Rant about Teachers and communication

My twins started a half day program in January. From the beginning, I always sort of felt that one of their teachers was not very good with communication (which as we know is so vital). But, I know teachers are different. We are not going to love all their teachers. I can't know every single thing going on in the classroom and this is new to us.

Most recently, I finally potty trained one of my twins (the other is not). He has been doing great! I gave the teacher the heads up and sent in extra underwear and pants just in case. He has not had an accident. Anyway, she calls me on Tuesday to ask if something happened because he keeps saying he doesn't want to go to the bathroom and is crying when he gets in there. I say no, he's fine at home. No issues like that at all.

She says well what kind of potty do we use? I say we have the attached ring on ours. She says oh that's probably why. They only have the big potty in school and maybe he scared. I said yes, that's probably it. She then says maybe we can work on getting him used to the big potty (which pissed me off too bc he's been potty trained for a week now so how about let him get used to that!). Also, how his school doesn't have a ring or something for little kids is beyond me. You can't tell me he's the first kid with this issue!

So we agree that I will send in a travel ring they can keep at school and they will put on the potty for him so he doesn't feel like he will fall in. I send it in with a long note in his notebook and to please let me know how he does and I also ask a question about his pictures. That night the notebook isn't in his book bag. Fine. I get it. They probably got busy and didn't have time to put it back in. The next day it comes home with one sentence- saying he went to the bathroom. That's it!

I am super pissed off! What does that mean? Did he go with the ring? Was he fine on the big potty? She never even answered my question about the pictures (I know this is minor, but it's the point). Am I overreacting? This is one of a million examples like this with this teacher. I am just curious as to other's experiences with their kids teachers. Sorry for the rant, but I felt like I needed to explain the whole story.

Message edited 6/6/2015 9:57:29 AM.

Rant about Teachers and communication

I kinda think you're over reacting. He went to the bathroom in the toilet. That would be enough for me, lol.

Re: Rant about Teachers and communication

Ok. Thank you. This is why I love posting. I get outside opinions. I probably am over-reacting bc I am not too fond of his teacher. My other twin's teacher is so warm and caring and gives me so much information, I never have to wonder what's going on in his class. I didn't say anything to his teacher and I won't.

Re: Rant about Teachers and communication

I was thinking she only had time to scribble one thing and told you the one important thing you'd need to hear

Either way hugs to you
School years almost over

And I'm not sticking up for her in any way but it may be easier for her to communicate and for you to get info you need if you just write a list of yes no questions

Did he pee in toilet
Did he use the ring
Are we getting the pictures soon

Etc

When I get notes from parents after a while I write back on their notes with arrows going from their questions to a spot on the page where I could respond. Just from a time saving perspective. Cuz when you have 12 or 20 notebooks to write in it becomes tough

I do think she should have given you more info though
And no I don't think you are over reacting. Especially if this has been going on all year

Message edited 6/7/2015 12:53:16 AM.

Rant about Teachers and communication

You are going to come across teachers that are great communicators and those that aren't. It is very frustrating when you are trying to implement something at home and it matters what happens at school as well.

Sometimes the day is very busy or they may of had to deal with a behavior at the end of class so they could not write in your book. What I did for preschool and up through first grade is that i created an About my Day sheet. It was questions that I needed answered and left a section at the bottom for comments, if needed. They weren't a ton of questions but the few that I needed to make a good transition home. The teachers all were very receptive to it.

Re: Rant about Teachers and communication

Yes, I probably write too much to begin with when I write to her. Lol. Good idea. If I need to know vital questions, maybe it will just be a yes/no type of thing. I completely get it that they have 12 kids and it is nuts and my kids are only there for 2.5 hours so it's a lot to fit in.

My kids will most likely be in a different school this fall (we are checking out one tomorrow). Like I said, I know we will not love all their teachers, but I have had issues since day 1 with this teacher with communication so I am probably over-sensitive. It's ranged from her never even writing a note his entire first week there to me finally asking how is he doing and her note said fine (that's it! One word. What does that even mean? I blamed myself for not asking more like how is he interacting, etc. but just figured she would tell me what I needed to needed to know).

Then after a month and a half we had p-t conferences and she asked me if he can drink with a cup because he seems to have issues and all the other kids can and we need to work with him. I felt she should have written this in his notebook (she said she noticed it immediately) and we could've been working on it. I know it sounds minor, but it really bothered me. A lot of little things like this. I didn't say anything to her just that we would work on it (and he is perfectly fine with it now). Thanks for letting me vent here!

Message edited 6/7/2015 12:50:58 PM.

Re: Rant about Teachers and communication