I'm hoppin' mad!! REPUBLICAN TEACHER FROM HELL!!

[progressivebydesign]

Okay. SO I have this 3.94 gpa 8th grade stepdaughter. She did a major project for her social studies class, on Global Warming. She chose the topic. She did weeks of research on the effects on global warming, and it's causes.

Her teacher (a known bush supporter) took her aside and badgered her with questions about global warming, and chided her repeatedly saying that the Artic Circle is actually INCREADING ice pack, etc., and that there is no real evidence that global warming is real and what causes it. He told her HE could start his own website saying the world was flat.. and would she believe it just because it's on the internet? And he said, "What if George Bush said that? Would you believe it?". So basically, he reduced her to tears and made her feel as though her project was "total crap" (her words) and spent 15 minutes on rebutting her project and spent two minutes on everyone elses. He told her that her board looked nice, and that she obviously spent time doing research, but it basically was bs. (The girls in the class are betting that the girl who he stands behind looking down her shirt all through class will get an "A", as she always does). That poor girls has taken to buttoning up her shirt as far as possible before going into class.

I don't want to complain at this point, sadly, because I know it brands kids as complainers... but this what just total bullshit. I am totally supportive of her teachers, and often send emails thanking them for going out of their way, etc. This guy just makes me insane.. constantly fawning over the uber-right wing kids in class and challenging the obviously left wing kids. :grr:

on edit: Do you think that he took aside the kids that had projects about how Jesus changed their life? Think he asked them for proof that Jesus and God exist?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Time for a conference...

With the principal. Or the school board. Might want to talk to a lawyer, too.

The righties would.

On edit: obsessively looking down a little girl's shirt? Ewww.

[johnfunk]

56. Time for a conference...

with the teacher, the superintendant, you, and (unannounced to them) your attorney, who should drop hints about his contacts at the local paper/radio station/TV outlet.

I'm not kidding. It worked for my sis.

She had a similar problem at her school with a history teacher. It took her about a week, but she got the meeting. Superintendant said to the man she was with, "Nice to meet you, Mr. (Surname)," at which point he introduced himself as not hubby but esquire and -- in the nicest way you can imagine -- let them know the teacher was 100% wrong (he brought in published sources used by my nephew plus a few of his own), got the grade in question raised to where it should be, and strongly suggested to the supe and teacher that the suggestion of any teaching influenced by political or religious doctrine is "not the sort of thing you want certain people in the press learning about."

[MichiganVote]

2. Time for a conference with the Principal of the school

[malmapus]

5. Second that

WTF kind of teacher is that!!?? What happened to teachers encouraging students and opening the realm of new possibilities and all that.

[nini]

3. You owe it to your daughter to go for the jugular with this guy

If you don't you're showing her to just step back and take this shit from these assholes she'll run into in her life.

There's a life lesson to be learned her. Help her.

[Rainscents]

6. Take it with ACLU!... no, just kidding.

Yes, you do need to step in and defend on her behalf, you must show your daughter, liberal is a fighter! If you wimp off on this, she'll see you as a wimpy and view all Liberal as wimp and she'll think, maybe right wing was right about Dem's being wimp. We can't have this!

[gratuitous]

4. It's conference time

Talk to the principal or any other administrator. Bullies who get their jollies humiliating 13-year-olds don't need to be in our schools.

[Fridays Child]

7. Time for a private detective...

This lunatic probably has one or more embarrassing secrets. Ruin his slimy ass.

[alcuno]

8. "Get thee to the school"- I'm a teacher. Start with the teacher.

Do not go after the whole enchilada. Stick to the facts about this one incident. Maybe have your daughter out in the hallway

Use the broken record technique. No matter what he says, come back with "It was inappropriate to take my daughter aside and criticize her repeatedly for a project she worked so hard on." Lay low on the politics and stick him on the conduct.

Do it! I'm a teacher and we HATE HATE HATE being criticized. It makes us want to curl up into a ball and cry. Most of us even learn the lesson. DO IT!

[progressivebydesign]

15. Thanks. I think that's the best route for this fellow.

Frankly, I haven't had cause to critize him yet.. but have come close. He seems like a short timer. There are particular projects and events that all 8th graders are to complete each year. He has blown off all of them, waiting until the last minute so that the kids get nothing out of them.

There was a big job-shadow segment of the class that all 8th graders are to do. They are to spend 2 weeks learning, from him, about getting a job, job skills, college, etc. Then they are to find someone in the community that will allow them to job shadow all day. Well.. he not only never taught the required curriculum leading up to it, he also handed out the contract and forms for finding a mentor 1 day before they had to be confirmed. SOO.. all the kids in the class either job shadowed a parent, or spent the day in the library. There is also a big deal that the kids do, called GOP (it has something to do with the name of the school, but i HATE that title), anyhoo.. the kids are supposed to do a big research project, and present it in the evening, like a science fair. Well.. he waited until the last minute told them it was a research report and they handed them in without presenting, today, the last day of actual instruction. He talks about his political beliefs a lot, and chides the democrat kids. He's probably at retirement age and doesn't give a flying roll about anything. But.. I get so angry when someone does that to my daughter. I am total teacher supporter, but I can't abide with someone abusing their power that way.

I will definitely find a way to communicate my displeasure with him. She was getting an "A" in the class, and he had better grade her appropriately on this project, regardless of his ignorant bias.

Thanks for the idea!!

[alcuno]

22. Don't believe that teachers don't care.

Many of us were the biggest suck ups in school (not me, of course) and we hate being out of favor. Don't you realize how powerful you are? You could tell every parent of every child we'll ever have how awful we are and they'll be nothing but a pain.

We just had a teacher retire after 40 years; other teachers and I had her out the door ten years ago.

Whatever you do, don't write to him. He'll just pick it apart. Face to face with a follow up letter. If I were there I'd do it myself.

[longship]

21. Also a teacher

This was exceptionally unprofessional behavior on the part of the teacher. He/She should be officially reprimanded. Step-parent should do something official here. This can be kept quiet and no students need to know about it. At minimum a conference with principal is indicated, possibly followed by a letter to the board.

This teacher must not use his/her position to politically exploit children. Teacher should be outright fired.

[alcuno]

24. I don't agree.

Always start with the teacher and allow him/her to make amends. I don't think this qualifies as principal first behavior.

[longship]

38. This went beyond..

In the schools I've worked in, there would be real trouble for such unprofessionalism. What's very important is that the teacher not continue the behavior. I don't see that happening when consequences are limited to dealing with an unpleased parent. This teacher needs to be stopped.

[cmd]

54. Retired teacher here. Alcuno is right.

Follow the chain of command. Go to the teacher. If you don't get satisfaction, go to the principal. Still not satisfied? The superintendent is next, followed by members of the board of education.

This procedure is usually laid out in the teacher's contract. Following the correct procedure makes it easier for the supervisors to take punitive action.

[progressivebydesign]

9. Does anyone know of a great website for refuting his claims?

I mean, one that attacks his right wing hyperbole about global warming? I plan to do something, but want my stepdaughter to see that she was right and he was wrong, first.

[alcuno]

16. Please don't debate him on global warming.

It changes the topic. Get him for his conduct. You can just say, "I won't debate global warming with you because I know you are wrong. However, I want to discuss your conduct."

[progressivebydesign]

17. Perfect answer. Thanks!!! N/t

[alcuno]

23. Thanks, I'm a union officer.

And I know how teachers think. He'd love to debate global warming because then you wouldn't be talking about what a jerk he has been.

[progressivebydesign]

18. Perfect answer. Thanks!!! N/t

[johnaries]

25. If you do want to do some research, try the Union of Concerned Scientists

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/global_warming/index.cfm
They have a lot of good information, and do a great job of refuting Cricton's book as well as a lot of other criticisms.

[I Have A Dream]

53. Great website. I'll be using it in my efforts at work...

to get across to people that global warming is real. (These are intelligent people who really have been taken in by the Bush Administration's lies.)

[Viking12]

26. http://www.ipcc.ch

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change website. Full accounting of relevant research. http://www.ipcc.ch

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me. I am writing my doctoral dissertation on climate change policy and can answer any of the absurd RW talking points.

[mzteris]

31. try this......

http://www.sci-tech-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=36448

ooo-ooo--- look what just popped up on DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3866656

[I Have A Dream]

48. Thanks for the link.

People at my work are always posting things about global warming not being real. I'm going to post this story.

[longship]

39. Behavior is the issue

Tell the teacher, "I won't argue the science with you since as a social science teacher, that clearly isn't your forte."

[annabanana]

42. ding ding..

If it's not a Science teacher, don't argue the facts. Tell him to keep his politics out of it.

(If it's a Science teacher, your district has BIGGER problems)

[progressivebydesign]

43. Scary shit! I just found out he DOES also teach SCIENCE!! n/t

[fob]

10. Have her next project/paper be about how faux news viewers are

dumber/misnformed than viewers of other networks. That oughta cause a reaction in that nitwit that'll get his ass fired.

[longship]

11. File a formal complaint against teacher

I am a former HS math teacher.

This is shamelessly unprofessional behavior.

Teacher should formally apologize to your stepdaughter and to you. If the redressing was in anyway public, teacher should publically apologize. You ought to demand such an action, at minimum. Furthermore, you should take this to the Board. Such unprofessionalism should not be tolerated. Make sure that teacher isn't able to slide on this. Accept no weasels, no cop-outs. By all educational standards this teacher was wrong.

On edit: If you do not complain, this teacher will get away with this behavior and he/she should not and must not. All it requires for this kind of crap to proliferate is for good people to let it go. You may disagree, but maybe it's time to stand up for your stepdaughter.

[Tempest]

12. Stand up to him

Don't let the bastards win.


This is the same kind of shit the rightwing complains of at the college level.


Time for a little smackdown.

[denverbill]

13. Since when is a Social Studies teacher a Science expert?

That's absolutely ridiculous. This asshole deserves a serious reprimand.

It's especially ludicrous since 90% of ACTUAL scientists believe global warming is a fact.

[GreenPartyVoter]

52. My first thought as well. Have your daughter talk to the science teachers

and see what THEY say.

[BobRossi]

14. Take this 'Teacher' to task!

This teacher needs to be exposed! Take this to the school board. This person will do more harm to your child and others than you will do by addressing his/her methods.
You will be stronger in the eyes of your child by showing that you are not afraid to stand up for what's right.

[iconoclastic cat]

19. That is one crappy teacher. As a soon-to-be former teacher myself,

I cannot tell you how mad it makes me to see teachers attack a student's beliefs or opinions for personal reasons. I always keep my opinion to myself.

[Zen Democrat]

20. What do you mean you don't want to complain??? COMPLAIN!

[Ysolde]

27. I must agree with all those here...

you must complain. You need to defend your step-daughter. That teacher's conduct was way out of line. Your child (no child) deserves to be treated that way. You must stand up for your child so that she will not lose confidence in herself. Do NOT let bullies win. Call them on their behavior. If you do not get satisfaction, then continue to move it up the chain. Once you start, maybe other parents will have the courage to come forward too and this guy will no longer be able to treat children this way.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. Wait till she gets her grade

and then raise hell if it isn't an A.

What this teacher did is wrong on so many levels. But let him grade her project first. Then even if she does get an A, call the principal and take your daughter in to see him and report what this teacher said to her.

Teachers like this make me so angry. Damn it we are supposed to teach kids HOW to think, not tell them WHAT to believe. :mad:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

30. i wouldnt wait for the grade, it may look like sour grapes

not to mention the fact that if she gets an A after the lambasting that would make the lambasting look all the more political. I mean if it was a project worthy of an A why the mean attitude?

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. The teacher already knows the kid is

probably a liberal. I wouldn't want to incite him before he assigns the grade. He is a RW jerk, after all.

The principal needs to be informed because what this teacher did violates ethics. Honestly. We are TRAINED to stay neutral and not lecture kids like he did.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

36. yep

my dad is a teacher.

he was also notorious for calling meetings and going absolutely apeshit on a teacher who deserved it. sometimes he would even regrade my papers and send them back to the teacher indicating more things I got wrong that the teacher missed. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. We teachers truly fear an angry parent

who is a teacher.

I told one of my kids' less able teachers that I could be the bitch from hell if I needed to. She understood. :)

[Elidor]

29. While the subject of any meeting should be his atrocious conduct

I think it IS important to point out to both him and his principal that his views on global warming are contrary to those of the vast majority of responsible (i.e., non-bought) scientists around the world and place him in a distinct minority. Put him on notice that he has to back up his bullshit or shut the hell up.

I feel for you. I'm not even a parent, but stuff like this riles me. If I ever reproduce, I believe I'll be the Parent From Hell as far as people like this guy and fundy teachers are concerned.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

32. amen to that. as a fellow non-parent.

I pity the teacher who subjects my future kid to that shit. Cause he/she has a future ass kicking he doesn't even know about yet, destined for his/her sorry ass.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

34. I wonder how many other children he has done this to and how

many times he's gotten away with it? Definitely have a parent/teacher conference w/ the jerk. He needs to be taken to task.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

46. absolutely

he seems awfully confident that he will get away with it.

[Kerrytravelers]

35. As an educator myself, you need a conference... with the principal and

possibly an advocate of your own. Pronto.

[noamnety]

37. Also a teacher here

Conference time. And if you don't feel the teacher addressed your concerns adequately, then go to the principal.

[Toots]

40. Maybe you could get him to make his absurd statement on tape

Arctic Circle actually increasing ice pack. Extremely easy to debunk.

[InfoMinister]

44. I Remember Doing A Presentation On Vietnam

I had some violent pictures showing the brutality of war and talked about Kent State during one part of the presentation. The teacher got mad at me because she said the protestors threw rocks first and deserved to be killed. She was a hardcore right winger who bashed Clinton all the time saying that things needed to be on a "need to know basis" and that Clinton was too open with the American people and some things needed to be kept secret.

[Jade Fox]

45. My Republican 8th grade Social Studies teacher.....

made me what I am today! I think of him as my first Republican. I wrote
a paper supporting the voting age being lowered to 18 because the boys
dying in Viet Nam couldn't even vote for those who sent them there. The
teacher was not pleased, but it was a galvanizing experience for me.

Sorry, enough about me. Keep supporting your daughter, and you might
ask Mr. Teacher to provide some PROOF to counteract the claims in your
daughter's project.

[Kerrytravelers]

47. Oooh, that's good.

At the conference, confront the techer not only on shoving politics on your daughter, but also say if he's going to put a child through a full-force barrage, he needs to do a little non-partisan research himself. That's what teaching is... letting children look at all the evidence and make their opinions based on the evidence they see. If this is too much for him to handle, perhaps he mght want to consider a differnet profession. But while he is in the classroom, keep your political opinions to yourself or take it up with someone his own size.

Typical rethuglian bully.

[G_j]

49. IMO, this should not go unaddressed

This teacher is not fit to teach.

[progressivebydesign]

50. Update... what I've done so far.

Okay. The reason I had contemplated not complaining was in my attempt to be sensitive to my 13 year old. Though many times we parents are totally justified raising some dust about issues, often times we defer, on the wishes of the child. There are some battles we have simply walked away from and used as a learning moment, and others we have faced. I gave her the option of how she wanted to handle it, as I usually do, because she is the one that ultimately has to live with it if we complain. She knows I will go to bat for her anytime, anywhere, but she also knows that I want to always consider what's good for her, first. Does that make sense? Sometimes, getting through school is about choosing your battles.

Having said that.. she and I talked and she was adamant that I not let it go. She was feeling far too uncomfortable with this man to talk to him herself about the issue (which is fine), she said she'd prefer that I did not talk to him also, as she felt he would pull the same alpha male republican BS on me, as well. She asked that I send a nice, factual email to the principal. As we only have a few days left of school (and she moves on to high school) she felt it would be the best way.

I basically outlined the situation to the Principal. I let her know that my daughter had completed the assignment, as asked, and was subjected to 15 minutes of aggressive questioning and ridicule by this man. I wrote from the perspective that my daughter and I are speaking out not because we want to punish him or go over his head, but that she needs to remind this teacher that he is dealing with children who do not want to see their work denigrated because of him political agendas. I wrote it very politely, as I that is who I am. I also gave her a link to a wonderful site. It's a teacher's guide to global warming produced by none other than Carnegie Mellon University, and includes links to the EPA page on Global Warming and other government sites confirming its existence.

By writing to the Principal now, before the project is graded, I am assuring that she is aware of the situation now, instead of looking like sour grapes if she gets a bad grade on it.

The letter was concise, and written in a tone of letting her know that there was an incident that made my daughter quite upset, and that she and I want to ensure that the teacher does not subject any other kids to this treatment, and that the subject of global warming is presented factually in the future. I find that letters like that are much more effective than standard complaint letters, as it does not cause instant defensiveness. I am, by nature, a cooperative problem solver, and so is my daughter.. this approach was exactly what made her feel comfortable. We crafted the email together and she said "hit send". So.. we'll see what happens.

Oh.. and the most messed up thing of all? My daughter just told me, before I wrote the email, that it was HIS choice of subject: Global Warming: Its Cause and How it Affects The Earth. Now tell me... why would he give the choice to the kids to use that subject then attack its premise? What a nutball!!!

[Lorien]

57. It DOES sound like he was only searching for a way to advance

his political agenda with young minds that can still be molded. Another point that you could bring up with the principle; this "teacher" was passing on disinformation to his students and NOT scientific fact. He has betrayed his profession completely.

[Stuckinthebush]

51. When you meet with this teacher...

bring along a few real scientist to educate him on global warming.

Nothing like a little humiliation.

[mitchum]

55. He needs to be reported for his bias AND his lechery

What kind of sick fuck gets off on eighth-graders? Right-wing dirtbags, apparently.

[adigal]

58. I am a teacher...and even when we talk govt and media

I do not ever pick on kids for their beliefs. All of my students know where I stand (because of the bumper stickers on my car) but because I have strong beliefs, I go out of my way to allow those with whom I disagree to have their say also. And I NEVER denigrate them for their beliefs. I make sure that the students in my class who are liberals (most of them, bless their 17 and 18 year old hearts!) give him a listen, and are respectful and try to see things from his point of view. And we ALL learn something.

I would call the principal for two reasons:
1. He degraded your daughter based on political beliefs
2. He is teaching crappy science - any half-assed scientist knows that global warming is real and it is coming

Good luck!

[cally]

59. The good part of this

is that it may cement her political beliefs. I was a straight A student and rarely got my HS papers criticized. I turned in a paper on the California Missions where I focused on the abuse and genocide of the Native Americans. My paper was trashed and I got a B-. I was shocked and I realized it was because I wrote about something the teacher didn't like even though I had documented my report. That experience made me understand that I was a liberal. I wasn't sure until then. :shrug: