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 46 of 54)
676. This isn't a teacher of middle school who gets harrassed by students...this teacher is teaching 4 and 5 year old. Come on? Give me a break...she should know better. If she can't handle her emotions with those little tykes, then she has chosen the wrong profession.
Posted at 12:03PM on Mar 1st 2008 by betty
677. Congratulations to the parent for putting the recorder in the child's backpack. If only more parents were that smart to catch these abusive teachers, our kids would want to go to school. They should think about doing that up in the northeast section of the country. I'm quite sure there are quite a few teachers like that teaching in the High Schools.
Posted at 12:26PM on Mar 1st 2008 by klmunno
678. ok people, lets not get too carried away. i am a parent of three wonderful angels (18-24 yrs old). i am also a teacher. beleive you me, i have said (out of furstration) things to my daughters and my students that i have had to come back to later and apologize for. have none of you ever said anything that you thought a/b later and wanted to slap your ownself. isn't it amazing that children whether rural, urban, or suburban can say anything pretty much to parents, teachers or any adult and are usually comfortable saying it. as these angels grow older, in this day, they curse around the elderly, teachers and parents. come on people. yet, this teacher loses her job. parents, we might need to reprioritize. i am not saying in any way that the teacher was right. just b/c we are teachers are we suppose to be perfect and say everything just right so that everyone can feel ok? my oldest daughter can't seem to hold a job b/c she is so sensitive a/b anything said to her thats not pleasing to the ear. i have to blame it on the 12-13 years of schooling that teachers had to be extremely careful not to upset her self esteem. well, getting out in the real world, no one is going to walk on pins and needles to keep anyone's self esteem in tact. i beleive we have raised at least 2-3 generations of highly sensitive people who now have children that no one can say anything to. how many of us have not asked our child/ren, "what the f... is wrong w/you.(12-19 yrs).
Posted at 1:04PM on Mar 1st 2008 by denise
679. She's lucky that wasn't my kid I would go to that school and knock that b*tch right on her stupid a&s.
Posted at 1:05PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Emma
680. This has been going on for a very long time, not just here in Texas where my now grown children went to school, but everywhere! My son had a broken leg in K and the teacher was a b++++ She wouldn't let him sit outside during play time, he had to sit in the library, all alone, with no one to watch him!! In 3 grade he had a teacher who told him he was stupid. He is now on the Presidents Honor Roll in college, who is the stupid one? A teacher can make a huge impact on a child, the great ones inspire the children to want to learn, as both of my children had that kind of teachers and they went on to be A students. Sure, middle school and high school is a problem, but there is NO excuse to talk to a young child like that. My son has never forgotten the name of both of the teachers and I agree with him, they need to find a different type of job, maybe prision guard!!!! Listen and watch your young child, the signs will be there if he or she has this kind of teacher.
Posted at 1:16PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Suzanne Johnson
681. First of all, the "teen aged" kids who are filming the teacher and speaking Spanish are mocking and making fun of the teacher. They were purposely getting loud to get her angry. One of them said, "Watch how she gets angry!", in Spanish and started laughing.
I've been on both sides of the fence when it comes to being a parent and working in the school district. Working for the school district for 11 years, I have seen kids disrespect their teachers on a daily basis and many times when the teacher contacts the parent to let them know about their child's bad behavior, the most common answer is, "You're in charge when my child is in school. That's YOUR problem." It's hard to believe, I know, but it happens quite often. But when their child is disciplined in school, they are usually the first to run to the school and demand an explanation for the discipline (siding with their child). Teachers face these kinds of kids and parents EVERY DAY and a human being has only so much patience.
The teaching starts at home. Parents are the ultimate ones responsible for teaching their children to be respectful of others and to "learn" in school. If every parent were to teach their children these valuable lessons, there would be much less angry, stessed, violated teachers and these teachers would be able to actually "teach" instead of disciplining brats all the time. After all, our kids are our FUTURE. How will they manage in their adult life with no education skills???? I'm merely talking about junior high and high school students.
Posted at 2:19PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Rose
682. Teacher & kids must read more! They must check out the most talked about book in America today - THE HUMOR ABOUT HILLARY. See it at B&N.com
Posted at 2:27PM on Mar 1st 2008 by frank stopps
683. Hmmm,it seems when I was a kid growing up in the late 60's and early 70's, this seemed to be the norm in school and nobody really gave it a second thought. First the teacher would degrade you, then so would your classmates. I remember kids being insulted by the teachers for many things including their weight. Those were viscious times.
Posted at 3:40PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Nomad
684. That comment by Bill is crude. I am a Mexican American teacher by the way. No mater what child I get, it is my responsibility to help them succeed, American or not. They are all God’s children. Who are we to deny a child’s right to learn. That is American’s philosophy right?
Posted at 4:05PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Ms. C
685. This is unfortunate, and makes a person not want to be a teacher, as these "few bad apples," make it bad for other truly professional, caring and nuturing teachers.
The parents were right in taping this teacher, if they suspected wrongdoing and seeing changes in their child's demeanor. However, it's not legal or admissable to tape anyone without letting them know of this beforehand. Then there are students using their cell phones to film and tape class teachers, some may instigate such behavior, but it's up to the teacher to maintain a professional atmosphere, being the adult, and able to deal with crisis management, as there are students that are angry, hostile and literally violent outbursts. But, in a kindergarten class, this teacher is definitely in the wrong profession. Glad the parents were diligent enough to tape this action to protect their child and others from this verbal abuse. Zero tolerance to anyone thinking in the teaching profession it's alright to talk down or strike a child. Students are their to learn, not only academics, but life skills, and learn to deal by teachers examples with crisis'.
Posted at 4:07PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Kathy
686. I think that is just horrible and I hope that the teacher will be dismissed and not allowed to teach again.
Posted at 4:12PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Selena
687. To all teachers out there and to all parents alike. Vote for Hillary for President and by no means get involved in the campaign. Whether or not you have any experience doesn't really matter. You can work from your own telephone at home. Your contacts are made for you and all you have to do is as for that persons vote. Not difficult at all. Of course more importantly, we need you to caucus right after the polls close on voting day (March 4). Just say "I want to caucus for Hillary and sign your name. The more individuals that caucus for Hillary means she will receive more delegates.
I hope you realize that Huckaby will end up giving up his delegates to John McCain. The republicans will try continue to battle it out with Obama and eventually get him out. We need Hillary in there securely.
I just returned from Hillary's campaign office here in Houston (It's on Broadway near Navigation). There are volunteers entering to support the campaign in any way they can.
Volunteer at www.HillaryClinton.com and make a difference in this very important election.
VOTE HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT and PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, KIDS FRIENDS, CHURCH FRIENDS AND ANYONE YOU KNOW.
Posted at 4:37PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Vote Hillary for President
688. Oops!! Instead I meant to say "By no means should you feel that you cannot get involved in the campaign to elect Hillary for President." She needs all of us right now. CAUCUS AFTER THE POLLS (Basically just say "I want to caucus for Hillary" and then sign up.
That's it.
Posted at 4:38PM on Mar 1st 2008 by Vote Hillary for President
689. KIDS ARE SO ARROGANT IS PATHETIC, ALL THEY DO IS ACT OUT IN PUBLIC. I SEE SOMETIMES WHERE THEY THREW FITS IN STORES, ITS LIKE PUT A MUZZLE ON THEM BRATS
Posted at 5:51PM on Mar 1st 2008 by ANNIE
690. I DESPISE SCHOOL VCATIONS, TOO MANY BRATS ARE RUNNING AROIUNG THE MALL AND RESTRAUNTS BEING DISRUPTIVE
Posted at 7:09PM on Mar 1st 2008 by ANNIE