[I ♥ cats]

For my two biggest problem kids - she had them both in her class, too! She confirmed my suspicions that one set of parents was crazy (this was the post I deleted further down the board) and told me the other child had the exact same problems last year as this year and mom did nothing - confirmed my suspicions there as well. Sometimes I wonder if parents think teachers don't talk to each other. It definitely was enlightening and even though I knew I wasn't crazy (well, some days I do wonder! ), it helps to hear another teacher had the same issues.

[JoyfullTeach]

It helps me too to know that I'm not the only one. So many parents will say that the child has never had a problem before!!!

[musicbean]

It's like the parent who says "Well, he got all A's last year!". Um, yeah, as if I don't look at the previous report cards. It is good to know that it's not just you having issues.

[audriana]

I just had a parent who told me that this was the first time her child "hated" school. I know his former teacher and she just laughed because she heard the same thing last year.

Of course this is the least of this child's problems. The crazy things this mom said was unbelievable.

[lamaestra]

Yes, it is amazing how parents think we cannot communicate with theid kid's teacher from last year, or teachers from other schools. Sometimes the teaching world can be small.

I had a student say that she had never had problems with math. When I spoke with her teacher from last year, she said "What, that child had a hard time the whole year". It makes me feel a little better as well, but doesn't improve the student's status.

I'm glad you feel better.

[PrincessK]

I like having the heads up on parents, bc it allows me to know how to approach them. And yes, I really do think some parents don't realize that teachers communicate about them or their children.

[TommysMommy]

I absolutely hate being lied to.

I think that I have a professional, caring approach when I share unfavorable news with parents. I don't allow for any surprises on report cards because parents sign monthly, detailed progress reports in addition to having 24 hour-a-day on-line access to their child's grades.

This is related to the original post, forgive me if this is a hijack, but have you ever called a parent out on the carpet for lying to you about their child's history? I don't mean you yelled in their face, "YOU LIAR!" but have you pointed out that you know they're not being honest with you and proven it to them? What did they say then?

I had to support a colleage who was having trouble with a second grade student whose mother would not accept her daughter was serious behavior problem and needed intervention. The mother gave the, "Well, she never did that LAST year, maybe it's YOU?" speech to the teacher. When the parent was contacted about her child hitting, biting, spitting, cursing, etc., it was always turned back onto the teacher and nothing was resolved. When I was pulling information together for an SST, I spoke to the child's former teacher. No surprise, the same thing had happened the previous year, and the parent had been a perpetual no-show to conferences to discuss the matter. At the SST, we allowed the parent to share her opinions and thoughts about her daughter, and when the topic came up about the previous year, I mentioned my discussion with the previous teacher. I even showed the parent the documentation from the previous teacher who noted identical concerns. I explained how important it is to have a clear picture of the child's history so that we could better help her. The parent immediately backed down and turned the focus onto her husband whom she felt was he right person to blame next! Blame wasn't even the issue! We want to help your kid! Help us, please, don't fight us!