Comments on: Teacher with fear of children sues school district for discrimination http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 17:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1629030 ocker3 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1629030 The reason given in a different news article was that she was part of a successful pushback against the district in their efforts to replace French language classes (she's a language teacher) with online courses The reason given in a different news article was that she was part of a successful pushback against the district in their efforts to replace French language classes (she’s a language teacher) with online courses

]]> By: keishabrown http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1629007 keishabrown Wed, 16 Jan 2013 01:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1629007 well played. LMFAO.  well played. LMFAO. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628811 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628811 I had two extremely crabby teachers in high school, both of whom seemed to be doing their utmost to make students hate learning.  Turned out that both of them were going through divorces.  I guess that there should be a system for putting teachers on office duty for a year when they're having personal crises. I had two extremely crabby teachers in high school, both of whom seemed to be doing their utmost to make students hate learning.  Turned out that both of them were going through divorces.  I guess that there should be a system for putting teachers on office duty for a year when they’re having personal crises.

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628767 wysinwyg Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628767 <blockquote>3. after teaching high school for 35 years, why should she be forced to move to a junior high school, seems a bit of a waste of experience and expertise.</blockquote>So that she would voluntarily retire and save the district and union a lot of time, effort, money, and grief.  That's the usual reason. (Seniority is expensive to school districts, much cheaper to replace those with maxed out salary and benefits with new college grads.)

3. after teaching high school for 35 years, why should she be forced to move to a junior high school, seems a bit of a waste of experience and expertise.

So that she would voluntarily retire and save the district and union a lot of time, effort, money, and grief.  That’s the usual reason. (Seniority is expensive to school districts, much cheaper to replace those with maxed out salary and benefits with new college grads.)

]]> By: euansmith http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628598 euansmith Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628598  Media Scare.  Media Scare.

]]> By: Ian G http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628514 Ian G Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628514 These stories annoy me because they are the "OOOooo, aren't Americans ridiculously litigious? Someone should do something about that!" trope foisted on us.  People's objections to these types of lawsuits seem to come from either a.) a misunderstanding of the facts/merits of the allegation or b.) a belief that our court system is overwhelmed by "frivolous" lawsuits.  Second one first, from what I understand, our court system IS overwhelmed with frivolous lawsuits... except it's companies and businesses suing each other that is jamming up the court system (patent trolling, anyone?), not individuals. You get the eyerolls from stories like this teacher's, but no one says we should limit corporate access to the courts in the same breath. The meme of "frivolous lawsuits" and "tort reform" are actually spin by Business to increase their immunity to public responsibility and try and reduce the individual's access to the court system. Good documentary on this and other famous so-called "frivolous lawsuits http://www.hotcoffeethemovie.com/ This woman is making a claim, it seems valid enough on its face to warrant a legal hearing, she should get her day in court to argue for her rights. If it has no merit, it will be dismissed early. America, love it or leave it. These stories annoy me because they are the “OOOooo, aren’t Americans ridiculously litigious? Someone should do something about that!” trope foisted on us. 

People’s objections to these types of lawsuits seem to come from either a.) a misunderstanding of the facts/merits of the allegation or b.) a belief that our court system is overwhelmed by “frivolous” lawsuits. 
Second one first, from what I understand, our court system IS overwhelmed with frivolous lawsuits… except it’s companies and businesses suing each other that is jamming up the court system (patent trolling, anyone?), not individuals. You get the eyerolls from stories like this teacher’s, but no one says we should limit corporate access to the courts in the same breath.

The meme of “frivolous lawsuits” and “tort reform” are actually spin by Business to increase their immunity to public responsibility and try and reduce the individual’s access to the court system. Good documentary on this and other famous so-called “frivolous lawsuits http://www.hotcoffeethemovie.com/

This woman is making a claim, it seems valid enough on its face to warrant a legal hearing, she should get her day in court to argue for her rights. If it has no merit, it will be dismissed early. America, love it or leave it.

]]> By: class_enemy http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628452 class_enemy Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628452 Everyone who can remember their school years or who has a child in school is well aware of the maybe five percent of teachers who just plain hate their jobs and are there only to check off the days till they qualify for a pension. Figure out a way to get the hell rid of those teachers and a lot of the hostility toward public schools and teachers' unions will evaporate. Everyone who can remember their school years or who has a child in school is well aware of the maybe five percent of teachers who just plain hate their jobs and are there only to check off the days till they qualify for a pension.

Figure out a way to get the hell rid of those teachers and a lot of the hostility toward public schools and teachers’ unions will evaporate.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628273 Dlo Burns Tue, 15 Jan 2013 04:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628273 To me it seems like kids are dressing more like adults now. To me it seems like kids are dressing more like adults now.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628272 Dlo Burns Tue, 15 Jan 2013 04:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628272  Damn what is with this small-world thing here? was bOINGbOING the zine in the library?  Damn what is with this small-world thing here? was bOINGbOING the zine in the library?

]]> By: Jen Onymous http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628129 Jen Onymous Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628129 This is AWESOME sort of. Think of all the douchey pharmacists who refuse to dispense morning-after pills, birth control pills, and anything else that MAY possibly lead to Recreational Use of LadyParts by their owners. Their cases, plus ones like this, clears the way for vegetarians to be allowed to not serve meat at Applebee's and the like.  Me, as someone with congenital coordination issues, I plan on suing Cirque de Soleil for discrimination. Meh. This is AWESOME sort of.

Think of all the douchey pharmacists who refuse to dispense morning-after pills, birth control pills, and anything else that MAY possibly lead to Recreational Use of LadyParts by their owners.

Their cases, plus ones like this, clears the way for vegetarians to be allowed to not serve meat at Applebee’s and the like.  Me, as someone with congenital coordination issues, I plan on suing Cirque de Soleil for discrimination.

Meh.

]]> By: Girard http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628062 Girard Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628062 Yeah, as someone who has taught ages from preschool to pensioner, I would be inclined to agree. Also, I should look up the term for a phobia of middle schoolers is because, hoo boy, that is definitely the age group I find the most intimidating and challenging. Yeah, as someone who has taught ages from preschool to pensioner, I would be inclined to agree. Also, I should look up the term for a phobia of middle schoolers is because, hoo boy, that is definitely the age group I find the most intimidating and challenging.

]]> By: welcomeabored http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628054 welcomeabored Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628054 I was wondering the same thing -- paedophilophobia?... and what Antinous said. I was wondering the same thing — paedophilophobia?… and what Antinous said.

]]> By: welcomeabored http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628052 welcomeabored Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628052 I'm struggling myself too.  I was wondering what happens as she (and those with this phobia) gets older.  Is the phobia age and size specific?  Or as she ages, does her perception of what a 'child' is shift as well?  Wonder how she'd do at a Little People's convention?  :^) I’m struggling myself too.  I was wondering what happens as she (and those with this phobia) gets older.  Is the phobia age and size specific?  Or as she ages, does her perception of what a ‘child’ is shift as well? 

Wonder how she’d do at a Little People’s convention?  :^)

]]> By: Ladyfingers http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628039 Ladyfingers Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628039  I think my beard would put them off.  I think my beard would put them off.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628021 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628021 Appropriate caution? Appropriate caution?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628012 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628012 I can barely tell the difference between a 20 year-old and a 40 year-old. I can barely tell the difference between a 20 year-old and a 40 year-old.

]]> By: wilysquirrel http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628010 wilysquirrel Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628010 There was another Spanish teacher (I think she's still there), but so many kids took Spanish that Waltherr took the spillover. When I was there, the other teacher taught Spanish 1 and 2. Waltherr taught French 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Spanish 3 and 4. For Spanish 1 and 2 my classes were packed. When I got to Spanish 3, most people didn't want to take a class taught by Waltherr so my class dwindled to about 5 students...and there was only one kid in Spanish 4 so she sat in on my class since they couldn't make a whole class for just one person. There was another Spanish teacher (I think she’s still there), but so many kids took Spanish that Waltherr took the spillover. When I was there, the other teacher taught Spanish 1 and 2. Waltherr taught French 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Spanish 3 and 4. For Spanish 1 and 2 my classes were packed. When I got to Spanish 3, most people didn’t want to take a class taught by Waltherr so my class dwindled to about 5 students…and there was only one kid in Spanish 4 so she sat in on my class since they couldn’t make a whole class for just one person.

]]> By: Ladyfingers http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1628005 Ladyfingers Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1628005 If paedophobia's a fear of children, what's a fear of paedophiles called? If paedophobia’s a fear of children, what’s a fear of paedophiles called?

]]> By: welcomeabored http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627989 welcomeabored Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627989 The thing is that the older you get *everyone* younger starts to look like a kid. The thing is that the older you get *everyone* younger starts to look like a kid.

]]> By: DisGuest http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627977 DisGuest Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627977 I know, I was being flip. But I think this woman's claim is a bit ridiculous, no offense to people suffering from phobias. I know, I was being flip. But I think this woman’s claim is a bit ridiculous, no offense to people suffering from phobias.

]]> By: Marc Mielke http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627975 Marc Mielke Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627975 She taught Spanish as well? Jeez, if she taught TWO languages and both classes had trouble filling seats Administration should blame the common factor -- and I don't mean both being romance languages.  She taught Spanish as well? Jeez, if she taught TWO languages and both classes had trouble filling seats Administration should blame the common factor — and I don’t mean both being romance languages. 

]]> By: Marc Mielke http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627970 Marc Mielke Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627970 Yeah. Bizarre phobias aside teaching isn't quite a skill set that's portable through age groups. Before she retired, my mother had taught K-1 for over 30 years, and just moving her to 3rd grade was a huge shift. She did well, but didn't enjoy it quite as much and retired soon after.  Yeah. Bizarre phobias aside teaching isn’t quite a skill set that’s portable through age groups. Before she retired, my mother had taught K-1 for over 30 years, and just moving her to 3rd grade was a huge shift. She did well, but didn’t enjoy it quite as much and retired soon after. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627967 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627967 I had one of those teachers for seventh grade math. She had two modes: anger and disgust.  Her attitude was so bad that I think that we actually unlearned things in her class.  I complained to the principal, and to the school's credit, they investigated and she didn't come back the following year. I had one of those teachers for seventh grade math. She had two modes: anger and disgust.  Her attitude was so bad that I think that we actually unlearned things in her class.  I complained to the principal, and to the school’s credit, they investigated and she didn’t come back the following year.

]]> By: jerwin http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627964 jerwin Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627964 yeah-- fairfax county virginia is pretty wealthy. yeah– fairfax county virginia is pretty wealthy.

]]> By: Peaked http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627955 Peaked Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627955 Even in public schools, funding is not directly proportional to attendance. It has a whole lot more to do with the area the school is in and the property taxes supporting it. Even in public schools, funding is not directly proportional to attendance. It has a whole lot more to do with the area the school is in and the property taxes supporting it.

]]> By: wilysquirrel http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627948 wilysquirrel Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627948 jerwin, it's actually an excellent school. This is a district where the students come from wealthy families that can afford private school but choose the public school because it's so good. This is why I can't understand why they kept Senora Waltherr on for so long. She was horrible. jerwin, it’s actually an excellent school. This is a district where the students come from wealthy families that can afford private school but choose the public school because it’s so good. This is why I can’t understand why they kept Senora Waltherr on for so long. She was horrible.

]]> By: wilysquirrel http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627940 wilysquirrel Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627940 She would get all worked up when kids did things like pronounce the H in "hola" and would crawl under her desk. Lady was cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. It was the '96-'97 school year when the jr. high opened and they moved grades 7-8 out of the high school. She would get all worked up when kids did things like pronounce the H in “hola” and would crawl under her desk. Lady was cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. It was the ’96-’97 school year when the jr. high opened and they moved grades 7-8 out of the high school.

]]> By: GregS http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627930 GregS Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627930 Adulthood. Adulthood.

]]> By: ahartman http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627900 ahartman Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627900 That sounds pretty awesome, I wish every kid had access to a high school with more options. It just isn't really feasible for a lot of places. That sounds pretty awesome, I wish every kid had access to a high school with more options. It just isn’t really feasible for a lot of places.

]]> By: Phoenix Lomax http://boingboing.net/2013/01/14/teacher-with-fear-of-children.html#comment-1627899 Phoenix Lomax Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=205616#comment-1627899 Yup. Yup.

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