9.14.2009

Untitled to protect the innocent

This may or may not have happened to a friend of mine
*Names have been changed to protect the innocent

So there is this mom I know (we'll call her *Jorgee) and she stopped in her daughters (we'll call her *Gabby) school one day after school because she was waiting on Gabbys bus to make it back from another school and she had some time to kill, so she decided to drop by Gabbys teachers (we'll call her Mrs *L) room. Since it was after school Jorgee being all in a 'Pink ladies state of mind' by-passed the office and sign-in sheet and went straight for Mrs L's classroom...

Upon entering the room Mrs L was helping a student, so Jorgee waited patiently, there was another student and parent figure in the room and apparently ahead of Jorgee, finally Mrs L acknowledged the others in the room, she asked Jorgee if she was with the other student/rent combo and Jorgee replied 'No, I'm Gabbys mom'...

Mrs L said 'OH'(yanno the deer caught in headlights 'OH' and Jorgee isn't proud she has this effect or is it affect on people) and just looked down, she didn't say anything else to Jorgee, she, Mrs L looked kind of pale actually, Jorgee considered asking her if she needed a glass of water. Then all of a sudden she told the other parent in the room she had to step out to make copies and she would be right back...

When Mrs L returned Jorgee waited and waited, then all of a sudden the door to the classroom opened and an official looking lady walked in with a walkie talkie and asked Jorgee if she needed to schedule a parent/teacher conference and Jorgee looked surprised and replied 'No, I just had a quick question' actually Jorgee was there to tell Mrs L Thank You for something that had happened earlier in the week, but she didn't want to give up that info to the official looking lady as it was between Mrs L and Jorgee and Mrs L had told Jorgee, feel free to call,email or visit anytime...

According to my very reliable source Jorgee was then escorted out of the room because she had neglected to sign-in first, the very official looking woman, official because she carried a walkie talkie that kept sqawking, said that Jorgee needed to sign-in, then she could go back to see Mrs L and Jorgee just apologized saying but don't you see my pink lady jacket she really had no idea she needed to sign in 'after' school.

Then it hit Jorgee, while Mrs L had made copies she called the place where the official people sit and had tattled on Jorgee, apparently Mrs L is a lil bit skeered of Jorgee and having never met her before only having very direct phone conversations, Mrs L had been caught off gaurd and if you will...PANIC'd(again Jorgee tells me she isn't proud of this and that she is working on coming across softer and more personable)

Having come to this deduction because Jorgee is a quick thinker, she felt bad that Mrs L was so scared of her and that she felt she needed to call upon the official looking people, then Jorgee decided to just call Mrs L when she returned home and not (apparently) torture Mrs L any longer.

Once home Jorgees phone rang and it was Mrs L and she was all very talk-a-tive now that several miles,walls and a telephone line seperated them both and Mrs L started apologizing and Jorgee stopped her(Jorgee isn't big on EXSCUSES)and said that she was only there to tell her thank you and that she really didn't need to call the official looking people on her, Jorgee assured her she hadn't been in a real fight since...well, NEVER and she, Mrs L had no reason to worry that Jorgee was there to beat her up because that's like so 7th grade.

Jorgee later told me, that she knows teachers have the hardest jobs, but this is the first year that she as a parent doesn't feel the support from the teachers in reagrds to Gabbys IEP, in fact only one teacher is following Gabbys accomodation plan. Jorgee says it is so fustrating as a parent because when she calls the teachers to visit and verify they tell her one thing and then do another and since Mrs L is gabbys file teacher Jorgee and Mrs L have had A LOT of phone conversations trying to get everyone on the same page...

Jorgee say's it's a fine line you walk as a parent, on one hand you are your childs biggest advocate and on the other are the teachers who in this day and age aren't use to parents taking an active roll in a childs education or even knowing what is going on in their lives...it's sad really...


My confession for today: It feels like fall here in Oklahoma and that makes me wanna go buy pumpkins and corn stalk and hay bales


31 comments:

  1. I am one of those parents who make it very clear from the get go that I will be on top of Connor's education AND his teachers. They don't all love me and I don't even care if they like me cuz he's my kid and I am the only adovocate he gets. I think it's great that you too are one of THOSE parents!

    Hallie

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  2. Yeah, you crazy parents. I ask A LOT of questions, and my son is four. :-) I'm sure his teacher will NOT like me at ALL when he gets older. The only thing you care about is your kid. That's the end of the story. They need to get over it. :)

    I say buy the pumpkins!

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  3. Wow, just wow! In a way I'm impressed that they made a big deal over her not signing in first because at least we know they're tight on security. The school my kids go to...anyone can walk on campus at anytime, which is scary to me.

    The whole school thing is so new to me since my older twins just started kindergarten. But the teacher makes it practically difficult to get any words in with her and actually sent a note home saying that if we had any questions or needed to discuss anything, the best thing to do is leave her a voicemail and she'll get back to us "when she has time". I'm not sure if this is common practice but it really bothers me. I honestly don't think they expect parents to want to be involved. Seems so wierd to me, considering their preschool experience was SOOO different.

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  4. I wonder if the security thing has anything to do with all the teacher strikes thats going on. Maybe not, because your teacher WAS there. We have a lot, a lot, a lot of teacher strikes going on where I live, every single year the same thing happens.

    HOW would the teacher have known if the parent signed in or not?

    You're right, its sad.

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  5. Several years ago, my sister told me that I was "one of those mothers" that they talk about in the teachers' room. I don't know if she meant it as a compliment - but it is a badge I wear proudly.

    In third grade, my son's teacher told me I needed to be "less involved" (and I wasn't really all that involved to be honest). I sent here an email outlining all of the research about the benefits of involved parents and kept doing my thing. My son is a sophomore and nowadays, he pretty much gets what he needs. I think they figured out we weren't going to back down.

    Wear your badge of honor with pride.

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  6. Being the parent of a child in school is all new to me. Last year I got updates daily as to Jack's behavior, this year, I barely even see the teacher. I am so glad Parent/Teacher conferences are next week...I only wish she had scheduled me for more than 15 minutes, because man, do I have a bunch of questions for her!!!

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  7. Oh Jorgee! I kept emailing my kiddos teacher and I know I was being a pain but I wanted shit straightened out. And she surprised me by saying not very many parents are involved with their kids nowadays and that she was glad that I took the time to check on things. I felt like a great mom that day. And I hated the teacher a little less. LOL

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  8. oh gotcha there
    fixed that situation when i started showing up every week with soda and chocolate just for the teacher
    funny i became her fav parent
    bribery gets you everywhere

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  9. You go Georgie....I mean Jorgee!

    Gotta do what's right for your kid! I applaud you for your persistence. If I see any new weapon purchases such as nunchuks I will start to be concerned!

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  10. Georgie, with two hearts, Your story for some reason made me very sad. No kidding.

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  11. Do the right thing is smart to do should not do is ignorance.

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  12. wow! i hope your friend Jorgee learned her lesson! I wouldn't want her to get frisked next time, or something! LOL!
    And yep - the fall weather is amoung us!!!

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  13. I think going in to thank the teacher was a great idea....but after all that mess I wouldnt be quick to do it again. Sorry "Jorgee" had to go through all that.

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  14. Wow this 'jorgee' friend of yours sounds pretty intimidating. ;)

    but I have to say, as a former teacher, I was (and still am) much better at communicating with children than I am with the parents.

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  15. Wow. I can only say - NEVER feel bad for trying to do something to HELP your children. If there's misunderstandings, try to clarify them, but NEVER feel bad for doing right by "gabby".

    Love ya - hope to see you soon.

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  16. I look forward to being one of *those* parents. ;)

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  17. It was wonderfully cool coming home from work this morning.

    What school system is Jorgee's daughter in, Missie? Your story sucks. I've been madly in love with Jenks and my boy's IEP. The more involved I've been with the teachers, the better the responses. I hope the rest of your year goes smoothly.

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  18. Girl you are so whack!!
    Coming from a homeschool mom used to be public school mom...stay over involved...and don't you let those radio's intimidate you, ROFLOL!!!!

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  19. They still cringe when I call or walk into the school, and only one of the three even go there anymore. Unlike Jorgee, I am glad; it means they will pay attention and do.their.job. :)

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  20. Are the walkie talkies supposed to intimidate people? As if they still couldn't be tackled and beaten to a pulp. Of course Jorgee would never do that.

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  21. I am so lost. What is an IEP?

    Good for Jorgee for being involved but yeah, next time, bring chocolate chip cookies or something. Yeah, Mrs L. told me to tell you that.

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  22. School security sounds tight these days!

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  23. Oh Jorgee is a better person than me!! Way Better!! I'd been all 7th grade over being escorted out by THE MAN! That would send any pleasent Parent/Teacher relations straight down the tubes!!!

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  24. Wow! As a teacher, I LOVE parents who are involved!! What I don't love are the parents who continuously make excuses for their children, but I KNOW this Jorgee person cannot be that kind of parent. After all, she is a "friend" of yours. LOL Seriously, I have a couple of parents who email me at least weekly with questions or concerns, and I SO appreciate it. Then I have another parent (who is a TEACHER himself!!!) who makes excuses for his son, who is a senior! THAT irks me beyond belief! Tell Jorgee to keep doing what she's doing. Oh, and the gift of chocolate isn't a bad idea. hahahaha

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  25. Being a teacher myself of lower elementary children(Special Ed it IS appreciated when our parents are involved. We especially appreciate information from home that gives us clues to moods and behaviors. Just keep on being the advocate that you are and those teachers are just going to have to deal with it!!!!

    Melinda

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  26. Oh, Georgie...I have such mixed feelings. Our daughter is homeschooling, but not everyone can do that. Schools offer so much, especially if there are any learning disabilities. It's just sad that it's so difficult for a parent to come by. But what do we expect ?? you can't even bring God into the classroom ... so how can a parent?

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  27. I hate being the difficult parent, but I don't hesitate to step up when I need to. I had a similar situation in preschool. Yeah, preschool. They followed me up and down the halls every time I dropped off and picked up. I'm still mad.

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  28. It sounds like that teacher had some personal problems..

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  29. Wow, that is bizarre! Was the teacher older I wonder? My daughter's 2nd and 3rd grade teachers were around 40 or so, and were AWESOME. They loved parent involvement. The more the better. In first grade the teacher was almost ready to retire and was not parent friendly. The teacher this year is older too, and I haven't really felt the love so far, but I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm afraid I would not have been as gracious as your friend either. Parents have the right to stop in whenever they want. Yikes!

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  30. Don't forget a pumpkin spiced latte.....mmmmmm.....


    So she was Skeeeerreeeed eh?

    IF YOU'RE SKEEERED, SAY YOU'RE SKEEERED!

    Sucka.....

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  31. When I was a kid parents only stopped by for conferences and very few kids were lucky enough to have a parent at home after school. I find the whole concept of signing in just to be in the building strange, and sad. I hope she comes around, I mean intimidating or not you're there for your daughter!!!

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