<p>My son is on the path to validictorian right now and has been a great student throughout all his school years. One of his teachers recently got a demotion and a brand new teacher is taking his place. People have heard thru the grapevine, that the new teacher's mother is on the state school board and has lots of clout. Students and parents alike are in an uproar about this. This teacher has been great and the students really do learn and retain the material he teaches in his classes. My son wants to take a stand to defend this teacher and he, several other students and some parents will be going to a school board meeting.</p>
<p>I have a very tactful email composed to go to his principal about this situation and to voice my support of this teacher with more tenure who all the students love. I was wondering if it would hurt my son to send it. My son wants me to and he already said, he is willing to risk his validictorian status for this teacher who he really likes.</p>
<p>It's hard to know what effect fighting the system will have. There are subtle ways to harm a kid...mediocre recommendation, withholding a few points on a curve, denying the benefit of the doubt when on the bubble between an A or a B, etc...</p>
<p>But all that withstanding, it is possible not all the facts are known about this teacher's demotion. It is mere assumption that he was demoted to make way for another teacher with connections. In the absence of actual knowledge as to what happened, without considering negative consequences at all, I would not interject myself into the situation.</p>
<p>It is admirable that the kids feel so strongly in support of their teacher. But I wouldn't rely on the grapevine.</p>
<p>Don't we want to teach our children to take principled stands even at risk to their own well-being? If so, and if you've taught your kid that, then send the e-mail. (I think the risk is minimal in this situation anyway.)</p>
<p>If indeed this teacher is being "wronged" then it is the right thing for everyone involved to try to help him out. I'm assuming from your post that he has been unfairly demoted, that his livelihood and prosperity has been compromised, that in essence he and his family are being hurt by the powers that be. Well then if that's the case you have to ask yourself- do you want to teach your son that when you see bad things happening to innocent people, to stand by and do nothing because it might make you uncomfortable or stand in the way of your own upward mobility? </p>
<p>Also, can this teacher really do anything to hurt your son? I mean, I guess he can ding him a little on subjective papers and the like, but can he really substantially wreck his GPA? I guess I shouldn't ask that question, because in the val/sal game even little dings hurt a lot. That's one reason we never got involved in that game- too many political variables.</p>
<p>The future valedictorian carries weight. (Shouldn't it be he who is doing the sending?)</p>
<p>Yes, NOT standing up for what he believes (if he believes it), or being told not to by people he trusts, could hurt him greatly. It would send a message to himself as to what should be expected of him, and what is socially expected, and once one establishes that habit, it is hard to break. It really COULD hurt him.</p>
<p>I don't disagree that the strong should stand up for the weak and human should look out for each other. But I am kinda amazed at how many here would make a presumption that the school, the new teacher and the state board member did something wrong based on what? Gossip? Has it been established, for a FACT, that the teacher was demoted for no other reason than politics? If so...go for it. Organize a protest, picket the school, send in the emails. But if not... it is bad advice to tell this parent and their child to take action without having facts in hand.</p>
<p>Frankly, I find it hard to believe a teacher was actually demoted to make way for a new teacher. What does demoted actually mean in the teaching profession? Has he been fired? Or is he just teaching lower level classes? Is there possibly another reason for either? Firing doesn't usually happen without reason (thank you teacher unions) and being moved to other classes could just be cross-training.</p>
<p>Fair point. (I took as a given that facts were ascertained - otherwise, the better lesson for the student would be to engage in research together.)</p>
<p>ldmom, I'm not making a presumption. I'm going on what the OP presented, assuming that when someone wants advice they are presenting the facts. Otherwise any advice given is a waste of time.</p>
<p>It would be kind of weird for someone to ask advice about a problem but not give reliable background info. But I guess it happens- ask Dr. Laura! :)</p>
<p>Wow...thanks for all the diversity of responses. I will go into a little bit more detail. This teacher has been my son's science teacher for 4 years. He is the advanced placement science teacher. My son has always said how much this teacher helps all the students. He will give individual assistance to students, where my son said, many teachers won't. My son says that there are teachers that question his teaching techniques because they are unique and different. But, students are LEARNING from these unique techniques and most of the students I have talked to really like this teacher. In my thinking, science can be a difficult subject for many students and if this teacher uses unique approaches that work, what is wrong with that. So far, that is the word that is going around school. I also would like to find out more about this before taking a stand in case there is some actual wrongdoing on his part. This teacher is one who had given my son a great letter of recommendation. But, on the other hand, anytime my son gets an outside award, his principal sends him a congratulation card. So, my son has a great rapport with this teacher and the principal. </p>
<p>Also, many teachers at the school have voiced disapproval and anger at what is being done to this particular teacher. The rumors are coming from the actual staff at the school who do support this teacher and are mad that a newbie will be displacing this teacher because her mother is a high official at the state education level. He is being demoted to teach lower level classes and she will be teaching the higher level classes.</p>
<p>I also want to teach my son to take a stand when true injustice has been done, but yet I know the consequences in doing that as well. He already is willing to do that for this teacher.</p>
<p>
[quote]
One of his teachers recently got a demotion and a brand new teacher is taking his place. People have heard thru the grapevine, that the new teacher's mother is on the state school board and has lots of clout. Students and parents alike are in an uproar about this.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree with Ldmom, that it is not possible to know all of the facts surrounding the demotion of the favorite teacher. If there is a teachers union or even if there is not one and the teacher is tenured there is a paper trail and documentation somewhere so the demotion did not happen because of one incident and I highly doubt that it happened without a string of signatures supporting the demotion ( AP's, principals, district superintendents). You will only hear one side because the school administration will not be allowed to discuss the events leading to the demotion (so people will be quick to say that someone was wronged because they are only hearing the tale of woe).</p>
<p>The sad thing is that the school grapevine is one of the worse because it is very easy for rumors to take on a life of their own.</p>
<p>While I understand your son and the other parents wanting to stand up for a teacher and it is definitely important to stand for what you believe in. However, it is also important to get the facts to be certain that you are standing up for someone not upholding them wrong and strong.</p>
<p>Perhaps more research is yet needed. Perhaps the beloved teacher WANTED to teach lower-level classes, or has stress at home (or with health, etc.) that makes it harder for him to continue to teach "above and beyond the call of duty". Perhaps the current and future teacher and principal sat down together to figure out who gets what. Perhaps there is a special certification issue involved. So I'd really want to have my "ducks in a row" about "displacing" and "demoted".</p>
<p>(1) Should a student (or his parent) hold back from taking a stand because it might hurt his chances of being valedictorian? On this I agree with chedva, doubleplay and all others who say: No, one should not hold back. Terrible lesson, if one were to do so, that we squelch our principles when we think it might cost something to live by them.</p>
<p>(2) Was this teacher wronged/wrongly demoted/displaced? Perhaps you don't know enough as yet about this.</p>
<p>With the information as presented, if it were my son, I'd recommend that he write a glowing letter in praise of the teacher who was demoted and perhaps suggest that he get others to do the same. I think it would be best to stay out of accusing anyone of dirty politics, since it's most likely always going to be an accusation based on gossip and assumptions. If letters start pouring in in praise of the demoted teacher -- giving lots of detail about what a wonderful teacher he was -- but not touching the demotion issue, the unfairness, if there is any, should be apparent.</p>
<p>I TRULY do not know the situation with this teacher and if any unfair practices were involved. There would have to be more information.</p>
<p>So, I can't comment on that situation per se. I will share one thing that this reminds me of, however. </p>
<p>Three years ago, my daughter was also a senior who was valedictorian. I won't get into the details now, but a very very very well liked guidance counselor (small school) who also was both my kids' guidance counselor for six years (middle/high school) was put on indefinite leave by the principal very very very unfairly (personal vendetta type thing) after 25 years of service and mucho popularity. There was outrage in the community and school. I'm talking one of the best and most well loved faculty people at our school. I cannot say enough about this person. I'll spare the details on the politics with the principal. So, 200 people (in a very small community) showed up at the school board meeting to be heard about a strong stance to put the guidance counselor back. EVERY single person in attendance was in support of the guidance counselor and against the principal's actions on this matter, let alone several other egregious matters in the recent past at the time. My D is very soft spoken. But she felt SO strongly about this issue that she is one of the students who spoke in front of the community (if I recall, she was the first student to speak, whereas many parents and community members also spoke). The event was televised locally and also was covered in regional newscasts on TV and in the papers. In fact, of all the speakers, a clip was shown of my D on regional TV speaking in passionate support for our GC. I also spoke later at the meeting. There was NO question that she would go to bat for the GC. My other D was not able to attend but was active in posters within the school, etc. My D was still valedictorian. The GC went through H--L and back over a long period of time, including board hearings, lawyers, the works. Subequently, the GC was reinstated and the principal was fired. The principal was still principal at graduation and respectfully spoke and talked about my D (and then the other top ten students individually) and presented her. My D was the graduation speaker. At no time did she, nor we, ever think twice about what speaking up would have to do with being valedictorian. We are proud of her for standing up for what she believed in. There were some investigations of the principal and some other staff at the State Dept. level where they confidentially interviewed my kid, as well. </p>
<p>The only retribution was a science teacher who was my younger D's biology teacher, who was good friends with the principal and in a minority group who supported the principal. Because members of our family were part of the hordes in the community supporting the guidance counselor, this teacher was HORRIFI? to my younger D (in very unprofessional ways, let me tell you!) and even went after my older D whom she had never taught (cornered her in nasty ways at school), and was totally unprofessional to me at a parent/teacher conference, beyond belief, even spouting it was because our family supported the guidance counselor (along with just about everyone else!). She made the rest of the year miserable for my younger D (soph at the time).</p>
<p>thanks again for everything to all of you and nceph...I think that is the best approach as I we are supporting the teacher but not accusing the school of wrongdoing. I showed my son these suggestions and he told me that there are at least 10 of the top students at the high school who are already writing letters to the principal and the school board. He said that another student has a petition going around the school as well. I think I will just change my letter to show support to the teacher and not bring up anything that I have heard as hearsay. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions....and yes, this question would make a great essay topic.</p>
<p>Exactly, the point is to speak up in support of the person who MAY be demoted unfairly. In your case, you do not even know that to be true. In our case, we knew it to be true. Keep to the topic of why you wish the teacher to maintain his current position.</p>
<p>I'm on the same page as nceph....I have written letters 2 times over the years in support of teachers who were "in trouble" regarding non-teaching and non-illegal issues with the school system. In both cases, I focused on the significant skills and strengths of the teacher in question, and explained specific examples of why these individual teachers had had such a positive impact on my kids. One of these issues was last year, and my daughter was then (and still is ranked #1 in her class). I specifically did not address the "rumors" and the negatives of which I knew I did not have all the details. I focused on why the teacher was so effective in the classroom, and what a difference he made to the students. I think I was listened to, because I didn't "attack" any of the administration's actions, but simply supported the work of the teacher. I suspect that D's standing also helped put some validity in my arguments. After I sent my letter, my D urged her classmates to have their parents do the same....I'd like to think it made a difference.</p>
<p>Speaking up in support of someone and doing it in great numbers CAN make a difference. It did here. People were heard. The community's voice could not be ignored. By the way, my daughter, nor I spoke in our public comments at all about the administration's actions, but rather spoke in support of the faculty member who was wronged in a major way. (as I said, he was, after a long process, reinstated and the administrator fired) We were never nasty or never spoke anti-principal in our public comments. The focus was on the support of the GC in our situation.</p>