Oooh!  Grrrrr!  
First thing this morning, the office told me that one of my student's fathers wanted to talk to me ASAP.  So, after assembly, I went and retrieved him from the office and took him into the conference room where he proceeded to question me as to WHY his daughter didn't make it into a local private school scholastic competition which happens to have concluded on Saturday and for which the school has been practicing for two months.  He couldn't get it through his very thick, arrogant, egotistical head that his daughter isn't the TOP student in the class and that there were others that were more qualified to go into this competition.  (Why didn't he say something 2 months ago?)  He literally sat there for ten minutes arguing over the idea that there were other students in the class with better grades and they were the ones chosen for the deal.  I had originally chosen 6 students to take the "test" that will only qualify 3 of them for the competition.  Our class had three slots they could go into--spelling, creative writing and storytelling.  She was chosen as one of the six for spelling, but only got 40% on the test.  (which he will be viewing tomorrow much to his surprise when he goes to talk to the principle--evidently he thinks he's going to try to "get my job"--principle is soooo on my side as this isn't the first time he's come at a teacher like that!) He came in there comparing his two daughters saying, "the oldest was in the competition, but why not the [other one]?" while he's waving BOTH of their report cards in my face--as if I haven't seen my own student's report card--HELLO!  I finally explained very calmly, yet very angrily, that I wasn't going to coddle his daughter just because he wanted her in the competition.  I also told him that, yes, his daughter is a good student and gets all As in my class, but she isn't the only one and she isn't one of the top three.  Oh, that made his day!  You should have seen his face.  Dang!  Some people just need to hear the truth from people like me who have a stubborn streak.  I won't back down from an arguement if I believe strongly in it.  I told him that I have 20 OTHER students in my class...not just his daughter.  He looked as if that had never occurred to him, and when it finally DID, he was pissed.  This is the same child who's mother came at me about the use of the word "stupid".  Some people just need to get a life and let their children live their's.  I feel for his kid.  She's a good kid and sweet, and I really think she has a disadvantage in her home with parents like that.  *sigh*.  I hate days like this.  It really takes a toll.  
I need to burn some good incense--dragonslayer--that'll do it, and meditate with some good soft music.  Gotta drain the bad energy from that MF which I've been holding onto all day!

SM, you stand your ground!
You are right in this and I know you won't back down.  I'd be surprised if he even shows up for his meeting with the principle.  Parents like that hardly ever change and the kids are the ones that suffer.  That poor little girl is probably so embarrassed.  She knows you are an excellent teacher and wishes her parents would just let you do what you do best and STFU!

I have two daughters, both very smart and were honor students.  The older one was tested in kindergarten and was placed in the gifted and talented class thru junior high and she decided she didn't want to continue thru high school.  

The younger was tested in third grade, but didn't make the g&t.  She cried and wondered why she wasn't as smart as her older sister.  I had to explain to her that they were different in many ways, both very smart, but in different areas.  The next year she was tested again, against my better judgment, but made it that time.  She too, elected to opt out for high school.  

I always met with each of their teachers and let them know up front that my children were taught to respect those in authority and if they had problems with them that I would stand behind them, the teacher, and there would be discipline at home, too.  I'm not saying my girls were perfect, because each of them had to be disciplined more than once throughout their school years, but they are wonderful adults, both married, one with children and the other is a teacher along with her husband.  

The parent you talked about is the type that makes me so angry.  They are trying to live their lives thru their children and don't care that it is making the child's life more difficult and embarrassing.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I agree with you.  Little that will do, but to let you know I admire you for what you do and trust and know that you will keep up the good work.    

Thank you, Amy.     You know, as a teacher, I have come to learn that the great majority of children's problems in class come from issues at home.  The student in this issue is a good student, and I applaud her for being so as I can tell that with a temper like that, her father must be a real "winner" at home.  I truly feel for her.  I think you're right.  He probably won't show up at the meeting, but I am not concerned about that one way or the other.  The principle is visibly tired of the man and is likely to put him in his place if he does show up.  She is going to tell him at any rate that he had no right to come in and demand a meeting without an appointment, disrupt my schedule, and act like a rude maniac.  

I, like you, always told my kids' teachers that whatever needed to be done, for good or bad (within logical reason) should be done.  If my kids were good enough for g&t (and I had one that was out of three...not bad, anyway...lol), then so be it.  If they needed extra help, they should get it.  If they didn't make the cut in something, who was I to override someone who had more experience in that field than I?  My parents never "marched" into the school for me for any reason.  There was never any need.  If I didn't make it into a specific class, competition, or group, that was the way of it...better luck next time.  

Anyway, I feel better now.  I did my meditation, which I really should put into the meditation room as it worked wonders.  Class will be much better tomorrow, as I have a nice video on the early colonies to show the kids, which they truly enjoy (TV is the soother of savages! ) and they will be getting their "end of the year assessments" in reading!  I'm so anxious to see how they've come.  Last year's kids left with 60% of them reading at an 8th grade level (this is a 2nd grade class!).  These little guys this year are not as diligent, but they have improved by leaps and bounds and I'm curious as all get out how they will come out.  I can assess them myself, but its easier and less time consuming to have the other lady do it.  

Okay, I've chased a couple rabbits, there...

That's ok SM Rabbit chasing is allowed, lol.

You had every right to be totally pissed!!

I hate, and that's not a word I use alot, parents like those. (Not matter what fatih!) No wonder children are so screwed up, their parents made them that way most likely! (Granted there are a few screwed up parent because their children made THEM that way as well!)

I hope Mr. Meanjeans leaves you be after he has a chance to 'review'  his girls paers for himself.

Ah reality checks, gotta luv 'em!    

SM, you know what... my mom is a teacher and she puts up with these kind of parents too. (She teaches Special Education English in a HighSchool.) No matter what her day is like she just has to remember one thing. I might be the one in the military, with people in the states with their yellow ribbons tied around trees, on the backs of cars, etc...but if they made a sticker that said Teachers are my Heros, I'd proudly display it on my car, on a T-shirt, a sticker I could put on anything that didn't move.(or move fast enough...)  Teachers that have to put up with crap like that are MY hero.  

Next time you have a bad day, just remember that somewhere out here in the world is a military member that knows she could never do your job, and thinks you are the BEST! (love)

Thank you, Novia and Badb.  Today was great!  Although "daddy dearest" did show up, he still, evidently, had his panties in a bunch when he went in to talk to the prin.  She said that he was saying how ALL the teachers and the principle and everyone was unfair to all of his children.   (roflmao!)  Hmmm...  I guess, perhaps I should look at it this way:  The guy needs some real help, and we can't solve his problem.   When the prin. told me this, it made my day.  Unbelievable!  
I played a great joke on the kids, though.  I set the classroom clock back 20 minutes and when they came back from PE, I told them they were 20 minutes early (and to look at the clock--2nd graders are soooo gullible) and that they had to go back to PE.  Every last one of them fell for it.  While they were gone, I drew a big "jester" on the board and wrote April Fools.  One child chastised me and said, "Muslims aren't supposed to celebrate April Fool's Day!!" (She was smiling, though)  Of course, I replied, "I'm not celebrating.  I'm joking...and you're laughing."

ahhh to be in the second grade again, lol, and get 20 more minutes of PE! an awesome teacher!

as for the poor parents, you can't cure stupid! just hope the child avoids infection and prospers!

Sundown