Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Terrible Teacher, 32 Years Later
Dear Guidance Guy,
Recently, I accidentally came upon the name of a former teacher in HS Biology, while cruising the net. The woman identified the high school I graduated from in 1975 as her most recent posting.
There were a handful of fine instructors at that school. However, in sum, the school was a terrible place, and this woman was responsible for killing any interest I had in science. It was an interest that had existed in me for years. That interest returned, years later, after grad school. Today I’ll gobble up the latest popular book on physics, string theory, relativity, etc. I’d forgotten about this woman, in general, till a reunion of my neighborhood. I was asked why I wasn’t working in science. I briefly explained I ran into a teacher who killed my interest in science in high school. A day or two later, I stared at her name on the screen and called to my wife. “Look at this, have I ever told you I once had an interest in science?” “Yes,” she replied, “you said some teacher in high school was so bad, you lost all your interest.”
Two weeks later and several discussions: my wife is a nurse in the city schools. My thoughts are a jumble. This woman must be in her 70’s. I located her while looking for classmates. She is preparing class plans for teachers in science. I was shocked. It occurred to me that for one, the preparation of these class plans creates an income stream for this woman, and that is probably important to her in her declining years. It also occurs to me that she shouldn’t be allowed to influence anyone ever again in the instruction of science—or any other subject.
It also occurs to me that I advised my daughter, now 18, and graduating in about 50 days, that the time has come for her to discuss her justified views of the administrators who have fought with her and her parents (her mom and I) over support services. Here’s some background on her: she was given flawed LD support in fourth grade that harmed her learning ability. And in high school I had to threaten a lawsuit to gain federally guaranteed aid. The school agreed to provide some LD aid (thank God, my daughter has largely worked her way out from under LD through her own efforts), but at the cost of using an instructor who was a complete failure. My daughter said she was through with LD if the cost was to work with that instructor any more. (That was one hell of a hot IEP meeting). Later we had to threaten another suit to gain support for a 504 plan. (Another hot meeting)
This is more an ethical question and I think you can see where this is going. This maybe 70-year-old former biology instructor from more than 30 years ago should not be allowed to work with young teachers. However, it may permanently affect her ability to live well. Of course, her actions had a large effect on my life, and I presume, and on the lives of others too. At what point do you say forget about it? If she is still ruining peoples lives, through working as what could be called a mentor or consultant, how does that weigh into the decision I’m thinking of taking, which is this, going to the consulting firm (associated with a local college) and lodging a formal notice of my view, from 32 years in the future, of her work.
How would you weigh this decision? What considerations would you make in this case? I’m really undecided about this. I feel the formal complaint would carry some weight. Obviously, 32 years after the fact, there is a clear view of what happened to me, though not of what happened to her. (Perhaps she improved? Though the evidence is mixed here as well. The high school has been closed for years.) How will a decision not to pursue this terrible teacher weigh in my daughter’s mind in her effort to reach interior peace with the administrators who have had serious deleterious effects on her life?
32 Years Later
*** *** ***
Dear 32,
What an interesting situation! This is not the typical letter I get to my advice column. I'll give you my best answer...
I would have a hard time believing any school district would punish your daughter for any unpleasant dealings they're having with her father about an unrelated issue. If they're already on thin ice because of other things, it would be crazy of them to make decsions that go against her best interests. Besides being unethical, it would leave them open to charges of revenge. It simply wouldn't be worth it. So I would take that off the table as a reason not to pursue the matter of the retired teacher/consultant.
There are a few aspects to this. One of them is that there is a huge difference between preparing lesson plans and actually delivering them. If she was in the business of coaching teachers on instruction or being a good role model for students it would be one thing. It looks like she is more involved in the technical aspects of teaching. You never said she didn't know her stuff. And you don't know what kind of experiences she had after you left.
If you are serious about this, it would be a good idea to examine your own experience with her a bit further. Was she a poor instructor? Was she mean? Did she not know her subject matter? And what is her current role? Disrupting her income stream isn't nearly as important as making sure students are well served. But determining how qualified she is for this position assumes you know what she's doing and you know about her current skills, 32 years after you had her. It seems a bit far fetched.
Consider everything you just read, and let your best judgement and mature feelings prevail. I don't know for sure what the right thing is here. But I'm sure you'll find it.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
Recently, I accidentally came upon the name of a former teacher in HS Biology, while cruising the net. The woman identified the high school I graduated from in 1975 as her most recent posting.
There were a handful of fine instructors at that school. However, in sum, the school was a terrible place, and this woman was responsible for killing any interest I had in science. It was an interest that had existed in me for years. That interest returned, years later, after grad school. Today I’ll gobble up the latest popular book on physics, string theory, relativity, etc. I’d forgotten about this woman, in general, till a reunion of my neighborhood. I was asked why I wasn’t working in science. I briefly explained I ran into a teacher who killed my interest in science in high school. A day or two later, I stared at her name on the screen and called to my wife. “Look at this, have I ever told you I once had an interest in science?” “Yes,” she replied, “you said some teacher in high school was so bad, you lost all your interest.”
Two weeks later and several discussions: my wife is a nurse in the city schools. My thoughts are a jumble. This woman must be in her 70’s. I located her while looking for classmates. She is preparing class plans for teachers in science. I was shocked. It occurred to me that for one, the preparation of these class plans creates an income stream for this woman, and that is probably important to her in her declining years. It also occurs to me that she shouldn’t be allowed to influence anyone ever again in the instruction of science—or any other subject.
It also occurs to me that I advised my daughter, now 18, and graduating in about 50 days, that the time has come for her to discuss her justified views of the administrators who have fought with her and her parents (her mom and I) over support services. Here’s some background on her: she was given flawed LD support in fourth grade that harmed her learning ability. And in high school I had to threaten a lawsuit to gain federally guaranteed aid. The school agreed to provide some LD aid (thank God, my daughter has largely worked her way out from under LD through her own efforts), but at the cost of using an instructor who was a complete failure. My daughter said she was through with LD if the cost was to work with that instructor any more. (That was one hell of a hot IEP meeting). Later we had to threaten another suit to gain support for a 504 plan. (Another hot meeting)
This is more an ethical question and I think you can see where this is going. This maybe 70-year-old former biology instructor from more than 30 years ago should not be allowed to work with young teachers. However, it may permanently affect her ability to live well. Of course, her actions had a large effect on my life, and I presume, and on the lives of others too. At what point do you say forget about it? If she is still ruining peoples lives, through working as what could be called a mentor or consultant, how does that weigh into the decision I’m thinking of taking, which is this, going to the consulting firm (associated with a local college) and lodging a formal notice of my view, from 32 years in the future, of her work.
How would you weigh this decision? What considerations would you make in this case? I’m really undecided about this. I feel the formal complaint would carry some weight. Obviously, 32 years after the fact, there is a clear view of what happened to me, though not of what happened to her. (Perhaps she improved? Though the evidence is mixed here as well. The high school has been closed for years.) How will a decision not to pursue this terrible teacher weigh in my daughter’s mind in her effort to reach interior peace with the administrators who have had serious deleterious effects on her life?
32 Years Later
*** *** ***
Dear 32,
What an interesting situation! This is not the typical letter I get to my advice column. I'll give you my best answer...
I would have a hard time believing any school district would punish your daughter for any unpleasant dealings they're having with her father about an unrelated issue. If they're already on thin ice because of other things, it would be crazy of them to make decsions that go against her best interests. Besides being unethical, it would leave them open to charges of revenge. It simply wouldn't be worth it. So I would take that off the table as a reason not to pursue the matter of the retired teacher/consultant.
There are a few aspects to this. One of them is that there is a huge difference between preparing lesson plans and actually delivering them. If she was in the business of coaching teachers on instruction or being a good role model for students it would be one thing. It looks like she is more involved in the technical aspects of teaching. You never said she didn't know her stuff. And you don't know what kind of experiences she had after you left.
If you are serious about this, it would be a good idea to examine your own experience with her a bit further. Was she a poor instructor? Was she mean? Did she not know her subject matter? And what is her current role? Disrupting her income stream isn't nearly as important as making sure students are well served. But determining how qualified she is for this position assumes you know what she's doing and you know about her current skills, 32 years after you had her. It seems a bit far fetched.
Consider everything you just read, and let your best judgement and mature feelings prevail. I don't know for sure what the right thing is here. But I'm sure you'll find it.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 5:35 AM
