School, not related to bpi

[Debbie]

Hi. This is not related, but I am thinking of sending my son to the catholic grade school, and just found out they are employing a teacher that does not have a license to teach, because they are short. I was wondering if any of you know if this is legal, and if not what I could do. I have heard this teacher is mean to her students, and people have pulled their children out. I would like him to get a religious education though. Any advice would be helpful. (He will be in first grade next year.)(When the grades start here in the catholic school.) I also found out that she and her husband have been charged with having drugs in their house, and their place of business. The school has not done anything to get rid of her yet.
There is still the public school option. Is there a reporting agency that says you have to be licensed?
Is there anything I can do. It is the only religious school around, we do have one public school also.
Thanks again,
Debbie

[francine]

Debbie - pardon me for saying this but if the school can't open their eyes to this teacher then I would not trust the school's judgements...religious or not.

Public school sounds so much better then this...to me this would NOT be an option.

Maybe there is an alternative school in your area? Sometimes they have scholarship money available esepcially for children of diversity (meaning having a bpi).

good luck
francine

[Debbie]

Francine,
You are absolutely right!
Thanks for helping me clear this up!
It is always nice to have another opinion, to clear our minds.
Thanks,
Debbie

[admin]

My children attend a Catholic parochial school in Ohio. I suggest you contact your State Board of Education with your questions as far as hiring a noncertified teacher. Sometimes, an emergency certification is given until the person earns their teaching degree because a school needs a teacher. I think private schools have the option of hiring non-Education majors; teachers with a Liberal Arts degree, for example with a specialization in a subject (history, science, etc.). It all depends on the state and laws governing this. My sister taught in a public school in Florida without teacher certification...just a Communication degree (BA).

If you are concerned about this teacher's conduct outside of the classroom I suggest you check with the local police dept. or sheriff's office to see what charges have been filed/dropped etc. You can find out the circumstances but in most cases you have to go to the station, not call on the phone.

I suggest you make an appt. to speak to the school principal about these concerns. Sometimes rumors circulate about a teacher being "mean" which can simply indicate a disciplinarian that children don't like or it can be the teacher has an anger problem. You are going to find teachers in any school (private, public, parochial) who are weak, insensitive, lazy, poorly trained. You have to do the research to find out about a teacher from a reliable source...and then talk with that teacher directly and how it involves your child personally. You may request to observe different teachers/grades before you enroll your child in a school (I did this in 3 schools before deciding where to enroll my children) so you can see first hand how this teacher actually teaches. You can also speak to the dioceses school superintendent. Have a list of questions and concerns written so you can focus during your meeting. You have every right to interview a school before enrolling your children, whether public or private.

Remember, it is the parents' duty to educate a child with the help of the school system...not the school system's job to educate a child with assistance from parents.

[Cara]

I am a school teacher. Yes, sometimes states do give temporary licenses for non-certified teachers in case of emergency. In most states private schools have more freedom with who they hire. I would strongly urge you to talk to the school or teacher regarding what you have heard. It may be true, but it may just be gossip. I know many teachers (including myself) that have been labled "mean" because we have high expectations for kids. When you ask the kids why they think we are mean they say, "Because so and so makes me do work" or "she won't let me talk or pass notes" I also know of teachers who have had rumors spread about them dealing with inappropriate behavoir for the same reason. The truly sad thing is that it is not just kids that spread the rumors, many times the parents get in the act also. To my knowledge before any teacher can teach they must submit to a criminal history check. If they were convicted of dealing drugs, they would not be able to teach.

[marymom]

here in FL , church schools often have non-certified teachers...
I would suggest getting involved if you want things to change
and also Id suggest looking at your reasons for wanting your child to go there and deciding if there are perhaps alternatives-
good luck-