I called a parent this morning to find out why she is upset with me.  Wow!  I got reamed a new one!  I am inconsistant, unfriendly, picking on her child, a terrible teacher, a mar on the district, she doesn't understand how the district could have kept me on as a teacher for over 20 years.  Etc. etc.  When I hung up I started crying.

Here is what happened.  Her son is a real sweet child at school.  However, I believe he is misleading his mother at home.  He is not turning in all his work.  I realize some of it is confusing because they have 3-4 books I get worksheets out of and they all start with page 1.  I have the book title on it but parents don't look at that.  She just yelled at me about him already turning in those pages.  She didn't even give me a chance to explain.  She just went on about taking her son out of this school because I am such a lousy teacher.

She talked to her other friends and they all agree that I am a lousy teacher.  I am rude and unresponsive to the parents and children's needs.  Her son has not been giving her the notes going home but that is my fault.  I should not expect a 9 year old to be responsible.  He is just a baby!  (Her words)  I don't get it...does she want me to walk to their house and hand deliver it?

She is a single Mom.  She works nights and is never home.  I know she if feeling guilty about having to leave her son at a baby-sitters every day and then picking him up after he is already asleep.  Guilt is fueling her rage.  But what I don't get is why she is taking it out on me?    Mind you, she has never been to a parent conference, school event or anything.

She did come to Meet the Teacher night before school started.  Of course I was supposed to remember every parent and student who came that night.  I didn't know any of them.  Never met them before.  She gave me information about her son and I was supposed to remember it.  Holy Cow!  I'm over 50!  I can't remember to put on my hearing aid in the morning.  What does she expect from me?

Anyway, because of me, she is taking her son out of our school and putting him into a school that cares.  I am sad to see this little pumpkin leave but not his mom.  However, it has totally ruined my day.  I feel like I am the lousiest teacher on the planet right now.