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Original poster

New teacher - apparently ' a bit weird'?

76 replies

fluffyhamster · 15/09/2010 22:56

Not quite sure what to make about this.

The DC are at juniors and they have various teachers. There is a new male teacher whom they both get, at different times, for a couple of lessons. He is new this term.

They have both, separately, described him as a 'bit weird' but haven't really been able to explain why/what they mean.

Today DS2 was off sick. Apparently this teacher asked where he was, was told DS wasn't in, then said, "Perhaps he's dead?"
This was to a bunch of 10 year olds.

One of DSs friends was a bit shocked and told DS1, and asked him is DS2 was really OK.

AS I say, I don't quite know what to make of this. I feel slightly uneasy - especially as the kids seem to both have a sense of something they don't like?

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smee · 16/09/2010 10:09

eye rolling from me too...
Just lobbing in, but our primary's 50% male teachers. I know it's unusual though.

cupofcoffee · 16/09/2010 10:19

The OP was just saying she doesn't know what to make of this not saying she was going to go running to the head or challenge the teacher about his behaviour!

I also wouldn't know what to think if 2 of my dc had said that about a teacher. yes the being dead comment was probably just a joke which was taken the wrong way. If dc are saying they find him a bit weird I would be trying to find out a bit more. Not by going marching in there but just keeping my ear open.
It is quite likely that he is just 'different' to what they are used to so that is why they say weird but bearing in mind there are some people out there who are really 'weird' I would just keep listening to what dc say to keep an open channel of communication.

You could also talk to the teacher, not to confront him about this issue but just in an informal chat way. Introduce youself and say dc had said they have a new teacher, ask what he was doing before in a general chit chat kind of way and then you can judge if he communicates in a normal kind of way.

booyhoo · 16/09/2010 10:24

my ds is 5 and he would find that a funny joke if a teacher said it in the context you describe. i can actually seem him giggling and saying something like "hehe you're funny."

i think your kids will just take a bit of time to 'get' his humour. he sounds like my kind of teacher.

smee · 16/09/2010 11:04

cupofcoffee, the eye rolling is about some of the posters telling her to rush and complain rather than the OP. Certainly was in my case.

fluffy what do the other parents think? Have they heard similar from their kids?

Feenie · 16/09/2010 12:15

Yes, in my case too.

Original poster
fluffyhamster · 16/09/2010 12:15

Whoa! I have no plans to rush off to the Head or complain/ discuss etc.... as CupofCoffee says, I was just (innocently) debating it on MN ...

FWIW I don't think it's a 'male teacher' thing, as they have lots of them - nearly 50% of lessons taught by male teachers in Yrs 4/5/6.

I tried to probe a bit more last night, and DS1 said that the teacher "thinks he's funny, but he's not.." and is making 'of the wall' comments about things (couldn't be more specific!).
I suspect he's perhaps trying a bit too hard!

We have quite an eclectic mix of teachers, so I was just a bit surprised on both kids describing him as 'weird'. Anyway, we'll see.
He's not a form teacher, so I don't really have an excuse to go into school to 'meet' him.

Anyway, DS isn't dead, and is back at school, so that's good.... Hmm

OP posts:
rabbitstew · 16/09/2010 13:27

Is he newly qualified????

Original poster
fluffyhamster · 16/09/2010 13:33

No - he's not newly qualified - he's come from a school about 20 miles away.

OP posts:
Octavia09 · 16/09/2010 14:21

Imagine if the staff started making jokes about their "missing" head teacher. Oh, she/he is probably lying somewhere dead... giggles... That would be so shallow to behave like this. This teacher has a bad sence of humour and should keep his mouth shut if he wants to say something like that again. I have met such idiots as well. Tell the head teacher about this. That is not a healthy humour.

mummytime · 16/09/2010 14:42

Does sound like a "one of the lads" type teachers, often not very popular. Now the weird/eccentric ones can be very popular. But it could just be nerves.

TeamEdward · 16/09/2010 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Feenie · 16/09/2010 15:48

Yes, let's never, ever - god forbid! - EVER mention anything in anyway even slightly connected to death. Ever. Because, you know, you just migh upset someone. Sheesh. I don't know how some people manage just to get through the day.

JuanMoreTime · 16/09/2010 15:51

lol at never make a joke ike that posse

JuanMoreTime · 16/09/2010 15:52

i clicked on this as i thought it was about me.
i am not primary but am weird. I once suggested kids dissolved in the rain #nevermakeajokelikethat

grapeandlemon · 16/09/2010 15:57

OMG the things we were told as children would make some of you have a hernia.

It was just a joke. All the best Teachers are "weird" Grin

Spinkle · 16/09/2010 16:03

Oh dear.

He didn't turn his sarcasm off. He may have forgotten 10yr olds don't always get the joke.

He'll learn I'm sure.

Esp. if some fusspot goes and complains about him.

piscesmoon · 16/09/2010 16:04

I think that once the DCs have cottoned on to his sense of humour they will love him and next year's class won't have any trouble because he will have a reputation by then and they won't be thrown by it. I think that all the best teachers are weird and the profession needs more of them. I hate the idea from some people that teachers machine like clones! There is a thread about a TA who dares to have a chat to a parent in the morning when she should be watching a DC who is still with their own parent!
Teachers are human and some are odd! At least he is a talking point!

piscesmoon · 16/09/2010 16:05

Sorry I missed out the word 'are'- 'teachers are machine like clones.'

activate · 16/09/2010 16:40

those who are rolling their eyes have you have had a child in your class who's suffered a bereavement? I suppose not then

so making a joke about a kid dying is ok in your schools - well thank god it's not in ours

I think it's worth taking up, but admittedly possibly not going to head - although I'd like to know - guy sounds like a twat

mrz · 16/09/2010 16:55

activate yes I've had children in my class who have suffered a bereavement and I'm also the parent of two children who lost their father while they were very young and my eyes are rolling madly!

mrz · 16/09/2010 16:56

for what it's worth my son would have laughed at the joke and my daughter would have raised her eyebrows and probably rolled her eyes

smee · 16/09/2010 17:36

Hooray for mrz. Smile

PixieOnaLeaf · 16/09/2010 18:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Ripeberry · 16/09/2010 18:05

Nah! He's an alien Grin

piscesmoon · 16/09/2010 19:17

I expect that it was said in a manner that showed it was a joke-it is all a matter of tone and expression that you can't put into print. My DH died when my DS was young and I can't see him getting upset. He would be much more upset if people had to walk on eggshells and have to analyse everything before they spoke and never mention the word. Once this 'weird' teacher gets well known in school future DCs will be looking foward to getting into his class!

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