) have their procedures to help protect their cases, if you use the same procedures, this will help keep everything in the "up and up"

Have your son take the drug test - may seem like overkill, but good evidence like a clean drug test can only work in your favor. This teacher called your son a "pothead" - if that claim is false, and bring evidence that it is a false claim.

Do what you can to have that teacher removed from teaching in that district. Period.

If this teacher has had questionable actions before, has questionable actions now, the likelyhood of him having questionable actions in the future is very high, and rather than letting other kids fall victim to these actions, stop him now through every LEGAL means you can.

It's not about "not getting him in trouble" because he got himself into trouble, you just need to see that the proper actions are taken, rather than ignored.

--Dave

 

[Victoria66]

Thanks Dave, your facts were exactly right. We have heard from yet a third child that my son was used as an example in the classroom yet again today. I will be taking your advice.

Thanks again for everyones input.
Victoria

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

It would be highly inappropriate for the teacher to label another student. Before pulling my child from school, I would address the issue with the school

Homeschooling works but it takes alot of work. If you can't put forth the effort to communicate with the school regarding this situation, I don't understand why you believe you are capable of putting forth the effort to accelerate the education of your child. Has your child been evaluated for learning disorders? Public schools have their faults, but they also have more resources available for children with learning disorders but you have to ask.