FeedManiac Monday: Hot Topic–Teacher Uses “Loser” to Tease Students
March 22, 2010 in Elementary Educators, High School Teachers, Maniac Mondays, Middle School Teachers Tags: Buncombe county teacher, hot topic, maniac monday, Teacher calls girl loser
photo by takomabibelot www.flickr.com
If you haven’t heard by now, there’s a middle school teacher in Buncombe County, North Carolina who wrote LOSER on a student’s paper, and her parents are understandably (in my opinion) upset. (To see a video about this story, please go to: Yahoo News.) The teacher says he is only trying to relate to students by using terms like LOSER when addressing students or grading papers. This is the second time that he is in trouble for the same thing. In the fall, he talked to school district officials about his teaching style, and he stopped writing LOSER. Now, he’s started again. WHAT? WHY?
Some parents at the middle school are defending the teacher and say that his methods are extreme but they work with middle school students, who can be some of the most difficult to reach since they are struggling through puberty and with maturity issues.
SO, what do you think? I tend to think that in a world where bullying is always in the news and being blamed for many school shootings that bullying by a teacher is not such a great idea. To me, writing LOSER on someone’s paper, especially once the parents and school administrators have asked you to stop, is bullying and seeing how far you can push the limits. It’s easy to sit here and say, “Oh that’s no big deal. These parents are overreacting. The teacher’s right–kids are hard to reach.”
But how would you feel if it was your child who had LOSER written across her paper? How would you feel if your child already didn’t fit in or was struggling with self-esteem issues?
I do think it’s important to look at both sides, and it would be nice to read or see an interview with the teacher, so we could figure out what is actually going on. If you have seen any information from the teacher’s side, please share it with us here. I would love to know what you think either way!
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I’m glad you are protesting against this insensitive teacher’s cruel action.
She ought to be fired.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Margo, it hasn’t been long since I was in a MS classroom-and I’m appalled by this teacher’s behavior.
I understand that the teacher is trying to relate–middle schoolers are tough. BUT, using MS terms like LOSER is the fastest way to be uncool in their eyes. The teachers I know, who are well-liked and RESPECTED by students, range in age from 25 to 60. It’s not about using slang terms, or talking MS talk. It’s about being consistent, treating students fairly, and yes, with respect. And the term LOSER is waaaay on the other side of that.
And finally, no middle schooler likes being called a LOSER-a kid might laugh and make a joke of it, but inside, they’re not finding anything funny about it. If that teacher REALLY knew anything about middle schoolers, he’d know that.
I can think of a term or two for that teacher, but where I was raised, it was impolite to make personal comments about someone.
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:19 am
Thanks, Fred. I think it is actually a man, which I guess I didn’t say in my post. Thanks for commenting. Margo
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:20 am
Cathy–AMEN!