I can't believe I am starting a thread about schools/teachers - I am a teacher and have been taken aback over the last week or so by the number of critical posts about teachers on here...buuuut, an issue has recurred today that has bothered me each time it has arisen, so I'd like to see what others think.
For the fourth time this year, ds (nearly 7, Y2) has been removed from the class to read to pupil X, who has behavioural issues and, on these occasions, from what ds says, the aim of this has been for ds to help him calm down. Now, I am happy for ds to be taught the value of helping others, and I am also very proud that he has been chosen for this (I have always been told by all his teachers that his behaviour is exemplorary, and that he demonstrates emotional maturity) but I am just not sure that this is the best use of his time.
I suppose what makes it worse is that I have never really felt the school have done a lot to cater for his needs. I have several times expressed concerns about his possible lack of friends (we moved here during Y1), and the responses from the school were always vague: "We'll keep an eye on him..", "Oh, he seems fine..." etc, though, tbf, he does seem to be making friends and this was never an issue he himself complained about.
In terms of his work, he is the only free reader in KS1 and teachers frequently comment on his amazing knowledge and understanding of the world, tell us how bright he is etc, but they don't seem to stretch him or differentiate for him. I really just get the sense that he is doing so well that they just leave him alone, and that is fair enough I suppose, and it is right that those who need more attention should get it, but now I am starting to feel that he is being used.
I don't know - I'm probably being UR, but I don't want to hear of this happening again, tbh. I teach secondary level and am well aware that sensible children will be used for errands etc, and I know this is a good thing in terms of encouraging responsibility and independence etc (as well as being a necessity sometimes), but this is an activity that seems to take 30 minutes or more each time, and I feel it's a step too far.
AIBU?
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AIBU?
Not to want ds to be used in this way by the teacher
67 replies
lecce · 05/02/2014 20:41
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