Daughter and teacher confrontation..long rant

[KatelinsMom]

My daughter, Katie, came home from school terribly upset yesterday. Katie is a junior in high school. She had gotten an Island Juice smoothie at lunch. She took the appropriate amount of insulin for the smoothie but then did not have enough time to finish the smoothie before her class started. She took the smoothie into class with her. The teacher got into a physical tug-of-war over this smoothie. All the while, Katie was trying to explain how she needed to finish it because she already had the insulin to cover it. The teacher refused to listen to her and continued trying to yank the smoothie out of her hands and yelling at her to give it to her, which of course my daughter had a death grip on and refused to let go. This is in front of the entire class. The teacher is aware that my daughter is a type 1. The teacher then goes to say how my daughter should not even be having something with so much sugar in it anyway..:eek: Other kids were trying to help by explaining to the teacher how Island smoothies don't have added sugar..which is irrelevant, but shows how everyone was watching. Katie kept trying to explain that she could eat whatever she wanted and whether it was an apple or a candy bar, she would still need to have insulin to cover it. The teacher finally gave up, and my daughter did get to finish the smoothie.. Katie said she sat there crying while hurrying and finishing the smoothie.

I was so mad. Katie was upset because she is not defiant and not the confrontational type, yet she felt she was fighting for her life. I asked my daughter if she wanted me to go talk to the teacher or the nurse, and my daughter said she would take care of it. She talked to the nurse and told her what happened. The nurse was shocked at what had taken place. The nurse said "next time, hit her!!" :D Of course the nurse was joking, but it made my daughter feel much better. The nurse said she would talk to the teacher and try to explain to her that next time Katie has food or something, the teacher is to let her finish it.

My daughter is still upset and embarrassed, but at least she stood up for herself. I think the teacher should apologize to Katie, but I am sure that won't happen. Just thought I would share with everyone who would understand.

[OSUMom]

Oh wow that's terrible. :eek: The nurse definitely needs to talk to this teacher, and I sure hope the teacher apologizes to your daughter. It would be wonderful if the teacher would then take the opportunity to apologize in front of the class and explain about Type 1 and how the teacher got it wrong! But, in reality I'm sure the teacher won't follow through that way. That is great how she stood up for herself!!! {{{hugs****** to your daughter. :(

[Boo]

Wow...kudos to your daughter for how she handled the situation, and for following up by herself with the nurse! I'm glad the nurse was so supportive of her. I hope that teacher can be big enough to admit her mistake(s)!

[Kaylee's Mommy]

ugh, how aweful of that teacher!! that makes me so mad for you and Katie.. I'm so glad that Katie stood up for herself.. and I'm also so glad that the nurse is behind Katie 100%!! I think the teacher shold appologize to Katie, and the entire class. She should have to explain to everyone what she did was wrong and unprofessional. That is Katie doesn't get to finish her lunch she is to continue eating..

grrrr.. teachers like that just bug the !@#$% out of me!

I'm so glad that Katie stood upfor herself, and knew what to do.. also glad that she has such great friends in her class!

[hartpukas]

I feel for Katie, that really stinks. So sorry for the frustration :cwds:. However I really admire Katie's strength and hope that Zoe exhibits that same at that age. Big Hugs to you both!!!

[CC'sMom]

Wow! Katie handled that extremely well! And it's great that she was able to speak with the nurse about it. She really does deserve an apology in front of the whole class. Tell her us mom's are really proud of her! ((hugs))

[liasmommy2000]

OMG, I would *so* want to go up there and give that teacher what for! But obviously your dd doesn't want that. I'm glad she was able to stand up for herself and didn't give in. And it's great that the other students tried to help.

Ugh, what a witch that teacher sounds like!

[Mama2H]

Oh I would be fuming!!! Katie did a fantastic job :D Hopefully that nurse let her have it and the teacher will be the one embarrased tommorow :(

[wendyc]

Wow! I hope that teacher apologizes in front of the entire class. Because your daughters classmates deserve an apology too. An apology for acting like a complete idiot in front of the class and for not listening to their reasoning. I'm impressed how well your daughter stood her ground and for her touching base with the nurse about this.

As for the Island Smooties, they don't have that much sugar in them. They meet the federal guidelines for the healthy eating policy. It's the only way schools are allowed to serve them. They actually have less sugar than the bottles of juice the schools sell. So how does she like them bannanas???!

[sam1nat2]

Way to go Katie!! I"m impressed with how your daughter handled herself, sounds like a good class too.
That teacher definitely owes her an apology, in front of the class. Sounds like her classmates at least understand.
Maybe tomorrow they can all bring them to class, just to prove a point to the teacher:D

[wkat]

Your daughter sounds like an amazingly self-assured and strong person! How wonderful that she is showing these attributes at her age. I remember waiting for the bell to ring while I was low so that I wouldn't disrupt the class. But I digress. Sorry she had to deal with this and that her teachers are not properly informed. I think it's great that she said she could handle it herself and doesn't need you to fix the situation. I hope this teacher does apologize and gets the correct info and never embarrases your child or anyone else's again. The nerve of her to announce in front of the class that your dtr shouldn't be eating that. Unreal.

[Tamara Gamble]

Way to go Katie. Can I take a swing? Listen, the teacher is obviously a complete moron. But Katie has the support of her class mates so clearly they understand that Katie needs what she needs and are backing her. What a great group of kids. I would remind her of this to ease that embarrassment pain. As far as the teacher goes it would be difficult for me to calmly have a chat with her. I would but it would not be easy. Kudo's to the nurse.

Tami

[deafmack]

Let Katie know she did the right thing. I am very proud of her. I hope the nurse gives that teacher what for.

[Treysmom]

Katie did such a good job with that situation! Hugs to Katie! :D

[frizzyrazzy]

oh wow! your daughter did the right thing and stood up for herself. Way to go!

[Crazymom]

I am so glad your daughter stood up for herself. That is exactly what happened to me daughter in Grade 2. The teacher would not let her finish her snack and an hour & a half later she went into a seizure from a low of 21. The second grader were all yelling at the teacher trying to tell her that Colleen was not being defiant but she was "sick'. I arrived at the school to give my daughter 2 shots of glycogon and 80 carbs to bring her upto a grand total of 135. Now Colleen just walks out of the classroom when she needs to eat or take insulin (respectfully excusing herself of course). I hope my daughter becomes as strong and couragous as your daughter. These kids are the best.

[swimmom]

Even though your daughter wants to handle it (wants it to be over, I'm sure), I think I would still give the teacher a call when you are feeling calm :->. It might not hurt to call the counselor for her grade level too and maybe even the vice principal. You might want some documented complaints on file in case the teacher retaliates. Also, in my experience, counselors and vp's can be good go-betweens with teachers.

[Tori's Mom]

:DDitto Swimmom,
I would still have a calm talk with the teacher and also notify the principal of what happened. Mainly to inform them that IT BETTER NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!! I think the teacher's punishment should be to attend T1 diabetes education classes!!!:D
Then she'll know that "sugary drink" is just fine!!!!

[caspi]

First of all, kudos to Katie for handling the situation so well! I was very impressed to read how her classmates stood behind her as well!

I have to agree with others here that you should still contact the school about this. The teacher was completely out of line, in more ways than one. She needs to be dealt with appropriately. I would contact the principal and then go from there.

Again, WAY TO GO KATIE! :D

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

<standing up clapping for Katie>:D Bravo Mom, you're doing a wonderful job raising her! :cwds:

IMO if Katie wants to handle it- which I think she did, very well I might add. Katie informed the nurse, the nurse stated she would speak to the teacher, I think all is well.

Would I be mad as :mad: H- E- double hockey stick? Oh yeah, and during conferences, I would make sure to tell the teacher that I was aware of the situation and exactly how that WON'T be happening again.

[Heather(CA)]

I am soooo proud of Kaite. While I was reading your post I had visions of dumping that smootie over that teachers head. I agree with the others, remind Katie that the class was backing her, it's the teacher that has something to be embarassed about. She handled herself VERY WELL!

I can't imagine how hard it is to not march down there and school the teacher. it would be VERY hard for me to stay away. Katie is a junior in HS though and she did tell someone, tough call. If that happened to Seth, I think I would try and convince him that thhhhe principal needed to know, but, i guess I would leave it up to him...maybe:cwds:

[spamid]

Wow, congrats to Katie!!! I hope my daughter handles it that well when she is older. I would agree to document what happened with the counselor and the nurse just in case.

[madde]

Way to go Katie:)

I think you should contact the nurse and make sure she DOES speak with the teacher. And doesn't put it to the side and forget about it.

Things like this should NEVER happen.

[Momof4gr8kids]

Great job Katie!!!!

[KatelinsMom]

Thanks for all the warm fuzzies! :) I had a very hard time not marching down to the school to have a chat with the teacher and the nurse..my husband wanted to call the teacher at home or go over to her house as she lives just up the road from us.

I kept picturing Katie letting go of the smoothie during the tug-of-war and it flying all over the place, and then trying to figure out how much of it she drank, how much was left, how much was on the teacher, the floor, etc. :rolleyes: She has that class today, and so I am anxious to hear how it goes.

I am glad I let Katie handle it on her own. I am very proud of her. I am trusting that the nurse handled it, though I sure would like to know what the nurse said to the teacher. If it happens again, you can bet that I will be all over it.

[wendyc]

I am glad I let Katie handle it on her own. I am very proud of her. I am trusting that the nurse handled it, though I sure would like to know what the nurse said to the teacher. If it happens again, you can bet that I will be all over it.

Can you email the nurse asking if she, you and the teacher are now on the same page?

[JenFur]

Kudos to Katie! I'm glad that she stood up to her and that she went on her own to talk to the nurse about it. Good for her, you must be proud! I hope when my girls get to that age that they would have done the same thing. ;)

I hope the teacher apologizes and decides to learn from her mistake.:mad:

Jennifer

[Tamara Gamble]

Please dont' go to her house or call her home. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but earlier this spring I handled a case where the parents knew the teacher well, she was a neighbor and friend, she was in non compliance with the 504 plan. The parents basically went to her house out of desperation trying to appeal to her on a personal level and she wrote a letter to the board trying to nail the parents for harrassment. She lost because there really were no grounds but just remember it's sticky. So tell that hubby of yours handle it on school grounds only. Just my experience as an advocate. I would like to think you could go down and just talk to the neighbor because you know them on a personal level but it doesn't work like that anymore. People are not the same as they used to be and when faced with something new that scares them like diabetes they can get a little banana's.

I am so proud of your daughter and you for your restraint.

Tami

[A&Ds Mommy]

I think your daughter handled that great. If it were me I would have to say something to the teacher or confirm that the nurse has said something.
Let us know how things went today.

[ScottB]

Not only did your daughter handle it great, I think you and your husband did an awesome job keeping your wits under control and not blowing up on the teacher. I tend to give someone the benefit of a doubt and let them slide the first time to see if they learned something. If not and a second time comes around, that's when I'd unload.

[Mom2rh]

Keep us posted about what happened today.

I guess I would get involved to the extent that I would like the nurse's perspective on what happens behind the scenes.

Do you have a 504 that covers eating and drinking in class? If not, now is the time to get one. If you do, then this teacher needs to be reminded of it.

I am so appalled at the teacher. And proud of your daugher.

[shirley83006]

oh my, i cant help thinking of how your daughter must have felt. and shame on that teacher. looks like the teachers need alittle education of type 1 diabetes. and needs to make a big apology to your daughter and in front of the class, for acting the way she did. it was very childess. and she just having a power trip. hurray for your daughter for the way she handled it. no need to feel embarrassed. seems like her class mates understand it more than the teacher.

[thebestnest5]

Katie sounds like a mature girl; sorry she had to endure that. I would write a letter to the school. Something like this needs to be documented. This teacher may have known that Katie has Type one; but sure doesn't know what that means!!:mad:

[MySweethearts]

That is so good how your daughter stood up for herself. Also that the nurse is supportive of her.

Carmen

[MrsBadshoe]

Katie sounds like a mature girl; sorry she had to endure that. I would write a letter to the school. Something like this needs to be documented. This teacher may have known that Katie has Type one; but sure doesn't know what that means!!:mad:

I also agree that it needs to be documented. You can even say that in the letter but the admistration must be told.

[Mom2rh]

What happened yesterday?

[Nate'sMom]

Wow, tell your daughter that she is getting a standing ovation from all of us parents of diabetic kids. She's very brave to stand up for herself like that. Too bad you can't print out all these great replies you're getting and send them to the teacher. Applause to that great school nurse you have too. I think the book "Diabetes for Dummies" should be a prerequisite for all teachers of diabetic kids before school starts each fall.

[DustinsDad]

Sorry Katie had to endure that episode, but it's great that she stood up for herself to an adult that was clearly in the wrong. It sounds like the teacher does not fully understand the basics of Type1, and an educational session would be good for her. At any rate, the nurse may take care of it so that it doesn't happen again. It would be nice if an apology was given by the teacher in front of the same students who witnessed the event. My regards to Katie.:cwds:

[KatelinsMom]

I just thought I would update everyone. The teacher did not apologize or even say anything to Katie on Friday. It would have been nice, but I really didn't think she would apologize.

In fact, now Katie thinks the teacher has it in for her, as she checked her grades on-line over the weekend and she has a couple of zeros for assignments that she knows she completed and turned in, in fact one was even graded and handed back to her. I just told her to show the teacher the graded assignment and get the zero removed. I am sure this was just an accident. Hopefully Katie can put the hard feelings behind her, and hopefully the teacher is not stewing over the fact that Katie "told on her" to the nurse and is going through some power trip.

[thebestnest5]

I just thought I would update everyone. The teacher did not apologize or even say anything to Katie on Friday. It would have been nice, but I really didn't think she would apologize.

In fact, now Katie thinks the teacher has it in for her, as she checked her grades on-line over the weekend and she has a couple of zeros for assignments that she knows she completed and turned in, in fact one was even graded and handed back to her. I just told her to show the teacher the graded assignment and get the zero removed. I am sure this was just an accident. Hopefully Katie can put the hard feelings behind her, and hopefully the teacher is not stewing over the fact that Katie "told on her" to the nurse and is going through some power trip.

Things the make you go hmmmm???

[Mom2rh]

Things the make you go hmmmm???


I agree...Best of luck to her.

[Kaylee's Mommy]

I just thought I would update everyone. The teacher did not apologize or even say anything to Katie on Friday. It would have been nice, but I really didn't think she would apologize.

In fact, now Katie thinks the teacher has it in for her, as she checked her grades on-line over the weekend and she has a couple of zeros for assignments that she knows she completed and turned in, in fact one was even graded and handed back to her. I just told her to show the teacher the graded assignment and get the zero removed. I am sure this was just an accident. Hopefully Katie can put the hard feelings behind her, and hopefully the teacher is not stewing over the fact that Katie "told on her" to the nurse and is going through some power trip.


I know katie probably does not want to do this, but make her KEEP EVERYTHING that she does for that class.. every little bit.. some teachers do go out of their way to hurt kids.. even though you'd think that the teachers would be nothing but supportive to our kids.. there are those out there that really shouldn't be teachers (and this one sounds like she shouldn't..) I'd even go as far as copying to papers/homework... that she sends in.. so Katie has proof that it was done..

[caspi]

I'd even go as far as copying to papers/homework... that she sends in.. so Katie has proof that it was done..

I started doing this with my middle-schooler last year after he had the most unorganized math teacher on the planet! :eek: She was continuously losing papers. Now copying papers/homework is second nature to us. Of course, I run through more printer ink than I care to, but it's worth it in the long run!;)

[KatelinsMom]

Katie is planning on keeping everything from that class. She is an A student, and she is very responsible when it comes to completing and turning in work. I hope this teacher isn't just looking for someone to bully for whatever reason. After the smoothie incident, Katie has pretty much lost all respect for her and wishes there was another honors English class she could take.

[Mom2Will]

boy, what I've got to look forward to.....