Wednesday, January 10, 2007

A Question

I have a question.  If your fifth-grade daughter reported to you that three times during the school day a male classmate had massaged the teacher's shoulders, and that at least one of those times the teacher had pretended to purr and once stretched her arms out and pretended to knead her paws, like cats will do, would you be a little disturbed about it?

I have the utmost respect for the teaching profession and for teachers in general.  There are some really great educators out there, some really good educators, and, sadly, some who really shouldn't be teaching.  I rarely have a real problem with any of the kids' teachers; she's a veteran teacher, probably around my age or a little older, so I expect a lot from her I guess.  

Am I being overly sensitive about nothing?  I know that teachers, aids, and even volunteers have to be very careful nowadays, and that's a shame, in a way.  There are times when they may really want to give a child a much needed or much deserved hug, but don't because of the implications and possible ramifications.  But this episode disturbed me when Eler Beth told me about it.  Is it just me? 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

That should not be allowed in any classroom....let alone a 5th grade class.  NO WAY!  There's a certain professionalism and conduct that teachers have to maintain in front of the kids...and that does NOT include a kid massaging shoulders.  I'm a bit old fashioned but if my kid had told me that it would have disturbed me a LOT!  You are RIGHT!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Several teachers here in the UK were kicked out of the profession after engaging in overt sexual activity with students. What you describe is unacceptable and should be reported to the head teacher.

Anonymous said...

I think I would be disturbed about the situation and would indeed report it. I agree that it is not appropriate at all!!
Hugs
carrie

Anonymous said...

Nope, should NOT be allowed and should be investigated...
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Oh disturbed is right!!!   It's not just you... I'd question it
d

Anonymous said...

ummm ... no way ... the teacher is totally out of line ... report her before someone awful happens

LORI

Anonymous said...

Totally inappropriate...Jae

Anonymous said...

With the things that are going on now it doesn't sound right to me. When I was in third grade we had a teacher who would hold a child on her lap when the child said he/she felt bad and she was a great teacher. In high school our teacher would say her boy friend was her cousin when he came to a football game with her. A teacher who smoked was just unforgivable. In fact she hid it but her breath told. Oh my goodness things are so different. Paula

Anonymous said...

Yah, student to teacher massages it out of line....I agree with you..~Raven

Anonymous said...

WOW! I'm disturbed reading about it! Oh yes, I'd question this one! :o( does not sound good at all.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Sounds a little odd to me.  Of course the context in which it occured could color it silliness or foreplay.  Think I'd definately want to know more.  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

yes...sounds very strange to me. I would definitely be concerned also.
Maria

Anonymous said...

I feel this needs to be reported.

Anonymous said...

It is NOT just you.  That teacher is sending a wrong message to her whole class.