WWYD cussing teacher?

Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com · August 2011

My stepdaughter is in 8th grade. Her science teacher has said damn when he forgot a kids name. He said dumb a$$ when he was asking the kids if they took pre AP classes last year. Then he said they needed to get sat down after they finished all their bullsh!t.

My question is would you let the principal know?

The reasons I think I should are, its unprofessional. He is a role model for the kids, lead by example right? We are only 1 1/2 weeks into the school year, and he has already cussed 3 times during the hour my SD has him.What kind is going to come later in the year. None of the circumstances seemed to be enough to make him loose his temper.

The reasons I am considering not saying anything are, he seems like a great teacher. He seems passionate about science. The kids love his class. I don't want to get anyone in a huge amount of trouble that might cost them their job or something like that. Everyone makes mistakes.

WWYD?

MCH77 · August 2011

Honestly I would be put off too. I work in a HS and never (ok well try to never) swear in front of students. It makes me very uncomfortable when I hear teachers swearing. I really believe that we are examples and if they can't swear, we shouldn't.

Do you feel comfortable emailing/calling the teacher directly? Or do you think that SD would not like that? I think that your concerns need to be expressed. If you do not feel comfortable that I would contact the principal and ask to not have your name released.

GL!

leneae10 · August 2011

Ummm, yikes! Definitely valid concerns and I would be peeved too. It's definitely unprofessional, and kids don't need to think that it's okay to say those things at their future workplaces!

Personally, I would probably do what MCH says and anonymously email the principal but also let the principal know that he's a great teacher besides the cursing.

ETA: And dumba$$ is never, EVER appropriate when addressing children. That's just sick.

Brosis · August 2011

MCH77:
I would contact the principal and ask to not have your name released.
GL!

This! Swearing in front of students is completely inappropriate & unacceptable. I would contact the principal ASAP to nip this in the bud. Requesting anonymity will hopefully prevent any retaliation against your child by the teacher, either intentional or unintentional. GL!

Ashley858 · August 2011

I wouldn't worry about it.

1) The vast majority of the world cusses. This more than likely includes your SD.

2) It probably makes him seem more relate-able to the kids also and makes them interested in what he has to say.

3) It's high school, the shows they watch on TV and music they listen to curse more than he does.

Desertmama7511 · August 2011

As a teacher, I would say to contact him directly first. You can even leave him an anonymous note if that feels more comfortable. I usually get irked when a parent has an issue and goes straight to the principal rather than talking to the teacher first. Usually it's something silly anyways. I always tell my parents to talk to me about ANYTHING that concerns them. Maybe he is trying to relate to the kids, but I still don't think it's appropriate. In my opinion, cussing makes you sound ignorant, and although I drop some bombs here and there, I would never do it in front of my students. It's unprofessional. They need to learn that there are appropriate settings for that, and school is not one of them...neither is the workplace.

Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com · August 2011

Desertmama7511:
As a teacher, I would say to contact him directly first. You can even leave him an anonymous note if that feels more comfortable. I usually get irked when a parent has an issue and goes straight to the principal rather than talking to the teacher first. Usually it's something silly anyways. I always tell my parents to talk to me about ANYTHING that concerns them. Maybe he is trying to relate to the kids, but I still don't think it's appropriate. In my opinion, cussing makes you sound ignorant, and although I drop some bombs here and there, I would never do it in front of my students. It's unprofessional. They need to learn that there are appropriate settings for that, and school is not one of them...neither is the workplace.

Yes, and they are not kindergartners. I know they have all likely heard/said the words before.

I don't know how to leave an anonymous note. I am really not comfortable talking to him directly. If she said this stuff to him she would very likely be trouble. Although the rules are different for children than adults. I think it's better to contact the teacher vs. the principal though. Maybe I will have my husband do it so I can avoid the confrontation.

minnteacher · August 2011

Desertmama7511:
As a teacher, I would say to contact him directly first. You can even leave him an anonymous note if that feels more comfortable. I usually get irked when a parent has an issue and goes straight to the principal rather than talking to the teacher first. Usually it's something silly anyways. I always tell my parents to talk to me about ANYTHING that concerns them. Maybe he is trying to relate to the kids, but I still don't think it's appropriate. In my opinion, cussing makes you sound ignorant, and although I drop some bombs here and there, I would never do it in front of my students. It's unprofessional. They need to learn that there are appropriate settings for that, and school is not one of them...neither is the workplace.

This! Teachers hate it when you jump over our heads and go right to the principal.

minnteacher · August 2011

You could hand write a note and leave it in the office. Teachers usually have mailboxes that you could just leave it in.

elisbu · August 2011

as a teacher those words should never be used in front of students. But I would talk to him and let him know how you feel about it before you go to the principal.

as for him trying to 'relate to the students' to me that is like parents who try to be friends with their kids. He needs to be their teachers, not their equal.

Good Luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

epona3 · August 2011

elisbu:

as a teacher those words should never be used in front of students. But I would talk to him and let him know how you feel about it before you go to the principal.

as for him trying to 'relate to the students' to me that is like parents who try to be friends with their kids. He needs to be their teachers, not their equal.

Good Luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

Another teacher here, and ITA. I would either contact the teacher directly, or contact the principal. I think either is completely acceptable.

Generally, I think you should always contact the teacher first, but I think this really is a common sense issue. A teacher should know better than to swear in front of the students (especially middle schoolers, who are particularly impressionable IMO). So maybe he needs a talk with the principal to understand he shouldn't be doing that.

I don't care if all the 8th graders have already heard it before or if it helps him relate better. Kids need to learn about social boundaries and situationally appropriate behavior. I teach 9 - 12 graders, and I do not swear in front of them, nor do I allow them to swear (and that includes putdowns like "gay" "fag" and "retard"). And I am still a relatively popular teacher who relates very well to her students.

epona3 · August 2011

Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com:

The reasons I am considering not saying anything are, he seems like a great teacher. He seems passionate about science. The kids love his class. I don't want to get anyone in a huge amount of trouble that might cost them their job or something like that. Everyone makes mistakes.

WWYD?

I think it would be VERY unlikely that he would lose his job over this. A talking to from the principal - yes. Fired - no. It's pretty hard to fire a teacher (around here, anyway. Maybe TX is different...)

Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com · August 2011

epona3:
Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com:

The reasons I am considering not saying anything are, he seems like a great teacher. He seems passionate about science. The kids love his class. I don't want to get anyone in a huge amount of trouble that might cost them their job or something like that. Everyone makes mistakes.

WWYD?

I think it would be VERY unlikely that he would lose his job over this. A talking to from the principal - yes. Fired - no. It's pretty hard to fire a teacher (around here, anyway. Maybe TX is different...)

I have no idea how hard it is to get fired. In the past I have always gone to the teacher, because I suspected I was only getting a child perspective. Which had been the case. This time, there is no motive for SD to tell me something untrue. She likes his class. She isn't complaining really about his swearing, I think she is just caught off guard by it.

I agree that it is very inappropriate regardless of the age, but I would be a lot more upset if it were my DD 1st grade teacher.

luvmyducks · August 2011

I would talk to the principle. But make sure to express how you feel that he's a great teacher, but you just think he needs to watch his language. I remember having teachers who used profanity and they were some of my favorite teachers, but as an adult, and almost parent, I do think it is inappropriate.

Rossi17 · September 2011

I would email the teacher first, very nicely. Tell him that you really admire his teaching methods and that your daughter absolutely loves his class and looks up to him. Then tell him that you understand that he might think cussing might make him relate better to the kids, but that you are concerned because it's a habit you don't want your daughter to pick up and that you are sure it's a habit he wouldn't want his own kids to pick up. Tell him that you didn't contact the principal because you'd rather just bring it up to him directly. Ask if there are other words he can use (shoot, shut the front door, etc.)

I'm sure he will either stop, or will try very hard to stop (will probably catch himself).

sarahandeddiejune212008 · September 2011

If the kids aren't allowed to curse in school than the teacher shouldn't either. Normally I'd say go straight to the teacher, but this situation is a little different. I would probably just email the principal, but ask to stay anonymous. I also teach and I have never cursed in front of students. I don't even allow myself to curse while in the school building because a student may hear and I want to set a good example.

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