Teacher losing temper with class - constantly shouting.

[redadmiral]

My DD goes to a lovely school which has a great ethos in terms of the children - they are listened to and treated with kindness and respect. They also treat each other well as far as I can see, and the school has been praised by OFSTED for all of this.
The problem is that there is a year 5 teacher who has been there for a long time, and who has a terrible temper. She takes her job very seriously and is kind and well-meaning when not under stress. However the moment the children don't do what she wants, she loses her temper and shouts at them with real anger. Over the years there have been many many complaints from parents, but the school seems unable to do anything about it. Has anyone had experience of this? Any ideas of how to approach it?

[ScienceTeacher]

Is she really losing her temper, or is it an act?

[redadmiral]

I'm pretty sure she is really losing it, because I believe she has been told on numerous occasions about the complaints. At one point she took a year out and came back in a support role for a while. She now has a form again.

[wotz]

Expressing anger in a class room, act or real is not on.
I understand that sometimes teachers may be very frustrated for one reason or another, but they should stay in control.

Anger is vented when you loose that control. Year 5's are still only young children. My dd had a teacher like this in year 5 and many parents and children had a very unhappy year.

I would go to the deputy or year leader with your concerns.

[redadmiral]

I have spoken to the headteacher about her before my daughter went into the class, but he said that they were aware of the situation and are dealing with it. However, this has been going on for many years, and lots of people have already complained. I think from the things the children say, she is aware that she shouldn't be shouting, and is unable to help herself. She also treats the children she is annoyed with in a belittling way, copying the way they say things, etc.

[ScienceTeacher]

"Anger" is an effective tactic, but has to be used judiciously.

If a teacher gets genuinely angry, it's a time to step back and evaluate the situation. Real anger is a warning sign that all is not well.

[redadmiral]

Yes. I think that she does have problems. Funny thing is, I don't actually dislike her, and I do appreciate what she is trying to do in terms of her teaching. She knows her stuff, and pays attention to detail. Although I've been keeping an eye on things, I wasn't actually too worried, and have been turning a blind eye to some of the stories that have been coming home, but a conversation with another mum has made me feel a bit guilty as I do know that some of what is going on is just plain wrong.
I will speak to the head again, but I don't know what it would take for them to really deal with it.

[marmon]

Believe me this is all to common in schools nowadays. My dd is 10 and is also in year 5 and is very unhappy with her teacher, she also looses her temper and shouts. My dd is very quiet and gets very upset, i would just like to point out that this is also a brilliant school. My ds started school in September and after 1 week i took him out as the Year R teacher shouted so much he wet himself. She also had a reputation of being fierce and has since left teaching, thank goodness. My son is at a new school and it is not perfect but i have no alternative. I think the biggest problem i have faced with my children in full time education is bullying from teachers. The worst being Infant schools my dd had an awful year 1 teacher who really terrorised the children and still does. I am sorry to be so negative but as much as there are good teachers there are also a few who should most definately not be in the teaching profession.

[Wisteria]

I don't think teachers shout as much as they did when we were smaller. We've had the odd one who shouts a lot but they've generally been great teachers in other ways.

I suppose you need to weigh up the pros against cons and if the pros win then explain to your dd that people are different and some people have a problem controlling their anger etc. and that she shouldn't take it personally. It's all part of the learning curve of dealing with difficult people IMO!