So I stopped by Kinzville Academy today to surprise Ms. Stripes with a bunch of flowers as a thank you for being such a great client. Ms. Cowoline directed me to her class and as I waited outside for her to dismiss the kids it seemed like a very different Ms. Stripes than the one I knew was in that classroom. It sounded like Sparky dropped his hat on the floor and Ms. Stripes accused him of doing it on purpose to disrupt the class. When Sparky tried to explain that his hat fell off when he bent over to pick up his pencil, Ms. Stripes told him that for speaking back to her he was going to have to stay in for recess. Then when Nibbles tried to explain that she saw the hat fall off, Ms. Stripes told her to stay in too.
When Ms. Stripes came out and saw me, I guess the shock on my face was apparent. She invited me to come for a coffee in the staff room and explained that although she may sound tough, she has to be firm because she is new and the kids wouldn’t respect her if she wasn’t tough.
I asked Ms. Stripes if she would mind me being honest with her and she said of course not. Then I told her that I thought the kids would respect her if she treated them with respect. I said I thought that kids responded to fairness and honesty, and that if Ms. Stripes showed the kids the Ms. Stripes that Elwin and I got to know so well, the kids would be sure to respect her because she is kind and decent.
Ms. Stripes tried to explain to me that kids aren’t supposed to like their teacher and that if she is nice, they will misbehave and take advantage. Then I asked her if the kids in Miss Daisy’s class like her and how well do they behave? Ms. Stripes thought about it for a moment and then said that Miss Daisy’s kids love her AND they are the most well behaved class in the school.
I asked if Ms. Stripes thought that might have anything to do with the fact that Miss Daisy makes her lessons fun and enjoyable so that the kids actually WANT to be in her class and are engaged with learning. Ms. Stripes said that I had given her a lot to think about, but that she owed me a thank you because being so hard on the kids all the time was taking its toll on her. She felt like she wasn’t being herself.
We said goodbye then. I really hope that I got through to her. She is so nice – I wish the kids could see her as I do.
Ms. Stripes is a mean teacher. She blames silly things on her student and keeps them in for lunch when they didn’t do anything! If Ms. Stripes wants to be a better teacher, she can ask Miss Daisy for help. Even Hailey can help in her free time Ny being Ms. Stripes assistant. With the help of others, Ms. Stripes can become a better teacher in no time!
Wow. I’m glad things are working out! ;)
I’m glad she’s going to start being nice! I’ve been waiting to hear why she was being mean and I thought it may have something to do with respect. I was right! Anyway hope the kids aren’t too weirded out by her being suddenly nice! Maybe she’ll explain to them why she was being mean. I hope we get to hear the kids thoughts when she starts being nice!
Yay! I’m very happy with this, great thinking, Hailey, for coming in and telling her that! ~Claire6land
Well, glad the great ‘mystery’ is over, well, i think. Hope it works out!
Bravo!
Good for you Hailey! Good for you for speaking out and helping your friends. It was the right thing to do :mrgreen: -Pika Pika PikachuHazelNut
I’m glad you worked this out.
WOW good job hailey that probably took a lot of courage! good job! the kids will be in for a surprise!`morningshine
I think you did a good job convincing Ms. Stripes to be nice to her kids Hailey!