Robert
Rochester,#2Consumer Comment
Sun, November 19, 2006
Why didnt your pick up the watch and take it somewhere else to get it repaired??
Barbara
St. Louis,,#3Author of original report
Sun, November 19, 2006
Thank you for the support. Again, to those who don't understand the profession of teaching, it is not your place to comment. There is no favortism being shown to this one student. Being kind is simply that, being kind. I am sorry that you have no compassion towards those who are less fortunate and maybe one day, someone will be kind enough to show you what true help and compassion are. I love my job and everything that comes with it. Teaching, helping, mentoring, attending little league football games. Some of my student's have absolutely nothing and I will continue to do what I do, however I desire, to be a positive role model in their lives.
Peter
Pony,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, November 19, 2006
It doesn't matter what the situation is. You are the boy's TEACHER, which means you are a public servant whose job is to TEACH within the SCHOOL. Crossing boundaries for whatever reason is unprofessional and highly inappropriate. There are other ways for this young boy to get "help" without having his teacher delve into his personal life and step across the boundaries of a normal student-teacher relationship. Why don't you, as a teacher, suggest that he get involved in the Boys and Girls Club? Or Big Brothers Big Sisters? Or some other agency commonly found in inner-city areas that cater to helping foster youth? It is time that you go back to the classroom and focus on teaching taxpayers' children, rather than demonstrating favoritism toward one child in particular and focusing on "extracurricular" activities with him.
Lori
Kalkaska,#5Consumer Comment
Sun, November 19, 2006
To you, the teacher, for caring enough about another human that you choose to make a difference. With the misbehavior that has several times hit the news, those that are truly dedicated, and actually CARE, are often afraid to do the right thing for fear of critisism (sp?). I've worked with many teachers who went out of their way, and went unrecognized. You, my dear, are a gem that needs to be held onto. It sounds as though she did indeed pick up the watch when she was there, and was treated badly because she stood firm. Read the post again. As to the watch, I understand the importance of this small token to the child in question (whom, by the way, was not identified in age, so Peter, please get your mind out of the gutter until the facts tell you differently! I've seen other opinions and advice written by you, and often you help.....why now choose to critisize without facts?) Please check around and find a dependable jeweler that can help. Your actions may someday be the one thing that gives this child a reason to pay it forward. Blessings to you, Barbara, for your kind heart. BTW, Barbara referred to 'the' watch several times, 'my' watch once. An easy mistake when you're frustrated.
Chris
Santa Maria,#6Consumer Comment
Sat, November 18, 2006
Why didn't you just take it then even though it wasn't fixed?
Barbara
St. Louis,,#7Author of original report
Sat, November 18, 2006
First off, the school I teach at is an inner city school serving low-income families. The reason, if you must know, I took on the task of fixing my student's watch was because he lives in a foster home and has limited income. Although you may find this inappropriate, helping others is exactly what teachers do. I not only teach, I offer my students guidance and support when needed. If I need to fix a watch to help a struggling young man, I will do so. I will continue to help my students, not only by providing them with an excellent education, but helping them on personal issues as well. That is exactly the problem with people who are not teachers- they have no idea what they are talking about.
Peter
Pony,#8Consumer Comment
Sat, November 18, 2006
Why are you, as a female school teacher, handling your male student's personal affairs that are completely unrelated to school, off school premises, outside of classroom time? That sounds like a highly inappropriate student-teacher relationship. Perhaps you should stick to teaching and let your student handle his own personal concerns. Also, if this is truly your student's watch, why do you refer to it is "my watch" several times throughout your post?