Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bullies

It was the last day of school for students today. There are some that I will miss, but it has been a long year in some ways. Let me just preface this with the fact that I got a lot of lovely notes, cards, and heart felt thank-yous on the last day of school, but I got my first ever "unthankyou." There is really no other way to describe what transpired.

I walked the kids out and waved the buses off--a school tradition. I walked through the office and a parent I have stationed in Afghanistan actually priority mailed a thank-you card.

Then, I returned to my class to work on packing things up. I noticed the message light blinking on my phone. The message was from a parent I have who is a little unbalanced (apparently she thought she was being anonymous, but she has a very distinct and abrasive tone). She said something along the lines of the following:

I just called to say that basically this school year sucked! You need to get better at being a teacher and building relationships with parents. I don't want to say I don't like you, but... You never called me to tell me about school events. So yeah, basically I just wanted to say this school year sucked. Click.

At first, I was taken aback because I couldn't imagine that someone would do that. Honestly, if this individual had an issue she should have come to me long ago. Then, I reflected. I have received soooo many reports of bullying from parents and students about her daughter. She was trying to bully me. She is calling (she believes) anonymously just to say hurtful things on the last day of school after school.

I try really hard to focus on the positive, but this really was a slap in the face after a long year of hard work.

4 comments:

Clix said...

*hugs* I'm sorry someone was so rotten as to put you through that. NOT FUN. I'd suggest letting administration know about it - unless the student leaves the school, it'll probably be helpful for them to keep tabs on the situation.

mrskedu said...

I've been teaching 7 years now; I bartended for 15. I used to get people who would occasionally leave nasty notes and no tip. They'd run out the fornt door before I could confront them. Cowards are cowards and they don't have any desire to RESOLVE anything. They just want to fling dirt and run. I get one every year as a teacher. Just remember, their kid will suffer forever for their bad behavior and pray that he/she learns to overcome the family environment. It isn't your fault. :)

Mamie said...

Oh, ugh! I'm sorry that happened, and I definitely empathize.

I did a written evaluation for my parents, and out of all that were returned I got one back that was negative, nasty, and made un-founded claims. The parent has very distinctive handwriting, so I know exactly who it was. Did this parent EVER express a concern during the year? NO, of course not! But her child started out the first two days in another classroom, and she got pissed off at that teacher about something out of the teacher's control, so the child was moved to my room. Given the child's behavior and attitude, I'm not at all surprised that the mother would write such rude and baseless comments.

My principal and team all said that the problems are HERS, not mine, and I do know that. I didn't let it bother me too much, but I WAS a little bugged. And, the family lives only THREE HOUSES down from me on my street! Needless to say, my morning walks will NOT be going in that direction this summer!

Hang in there....

luv2teachmath said...

Wow! No wonder her child acts the way she does. (((BIG HUGS))) Shake it off girl! She has the problem, not you!
Erika
Wild About 2nd Grade