ANSWERS: 8
  • Probably not much. I'm both a graduate student and a teacher at the moment. It is very difficult for schools to force teachers out. There are certainly cases of bad teachers who benefit from this. Unfortunately, some people that just shouldn't be in the classroom are there and are likely to stay there. But there are also just as many cases where the school administration is absolutely right to protect a teacher who is doing his/her job despite the fact that it's impossible to satisfy everybody. Sometimes students feel that older teachers are "out of touch," which leads to problems. These problems need to be discussed, but remember that your teacher still has qualifications and experience and has earned the right to some respect. If you and others feel strongly that there is a problem and that you are right to complain, though, here are some suggestions: 1. Be both specific and respectful in your letters. "Everyone hates her" and "she's too old to teach" are NOT going to make people take you seriously. You will not get a serious response from the principal unless you can explain that you have specific and reasonable concerns. Do you feel that you are not learning what you are supposed to in her class? Do you feel that she uses outdated teaching methods? Or is it more of a problem in the student-teacher relationship... that you think she is too strict or that you don't get along well? Different problems require different solutions (talking to the teacher about the problem vs. recommending she take a quick course to stay up-to-date), and the principal can't take your concerns seriously if you don't explain them. And attacks on the teacher as a person or blanket statements like "everyone hates her" are inappropriate and unhelpful. Stick to objective, balanced explanations of why you feel there is a problem. Give specific examples of things that have happened in class. 2. I don't know what grade you are in, but teachers and principals might pay more attention to your concerns if you get parents involved. Teachers are always expected to be available to make appointments with parents or discuss problems over the telephone. If a lot of students have the same complaint about the teacher, maybe your parents should be involved in the discussion. Again, though, the discussion should stay respectful and focused on problems/solutions instead of criticizing the teacher as a person or saying she is too old. 3. Have you talked to the teacher herself? If you go straight to the principal without talking to her, she will feel angry and betrayed. She will be defensive from the beginning, and it might hurt your chances at communicating well to solve your problem. Ask to speak with her. Set up an appointment to discuss your concerns calmly and respectfully. You can do this as a group if there are lots of students who feel the same way, but try not to make the teacher feel like you're "ganging up" on her. I can tell you that, as a teacher, I love hearing feedback from my students about what I'm doing well and what I could be doing better. But only when they are respectful. I'm less likely to listen to students who are whining, complaining without a good reason, or saying nasty things about me. And it would make me angry if I knew that students went behind my back instead of coming to me first. 4. What I said in #3 also goes for parents. If you decide to get your parents involved, they should DEFINITELY ask for an appointment to speak directly with the teacher before they try talking to the principal or the vice principal. Involve the principal only as a last resort if you feel that talking to the teacher did not work.
  • Tell the principal to hide in a nearby closet and listen to the cclass without the teacher knowing that he/she are there. Maybe that can prove your point.
  • First off, document everything that is going on - or not going on as the case might be. Organize and type the information up, then make an appointment with your school board (or at least one member). Take other students with you as well as parents (I'm assuming you're in secondary school). The school board members are more likely to listen because generally they are elected. They have to answer to the public. Even if they can't do anything directly, they'll know who can. And by the way, you might not want to mention to the school board that you think she is "too old to teach." Bound to tick a lot of capable old folks off. Personally, I've known lots of really great, really ancient teachers.
  • I am sure she teaches and likely teaches very well with students that are there to learn something. Are you one of those students?
  • Can u not just sign a petition and bring it to a local newspaper or station
  • If a teacher hasn't broken any school rules or any type thing like that, a petition won't mean diddly squat. You cannot dismiss an employee without having some kind of proof of them breaking a rule, and even then they may only be reprimanded if it's not a too serious rule.
  • i would like to get my Current World Problems teacher fired. He is just flat out disrespectful, and swears during class at the students. To top it off today he told the entire class hes givig then a big fat F on there report card just before winter break because the proposal for a mock security council thats due this friday and its only monday wasnt entirely done by the class.
  • Use electronic devices to record her/his daily activities, record her voices, tones, and crazy illogical comments. BE as secretive as possible, do not pull out a radio during her/his class, instead pretend searching for homework and stuff inside your bags. Open up your recording devices and let it collects contents. In order to get the teacher fired, don't let your emotion take over. Try to be polite and be respectful(Even though you want to shove a knife on her/his head). Few teachers are not made for teaching, but they still forced themselves to teach (Coercion).

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