Teacher sleeping in class...
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive December 2006:
Teacher sleeping in class...
I'm tutoring a kid who has ADD and has an IEP. The other day, he brings me his notebook with an empty video worksheet. I asked him why hadn't it been filled out and he replied, "I was playing video games on my computer, sorry." (The're at a school where each kid has a computer in class.)
I thought...why in the WORLD would you let a 15 yr old play video games when he's going to be tested on this material soon. So, the boy told me that his teacher had his head down on his desk and appeared to be sleeping.
I'm APPALLED...so I emailed the teacher and included, amongst other questions, that I was curious as to what *E* was doing instead of watching the video. The teacher replies to all of the other questions except that one. So, I ask him again (just to see if he can answer me) and he says, "Well, I guess you're going to have to ask Eric that question and if you have any questions regarding his behavior, please see Mrs. "T".
The man couldn't answer my question so I wrote back saying "Actually, I don't have any questions regarding his behavior. You just answered the underlying question here. Please see to it that the student has limited distractions and does not participate in any obvious off-task behavior." and I continue to reiterate his ADD and IEP statements (implying that the teacher is responsible for this.)
There could have been a weapon in class, sexual activity, or a fight...etc.
I'm STEAMING! I feel like writing the principal and asking him "What is your policy on teachers sleeping in class?"
Ok, had to vent...
I would also like to add that even if he weren't sleeping, he could have a little classroom management, no? There would be no way in H3LL a student in my class would be off task like that.
Do you know if this is a pattern of behavior or is this an isolated incident?
I agree it is irresponsible, but a little bit of investigating could shed more light on why he is slacking.
In the meantime, vent away! 
Did you ask the teacher if he was sleeping? What was his response to that? Is it possible that he was sick and they couldn't find a sub?
To be honest, I would be a little bothered by the fact of a teacher sleeping in class, but I also would be upset with MY 12 year old for playing games instead of doing the required work... a 15 year old...there is no excuse for that one.
Just a thought - even *if* the teacher WAS sleeping in class, there is no way he's going to admit that. And if you go over his head to the principal with that accusation, even if it's TRUE, I'm sure he'll deny it, and then this kid will be accused of lying, and no doubt, things will be even more difficult for him.
I agree with Vicki, I'd be upset by both the teacher sleeping in class AND the child playing computer games during class. But this is a lose-lose situation, IMO.
I think what you did was the right thing, and if it happens again, then you'll have to pursue it further. Would any of the other kids agree to the fact that the teacher was sleeping in class??
Yes, there are other kids who saw him putting his head down for an extended amount of time.
I wrote the principal and just explained that, because of this kid's ADD and his IEP, the teacher needs to support our endeavors by improving his classroom management. I didn't accuse the teacher of sleeping but I did accuse him of letting *E* play video games in class.
Oh, and BTW, this is the same teacher who wouldn't let me observe his class for an hour at the beginning of school. He got real defensive and said to the principal that he didn't want me in there because I would be a "distraction". The more I get to know this guy, the more I get the feeling he's just plain lazy. If it's one thing I can't stand (in teachers especially) is apathy.
I wonder if he's tenured....hhhmmm...
Sounds to me like he's either lazy or incompetent or has other issues going on.........Either way, I wouldn't be comfortable with him teaching one of *my* kids......
However, having had a couple of bad experiences with the food chain when making a complaint about a teacher, I'd be hesitant to make too many waves.
On the other hand, you are involved on a totally different level, so I'd have to say do what you think is best.
|
Members
