Teacher Writes "Loser" on Student's Paper

[The Straight Story]

Teacher Writes "Loser" on Student's Paper

http://media.ksfy.com/images/LOSER+TEACHER.JPG

A North Carolina middle school teacher is in the hot seat over his controversial style of teaching.
Rex Roland teaches sixth graders at Enka Middle School in Candler, N.C.

Patty Clement says her child was repeatedly bullied by Roland in class and she wants it to stop.

Clement says on a November vocabulary assignment Roland wrote the word "loser" after correcting the paper.

Just a few weeks ago, another graded assignment made its way home, and at the top of the page was the word "loser" underlined twice.
The Buncombe County School District released a statement saying that this is a personnel matter that's being looked into.

It's important to note that some parents defend Roland's teaching style saying its his way of relating to his students. None would go on camera with us.

http://www.ksfy.com/news/national/87461092.html

[marylanddem]

1. This idiot teacher should be immediately fired -

and good for the child's mom for standing up for her kid.

[TexasObserver]

33. There's no excuse for a teacher writing that on a paper.

[Liberal_in_LA]

35. agree. n/t

[wordpix]

71. +1

[TheDebbieDee]

36. What in the h3ll is wrong with some people? The man is a teacher

for crying-out-loud. Surely during his certification he was taught that placing negative labels on a child was detrimental to their self-esteem.

They should write "LOSER" on that phuncker's pink slip!

[Lorien]

50. He's not a "man"; he's an overgrown kindergarten bully

who should be drop kicked ASAP.

[Warren Stupidity]

115. Do you think something awful will happen if you type 'hell'?

[TheDebbieDee]

123. No, just trying to head off the "language gestapo" on this board.

[Warren Stupidity]

124. there are people here who object to the use of the word 'hell'?

Who knew?

[rcrush]

125. Well fuck them assholes

What cock faces!

[Warren Stupidity]

126. exactly my sediments!

[roguevalley]

75. exactly. that's not a style. it's a crime, the bastard.

RV, taught 27 years

[Cetacea]

78. Fired and forced to take a psychology course.

Make him sit front row center with a cap on his head that reads "Bully".

[Brickbat]

2. There is no excuse for this. At all.

That poor kid.

[OKNancy]

3. a little more information at this link

http://www.necn.com/03/12/10/Graded-paper--20-for-being-a-LOSER/landing.html?blockID=196133&feedID=4215

[MrMickeysMom]

22. Nothing within the body of that link at this time for me /eom

[FormerDittoHead]

68. I'd still like to know more. What if the essay was, "Why Rush Limbaugh is always right"...

Seriously. I'd like some more context. I could think of a few instances where the illustration above would be appropriate.

Of course, I'm thinking that those instances would be few and far between.

So let's find out some more before we fire the teacher and defend the 6th grader. They're not all angels either.

[Warren DeMontague]

120. I can't think of any situation where it would be appropriate to grade the paper with that comment.

If the essay was "why Rush Limbaugh is always right", there are cogent factual arguments that could be provided easily disproving the core thesis. Core thesis is proven incorrect, therefore the grade is reduced.

Name calling is the sort of intellectually lazy shit Rush Limbaugh engages in, because that's all the fat, bloated turd has got.

And yes, I'm calling him names.

[FormerDittoHead]

129. HERE'S MORE INFORMATION. THE "OFFENSE" WAS SPELLING.

http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/a-teacher-calls-his-student-a/

Put all the bullshit aside for now about Rush Limbaugh. I could have thought of some other example, but I stand accused of having an open mind and being willing to give a teacher a benefit of doubt without knowing all the facts. Guilty as charged.

The context here however, puts things in good perspective.

The student's offense was to MISSPELL some words:

http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/a-teacher-calls-his-student-a/

[Warren DeMontague]

130. It puts things in perspective, in that it makes it worse. If you ask me.

You don't call someone a "loser" for misspelling words. How is that going to help? :shrug:

Granted, bad spelling is rampant in this country. The one positive thing I would say about the teacher, is, at least he didn't call the student a "looser".

[FormerDittoHead]

140. Yes. That was my point.

My point was that the circumstances would dictate the severity of this situation.

We agree. If spelling is the threshold to incur this teacher's wrath and hurl such insults, he shouldn't be teaching.

[mike_c]

4. interesting-- it's a bit over the top, but 80% is a B on most grade books...

...so this really does seem more a matter of style than genuine nastiness. Banter, maybe? Anyway, at least one parent seems not to like it, although that hardly seems worthy of making it national news.

OK-- I read the full news report and this REALLY sounds like a personal dispute with a parent rather than any sort of systemic abuse of kids, at least on the basis of that information. Interesting that so many here rush to condemn the teacher. DU really does seem more reactionary these days.

[Brickbat]

8. I have a huge problem with a middle-aged man writing "loser" on a sixth-grade girl's paper for no

reason.

"-20% for being a loser" has nothing to do with the kid's work. It's a statement on who the kid is. Obviously this kind of banter doesn't work for this child, because she had protested before. For him to keep doing it is inexcusable.

[mike_c]

16. well, I generally agree...

...although this seems way short of something in need of torches and pitchforks. My personal view is that it's unprofessional, but then professionalism isn't always the best way to relate to middle school aged students. I think if that sort of classroom banter is appreciated by most of his students-- and that's the impression I get-- then it would be best to restrict it to verbal banter and not write it on assignments.

But calling for firing or suing him? That's just outrageous unless there's a whole lot more to this story than I'm seeing so far.

[Brickbat]

30. I totally disagree with you about "professionalism isn't always the best way to relate to middle-

school-aged students."

[unapatriciated]

99. I have to disagree

My son had a science teacher in the 7th grade that insisted on calling him "rash boy" in class (he gave nicknames to his students).
He thought it was funny and so did the rest of the class.
I made several attempts at explaining my son's illness (dermatomyosits) was the reasons for his rash and what looked like unwashed skin was the result of his disease not lack of showering.
For some reason this teacher believed his rashes were due to bad hygiene habits, (he also taught health class).
I finally had to pull my son from his class.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. Sigh. Esprit de corps is truly a nasty thing. -nt

[mzteris]

13. they said it was a "personnel" matter not a "personal"

matter.

The guy's a jerk and should at the very least be suspended. And monitored.

[mike_c]

24. and how is your summary judgement without knowing the full facts of the matter...

...any different than his calling someone a "loser?" Again, I get the impression that this is classroom banter that got under the skin of a parent, more than anything. But as I said above, even if that's the case, writing it on an assignment is certainly less than professional (although again, professionalism is not necessarily the best way to relate to middle schoolers).

[mzteris]

31. the "facts" are - he wrote "LOSER"

on a litte girl's paper, not once, but twice. I think that's the only fact needed, don't you?

That type of "sense of humour" is pretty sick, imo. "Classroom banter" my @ss. He sounds like one of those types who constantly put people down and then say, "I was just kidding!" and look all surprised and hurt that you were "offended".

[Hannah Bell]

152. no, the facts are, a parent alleges he did. not that i expect you to acknowledge

the distinction.

[Celebration]

65. Classroom banter that includes the word "loser"

Is at best, extremely passive aggressive. I can't think of a case where this would be at all acceptable.

[WindRiverMan]

100. Boy I sure CAN!

My parents both taught Jr. HIgh School, and while they would NEVER EVER do this a student, my folks have been threatened to be "shot", been told "fuck you" and my mother had a little shithead take her coffee cup and dunk it in the toilet. I had two college degreed parents and we still qualified for food stamps.

Now, I do not know what the issues were behind this teacher's behavior, but if anyone, for one lousy second, thinks that the kids are the victims in 99% of these cases, they are wrong. A good portion of the time the kids are the perpetrators and the teachers are the victims. Quite honestly, most of our HR departments would fire ANYONE who pulled 1/2 of the bullshit that these kids pull on teachers today. Teachers have all of the responsibility and very little authority. Who the fuck wants to sign up for that job???

Many parents today are shit for brains who do not teach their children any respect. They teach their kids that no one better tell them anything. I have friends whose 13 year old girl was fucking a 16 year old boy, and when they called the police, the social workers told the parents that if they did not want to "lose thier daughter forever" they should allow her to continue the relationship.

A lot of kids today are a total mess. The system sucks, and I while I do not agree with what this teacher did, I am not going to be so pretentious to state that there is no case that could justify such a remark.

[Celebration]

104. name calling solves NOTHING

I know that there are horrible things that kids do in the classrooms, but exactly what does calling them a loser do to change THAT situation? It would only worsen the situation.

What I hate is the trend for the classroom teacher to be told to solve their own problems with kids. Kids need to be removed from the classroom in situations like this, and a disciplinary system for the school needs to be strong.

But calling them LOSERS? Sheesh.

[olegramps]

112. Apologetics???

[Spazito]

14. A teacher writing LOSER not once but twice is "banter" to you?

A teacher who writes LOSER on an 11 year old child's work because, according to you, they have a dispute with the parent is okay with you?

Wow, just wow!

[mike_c]

26. that's not at all what I said...

...but that's OK-- not being in possession of the facts in the matter makes it so much easier to arrive at a judgment!

[Spazito]

32. The facts are this teacher wrote LOSER on an 11 year old's work...

not once but TWICE, was called on the carpet by the principal the first time for doing it yet chose to do it again only, this time, underlined LOSER twice. What facts are not in evidence as to what has been reported and admitted to by the teacher via an 'apology'?

When a poster uses the term 'banter' to describe this, is it not fair to assume they think such action is harmeless, just a joke, and outraged reaction is 'over the top' ergo okay? If you didn't think it was okay, I would have thought you would have made that clear in your first post yet it seems that was missing.

[TommyO]

46. No student deserves to be called a loser by their teacher

Especially not an 11-yr old.

[nonconformist]

54. Not at my kids' school... 80 is a C- or D+, depending on the teacher

Grading scales are much harsher than they used to be.

[chrisa]

74. Bullcrap.

Are you really defending the teacher for this, even if it is a personal dispute? That would make the teacher even more of a tool for trying to get back at the parent through her child.

And as for "banter," that's the type of excuse a coward makes. This teacher is no different. He's hiding behind the "banter" excuse because he's afraid of accepting his punishment for trying to bully an 11 year old.

How could the writing of "loser" possibly be justified? That's completely beyond unprofessional. It's not even close.

[dixiegrrrrl]

81. I saw nothing that said the kid got 80% grade.

The paper shown is that 20% (of whatever grade it was )
was for being a loser.
What grade the 20% was taken from I did not find.

[maryf]

128. I said it before, its like sharks on a feeding frenzy...and folks are really happy

to buy into the bad teacher rap...

[panzerfaust]

144. You might want to think about what "Reactionary" means

i.e. "extreme conservationism" with consequent reflex defense of those in authority (such as teachers).

To tell a child that her paper is being marked down "-20% for being a loser" does not seem to give much guidance to the student in how to improve the paper.

Actually, it implies that there might be nothing wrong with the paper, but that anything she turns in will be marked down simply because the "teacher" feels the student to be a "loser."

It is not "banter" it is bullying, it is demeaning, it is disrespectful; it is what I put up with during my twelve year journey through the barren and stinking wasteland of public school "education."

[ddeclue]

5. He should be fired and sued.

[nimvg]

12. In California...

...it wouldn't happen, because the guy would know in advance there would be cause for one hell of a lawsuit.

[Xithras]

38. Yep. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.

They can be incredibly hard cases to prove and win, but I think a grown man berating a young girl by calling her a "loser" qualifies, especially as he'd done it before and been warned about it.

[paulsby]

40. sued?

for pete's sake.

we may not need tort reform (god forbid our system is reformed to something as horrible as say... england's ) but we need common sense reform

SUED?

oh noes? he called me a LOSER.

i need money!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

57. Some people use slot machines.....

....others, the legal system to hit the jackpot.

[paulsby]

58. it's like the brer rabbit approach

please don't call me a loser, sir?

"loser"


SWEEEEEET. I can sue.

it's a very lucrative briar patch

[PlanetBev]

6. Brings back a painful memory of Jr. High

Way back in '63. I was terrible at math. The idiot teacher insured my continued failure by wrting
"F minus minus minus" on my exam.

[mrcheerful]

Yeah I also wrote some stuff about the rotten teachers that we were exposed to back in the

60's, then got called a story teller and such. Or it was just 1 teacher, sure only 1 teacher was bold enough to say what he did, but there were many teachers that would say nothing but acted out on their feelings about certain students. Or how the principal should have put a stop to said teachers, little do the younger folks realize that back then principals tended to side with teachers. Whats even funnier was the 1st to 4th grade I went to was held in a 2 room school, 1st and 2nd grade was in 1 room 3rd and 4th were in the other and 2 teachers was the only staff the school had.

The reason I got called a story teller was because I said I had cracked a kids head open who was bullying a girl. I left out the fact that the fight happened on the basketball court and after knocking the kid down I proceeded to smash his head on the cement court. I guess it's also story telling when I say that the slide on the play ground was 15 feet high and had broken a few bones in the 75 + years the school was in use. Also story telling when I say that most of my grade school teachers used oak and maple paddles with holes drilled in them on students for crimes such as gum chewing lol.

[Raine]

135. Yeah when I was in 4th grade the teacher screamed at me

in front of the class about my poor arithmetic score she said "you're already in the dumbest arithmetic group, I can't put you in one any lower". :-( That sense of failure has always stayed with.

[Tom_Foolery]

146. I had a similar event happen to me in the 6th grade...

I'm almost 50 years old, and I can still feel the sting.

[Spazito]

7. Geez...

Some parents defended this?!? Disgusting, totally disgusting.

[Deep13]

9. Sounds like he's joining the other children in singling out this kid for abuse. nt

[truebrit71]

11. I'd tattoo 'Loser' on this fuckers forehead with my boot if that was my child..

:grr:

[Vinnie From Indy]

19. spelled correctly both forward and backward

The backward part would be so he could see it every morning when he looked in the mirror.

[Shell Beau]

15. That is beyond inappropriate.

What happened to frownie faces?

[Dappleganger]

17. This is indefensible. nt

[Vinnie From Indy]

18. If it were my kid I would definitely deliver a personal "vocabulary test" of my own to ol' Rex

I have no doubt that when I left he would be able to spell "terrified" while sitting in a pool of his own urine.

[blueworld]

114. Bravo & I agree having once (& only once) delivered a comparable lesson. n/t

[reflection]

20. I took a technical writing class in college,

and our teacher had a penchant for dumping out barrels of red ink on everyone's paper. He was a real tough instructor.

One day he had just passed out everyone's graded essays, and we were all morosely looking over the various red-marked corrections and comments. The young lady who sat behind me raised her hand and said "Mr. (x), I just want to thank you for complimenting me on every page."

The teacher said "What on earth are you talking about?"

She replied "You said I was vogue on every page."

He said "No, I wrote you were vague."

Of course everyone but her got a good laugh out of it.

Good times. At least he didn't write 'loser' like this schmuck. That's a bit extreme.

I bet there's a special entry for that guy at www.ratemyprofessors.com. (great site to get back at teachers who have wronged you, and to lift up the ones who were good)

[MattBaggins]

34. That is funny but you were in college and not 11 years old.

I am not a teacher but I would at least hope teachers would be trained in something similar to a military "after action review"; which entails examining what was done right and what went wrong. One should always start with what was done right as this will usually always lead to the right solution. Stress how following or sticking to what was going right would have prevented failures.

[reflection]

37. I agree wholeheartedly with you.

Just trying to bring a little levity to the discussion. 11-year olds are very vulnerable and do not deserve to be treated that way by the authority figures in their lives. Heck, kids are cruel enough to each other that I'm sure most of them get their daily quota of snark by lunchtime.

[Hissyspit]

43. Great site to get back cowardly and anonymously at teachers who have "wronged" you.

Teachers are accountable for their grades and behavior. Anonymous students on the Internet are not. Why do you need to "get back" at them? If you have an issue, address it with the teacher or in more serious cases with the administration. No, it's not a "great" site. I have students who hate me and students who love me and students who don't have a clue. I don't know what any of them think of me, because I don't go read the site anymore. Oh, and be sure and rate whether they are "Hot" or not. We must make professors who are not all that attractive feel bad about it. That's REALLY important. :eyes:

[reflection]

61. I like the site.

Disclaimer: I've been out of college for a long time, and have never been a member of that site or rated anyone on it.

What I liked about it was reading what other people thought of some of the instructors I had through the years. (although very few of them were still around). That's the extent of my involvement with the website.

I do, however, believe in the concept of public feedback. I use it to gauge books I'm going to read on Amazon, products I'm thinking of buying, and I think the idea of developing a cross sectional view of teachers is a pretty good idea. Like any collective rating system, it should be pretty evident to the reader whether or not the teacher is getting a fair shake from his/her students.

You do make an interesting point regarding the 'hot' ratings. In all the time I've looked at that site, I never thought the 'hot' designation had to do with the attractiveness of the teacher. I thought it was a rating derived from having a large number of positive ratings.

You say you don't read the site "anymore." So you did follow it at one time?

[Hissyspit]

63. I visited it once. Found it pretty worthless.

I just checked it again. Only one new rating in all that time and it's negative for my teaching of ART 101. Useful information considering I don't teach Art 101 and there is no Art 101. What am I supposed to do with that?

Hotness rating: "Appearance: (just for fun) Hot/Not"

[reflection]

64. You got me.

:shrug: I think there's a way to point out mistakes via feedback. Don't know really. Maybe bang them out an email or check the FAQ for advice.

Just checked the site again. I think I am right in that the 'hot' rating is just a very positive rating, not a reflection on the teacher's attractiveness, but I am happy to be corrected if need be.

On edit: Nope. Looks like you're right. Appearance: hot/not. Yeah, that's weak.

[thereismore]

21. Merit pay to him! NOT. nt

[zbdent]

23. Interesting that the parents who defend the teacher

refuse to be identified ... are the bullies afraid of being the victim of their own ideology? (bullied by reality ...)

[tekisui]

25. I went to this middle school.

I don't know that teacher, what an ass. He should be fired.

[MrMickeysMom]

27. Sounds like the teacher needs to go and learn some classroom management skills..,

That, and remediation for being a fucking wise guy, bottom of the barrel. Go give his job to somebody who cares.

Hey kids, here's a classroom tip for open house: As soon as you visit his classroom, just form the "L" in unison using your thumb and index finger.

[JerseygirlCT]

48. I think you could probably end that sentence at "go" and have it right

I cannot see any excuse for doing that to a child. It shows the teacher is completely incapable of doing his job.

[MattBaggins]

28. "It's important to note"

No it's not. It is not in the least bit important to note unless you are trying to point out that even many adults and parents can be utter idiots.

[Echo In Light]

29. Precisely. I can't believe the parents didn't raise unholy fucking hell upon the "teacher."

I would have

[maryf]

110. How do you know the situation???

I know of teachers who kid with their students with the thumb/forefinger L on the forehead, the kids relate...don't be so quick to judge teachers you don't know and join in on the general teacher hate going on in this country...soon you won't be able to complain about the teachers, the kids will be in classes of 50 with an aid adjusting the tv lessons....

[Hannah Bell]

141. how do we even know it actually happened?

the people you're responding to are the same types who *knew* the custodial staff in the merion case were peeping at little girls in their underwear on the school spycams.

[panzerfaust]

148. If this is what was actually written

http://media.ksfy.com/images/LOSER+TEACHER.JPG

This is all that one needs to know to determine that the "teacher" is belittling and bullying his student.

[Hannah Bell]

151. "if". as i said, how do we know it happened. the article no where states that the paper in the

picture is the student's paper, or that there's some proof the teacher wrote that comment.

just an allegation.

[FarCenter]

39. Take 20% off his paycheck and write "Loser" on it

[slampoet]

41. I had teachers who did this regularly. My small town couldn't afford the legal costs to fire them...

since they had tenure.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[superduperfarleft]

42. I had a 5th grade teacher who regularly called one particular student a "loser."

This student wasn't all that bright, true, but he was also desperately poor and had a really shitty home life.

The teacher is now superintendent in a nearby school district. Happy endings, eh?

[JerseygirlCT]

49. My kid had a horrific 5th grade teacher, too

She had a history of bad anger problems, but won a suit against the town BOE because the process for firing her had some glitch in it. So back into the system she went - only to bully and even get physically violent with her chosen kids - mine among them.

She shouldn't have been allowed near children, not to even get to teaching them.

[wordpix]

73. I hope she was yanked by now ---Shudder

[JerseygirlCT]

98. Not as far as I know. - edited

I do know that I - rather uncharacteristically - made sure every parent I knew with kids entering that grade at that school knew all about her and knew to demand their child didn't have her. The principal knew, and had been told she couldn't fire her. The town and the BOE just needed a bit of gumption, I think. And this is a perfect case of the union backing a bad, bad teacher. Not the fight they should have had for the sake and reputation of their profession, IMO.

Just looked around - she's retired. Good for the kids who won't have to have desks pushed at them, or be dragged by their ears...

[donco6]

45. Completely inappropriate.

Happening once would be a warning; twice, I think I'd give him/her some time off to think about his/her career. Or lack thereof.

[JerseygirlCT]

47. Treating a child like that is so thoroughly unprofessional it should be terms for immediate firing.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

51. Whether or not this student was in fact a loser, you can't just take off 20%.

That's BS. Also, writing that the student is a loser on their paper is an asshole thing to do.

[NJmaverick]

52. Good example showing why teachers need to be held accountable

[Tutankhamun]

53. I'm a teacher, and no way would I ever be so stupid as this.

The only way I would ever call a student a loser is if he/she lost some sort of contest. I.E. Your friend was the winner at Donkey Kong; you were the loser.

And no, I don't teach a class in video game playing...YET!!!!!

[lpbk2713]

55. I'd like to write "Asshole" on his final paycheck.

This clown has no business being in the field of education.

[JTFrog]

56. Maybe he forgot he wasn't in the military anymore.

http://www.buncombe.k12.nc.us/98720112671853600/site/default.asp

Whatever his problem, he's definitely in the wrong line of work.

[Zomby Woof]

59. Fire the sonofabitch

I think of all the good potential teachers out there looking for work, and unable to get it because assholes like this are employed.

[Mike 03]

60. My best friend in highschool was in my Geometry class, and my teacher wrote on his first major test:

"It is an insult to have to grade this exam." I can't recall the grade, but I assume it was an F.

He subsequently quit the class.

[wordpix]

72. yeah, way to encourage them when they're lagging behind

:sarcasm:

[Mike 03]

92. wordpix, thank you for raising this topic. My friend had just nearly been burned to death when

he got that message from our teacher. He was just trying to re-integrate into society.

Thank you for your sensitivity.

[wordpix]

106. I teach those kids and there is usually a backstory

when they're not doing well in school, and it's not pretty.

And the adults often forget these are kids and they're young and they can learn BUT do not add insult to injury or the damage is just compounded instead of helped.

[msanthrope]

62. He's a bully and a possible predator--

I would investigate any teacher who sought to use their power in this way.

[Dora]

66. That was my first thought - "predator." nt

[chrisa]

67. That teacher must feel so proud now.

I bet he's one of those teachers who absolutely adores the instigators, and thinks that they can do no wrong. He's so cool now, because he can relate to 11 year olds by bullying the kid they bully. What a mature adult completely deserving of his job (not). He needs to hit the road ASAP and find a new career.

[devilgrrl]

69. I had teachers like that in school

:puke:

[ThatsMyBarack]

Me, too!

Other grownups would tell me it was my fault if a teacher did something like this to me.

[Dinger]

70. Yup, Fire 'em

now.

[Akoto]

76. Teachers like him destroyed kids like me.

I am still dealing with my experiences in school at age 25. As if the constant, daily bullying weren't bad enough, I also had my share of teachers who were either indifferent or complicit in my daily torture.

No pity for this loser. Fire him and give the kid a teacher who tries to support his students.

[Odin2005]

82. Same here, I have PTSD from it.

[Raine]

136. Same here, I'm twice your age and

the after-effects are still with me. :-(

[BlueIris]

77. Emotional abuse is "his way of relating to his students"??

InSANE.

Humanity fail.

[devilgrrl]

79. Gee, that'll get them motivated - huh, teach?

:eyes:

How anyone thinks that doing something like that will improve student's attitudes... you need to get your heads out of your asses.

[Odin2005]

80. That asshole should be fired immediately.

:grr:

[lpbk2713]

83. The local school board must have low standards in their hiring policies.

Email the Buncombe County School Board and let them know what you think.

{Click}


or here ... [e-mail]

[walldude]

84. "No dark sarcasm in the classroom..."

So RI teachers are fired en mass at a school board meeting and this turd still has a job. :crazy:

[apples and oranges]

85. Not cool at all. That teacher should try positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement does not work.

[DonCoquixote]

86. My tinfoil hat is buzzing a bit

Not that this fool does not deserve to get slammed, but ponder this. Here we are, in the midst of an education debate, where there is some frustrations with Teachers that supposedly act like creeps and hide behind tenure. Now, I won't lie, of course some teachers fit that bill, (although more administrators do). However, we know that most teachers do not, and that tenure is the one thing that can keep a teacher from getting fired for, oh, teaching evolution in a predominantly Baptist district.

I am NOT defending this creep, just keep in mind the media knowns how to strike the right chords, and that we need to be careful we do not let ourselves be led around by our anger.

[Hannah Bell]

87. yep.

[maryf]

111. check this out!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7907821

[kimi]

88. That's "controversial"? Pretty mild description.

IMO, no controversy here. He's a fool, and has no business near a middle school. Those kids are hard enough on each other. Sheesh.

[Hannah Bell]

89. i'm sure you'll want to comment on the "charter school teacher repeatedly calls student "gay" thread

too.

here, let me make it easy for you:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7904047&mesg_id=7904047

[DonCoquixote]

97. Good point HB, but

Keep in mind, the myth of charter schools is that they allow a teacher to do things Public schools cannot. In other words, you submit to the abuse, especially when the nuns or priests are doing it. What scares me about this story is that it is a pre-loaded talking point, where people can say "See, these public school teachers and school fail our students, and then powertrip on them, hiding behind tenure!"

I can admit, some teachers do suck, though i will say many of those that do started off trying to be good, but ran right into the REAL folks that are never held into account, the School Board and the Admins! However, let's not forget, the right, and sadly, the center left under Duncan, need HORROR STORIES right now, to DEMONIZE TEACHERS, and the Media is all too willing to help.

[Hannah Bell]

139. yep. this week's newsweek cover: a blackboard with "we must fire bad teachers"

written on it 100 times -- is a particularly orwellian example of the propaganda machine's effectiveness.

[DonCoquixote]

149. Quelle Surprise

And I am willing to bet they bring out the ghost of Debra Lafave for extra measure, until everyone thinks every teacher is f__king their students.

[Fresh_Start]

90. he's done this before

from ratemyteacher.com

reviewed 2005: *
wants to be popular with the "popular kids" more than his students do. Grow up, Mr. Roland. Why do you and your wife continue to torment students and parents.
(report) (permalink)

[Catshrink]

91. A student once accused me a writing "loser" on his paper.

It was actually another student but the kid took the quiz home and showed his mom, telling her I wrote it. His mom called the principal to complain and he bragged to the girl that I was going to be in big trouble. The girl went to the principal and admitted to doing it. All this happened before I even knew about it! I was so grateful to her for owning up to it! When the principal told me about it I was completely shocked and speechless. I couldn't imagine any teacher doing this but I was pretty green.

It is unacceptable for a teacher to write something like this. I understand the frustration in dealing with some kids who won't do their assignments, who disrupt classes, and are all around pain in the butts. However, there are other ways of dealing with them than write "loser" on a paper, even in jest.

[mzteris]

101. so somehow this is HER fault?

I mean = even IF she were a "bad student" - which it seems she is not by the evidence presented - writing LOSER on a little girl's paper is totally beyond the pale.

[Mike 03]

93. Rec and Kick. NT

[Spazito]

94. I am sure if he found LOSER, underlined twice for emphasis, written...

across his pink slip, he would just double up with laughter at the harmless banter. :sarcasm: just in case it's needed.

[Okiehomeschooler]

95. I urge all to notify Enka County School Board of their concerns

I would urge all commenter's to post or e-mail the Enka County School Board of their comments and concerns. You can click on "Board of Education" and submit e-mails directly to the board members. You can also find the e-mail of the teacher in question and post a message directly. Just follow this link: http://www.buncombe.k12.nc.us/ems/site/default.asp

As for myself... Although their are always two side to every story, this teacher has obviously set precedent. Not only did he do this once but it has occurred twice or more times recently. Regardless if this was his "style" of teaching and relating to students, he has only proven that his intelligence and common sense does not go beyond an 11 year olds. And in no way should this "style" of teaching be tolerated. Not only do you destroy the self esteem of a child you provide a life long label they are always attempting to overcome.

Cases such as these, and the fact that public schools have removed the Christian values and morals I want my children raised and steeped in is the main reason I choose to home-school my children. While this does not work for everyone, I would strongly encourage any parent to consider it. Many more incidents of this nature are becoming daily habits, without parents and citizens taking a stand against such atrocities it will only manifest uncontrollably.

[devilgrrl]

102. "public schools have removed the Christian values and morals" - when did they have that?

I need to know this. What "values" and "morals" are they not teaching anymore? Please do share.

[Okiehomeschooler]

133. "I need to know"

Their are many Christian values and morals that have been removed from the schools. I can recall as a child a lady coming into school several times a month and telling Bible stories using a felt board. I also recall that no parents were appalled by this, the students loved the stories and eagerly awaited her arrival. Is she still there, of course not, we can't allow this in schools anymore thanks to atheists views and political correctness. I can recall when we all said God's name in the pledge of allegiance, now we must "gather at the flag pole" to do this. Do the schools teach creation anymore? No now we only have evolution as the source of existence. Are we teaching our children to respect themselves and their bodies, no now we pass out birth control even if the parents object. Do we teach our children to respect their elders and parents, no we teach them that rules can be bent to everyones liking, and elders are useless and expendable.

I acknowledge that other cultures and beliefs exist and that we should be considerate of this, however I must stand by my morals and faith when those cultures and beliefs become rulers over mine, enforce rules and guidelines over mine, and make me the criminal.

Take one good hard look at our culture today and compare it to Moses's era and I feel that you will uncover striking similarities. The further from God they became the harder their struggle. We as a country and society are following those same steps.

I do not mean to infer that everyone must share my views and beliefs, everyone has to make the choice for themselves. I simply want to supply you with "food for thought" so you can make your choice.

[devilgrrl]

138. Schools taught us reading, writing, math, art and phys ed... and that's all they're supposed to do.

There wasn't much discussion about religion in Public Schools in the 70's. Also, if I remember correctly, people in the 70's were incessantly harping about "kids these days" - and quite frankly, I would like them to know what happens if their hormones get the better of them - they are human beings - speak to them like adults and perhaps they'll behave like them.

[panzerfaust]

147. Like you, I have no problem with what people chose to believe in their homes.

But, unlike you, I do have a problem when any particular religious group wishes to push its own brand of superstition on the entire public: That is why "creation" (I assume that you mean the Jewish creation myth, not those creation stories of say the Navajo, or Chinese, or Vikings) should not be taught in public schools.

There are many other Biblical values that few rational people would want to embrace. Can we start with the book of Job? This shows the God of Abraham at His finest. What great values there are here for everyone to learn: That it is OK to torture a man, kill his wife and children, in order to win a bet.

in a democracy religion belongs in one's private life, not, as in the Western world's past, and as current in the world of Islam, as a part of the machinery of the state.

Every religion has beliefs that are an anathema to another: Burn not, least ye be burned.


Christian treatment of other Christians who disagreed on a point of theology.

[Celebration]

105. If I had a choice between a school where this happens

And a home school, I would do the home school.

Luckily, this is an isolated case.

When I attended public schools decades ago, indeed, one of my teachers was a fundamentalist Christian that tried to impose her values on us. Those values included denouncing Darwin every other oday, at an age when most of us had never heard of him. LOL that probably really shaped my thinking and I was very suspicious of all my teachers after that. Another thing she did was ask who went to Sunday School. She would do this every Monday. Every week the Jewish kid in the class had to ask if his Saturday school counted. She would have to think for about five seconds and then very begrudgingly allow that. Whenever I was the chaplain of the class or some such thing, I made sure that I did not put "in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior" at the end of a prayer, but something ecumenical, even though I was Christian, out of respect for the Jewish kids. But others were just clueless, and would invoke Christian words, I cringed for the Jewish kids. It literally caused my body a violent reaction.

Another thing that teacher did was say that drinking beer was sinful. Well my dad had a beer or two every Sunday afternoon, and that didn't seem sinful to me.

I'm not sure why the Constitution wasn't enforced back in the 1950s. And I am still not sure why a lot of my classmates did not have the empathy that I had for the kids in the class who were Jewish. I don't remember any Muslims or atheists, LOL. Thank goodness I only had one teacher like this.

I can do without Christian values like this in schools.

[Okiehomeschooler]

134. I can do without Christian values like this in schools

I must say that I am sorry you encountered someone like this at such a young age, the key to your distress is in your post..."a fundamentalist Christian that tried to impose her values on us". True Christianity does not impose on others, as a Christian I am called to inform others of God's love, compassion, and Mercy. However it is your choice to accept these gifts or not. God does not mandate belief in him, he allows you the freedom of choice. Adam and Eve had a choice, Judah had a choice, Satan had a choice, sadly all made the wrong choice and where held accountable for that choice.

I do not recall the Bible or God teaching hatred or shunning of the Jews. As you will recall God's chosen people are the Jewish and his promise to restore them to their Nation was in fact seen in the 1940's when Israel became a Nation. This is a value and a reality that I want my children to fully understand. I again am sorry that so many of your classmates where not taught this valuable lesson and can commend you for being sensitive to others.

[mvd]

96. No excuse for that at all.

Besides being cruel, it certainly will not give a kid confidence. If I had a kid, he/she wouldn't be near that teacher.

[Trillo]

103. "Miss Mullins, she's The Man"

All right, here's a useful lesson for you.

Give up. Just quit.

Because in this life, you can't win.

Yeah, you can try, but in the end, you're just gonna lose, bigtime,

because the world is run by The Man.

- Who ? - The Man.

Oh, you don't know The Man ?

Well, he's everywhere.

In the White House, down the hall. Miss Mullins, she's The Man.

And The Man ruined the ozone, and he's burning down the Amazon,

and he kidnapped Shamu and put her in a chlorine tank.

http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/s/school-of-rock-script-jack-black.html">more...

chlorine?

[Catherine Vincent]

107. This teacher is a fool

I regret saying that but doesn't he realize doing something like that does something to certain kids and they react a certain way? What if that kid's older sibling or friend find out and commence to beat him upside the head? He may have gotten by so far but he better be careful. It may come back and bite him in the ass.

[Hekate]

108. I'd transfer my kid out of that class so fast it would make the teacher's head spin...

... and I always preached "Respect your teacher, s/he knows more than you, and you are there to learn."

What this jerk is "teaching," no kid should be learning.

Hekate

[maryf]

109. Another bullet against teachers, the attack against them is getting

exponentially worse, I dare anyone here to go in and teach for three days...and parents defended him, kids sometimes like it when teachers use their vernacular...Its a coup to destroy public education, only the rich kids will get a true education in their rich charter schools, the rest will be trained to be unthinking servants and cannon fodder...If you have kids watch out! their chance to really learn is diminishing by the second!

[Fresh_Start]

113. you should blame the teacher who did this

no one else

[Pithlet]

116. Yes, because every story about a bad teacher is an attack against all teachers.

That's ridiculous. What you propose is worse. Let's sweep it under the rug and pretend nothing bad ever happens. That would really benefit kids. I guess the parents were supposed to keep their mouths shut. I support public education. I send my kids to public school. Hell, I live in an area where it's the thing to send them to private school because the public schools are just supposed to be soooo bad. Everyone's heads are still stuck in the 60's, here. But the knee jerk reaction by some here about every negative story that happens to be about a public school is just silly. Yeah, sometimes bad things happen in pubic schools. This teacher is awful and deserves to get fired. It made the news because it's a particularly noteworthy story. Anyone who agrees isn't a public school hater.

[Spazito]

119. The 'bullet' was fired by a bad teacher...

it serves teachers ill when those in the profession do not condemn behavior such as that of the teacher in the OP and, instead, deflects such behavior onto the student or their parent/s.

Hiding/protecting bad teachers, yes, there are bad teachers, instead of removing them from the system does MORE harm to the reputation of a very honorable profession than any acknowledgment that bad teachers do exist and condemning behavior such as is iterated in the OP.

For every bad teacher, there are thousands of good ones and the good ones are as outraged by this teacher's actions as are those outside of the profession.

[Warren DeMontague]

121. "kids sometimes like it when teachers use their vernacular..."

Really?

So you're saying that this kid likes being called a 'loser'?

Really?

[maryf]

122. Newsweek's cover plus

45 staff members laid off in the school north of me, Kansas City Missouri closes half its schools. How else are they able to do this without demonizing teachers? It is a coup, watch out...

Where are the stories of good teachers???? Which most are in my experience...

[panzerfaust]

143. KC MO School enrollment in 1999: 35k, in 2009: 17k

How is it a "coup" to close half the schools, when the enrollment has fallen by half?

[Maru Kitteh]

117. That bully should receive a police escort to the curb.

[RedCappedBandit]

118. 'teacher' = bully. fire him

[JVS]

127. Being a loser is a big enough problem that it should be nipped in the bud.

[Contrary1]

131. My son teaches 5th grade...

He never writes minus anything on the kids' papers. He teaches in a lower income area, most of the children come from single parent homes. He figures they have enough negativity in their lives.

[etherealtruth]

150. Good for him!

I have no doubt the acts of this particular teacher outrage the vast majority of teachers.

[rollin74]

132. if you would like to contact the people involved

and express your opinion

the "loser" teacher's email: [e-mail]

Enka middle school principal: [e-mail]

Buncombe County school superintendent: [e-mail]

[Hannah Bell]

137. this is the second time i've seen some poster urging people to contact the district to offer their

opinion on the basis of this poorly sourced, vague article.

why, i wonder?

[panzerfaust]

142. Yep. Reminds me of my 12 years in public school hell.

It is difficult to see how writing "-20% for being a loser" delineates what the errors were in the paper.

Indeed, the statement implies that there may have been no errors/misunderstandings/misstatements and that the "-20%" is being imposed simply because the child is a "loser."

I do agree, that the child certainly is a "loser" in having this bullying, inarticulate, unhelpful tool as a "teacher." So is society.

But then, in my 12 years in public schools, such a teacher was the norm - so I am a little surprised that such an event made the news.

At least in most states, I do not think it is legal any longer for these petty tyrants to beat their victims with wooden boards - as was common when I was in their power - so now they can only use hurtful and demeaning language to make themselves feel superior to the children.

Pathetic.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

145. Wait till the Charter schools take over n/t

[Blue-Jay]

153. At least he didn't write "looser".