So my wife, kids and I are driving back from dinner this evening. My little 6 year old girl proceeds to tell us a story that her and her twin brother's music teacher told them today. Apparently the music teacher thought it necessary to tell their class about a little girl walking home from school that was kidnapped, murdered, and stuffed into a garbage can. Now I realize that the teacher was trying to get a point across to the children about being careful about who they approach or talk to, and to be careful about who they take candy from during this Halloween season. I obviously believe there is a better way for her to get the message across without telling the story she did. If this story had been told to your young children, how would you handle the situation? Would you request a conference with the teacher? Contact the principal, and ask him to have a talk with the teacher, or would you just let it go?

I would say just let it go. One way to get things into kids head is the fear factor.

 

At the end of the day it's not my daughter though. If you wish to conference it is your right.

So my wife, kids and I are driving back from dinner this evening. My little 6 year old girl proceeds to tell us a story that her and her twin brother's music teacher told them today. Apparently the music teacher thought it necessary to tell their class about a little girl walking home from school that was kidnapped, murdered, and stuffed into a garbage can. Now I realize that the teacher was trying to get a point across to the children about being careful about who they approach or talk to, and to be careful about who they take candy from during this Halloween season. I obviously believe there is a better way for her to get the message across without telling the story she did. If this story had been told to your young children, how would you handle the situation? Would you request a conference with the teacher? Contact the principal, and ask him to have a talk with the teacher, or would you just let it go?

 

I would certainly e-mail the teacher asap. I would address the issue with the teacher first before going to the administration. If you don't receive an appropriate response then I think you are justified in speaking to the principal. I agree with you that there are better ways to communicate the message.

I would build on the important part of the story with my child about safety issues and being careful who they are talking to.

 

As far as my child, that would be the most important part of the story and the end of the situation to me.

 

Everyone has their own opinion on whether it was appropriate or not. I have no problem with it and to me, it was appropriate.

It depends on what kind of household you have.

 

I mean if the child has heard or seen this kind of stuff (from movies, of course) then I say let it go. If she is more isolated as of right now then I say contact the principal.

 

 

Maybe though the teacher should be notified anyways just so she knows what she did. Maybe she doesn't even realize it, but some families keep their kids guarded from that kind of language and it's not the teachers responsibility or place to tell kids things like that.

 

In this case just reading what you said I would let it go, but maybe see what other parents thought about it.

I would contact the teacher first, probably. Also, I'd do it through a well-thought out email. Don't threaten her or come off with any type of attitude. The goal of the email should be a constructive conversation. You don't need to make her feel like she has to defend herself.

 

If you (and your wife) feel the response is unsatisfactory, I'd make an attempt to meet with her. Or, you could go to the principal.

 

I'd say talk to the teacher before you do anything. I'm not saying your daughter isn't right, but get the "adult's" version of the story (as well as the context) before going to her superiors.

 

As LBBC said, I would also try to build on the point that the teacher was trying to make. Your child could benefit from this & I truly don't think that it would be beneficial for her to know that you're contacting the teacher. I'm giving the teacher the benefit of the doubt here & I think if you belittle (maybe too strong of a word, but you get the point) the teacher, then you may undercut her authority & cause your child to lose some respect for her.

 

Is this a younger teacher? If so, consider that. Although she has the education, she may not have the experience to handle certain situations yet. It's a learning process for her, as well as her students.

 

 

Just my opinion.

Or you could completely disregard my post, kidnap the teacher & throw her into a garbage can. :lol:

I would certainly e-mail the teacher asap. I would address the issue with the teacher first before going to the administration. If you don't receive an appropriate response then I think you are justified in speaking to the principal. I agree with you that there are better ways to communicate the message.

 

I agree with my guy ATM.

 

While the teacher's intention was obviously good her method of delivery shows a serious lack of mental capacity. Please tell me she's a young teacher with no children of her own.

 

I'd email her requesting that she call you to discuss the conversation. Tell her that you want to make sure that the story you heard from your child is the same that she delivered.

 

I'd be straightforward with her. Let her know that there are better ways of teaching the lesson than being so darn graphic. Hopefully, she will understand. If not, you've got another challenge.

 

Years ago, I made the mistake of going to the principal and I'm pretty sure nothing really was learned by the teacher who I had a problem with. So, teacher first. Principal only if necessary.

I would contact the teacher first, probably. Also, I'd do it through a well-thought out email. Don't threaten her or come off with any type of attitude. The goal of the email should be a constructive conversation. You don't need to make her feel like she has to defend herself.

 

If you (and your wife) feel the response is unsatisfactory, I'd make an attempt to meet with her. Or, you could go to the principal.

 

I'd say talk to the teacher before you do anything. I'm not saying your daughter isn't right, but get the "adult's" version of the story (as well as the context) before going to her superiors.

 

As LBBC said, I would also try to build on the point that the teacher was trying to make. Your child could benefit from this & I truly don't think that it would be beneficial for her to know that you're contacting the teacher. I'm giving the teacher the benefit of the doubt here & I think if you belittle (maybe too strong of a word, but you get the point) the teacher, then you may undercut her authority & cause your child to lose some respect for her.

 

Is this a younger teacher? If so, consider that. Although she has the education, she may not have the experience to handle certain situations yet. It's a learning process for her, as well as her students.

 

 

Just my opinion.

 

For a young cat you certainly have a mature way about you. Must be that advanced degree that's causing you to be more cerebral.

 

I have no advanced degree so that explains a lot, right?

Years ago, I made the mistake of going to the principal and I'm pretty sure nothing really was learned by the teacher who I had a problem with. So, teacher first. Principal only if necessary.

 

I think the problem with going to the principal 1st is that it creates some hostility (once again, maybe too harsh of a word, but you get the point).

 

If you are able to speak with the teacher first as adults, then you'll be able to work something out, or at the very least, get your point across.

 

When you start getting his / her boss involved, I think it is only natural for someone to get more defensive. After all, they are being questioned / threatened in front of their boss and may feel as if they have to defend themselves to keep their job.

Coming from a family of educators (teachers and administrators), including a wife that is currently a teacher, I can assure you that a "calm and pleasant" email voicing your concerns to the teacher is the way to go. Most teachers will appreciate and respect your concern when voiced in a rational, calm manner. Most teachers in fact would appreciate a rational email with legitimate concerns as a refreshing change from the obnoxious diatribes they may often encounter.

 

I can tell you from personal experience that the minute a teacher receives an obnoxious, rude or hostile email, you've pretty much been moved to the back of the line of credibility.

Coming from a family of educators (teachers and administrators), including a wife that is currently a teacher, I can assure you that a "calm and pleasant" email voicing your concerns to the teacher is the way to go. Most teachers will appreciate and respect your concern when voiced in a rational, calm manner. Most teachers in fact would appreciate a rational email with legitimate concerns as a refreshing change from the obnoxious diatribes they may often encounter.

 

I can tell you from personal experience that the minute a teacher receives an obnoxious, rude or hostile email, you've pretty much been moved to the back of the line of credibility.

Good post.

I agree with my guy ATM.

 

While the teacher's intention was obviously good her method of delivery shows a serious lack of mental capacity. Please tell me she's a young teacher with no children of her own.

 

I'd email her requesting that she call you to discuss the conversation. Tell her that you want to make sure that the story you heard from your child is the same that she delivered.

 

I'd be straightforward with her. Let her know that there are better ways of teaching the lesson than being so darn graphic. Hopefully, she will understand. If not, you've got another challenge.

 

Years ago, I made the mistake of going to the principal and I'm pretty sure nothing really was learned by the teacher who I had a problem with. So, teacher first. Principal only if necessary.

 

I agree with this on all points.:thumb:

I think it all depends on the person. I would probably let it slide unless either it is brought back up by the teacher or the teacher tells them something else off the wall. I think you definatly have the right to talk to them if you feel like you need to. I'm a choose your battles kind of person. I could understand wanting to talk to them though so I think you have to go with your gut. I don't like going over their head on something like this.

Let it slide and pick your battles for a bigger, more critical issues. The teacher, I am sure had good intentions. She/he wanted to get their attention and it appears that happened. There are many kids whose parents are not nearly as involved as you and your wife are, I am sure we will all agree on that. It is those kids who needed the message more than your kids. Probably not the best delivery, but an important one nonetheless.