Friday, August 28, 2009

Another Year....Another PE Teacher!!!

Got a message last night from one of Cal's friends mothers.....
It read something like this.....
M got into the car today and was very upset because the new PE teacher had been yelling at Cal. It upsets Cal. She then said she didn't know if he was suppose to be that forceful with Cal or not, but it was really upsetting her child because it seemed to be upsetting my child. I responded to her and thanked her dearly for emailing me this information, because quite frankly....Cal can't always verbalize those things to us. I immediately sent his classroom teacher, his special ed. teacher and his principals an email explaining what I had been told and explaining that a teacher yelling was NEVER appropriate with Cal or frankly with any child....in my opinion! We had some issues, in past years, with his former PE teacher; and the way he was disciplined and even graded during PE for not participating in something! For example, his former PE teacher was insistent that he jump rope. But after explaining to her that he is truly fearful of a jump rope and is a child who really needs to stay grounded for his own vestibular and sensory sensitivities, she agreed that he could skip jumping rope. After it being addressed, it was certainly handled and taken care of appropriately. The teacher probably didn't like us after that, but she did start treating Cal with more respect; and honestly I am not interested in being her friend....so if she doesn't like me, that's okay. I have always approached these types of problems in a kind and respectful but very firm and direct way, and so far; things have been handled appropriately and the teachers seem to be okay with it. Now I know they could just give him an A to keep us off his back, and they might. I have always been concerned that their irritation with me and my requests for my son would not only affect him but also his sisters, but so far; this hasn't seemed to be the case. I have discovered that many of the teachers that aren't real familiar with special needs children.....especially those who look like typical children....just don't understand it! As long as they try to, then I'm okay with it. But if they choose not to, then not so much! I have only had to get really firm in an ARD once or twice, but for the most part....everyone has been very eager to listen and help. After I sent the email late last night, I almost immediately received a reply from our principal who said she would certainly check this situation out, handle it, and send me a reply as to what has occured. Over the years with Cal, I have gone from being so passive and really not understanding how the system works to being more aggressive (in a nice way) and figuring out how the system works. It's all in the name of what's best for my child/children, and I don't want special treatment.....just respect and appropriate treatment. Is that too much to ask? I already know what your answer is going to be.....thanks for your support friends!!!

1 comment:

Elyse said...

I certainly do believe that no child deserves to be yelled at period! Why in the world?! Hope you get some answers soon!
~Elyse