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Original poster

I cannot stand the online teacher meets for 8yo DD

62 replies

shallilogoff · 28/01/2021 14:18

Anyone else feel this way? 8yo DD has twice daily teacher meets and the teacher is really annoying. He barks at the kids, and rather than really engaging with them it just seems like a power trip, doling out the learning in an authoritative manner. Every bit of learning is read out like a command in a clipped strict voice.

He also reads out the names of the kids who have submitted evidence of the work (via Google classroom) by taking photos and uploading, essentially highlighting those that haven't done this.

Im a lone parent trying to work and whilst we are doing our best to complete classwork on paper we don't need shaming into list format for not "handing work in online". This involves another level of interaction from me at a time when things are even busier. I feel this is inappropriate at this time when parents are struggling. I despise the innate "shaming" nature of the read out lists of who has handed in work and who hasn't.

Sorry I know I probably am being somewhat unreasonable here but also feel like the teacher should be a little more understanding rather than shaming the kids in list form.

I also despise the intrusion into my living room and deliberately keep the camera turned off.

Argh sorry just venting. Does anyone else feel similar?

OP posts:
Original poster
shallilogoff · 28/01/2021 14:19

PS the handing work in online involves taking photos of it and uploading. A small task but bear in mind I am trying to work amid everything and it's just another annoying extra thing I have to do. I am making sure DD learns the work and completes it.

OP posts:
Stovetopespresso · 28/01/2021 14:26

total pita having to submit the work I agree, among everything else, but I still get round to it from the sofa at 7 or 8pm, takes 5 minutes and they get written feedback which is useful, they are doing their job, I do mine, its the least I can do I think. is there something wrong in other areas of life which u need to look at eg asking for time off, flexi etc? why don't you just hand it in? that's how we keep the show on the road for my dyselxic y6, I have 2 others at home, not a single mum but i am working. sorry don't mean to lecture am tired...

Nuffaluff · 28/01/2021 14:28

The only way the teacher knows that the work has been done is if it uploaded.
It is part of the teacher’s job to make sure that the children are doing the work.
You say yourself that he is reading out names of children who have handed in work and praising them. That’s not naming and shaming is it?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

8 year olds Families General education
AtlasPine · 28/01/2021 14:30

You could contact them if you feel really unhappy but it sounds as if perhaps you are being a bit sensitive because you feel got at personally. How does your DD feel?

And you can only do your best so please don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect.

OhToBeASeahorse · 28/01/2021 14:32

Sorry so you're having a go at him for reading the kids names out who have submitted it? You understand it is his job to mark it, right?

CharadeSalad · 28/01/2021 14:39

I find the whole thing a huge chore and our KS 2 teacher is pretty much the nicest human being I've ever met. I'm also not working. God only knows how working parents are managing this. I take my hat off to you all. YANBU OP.
I would get in touch with the head and ask for a more holistic and inclusive approach for the reasons you've stated.

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 28/01/2021 14:44

Why can’t your child take a photo and upload the work themselves? My 7 year old does.

saraclara · 28/01/2021 14:45

Teachers are expected by their schools and OFSTED to do exactly the same re: assessment, as if the kids are in school. So if he doesn't get that work, he can't mark it, he can't know what your child understands, and he can't record it.

I'm sure it's an absolute nightmare for those wft and trying to manage kids' school work at the same time. I've never been more glad to be ritired and have grown up kids. But you really do need to find time to upload that stuff.
Does he expect it to be sent during the school day? If so, maybe an email to ask if it can wait until the evening?

Original poster
shallilogoff · 28/01/2021 14:47

With regards to the shaming it's done more in the way of "All of those children who haven't done it rah rah rah.... " barked at in a grumpy dictatorial voice rather than the praise for those who have so much. I really hate it. Surely it's more of something for the teacher to speak to the individual parents about one to one than to shout it to all the kids. At age 7-8 (year 3) they still need a lot of parental interaction to upload so I don't see it as an issue for shouting at the kids online.

Sorry I may be seeming a bit grumpy. I think the teacher's tone of voice gets to me more than anything. Thank god I am not at school myself!!

OP posts:
CottonSock · 28/01/2021 14:48

I have a 7.5yo and her calls are very supportive. If they were like yours I am not sure she would be attending them!

GravityFalls · 28/01/2021 14:49

With all due respect, the lessons aren't for you. My 7yo is in Y2 and has learnt to take photos and upload her work by herself - it's going to be something she needs to do so she might as well learn it now.

OhToBeASeahorse · 28/01/2021 14:50

How is he supposed to speak to them individually? I very much doubt he is allowed to...

MindBodyChocolate · 28/01/2021 14:51

There aren’t any teachers in my DSs’ schools who sound like this. You have my sympathy - a pleasant and approachable teacher is what you need in these times. Just try to do what you can. I’m sure you’re doing your best and this is a tough time.

BluebellsGreenbells · 28/01/2021 14:52

The teacher sets the work and some engage some don’t.

If you don’t hand in your work I’m sure your bosses would have something to say!

Same thing.

Upload the work later.

Some have a ‘submit button’ so they can keep track.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 28/01/2021 14:59

I really do wonder if there is anything that teachers do that will meet with Mumsnetters approval
Damned whatever they do
And no
I'm not a teacher

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 28/01/2021 15:18

@Hobnobswantshernameback

I really do wonder if there is anything that teachers do that will meet with Mumsnetters approval Damned whatever they do And no I'm not a teacher
She It’s pretty obvious that nothing will. When this is over, there will be far fewer teachers, because they’ll have left in droves. I know lots of teachers, knocking themselves out just now, getting stick for not enough work, too much work, no feedback, too much feedback, work too hard, work too easy. I wouldn’t t do it any more. Plus Ofsted, pointless though that is. I know of a head in a tailspin over it all.
RightOnTheEdge · 28/01/2021 15:26

If your making sure your dd does the homework then I don't see why you can't take an extra minute to just take a photo and press submit.

growinggreyer · 28/01/2021 15:34

Have your child put an earbud in so that only they get to listen to the teacher talking. It might sound annoying and rude to you, but it is probably water off a duck's back to her. She has another ten or so years with grumpy teachers, she just needs to get on with it. You have already paid your dues, so you get to sit back and drink coffee. Flowers

nostaples · 28/01/2021 15:36

Oh God forbid teachers should actually teach.

What do you think teaching should look and sound like?

And if it's a pain for you to supervise uploading the work, what do you think it's like for the teachers who might be trying to look after their own kids at the same time?

There are other parents complaining (rightly, in my opinion) that they don't have live contact

EatingAllTheCookies · 28/01/2021 15:41

Unless SEN. Surely an 8 year old can upload it themselves.
My Dsd she's just turned 8. I thought it was the 'norm'?
I'm probably wrong

Justthebeerlighttoguide · 28/01/2021 16:41

Good idea about showing them how to upload it, will try that myself!

If your child also feels barked at could you gently not nastily have a little laugh with him about it?

I've become extremely intimate with oak academy teachers and whilst on the whole I'm finding them to be good, one has this voice that every soooo often stretccccchhheeeees out the wooooordds and goes up and down and over again.....

Justthebeerlighttoguide · 28/01/2021 16:41

It irritates dd so we have a genteeeeel laugh

Original poster
shallilogoff · 28/01/2021 17:07

I should let her upload it, it is a newish thing so we've just not done it yet. I just feel issues around submission should be communicated better to parents and individual kids one to one (mass email bcc'd to those parents only) rather than every single lesson being a dictatorial diatribe about it that drags on and wastes valuable teaching time....

We've had other teachers do lessons, and it's just this one in particular who gets my goat with the attitude. I know it's not for me but it irks.

I've not complained to the teacher, as I said I am just letting off steam on here, I wouldn't mention it.

And I've been known to turn the teacher's volume off ha ha :-) and have a laugh with DD about it.

OP posts:
NoSnowLeftToday · 28/01/2021 17:13

We've modelled countless times where to find the work and how to upload it.

The children do it themselves. I teach year 3 so also 7 and 8.

He also reads out the names of the kids who have submitted evidence of the work (via Google classroom) by taking photos and uploading, essentially highlighting those that haven't done this.

Or providing positive feedback and recognition of those who do..?

NoSnowLeftToday · 28/01/2021 17:16

We are under huge pressure to make sure that no child is disadvantaged by the current situation. PPs are right - the only way I know that work is being done is if it is submitted.

It's my job to mark the work and provide feedback. It's your job as a parent to support your child's education.

Why so many parents pit themselves against the teacher/school when our raison d'etre is to do what is best for your child is beyond me.