WooHoo! My problem student's dad withdrew him from school today!

[Catshrink]

This kid was spoiled and obnoxious, disruptive and dishonest. He never met a test he didn't cheat on or a teacher he didn't verbally abuse and taunt. He's gone!

Oh happy day!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[mediaman007]

1. Will he return next year for second grade?

heh, heh, heh, :-•

[Catshrink]

4. He's a junior

17 years old and acts like a 4 year old. My info is that he's moving out of state.

[rwheeler31]

2. Congratulations.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. I was a teacher. The way some kids behave you'd think their parents raised them under a subway nt

[Catshrink]

7. This guy's dad was useless.

We had a behavior contract that the kid violated everyday. I talked to the dad, one of many times, and he said "Well, that's why you have a behavior contract to give you leverage and deal with him. He's been this way since grade school."

No rules, no limits, no consequencs. $350 for a damn cell phone. Bad grade? buy him a bike to make him feel better. It's no wonder he's turned out the way he has.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. I actually had parents ASK ME to change their kids' grade to an A nt

[1monster]

38. I'm a sub, and last week, I had one of the worst group of kids I've had in

many years of subbing. They were sixth graders (subbed for them many times before...they are obnoxious).

Anyway there were forty sixth graders making so much noise that I had to blow my marine whitle in order to get their attention. At least five times.

One sweet young thing piped up at a point when I had their attention with: "My Momma told me that if we ever had a sub and she was being mean, I could just get up and walk out of the classroom."

(I'm not sure what made her volunteer that because up until then I'd not really noticed her.)

"Go right on ahead," I invited her. "Then I'll write you up and your Momma can come down and duke it out with the dean."

She chose to remain seated.

That sad thing is that her mother probably DID tell her that.

I wish that had been the end of it, but she was also in the last class of the day and created such havoc that I sent her to the dean's with a referral.

On the up side, once I did that, the other kids were very good for the rest of the ninety minute block.

[LiberalFighter]

28. Exactly what did the dad do to improve his kid's behavior?

Probably the opposite of what was needed.

[JuniperLea]

5. Excuse me if I don't join the party...

I've known far too many extremely bright "problem" students who, with a little mentoring, turned out to be wonderful students and people. I've known an equal amount who were the butt of jokes from teachers... and had teachers say "good riddance" when they finally gave up and dropped out.

Perhaps this kid needed the attention he was begging... perhaps he really needed it.

Carry on with your celebration...

[Wanet]

6. I agree with you Juni

Hopefully he can get into a special program or find a one-on-one teacher who can help. I understand teachers' frustration, but it is sad when a student can't succeed. -- Wanet

[Catshrink]

10. Can't or won't?

This one needs to learn basic respect for his fellow classmates and for teachers. Save your pity for a kid who deserves it.

[JuniperLea]

12. I don't know the kid personally...

But I find it simply horrible that a teacher would celebrate the fact they failed a student.

Did you ever try positive reinforcement? Or did the kid live under your chastisement and ridicule and still be expected to turn himself around?

Personally, I'd feel like a failure if I couldn't reach a kid.

[Catshrink]

14. I'm not celebrating failing a student -- the student failed himself.

BTW, are you a teacher? Just wondering.

[JuniperLea]

Was

The student failed himself? Was he teaching himself? Did anyone try to give him positive feedback? Did anyone tell him what his capabilities were?

[JuniperLea]

16. hiccup!

Dupe... self delete...

[madeline_con]

19. Not all kids are just misunderstood sweeties who need

a little understanding. Some are just wasted meat, taking up desk space. They become adult sized, and take up space as they stand in public places with their mouths open, wodcering whether to shit or wind their watch.

[JuniperLea]

22. Oh God...

That is a horrible thing to say. Ugh... I may be ill...

Everyone has some good in them, and if you speak to that good, you will find good. To write-off any individual, especially a child, as "wasted meat" is unconscionable.

Unless a person is mentally ill, or a mass murderer, or something of that ilk, they are most certainly NOT "wasted meat".

I find this appalling. Completely appalling. Especially coming from a freaking teacher. Egad. What a world.

[madeline_con]

26. I'm not a teacher. n/t

[la la]

25. wow--

as a retired teacher---I can remember the days when obnoxious POS students left the school----99.9% of us would celebrate- and the missing .01% was out that particular day!!11!!! ;>)

misunderstood sweeties, my tush!

:evilgrin:

[JuniperLea]

11. I was that unruly child...

Once upon a time. I've seen teachers celebrate my leaving too... and I saw one in tears (of joy) the day I passed my exams with flying colors and moved on... I'll never forget her. I'll owe her a debt of gratitude all my days. She was the first to give me positive reinforcement, instead of telling me what a horrid kid I was, and how horrid my parents were... just saying.

[Catshrink]

13. Whatever

glad you turned out okay.

[JuniperLea]

15. Whatever?

:eyes:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

23. I had a child in my class who consistently showed up with no lunch and no lunch money....

He was always angry and upset, never did his homework, laughed out of turn, hit kids, etc. I asked him to tell his parents that I wanted to speak with them, I called them, no answer, left messages, no return call, nothing.

Periodically he would ask me for money for lunch and never paid it back, and since I wasn't there to subsidize the school (and I wasn't supposed to be), after a while I didn't give him money, but on those days he was having NO LUNCH!

Finally I couldn't stand it any longer so I asked him to stay after school and talked to him for a long time. He told me his parents were out working till 8 or 9 p.m. or so. They were exhausted when they got home and they didn't want to deal with him. Every day after school, he'd get home and no one would be there for him, no food prepared, no money for the next day, no clean clothes, nothing. Every time I suggested something, he said, "Forget it. Nothing good is going to happen. They don't care."

I talked to the principal about this child's parental and lunch situation and we got him on the school lunch program. With that little change, his life began to change. He actually began to show up in school with cleaner clothes and clean hair. He began to behave better. He tried to do his work. His homework began to show up (atrocious, yes, but at least he tried doing it!) His grades improved.

Sometimes rewarding things like these happen, where one is able to do something. However, when parents are not doing what they should, AND they are getting in the way of one helping, one may as well forget it.

[Catshrink]

8. I have a class of 32 kids

to allow this kid to "get the attention he was begging" would mean that no one learned anything. Everyone of his teachers had the same issues with him and for all three years he was in our school. The lack of parental support for teachers only reinforced his behavior.

Yeah, altruism is great. However, I have very few hours to spend tutoring and mentoring kids and I'd rather spend them on kids who appreciate the help and who really do want to make something of their lives. This kid will shape up eventually, once he's learned some of life's hard lessons. Until then, a mere mortal in-the-trenches teacher is unlikely to help him much.

[Warpy]

17. the problem was that he wasn't getting it where he needed it most

and probably never will. There are some holes the best teachers can't fill.

I'm sure we'll see him running for office in 10 years, GOP, of course.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. I've known plenty of kids that when you discuss the needs of the kids with the parents....

.... the parents get defensive as hell and say it's "your" (the teacher's) problem.

There were some parents which, when asked to keep up with their kids' homework, to make sure it's done, and to ask them what they did in school, really went out and made an effort to follow through. Other parents don't care a rat's ass, and you knock yourself out but it won't happen. These parents believe that learning takes place without any effort being expended. Somehow they imagine learning consists of the teacher opening up their kids' skull and magically placing knowledge into their brains, with no effort on their child's part. It's clear that learning doesn't work that way, but there's no way to convince these parents.

Then there are those parents who think their bully-child is just some kind of prince that could do no wrong, and that the world is just one evil place trying to do their oh-so-wonderful child harm. They go through life trying to get the easy way out of everything for their child, and never teach their child social skills or proper behavior. When their child once again gets sent to detention, they're all flustered and upset. Their child, I suspect, is a reflection of their own bully selves.

I treated every child I taught with interest in their learning, but when a child consistently rejects every time you extend a hand, and the parents are far worse, you have to be realistic and aware of what you're dealing with and stop fooling yourself.

[Catshrink]

20. Thank you.

You've obviously been in my shoes. I do my best for my students but every year there are one or two who are as you describe.

[madeline_con]

21. It's nice to think we just need to take a little extra time with these

angels, but what are the other 20 kids supposed to do while we coddle little Jason?

Or worse, spend half the class period trying to get him to sit down and shut up. :puke:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

24. I read a very good article about narcissism and entitlement ....

... and it said that parents nowadays are raising their kids to be narcissists who feel entitled. This is not how kids in Europe are. I taught in Europe. Day from night. Naturally, they have healthier lifestyles, closely-knit families, health care, security from job loss, etc. We don't have that here. However, they are not raising their kids to be empty shells. Kids pick up how to be, to speak, to think, to react, to grow up, from their parents or caretakers. Parents and caretakers should be very aware of everything their kids are picking up just from being around them and watching their lives. It's not pretty.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. And I have known way too many with really shitty parents

Really, there isn't enough information here to draw any conclusions about this kid. :)

[goddess40]

33. depends on the reason behind the "problem"

if he's got the "George W Bush" syndrome where he "knows" he doesn't have to try because everything will be given to him any way that's one thing. Usually it is some undiscovered or ignored learning issue. The kid tries to cover up the fact that he's can't learn by acting out.

Both of my son's have autism spectrum disorders, one has NLD and the other Asperger's, and Lord help the next teacher that utters the words "if he would only apply himself". They were diagnosed the same year they were 7 and 11 and up until that time teachers and administrators tried to hide behind the he's just lazy and spoiled labels. Since then it has gotten better but we still run up against a teacher that ignores the diagnosis and we simply have our child removed from the classroom. My kids are older now, one in high school and one in college but the learning issues never go away.

All I ask is look a little deeper when a kid seems to be fighting the system.

[LWolf]

34. I've known plenty like that, as well.

I've also known plenty who don't want to be reached.

The young man who got in my face this week, demanding to know if I was "religious," who wouldn't back down until I evicted him from the room, who screamed, "are you a jew?" at me as he kicked and punched the door and walls on his way out... he's not there to learn. He's there to stay in contact with his fellow wanna-be gang member. The tantrum was sparked because I didn't let him leave his seat to move to the other side of the room where his target was.

One more trimester, and he won't be back. That's already in the works. I'm glad. He sucks up time, motivation, and energy for learning from the rest of us.

I'd rather see him succeed, of course. I know his background. I taught other family members, who all had their issues. The difference being that they were willing to, if not learn, get along with everyone else. They didn't carry the load of anger that this one does. I'd like to see that anger addressed, and I'd like to see something change for this student. It's not happening in the current setting and structure, though. Why continue with a toxic situation, if every effort to change it has proven fruitless?

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. I had one a few years ago whose mother was a nut

He was very disruptive. Mother never believed us. She would come up to school to see for herself and sit in a chair and fall asleep. I felt sorry for her. I think she had some health issues. And she definitely had no control over her kid.

One day the kid told a little girl "I want to fuck you". A teacher overheard him and the kid got suspended. Mom appealed the suspension and said "That little girl was Mexican and I told him he can't date Mexican girls."

But I guess it was okay with Mom that he sexually harassed Mexican girls. :crazy:

[LWolf]

36. I feel for all of my students.

We have to be careful not to allow empathy to overwhelm us, sometimes.

We would like to make a difference with every student, especially the most disruptive. I think it's okay to recognize, though, that a student's needs will not be met in the environment, the structure, with the resources we have to offer. I'd like the structure and resources to meet every students' needs; without that, when a particularly disruptive student is gone, it improves the experience for the rest who are left.

[BigDaddy44]

37. He's 17

Maybe he was just a rotten kid. Some kids just are.

[BlueJazz]

27. He's one lucky Kid. If I had heard of his behavior (from You)....

..Tony and I would have..ah...made sure that this little puke would not be a problem anymore...

[Catshrink]

29. Part of our problem is overworked admins

and a superintendent with no spine.

[0007]

30. Your point is well taken.

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. Hate to put a damper on it but I have learned that as the bible says,

better the devil you know than the one you don't.

Seems like every time I lost a problem kid another one soon followed.

But I share your glee. I do understand the feeling. :)