harrssing teacher

[justscooter]

What is the name of your state? California
I am not sure where to post this but I will start here. My Son is in the 7th grade. He has a problem with one of his teachers. It started when she had him do work she made up, He brought it home for home work and he did not understand it I tried to help, I looked in the math book and it wasn't in there. I called the principle and I met with the teacher she told me she made it up. But I think I made her mad. She stopped accepting work from my son. Just handing it back as "Incomplete" so my son stopped doing any work for the class. Also I found out that the teacher is calling my son "stupid" and "lazy" and mocking him in class. He wants to participate but she ignores him. I thought the harrassing stopped when she apoligized to me through the principle. But I just found out it didn't. I have talked with other students in the class and found out that she is indeed putting him down in front of the other students. The stories he could tell you. He does go to the principle but it seems nothing gets done.
I would like to find an Attorney to work on a contigent basis. I want the teacher repremanded and I want the school district to pay for my Attorney and I also want the school district to pay for a tutor so my son can get back on track ( but at my convenience) Or I will accept some cash and I will do it myself.
I was going to just let it go because I have found a private school that I am trying to get my son into. He should start next year. But the name calling and the harrassment this public education teacher is more than I can handle. It is wrong. Now my Child goes around calling himself dumb. Something needs to be done. There is more but this shoud be a start.
Thanks Scooter

 

[justscooter]

advice

Is there anyone who could help me?

 

[Ohiogal]

Attorneys will not work on a contingency basis for this. What are your monetary damages? Your son quit doing the work. Did you ask that he be transferred to a new class? Did you move up the chain of command to the superintendent? Have you done anything except complain to the teacher and question your son?

 

[stealth2]

I looked in the math book and it wasn't in there. I called the principle and I met with the teacher she told me she made it up. But I think I made her mad.

Well, I don't think it's unreasonable for her to be pissed off if you went straight to her boss instead of contacting her first. It sounds like it was badly handled all around. Best bet? Have him take the class in summer school or privately, and move on.

 

[GaAtty]

You probably would get a better response to post this under education law. Most states have passed an anti-bullying statute which makes the principal responsible for stopping bullying. The only catch to it is that the principal must have his attention called to the bullying. I have never heard of bullying by a teacher, but this sounds like it. First have a meeting with the teacher and tell her what your son and others have said is happening and ask if it is true. If she admits it, then tell her it is inappropriate and if it doesn't stop, you will have to stop it, and you would rather not have to do that (in other words, be tactful). If that doesn't work, find out if your state has an anti-bullying statute. If so, write a BRIEF letter to the principal stating that under the anti-bullying statute, you are giving him notice that your child is being bullied by this teacher and that he is on notice to stop it. If neither of these work, then go to an attorney and ask them to write a letter to the school and they will know how to do so. You cannot get this done on a contingency, there will be no money at the end for an attorney to get paid from. You cannot sue the school for money damages, they have immunity. Get an attorney who does either civil rights or special education (IEP's), either will know what kind of letter to write. In my experience, when a parent hires an attorney and the attorney starts negotiating with the school, usually the mistreatment stops and the school starts treating the child and the parent better. Don't ask me why, there must be something magic in the attorney letterhead, is all I can figure. But the small amount you may spend for that attorney letterhead usually makes a world of difference, from what I have observed, so I suggest you try it. It may result in no need to change schools. One further note for you-the principal of a school is spelled with the last two letters being "al" not "le".

 

[magic55]

I got question what your son has done to maybe piss her off? I dont think you have to much of a case here. I go to the school board and superintendant. What are you going to be sueing for? Thats a weak harrassment case. You should just ask him to transfer to another class, not to complicated.