to think the teacher shouldn't have called DN a bloody stupid twat?

[wetspringday]

DN was working on a compter yesterday and leaned back in his chair (shouldn't have done this) but he knocked over a cup of coffee that went over coursework. The teacher yelled at DN and called him a bloody stupid twat.

DN wasn't bothered and seemed to find it quite funny but I think I'd probably have to say something to the teacher concerned along the lines of it not being acceptable. DN is in Year 10 by the way (15.)

AIBU?

[Arisbottle]

I do sometimes leisurely drink a coffee as my pupils work, if I had a hobnob I would dunk, can't get my feet on my desk - usually too many mugs on it.

[Arisbottle]

Mine write down a shortened version of learning objectives which act as their title. Fairly standard I thought.

[Nehru]

your school is a twat

as Ian gilbert says Learning objectives should be to sell the sizzle, not become a monotonous copying activity.
mine might be

: by the end of this lesson you will stun your family and friends by explaining the causes of xyz..

[HollyBerryBush]

I've heard it all now - objections to coursework in lessons?

So exactly how are time controlled CAUs to be completed? How are vocational 100% coursework BTECs to be taught?

[Nehru]

lol at holly berry

i might finish a coffee in the class. wouldnt LEAVE it to get one.

it is taken in at end of break, and its left to slowly go cold.

[Arisbottle]

I don't see the harm if it is kept short and you ditch the title. I agree that writing the title and then writing out a series of learning objectives out in full would be pointless.

[IncrediblePhatTheInnkeepersCat]

MissAnnersley, I don't think you have read the full thread. I've said twice now that sixth formers are allowed to bring in hot drinks and so are year 11 (but the year 11s rarely do).

I think you are equating drinking a cup of tea with sitting down and putting your feet up. I use it as you do water. A quick sip or gulp as needed, frequently cold.

You also have not satisfactorily explained why you think it is unprofessional. Surely if it was, it wouldn't vary from school to school depending on SMT. And yes, I have had sips from my tea during observations at appropriate points. No comment was made and hasn't stopped me achieving outstanding ratings, because funnily enough, the standards don't cover hot drinks. If I was swigging from a bottle of vodka, I could see your point.

[livinginwonderland]

I'm really shocked at how many people are anti-hot drinks! These are 15 year olds, not 5 year olds. My school allowed hot drinks for teachers from year 4+, and once you got to 16, (so, year 11 + sixth form) the pupils were also allowed hot drinks from the vending machines.

My German teacher even had a kettle in his classroom with biscuits! In my A-level year, there were only 4 of us taking the class so we often did our class while drinking coffee and eating biscuits and occasionally cake

[CouthyMow]

There is one teacher at DD's school that has nicknamed her 'chav'. Am I upset by it? Nope.

This teacher and my DD get along famously, he is the reason my DD stopped being anxious about attending school - because she knew there was the possibility of him joking with her.

He is a wonderful teacher, and knows just how to ease my DD's anxieties (she has LD's).

DD isn't bothered by it, in fact she positively revels in her nickname, and on non-uniform day, she asked me to help her dress head-to-toe in Burberry. The teacher nearly died of laughter!

They have a wonderful working relationship, and it has helped to bring my DD out of herself, as at Primary school, she barely spoke to anyone.

I wouldn't give two craps if the teacher had a hot drink. And the occasional slip of the tongue to say what this teacher did? Meh. By 15, they will be using worse, and hearing worse in the playground.

And anyway, if he was swinging on his chair at 15yo, then he WAS being a bit of a twat - my 9yo with SN's knows not to do it, so why doesn't a 15yo?!

[MissAnnersley]

You have been drinking tea during observations? Good grief.

The reason that I think it is unprofessional is that it is an unnecessary distraction. Just that.

Tea and coffee are for breaks, that's why you have them.

[livinginwonderland]

Why is tea/coffee any less professional than a bottle of water?

[OneHandFlapping]

I can't even see why you're getting involved, OP. He's not your child, and he was a twat.

And I doubt it extended his vocabulary any, either. Teenage boys call each other this and worse all the time.

[Ilovegeorgeclooney]

Often finish the tea/coffee from Break/Lunch. Yesterday, whilst spending the day with Year 11s revising Literature, actually ordered in pizza for us all and some of the pupils did a Costa run! Don't think I am unprofessional just short of time! Having said that bit worried about the 'pepperoni' aroma in my classroom tomorrow.

[HeyLuciani]

This drinking in the classroom issue has reminded me of my A level English teacher - he used to drink vodka - back in the 80s, a bit different then. He was a great teacher and we all passed, think that's how he got away with it!

[IncrediblePhatTheInnkeepersCat]

Only on MN is the issue of teachers having a hot drink in the classroom more contentious than a teacher calling a student a twat!

[Flojobunny]

Cannot believe anyone would think swearing like that is acceptable. I would be shocked if my boss said it to me and think it very unprofessional, let alone a teacher to a child, even if they have heard much worse in the playground, it doesn't make it right. Shock tactics for a long-term bully maybe, but accidentally spilling some coffee, I would be complaining.

[HollyBerryBush]

My sons latin teacher wears full morning garb , with monocle and looks like an undertaker. Barking, absolutely off his trolley - great teacher though

No idea if he drinks tea, coffee though

[Blissx]

Incredible-what a wonderful way to sum up this thread! Thanks for making me laugh this morning before embarking on writing my PGCE students final review!!!

[SelfRighteousPrissyPants]

Miss Annersley surely the Chalet School has monitors to bring the mistresses coffee and cigarettes? And anyone tilting chairs would be in serious trouble, though not called a bloody stupid twat obviously because that's slang

[IncrediblePhatTheInnkeepersCat]

Happy to oblige, Blissx .

Good luck with the review writing. Maybe you need to include the advice: 'Before embarking on her journey as an NQT, X needs to fully understand her new school's policy on hot beverages to ensure that she does not bring the profession into disrepute.'

[aufaniae]

"I thought twat was about equal to cunt in terms of rudeness"

Depends on what part of the country you cone from I think. Where I grew up (London) twat not much stronger than idiot - about on a par with crap.

But for some it's as strong as cunt.

I wonder if the teacher realises this? He may think it's not a particularly offensive word.

[cory]

Tea and coffee are for breaks, that's why you have them."

Teachers have breaks?

So when do they rush between classrooms, break up arguments in the corridor, comfort distraught pupils, answer queries about the course, provide advice, admonitions and reassurance?

I teach in HE which is supposedly a quieter, more rarified life, but I worked 10 hours on Thursday without anything that could reasonably be described as a break: every time I tried to put my feet up there was another knock on the door or another email that I had to answer at once because the next class was due to start in 10 minutes.

And for the record, I managed to deliver a whole 45 minute lecture on medieval literature with a cup of coffee in my hand. As every lecturer knows, a well delivered lecture depends on the appropriate pauses at the end of each paragraph; otherwise the audience won't take it in. And that is just about enough time to gulp a mouthful of cold coffee.

The reason it's coffee and not water is that I find water can irritate a tickly cough further; it doesn't have the right lubricating effect. Smoothies also good, but expensive.

[ReluctantlyBeingYoniMassaged]

The teacher shouldn't have had a hot drink in the classroom.

Sadly, schools are rife with staff that belittle students. A well-regarded teacher at my school called a pupil pathetic in front of a class last week. Poor training.

[cory]

MissAnnersley Sun 19-May-13 09:54:29
"Yes I can easily explain. When there are children in the classroom there shouldn't be hot drinks from a safety point of view and from a professional one."

These are children old enough to have a Saturday job. Dd's friend works in a hardware store surrounded by saws and screwdrivers and other dangerous bits of equipment which he has to demonstrate to customers. And for the record, he gives excellent advice.

At school they will have been using bunsen burners since age 11 and various types of potentially dangerous machinery for woodwork and metalwork. And of course they do cookery classes.

I for one would not thank my dc's teachers for treating teenagers like little children to be protected from the big dangerous world.

Otoh I have never sworn at a student (even ones that deserved it) and probably never would. And I have been a supply teacher in some pretty rough schools (in an earlier life).

[simplesusan]

Your dn was at fault.

Next time he might over balance and bang his head on the floor. Will you be rushing in to blame the school then op?
He is old enough to know how to behave.

Swearing isn't good but there are far worse things he could have called him.