WWYD/ Am I overreacting?

Lindsay9911

Last year when I was helping do things for my kids MDO classes I heard one of the 2 yr old teachers yelling at her kids a lot. It made me uncomfortable but since neither of my kids were in her class I didn't feel like it was my place to say anything.

Fast forward to registration this year and I specifically requested DD2 have the other 2's teacher. The director made a comment that she would try but she's not sure. So I was up front and honest and told her I was uncomfortable with the other teacher bc I had heard her yell at the kids on multiple occasions and I wasn't okay with having a child in her class. She assured me that this teacher was
"working on it" and was teaching
some "difficult children" last year. (Still not okay IMO)

I just got a call this morning from that teacher this morning letting me know that DD2 was in her class. Is it totally unreasonable for me to pull them both out and send them somewhere else? I don't want to be "that mom" and I don't think my kid deserves any special treatment! I just don't think it's okay for a PK-2
teacher to constantly yell at these
kids.
I just need someone to tell me if I'm being dramatic! :-)

outnumbered

I worked in a 2 year old room at a preschool and we never yelled at the kids.  Once in while the lead teacher would have to speak in a more 'firm' voice to get the childs attention, but never yelling.  We had some tough kids.  I would not keep my kids with a yeller.

outnumbered

The difficult kids comment would bother me.  I realize that some kids are harder than others, but that is a weak excuse.  

sometimesalwayschaotic

I might give the director another chance and then I'd pull.  I wouldn't want to put my 2 year old in an optional program where they are yelled at a lot.  I don't think you're overreacting. 

Andrewsgal

I would pull them but be fully aware it might be hard to find any decent program with openings right now.

chelseymat

I would pull them too…..

notkateanymore

Andrewsgal said:

I would pull them but be fully aware it might be hard to find any decent program with openings right now.

This exactly. There is nothing here with openings except the crap programs right now.

mrsnorthernbell

I would pull them if there was another program that was equivalent.  Especially since you made a request and it was ignored.  

bumpuser8448316

I would pull them. There's no reason to yell at kids.

Lindsay9911

Thanks y'all! I'm waiting for her to call me back but there is a great program that is closer to our new house that had openings! I'm going to tour it now! Thankfully we live in a small town that is pretty saturated with MDO programs and 2 new ones opened this year so there is a lot to choose from and they had room! :-)

Lindsay9911

And I totally agree that they shouldn't be yelled at. I send them to MDO so I can have a break and I would constantly worry if she was in that class.

ecotime47

I think the director should honor your request without question. It wouldn't be fair to you or that teacher if they put your kid in that class. Hope it works out.

trizzie

Pull them.  My son had a pre-k teacher that was a yeller (amongst other issues).  I pulled him after a semester, but it took a long time for him to get over. I still have PTS from it and he started 1st grade today.

MesmrEwe

Trust your instincts! There's a huge difference between "stern teacher voice for everyone to hear" and yelling at the entire group! The center that we send DS to has always been fantastic about these sorts of things. The 33-3yo room has a teacher that uses the stern teacher voice frequently - but for this age group it's always in an appropriate context. And that to me would be the deciding factor - was she "O.k. kids time to put the toys away!" snap-to and in what tone or was it "You little SOB's put the S-word away already!"... If it was the later - yep- pulled faster than fast! 

DD was a "difficult" kid (still is), if I had a room full of kids like her I'd likely from time to time need to yell, but only because that's what works with her sometimes.  That said - trust your instincts!!! 

orangegoggles

I'd just tell the director that you are going to pull them and see what she does. Odds are she will move your child. Also, make sure that you are not confusing "stern voice" with "yelling". Some of the best teachers have a "stern voice". 

Lindsay9911

I'm pulling them for sure. I was really impressed with a new program and the facility was too notch!

The director still hasn't returned my call so I plan on sending her an email today. I called my friend that teaches there and she told me that the director specifically asked her what she thought I would do since DD was in the yeller's class. She also mentioned that the problem is that 10 other parents requested the other teacher before I did. Red flag much?
That was enough information for me to not feel bad at all with my decision to switch.

vlagrl29

I would have totally pulled her and I'm glad you did and found another program that was better.

You probably would have seen a different behavior in your kids if they stayed with the yeller…..The first PDO program I put DD in, she didn't like going, cried when we left.  The teacher would tell me she would get weepy during the day.  I just think that she was with too young of kids and it wasn't very structured.  I took her out because she kept getting sick (don't think they cleaned well).  Found another recommended church and she loves it.  They do activities, structured, good teachers.  She gets excited to go.  I'm hoping it's the same way when she starts preschool next week.

KMommytobe

I agree with talking to the director one last time but if she doesn't put your child in another class I would pull them. You want to be comfortable with your child's teacher, especially at only 2 yrs old.