Helicopter Parents

Since I see the same students every day, I have gotten to know a lot of them very well. Before I became the school based sub, I was the long term sub for the drama teacher who was on maternity leave (who is now back), and so I got to know those students also.

One of these students always had behavioral/attitude problems in class. Apparently her issues were widespread. I was helping with intramurals the other day and the teacher who runs it was telling me about this girl's latest issues. She is always getting called to the office and all her teachers have had it with her. School has been going on for just over a month, and she's had something like 40 referrals. It's a little ridiculous. Evidently, though, this girl's mother thinks her daughter is an angel and can do no wrong, so she of course blames the teachers/administrators/school, and puts none of the blame on her own daughter. Really? You would think 40 referrals from 40 different teachers would give you a hint. But no. Even if some, or even all, of those teachers were incorrect in disciplining her, you should be teaching your daughter to obey her superiors. She will get no where in life if she does nothing but rebel. Great lessons there, mom. No wonder your child is such a spoiled brat.

This woman, apparently, did ridiculous things last year, when this girl was in 6th grade, like signing her out of school so she wouldn't have to go to class of a teacher she hated and then show up again with McDonald's; and transfer her to another school in the district. That school, though, said "No, we don't want your horrible daughter; send her back where she came from." So this girl ended back up at the school where I teach. Now, her mother has decided she's fed up again with the teachers/administration/school and is transferring her to yet another school. I wonder what will happen there.

I hate to say this, but at least she's not our problem anymore. It's really ridiculous how much harm one student can do. Especially when her mother is the butt of the problem. Way to make teachers' jobs even more difficult. Holy moly.