Student's dad gets fifteen minutes of fame

I couldn't agree with you more.  We're HUMAN, get over it.  I think some parents are so insulted, or perhaps, take it personally when they feel their child has made a mistake and you (how DARE you?) are pointing it out.  I had a parent a few years ago YELL at me, in front of her child, because she didn't agree with a mark on his report card.  Ah - fun times!  :)

http://halpey1.blogspot.com/

Yes, teachers make mistakes.  Teachers get upset.  Teachers get angry.  Teachers even yell.  And if people had to work in our classrooms, they too would do these things.

I see both sides as parents we should expect that information coming home is complete however, we are humans and NEWS FLASH we make mistakes.  I do think the key point here is respect. I think as educators there are people who criticize what we do because we don't work in the summer and we get weekends off. ( what a joke) I think everyone needs a good dose of manners and respect for all mankind.

I'm sure we have all experienced what I like to deem the "sitting duck syndrome" when something has irritated parents we usually feel the brunt of their irritation and many times hear the verbal abuse.  However, I often wonder what it would be like to show up at their place of employment and verbally berate them. I bet they wouldn't like it too much!

It seems as if teachers are under fire more and more these days.  We are humans and can actually make mistakes!  Parents are finding the need to tell us how to do our jobs!  I have a degree in education that I went to school to get.  I have a masters and I am working on a second masters.  I do believe I have a little bit of knowledge on what I am suppose to be doing!  I would never go into someone else's place of employment and tell them how they should be doing their job, so don't tell me.  My school is run by parents!  They have complete control over everything that happens in the building.  This is not OK.  Please be involved in your child's education!  But, if you feel that today's educators are not qualified to do their job up to your expectations, HOME SCHOOL!

Here's the thing. Perhaps that teacher was paraphrasing based on that particular student's ability to understand material that was covered in class that they MISSED. Understandably, that student did not get the discussion in class that most certainly talked about the amendments as rights not permissions.

Our society is getting just awful with all the people who want to be noticed because of some awful thing they are doing.  Complaining about a "teacher" being wrong probably made him feel "real smart".  Although we all know he probably isn't or he wouldn't have done this to the teacher and himself.

I just don't get this 15 minutes of fame thing.  I certainly don't want the media in my life.  For one thing it would bore everyone to death.  (gee, did I spell that right?) Besides, are people so needy that they have to watch others make stupid fools of themselves just to feel better?  This is getting to be a sad, sad world.

You all have valid complaints about teachers not being allowed to make mistakes. I am a former Math Teacher and i cringe every time a coworker says.."Are you sure you were a math teacher?". It's as if math teachers are some kind of human calculator.

However, I think there is a factor at play with the parent calling the radio station to complain that you are ignoring. Yes- he should have taken it to the district instead. But you need to understand the deep personal nature of the "mistake". It takes conscious, purposful thought to paraphrase the second amendment to say that it takes permission to own weapons. That is NOT a careless mistake. I am not a gun owner trying to defend his actions. But I have to say that it sounds like a blatant attempt by the teacher to push his/or her personal feelings about gun control. and THAT is what got the dad so upset. The mistake is that the teacher should have simply taken the text directly from the 2nd amendment instead of paraphrasing what he/she thought that it said.

Additionally, I think the teacher is correct, since (1) it is a paraphrase and (2) you DON'T have the right to tote around whatever sort of arsenal you please.

I hope you don't mind that I included your post in <a href="http://uncomfortableadventures.blogspot.com/2009/11/educarnival-v2-issue-12.html">this week's EduCarnival</a>.

Oh dear. That didn't work the way I intended. Here's the correct link, no html :)

http://uncomfortableadventures.blogspot.com/2009/11/educarnival-v2-issue-12.html

Hello everyone,

I think we should stop thinking of teachers like a person who cannot make mistakes or is the only responsible person for your child's mistakes. I think parents and teachers have to collaborate and should realize that children can make mistakes because they are in their learning process and mistakes would help them learn more.