For months, Houston residents Diana and Oscar Mijares heard about behavior problems their daughter Megan was having in school -- problems she wasn't having at home. The concerned parents bought a tape recorder and hid it in the girl's 'High School Musical' backpack. Turns out, 4-year-old Megan isn't the problem ... it's her teacher, who was recorded saying things like "I'm going to be mean to you" and "Y'all are just stupid kids." Not surprisingly, the Mijares -- and other Houston-area parents -- are outraged, and are demanding that the teacher be dismissed.
Reader Comments (Page 13 of 54)
181. As a future high school teacher, I find some of these comments... for lack of a better word, frightening. Everyone makes it sounds like if a person has no talent or nothing better to do with themselves they become teachers. The reason I'm becoming a teacher is because in my area, public schools aren't the best place for an education, so I'm determined to do what I can to inspire students, just as I was inspired by my teachers.
I don't agree with the teacher in the tape. Period. The role of a teacher is to be supportive and understanding of her students. No matter what the situation is, especially for four-year-old kids, teachers shouldn't go off on the kids like that. In many cases, the kids simply don't know any better, and need to have guidance in the classroom, not ridicule. If there are behavior problems, the teacher should meet with the parents and try to resolve it together.
For those of you who don't have any respect for teachers and how demanding the job can, and will be, I hope you home school your children. Why trust your child's education to someone you don't respect?
Posted at 4:26PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Heather
182. i simply cannot believe they reassigned this teacher!! FIRE HER!!! we trust our kids with these people and they were only four year olds!!!come on !!! what is wrong with that women shame shame!!!
Posted at 4:26PM on Feb 28th 2008 by KELLY
183. Laura,
You do not have to take this from that teacher...Tell her that if she doesn't get her act together with talking to your child that way, and give the principle a deadline to get back with you, then you are going to call DHS or other services (a review board) to that school immediately for causing stress on those children!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have an 11 year old, 1, and 2 years-old. I had enough experience with my 11 year-old when he was younger. I let this ldy push me and him around, but I learned from it and will beat the hell out of anyone wh will try to make my chldren feel bad whre they spen 8 hours or more a day and are supposed to 9and you are paying for) them to be in a place to fell good....It is your money, your chld's emotional health, and your life... People like that should NOT be teaching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 4:27PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Jarrell
184. verbal abuse..... yea yea what ever, kids today have gotten way out of hand, not all but most, i pitty todays teachers for the mess they have to deal with, and having their hands tied no less, every one likes to see their child as the " little angel" well guess what BS! teachers are under paid and under appreciated, dont take forgranted THEY are the ones you expect to educate your kids, free daycare. todays society has gone to hell in a hand basket and its largly due to all YOU people screaming foul, so quick to blame others, politicly correct, my A@@! everybody wants better education, better teachers, yet, dont want to pay them, todays kids have it too easy, before you go and BLAME others for actions, look at yourself, dont throw stones in glass houses
Posted at 4:27PM on Feb 28th 2008 by billy bob
185. Good for that teacher...Kids these days need a little ass beating as well..If you parents would discipline your rug rats before they go out into public and that includes school ..there would not be these kinds of issues..Need to look at the behavior of the parents..that's usually where kids learn to be pigs and bullies...Good for that teacher..
Posted at 4:29PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Matt
186. The Mother Put a tape In her daughters back pack- the other chidren there had no way of kmowing this-it doesn't mention any children talking or being nasty to the teacher- but ever one heard what the teacher was and calling the students bad names=Dumb for one-She needs straightend out big time before she becaomes a bigger problem to the children- I will go along with any teacher that send the child to Principle.s office if roudy or will still disrupt the class after being called down once- but can not over look a teacher like this -School can get sued tape to prove what went on-If its your child get with it - more and worse can happen- Sullie
Posted at 4:29PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Sullie
187. Then your lucky you were never my son's teacher. So is this fool. I hope she is terminated. I know kids can be nasty, but what are you teaching them if your nasty?? You have got to be able to control yourself & if you can't....well then find another profession!! Like the old saying "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen"!!
In response to........
4. I saw this story on TV news yesterday. Oh, yea, they're all such good kids at home. While I don't support the teacher using the word "stupid," I am a former teacher in an urban school district. I fully understand the frustration of this teacher -- kids today, even little ones, are nasty and disruptive. The most patient teacher can lose it. Sorry -- but my heart goes out to this teacher.
Posted at 4:31PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Wendy
188. As a teacher and working with students who are older I know that it is illegal to tape without consent nor are cell phones to be used in class.My classroom is for learning not for chattingor taking videos.Parents have NO clue how their kids act in school. In this society no person is held accountable for their actions, and everything is always the other person's fault.Very sad!!!From the comments above I can just see how very uninformed people are.
Posted at 4:32PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Gina
189. For the love; I had a 6th grade teacher who ranted like this all the time back in 1980. I went on to graduate college Phi Beta Kappa.
Posted at 4:32PM on Feb 28th 2008 by HipCat
190. That some of you commenting can say you feel for the teacher really makes me wonder. I honestly don't care what your age is, you don't tell people they are stupid. That's not your right anymore than it is mine. As a teacher you are held on a higher level of behavior, you teach your students to lead by example. You, as a teacher are expected to follow that same line of thought. How in the world is it a good example to call someone else's child stupid and tell them how bad you think they are? I have been in the high school system with children for 9 years and I have never told any of my students ugly things like what was told to 4 yr. olds on this tape. If you think this kind of behavior as a teacher is ok and justified, maybe you should be rethinking your career choice.
Posted at 4:33PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Meaghan
191. Oh please! Everyone wants their kids to be coddled and treated like pieces of fine china. Don't get me wrong, I think calling 4 and 5 year olds stupid is over the top, but lets not forget that expecting our teachers to cherish our angels is absurd. It is for this reason that kids get away with murder. They have no fear of anyone anymore, and they have no respect. Not even for their own parents. This lady needs to be teaching middle or high school where she would actually maybe do some good calling these spoiled brats people are raising stupid and being mean to them.
Posted at 4:33PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Lola
192. C'mon guys, I am a teacher and kids can be real horrors and I am sorry to say some are dumb. I agree with the gentleman whow was against the taping that was a criminal act on the part of the parents and if anyone should be prosecuted it is them. Parents today need to think back when they were kids and remember how they were, without lying of course. Kids do what they can get away with and will lie, cheat or steal to get it. You are not doing your children any good by over protection and that is what schools do now. These children are not being prepared for the real world, they are being prepared for a fantasy world called education. I have taught at all levels of education and have seen the ability of students getting less and less. This is due to the fact that the ability to discipline children is gone. You cannnot have learning without discipline. Is your child's future boss going to care if he hurts your child's feelings, hell no. By the way, that's one of the reason we have feelings. So, parents of America, grow up, your children are not angels and neither are mine.
Posted at 4:33PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Bill
193. I AM OUTRAGED!! THIS TEACHER SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN REASSIGNED, BUT IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDED FROM HER TEACHING DUTIES UNTIL A HEARING. WHY REASSIGN HER IF SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN CAUGHT RED HANDED DOING THE VERBAL ABUSE. I BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND I WOULD DEMAND TO HAVE HER EXPELLED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. I AM SHOCKED!!! RECALL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS!!!!
Posted at 4:34PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Mrs C Martinez
194. Well, having family members that are school bus drivers I know that all children are wonderful and never do anything wrong. The kid who punches another one in the stomach, when their parents are called the answer is "not my little darling". In case people don't remember their own school experiences maybe they should look back and recall those wonderful days of bullies on the playground. Yea all kids are wonderful all the time and don't need to be reminded who is in charge in the classroom. I can't imagine being around 35 unruly brats all day long. Yes I am a mother and children (my children) were taught respect their teachers they have a job to perform and some kids in the class really do want to learn.
Posted at 4:34PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Christine
195. Guy...
I'm so sorry you had to go through what ever you did. Must have been awful. Take care and let that go...or it will control the rest of your life.
Thinking of you.
Tim
Posted at 4:34PM on Feb 28th 2008 by Tim