[tri-med] Re: parent teacher conf


----- Original Message -----
From: "David & Tracey Pass" <pass@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
It must be hard
> when the teachers don't pay attention to 'Alex's IEP thingy' sorry
seriously
> are they not made away of the IEP , is it up to them to get up to speed in
> their own time?


It's so much easier when they're in elementary because you have less people
to be "up to speed". In Alex's case it was 2 teachers, his gen ed and spec
ed. But you hit middle school and then there are 7 diff teachers. Add to
that any "specials" like speech and/or a TC and there are even more.

Like in any other profession there are the good, the bad and the ugly
employees..
The good are great.
The bad just don't know better.
The ugly don't want to know better and will fight you on it.

We've had all 3 types. The worst are the ugly. When I went to the councilor
because a teacher claimed to not know Alex even HAD an IEP I was told, "We
can't MAKE them read it. We can only tell them it exists". Interesting
philosophy when parents can file a lawsuit against the school district for
non-compliance of a federal document.

One of the "ugly" teachers went on to tell me that Alex's IEP was unfair to
the general ed students (talking about his extended test and long term
project time). If she wanted to talk about unfair I could have given her a
run for her money because the IEP doesn't totally even the playing field, it
only gives students with issues beyond their control and nobodies fault a
shot at succeeding and competing like the other students. It protects their
rights to an education against spec ed bigots like her. There are teachers
out there who believe NO special ed students should be in gen ed classrooms
(typically older teachers). That scares me!

The 2 at conf the other night........they were just "bad", don't really know
any better and weren't nasty about it but weren't going to try and learn his
IEP past what Alex/we let them know. And if we have any problems to "let
them know" and they'd take care of it. Both were male and both are young.
:0)

To answer your question Tracey (about time eh?), I know for a fact that for
the past 3 yrs one person has made copies of Alex's IEP and put one in each
teachers mail box. Also given each teacher her name AND has e-mailed
teachers that if they have any questions etc to e-mail, phone or talk with
her.
Yes, they are to get up to speed on their own.

I always make sure that each and every teacher Alex has gets a letter from
me 2-3 days before school starts. I start off introducing myself and who my
child is (what class/hour they have the teacher). Then I throw in the
allergy induced asthma as my main reason for writing, just a FYI thing and
about his meds. Then I slid in a "I'm sure you're aware of  the learning
issues Alex has from his IEP but if you have any questions or concerns
please feel free to contact me". I always include that when needed I assist
Alex with homework and if they wish me to do otherwise to let me know.
It lets them know that:
I'm paying attention.
I'm an involved and supportive parent.
That I'm aware of  what's going on.

Most teachers thank me for the letter saying that they appreciate me cutting
to the chase on his most important needs because it saves them time trying
to figure it out and that they appreciate knowing we'll be a "team" with
Alex. A very small percentage get royally ticked off that I'm "trying to
tell them how to do their job". Another small percentage don't seem to
really care one way or the other. Thankfully most of the time teachers are
VERY willing to help, value my input, and take the time to make sure Alex
doesn't fall through the cracks.

I tend to write a lot of letters. :0)  I also make sure to do thank-yours.
If a teacher (even an administrator) has been very willing to work with
Alex, has been accommodating, has fought for him, spent time making plans
for the next year etc then I send a snail mail card thanking them. Actually,
when ANYONE is helpful/esp kind to my children I send notes of thanks.
Amazing what that does.  :0)

Michelle mom to Alex (15,partial trisomy 14 mosaic) and Molly (12)
MichiganUSA


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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