Teacher Writes Note on Special Needs Student's Arm for Parent (& in Black Magic Marker)

The teacher should have called the parents and not stuck that on the childs arm.
It was totally uncalled for, unnecessary, and inappropriate.

reply to post by Esoteric Teacher


It is inappropriate for sure. Its the automatic assumption that punishment is wrong. At the same time though, special needs children need some discipline too. Though not as rigorous and maybe more lenient depending on the child, they can understand that there are rules that must be obeyed.

reply to post by Nutter


As I responded to ET though unconventional and inappropriate, its not as bad. Its a marker really. I had marker fights as a kid and yes there should be consequences for the teachers aid but your really making a big deal over a small incident that should be handled by the school district. its not very news worthy. A small misunderstanding.

reply to post by Nutter


most sensible way to deal with this.

First: a teacher's aide is not a teacher. Let's not overlook the education requirements for the job, here. It's typically a just above minimum wage position and does not require a degree of any sort. Having said that, generally the position does require some form of experience working with kids and as a special needs classroom aide, experience working with that demographic.

The aide used poor judgment and I'm not surprised she may lose her job. Poor judgment in a special needs classroom (esp.) on a minor issue leads to what (?) when judgment is needed on a major issue? If she can't be trusted, toss her and find someone who is reliable.

I'd have rushed at that teacher with a permanent marker and wrote WHAT!!!?? on her forehead if she did that to any of mine. Very disrespectful and lacking in common sense if you ask me. Definitely in the wrong job.