Working as a volunteer in school - challenging the teacher

[Jules2]

Here's a pithy subject for other parents and teachers - I really would like to hear from teachers. I've been volunteering in a Yr 6 class at my daughter's school and every week the teacher has made some kind of mistake - be it a grammatical error, spelling mistake or a mistake in Maths. One example was where she asked pupils to put 4 fractions in ascending order and she gave them the wrong answer. I'm not so quick at Maths myself but thought it was incorrect and worked it out after I left. English is my strong suit - I was a book editor and English graduate - so I do know my stuff. But what should I do? I don't want to embarrass a teacher (and she's not the only one) and this particular teacher can be quite defensive. Should I let these errors go? Or raise them discreetly after class - but when it may be too late? Teachers/parents - have you experienced this situation and what would you advise?

Interesting debate. I work as a TA (with a good degree in English) but I would never correct a teacher's grammar, punctuation or spelling. I don't consider it my place to do so and it would not be taken kindly.

Then you aren't doing your job properly. No-one suggests you do it in front of the children, but a tactful word after the lesson is the way to deal with it. If teachers don't take it kindly, they're bad teachers.

My dd was confused for ages about percentages when she was taught that 10% of 100 is 1. Her maths was shaky enough anyway, and one bad teacher left her totally confused and with even less confidence in her ability to deal with numbers.

I did do that and they didn't take it kindly.

I think part of the problem occurs when criticism comes from within a punitive system. People begin to attempt to hide their mistakes for fear of some kind of punishment. However a volunteer is the least likely person to impose sanctions upon a teacher. The SMT might.

The stance that says a volunteer should never correct because they do not understand fully the stresses of the job, does nothing to capitalise on the above fact. I would rather be corrected by a volunteer than someone who does actually have authority over me - there are less consequences.

I can quite believe you ppolly.

Ironically though this is why we end up with punitive systems with sanctions imposed in those who make mistakes, to compensate for people who cannot stand to be corrected.

Reading this thread like

However a volunteer is the least likely person to impose sanctions upon a teacher.

It must be quite worrying when the volunteer is a parent of a child at the same time.

^on those. Typo.

It must be quite worrying when the volunteer is a parent of a child at the same time.

Why? It is only worrying when teachers refuse to listen to them as this leads to them complaining to higher authorities when the issue is not resolved. If they are talking nonsense, it will become evident.

Maybe worrying is the wrong word there- embarrassing? I definitely think parents can make a teacher miserable.

If I were a teacher, I would be mortified if a parent had to correct me over something!

Also volunteers are, by definition, voluntarily in the school offering to support the class teachers, they are choosing to be there because they want to help.
I know MN wisdom says that all volunteers are nosy cows out to gather ammunition for playground oneupmanship (and all PTA volunteers are power tripping uber bitches), but most of them really just want their children's school to work as well as possible.

But Santana, as a teacher, you would not necessarily know that parent's particular expertise. You don't need to assume you need to have a superior knowledge to them in anything.

Of course not- but I would be so embarrassed that I wasn't teaching their child properly.

Santana - better one parent correcting you in private than 25-odd parents contacting the school to complain about your glaring spelling errors or your poor grasp of primary level maths, surely?

Oh of course, but I would still be embarrassed!

Santana I would probably feel embarrassed too. But I hope this would make me thankful for a discreet correction and spur me on to examining my own understanding. I think people can be very hard on themselves and others, which can lead to them being overly defensive as they think they should be almost infallible, which no one is.

I know what you mean - nothing worse than having basic errors pointed out, especially if it's something we should know! The idea that there are some teachers out there who would berate volunteer colleagues for pointing out an error (quietly and politely), and conversely that there are volunteers or TAs who would rather let pupils continue to be taught incorrectly because they don't feel it's their place to point out errors is both sad and scary.

MY TA corrects me when I say something wrong, I appreciate it and use it to tell my pupils that everyone makes mistakes and gets things wrong. She doesn't do it in front of the children, just mentions it me later on.

I quite often ask her for clarification on things, she has an engineering degree.

I wouldn't mind being corrected.

I think it's very sad. Whoever mentioned a punitive system upthread was probably right... maybe if teachers felt less attacked by absolutely everyone a correction wouldn't seem the end of the world!

No, I'm sorry, I can't accept that. Concern for the pupils education should come first in all areas of the classroom - including teacher error.

I've been a volunteer in my own DCs' school and a TA in a few others. I learnt quite quickly as a TA to 'correct' politely and in private. And I learnt to ignore the typos and silly errors and only mention the fundamental mistakes (such as USSR being an Axis power in WW2.)

But I disagree with annunciata (sp?) and troublewithangels on their attitude to parent volunteers being 'the bottom of the heap.' You are a public servant as a teacher or TA. The DC and their parents are your 'customers' and you are working for them, surely, not the other way around?

Yes, but if you are stressed you are less likely to be easygoing, IMO.

Yes, but if you are stressed you are less likely to be easygoing, IMO.

But this is so counterproductive. To the individual teacher, the pupil and the volunteer.

Stress and logic aren't the best of pals though!

I understand that - but that's really no excuse imo. The issue here seems to be the attitude of a tiny minority of teachers, which is that a TA or volunteer is somehow beneath them and therefore should not be (politely and quietly) pointing out a basic error - almost a 'know your place'. Which is just pathetic.
I'm quite sure that if the HT raised the issue the teacher would manage to be respectful in their response to the feedback.

Santana no they are not. I sympathise. However the challenges are why teaching is considered a profession. All true professionals have to consult and be shown to consider advice.