Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "CSE Meetings With Texting?":
If you ever witness cellphone usage (texting, talking on or even accidenal ringing of), speak up right away. Indicate that such behavior is unacceptable and unprofessional. Let the superintendent know that such a thing is going on. Although I cannot say it has ever happened to me, this is clearly inappropriate.
The problem is that not enough people report such things. When it's one parent filing a complaint, it's usually ignored. When the problem is brought to their attention multiple times, something may get done.
If Mr. Rosenfeld is reading this, please advise you staff that cellphone usage during parent meetings is inconsistent with proper educational practice.
How could anyone find this acceptable?
Ed's note: Indeed, when asked, my child responded, " My teacher checks text messages everyday and about once a week makes a phone call."
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I just asked my child, "Do you ever see your teacher talk on her cellphone?" The answer was "Yes." I then asked what the childen are doing when she's talking on the phone. The response, "Nothing, just sitting there." Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the PCT's job to set the rules. The school principals, central administration and the BOE should make this expectation very clear to staff. The bar is only as low as it is allowed to be.
ReplyDelete..." or even accidental ringing" Is that really the type of relationship one wants to develop??? Such animosity and hatred is not productive for anyone.
ReplyDeleteIt is not about animosity and hatred. It's about appropriate professional behavior. If a cellphone rings because a teacher accidentally forgot to turn it off, that's certainly understandable. If she answers it or as some parents allege speaks on it or texts during instructional and/or supervisory time, that is unacceptable. Our children are not sent to school so they can be ignored while teachers attend to their own personal business.
ReplyDeleteIf students are not permitted to use their cellphones during class time, teachers should not be either.
When a student's cellphone accidentally rings, it is taken away and the student is subject to disciplinary action. Are you saying that teachers should be permitted to have their phones ring, answer them, text and attend to their personal and/or social issues during their teaching time? Please don't defend what's not educationally sound with terms like "hatred" and "animosity." Teachers are obligated to behave professionally.
ReplyDeleteActually, you may not believe this, but teachers and students are different. One problem in the world today is that people forget this. Adults have certain rights that quite frankly children do not. Too many adults forget that children are not their equals. Should a teacher be talking, texting, reading newspaper, etc. OF COURSE NOT. But, to say if a child accidentally hears a phone ring they should report to you and you should call supt. is animosity and hatred....in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteStudents should tell their parents. If i were to continuously use my cell phone at work, Iwould be warned and then fired. What do teachers have rights above us all? oh I forgot you can't get rid of teachers because they have tenure thats right. They are being paid to work not talk for 6-1/2 hours a day
ReplyDeleteWhat about the child who faces the challenge of ADHD every day? When a cellphone rings, especially with all the fancy ringtones they now have, it takes his attention away from his classwork. Not all children can regain their focus after such an interruption.
ReplyDeleteWhat would a judge's reaction be if an attorney's cellphone accidentally rang during a trial? How about in an operating room during surgery? At a business meeting, is such a thing tolerated? How about at a job interview? Would it be appropriate for a board member's phone to ring amidst a board meeting? Educators are preparing students to be successful, competent and respectful contributors to society. Should not their behavior reflect the propriety they are entrusted to instill in our children?
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree there are worse infractions to report than an occasional accidental ringing of a cellphone, the policy should be such that cellphones should be turned off during instructional time.