Jan in SC Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I was playing tennis the other day with a few friends and we were talking about the different elementary schools in our area. One of the ladies teaches at the better of them. I stated that I enjoy homeschooling and finally feel a little more confident. (This MAY be our 2nd year.) She gives a little laugh and walks away. Then, as she is about to serve she looks at me across the net, and with a smile on her face announces that it is a shame she doesn't have my child, because she is a MUCH better teacher! Well... imagine how hard that ball came back to her! While I'm still stunned by this comment, I'm more surprised by my reaction. I am completely worried that she might be right. What if I am doing a horrible thing? Maybe I am a bad teacher! ACK!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I was playing tennis the other day with a few friends and we were talking about the different elementary schools in our area. One of the ladies teaches at the better of them. I stated that I enjoy homeschooling and finally feel a little more confident. (This MAY be our 2nd year.) She gives a little laugh and walks away. Then, as she is about to serve she looks at me across the net, and with a smile on her face announces that it is a shame she doesn't have my child, because she is a MUCH better teacher! Well... imagine how hard that ball came back to her! While I'm still stunned by this comment, I'm more surprised by my reaction. I am completely worried that she might be right. What if I am doing a horrible thing? Maybe I am a bad teacher! ACK!!! It didn't happen to hit her in the head did it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan in SC Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 I missed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shell in SC Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I wouldn't worry about it. . .just because some is licensed to teach doesn't make them a good teacher. DD attended high school for about 6 months in 9th grade and once we got into home schooling and me teaching her she told all her ps friends that I was a better teacher than any of them at the ps. She told them all that they should let me teach them. . . Don't sweat it. . .if your kids are learning from you then you're a great teacher!! SHELL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 She was feeling threatened. It was stupid thing to say. I mean, how could she possibly know for stinking crying out loud?:) You made her feel insecure and that was her way of dealing with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 What an incredible tacky thing to say!! Would she say that another "professional" teacher? Good grief, she has a problem, and a chip on her shoulder. I am sure ANY teacher out there feels more confident after doing it for a couple of years. I'm sure this "friend" did, too. Oh, boy, this has my blood pressure up! You are fine. She is an idiot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 How does she know she's a better teacher? What a moronic statement. Does she sit in your classroom and see the care and devotion you give to your dc? I think she's threatened by you! Sounds like a statement made in an elementary playground by children! For Goodness sake. Just stick out your tongue at her next time, that'd be on her level. Oh, and practice your return volley. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Ditto Kathleen! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I missed! Maybe next match! :D Don't worry about it! You are doing great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 This just sounds like sports time "smack talk" to me. My guess is that she was sort of teasing you and that you shouldn't take it too seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Her version of trash talk on the tennis court, KWIM? If she's really a friend, and you care that much, talk with her about it later. If not, let it go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I, too, am amazed at the things people say. And I'm sorry...it's just so annoying to have to be always defending our decision to hs. I did get a little insight into this "teacher insecurity" thing this about a year ago, though. My SIL is an elementary school teacher (or was, before her 3 dc). We are very good friends and love each other dearly but we've always kind of skirted around this hs/ps thing. Well, we finally had an "issue" last year and what came out of that was her belief that by my hs-ing, it was a statement that what she spent 4 years doing (college) was completely wasted and invalid. I was floored! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought OUR decision to hs would make her feel threatened. But as I listened to her, I could HEAR what she was saying. (Interestingly, since that time, they have pulled their dc out of ps (!) and are considering private or hs (!) so we have come a long way.) However, I agree with the others who think your friend was working on her own issues of insecurity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in IL Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 "Ha, this lady has taught for 2 years! And is feeling confident and her child is succeeding - what does that say about me? I went to college for this and have been teaching for "X" number of years - and we are on the same par! Maybe I"m not as great as I think I am if it is this easy to do my job!! (of course I am not saying it is easy) Congratulations on your hard earned confidence!! Wish me luck - I start tennis lessons tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I think you should tell her so, as well. This is not the way friends treat each other. She may not agree with your decisions, but that does NOT give her permission to lose her manners. You're not beating your children or starving them, so she has NO RIGHT to criticize. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 This just sounds like sports time "smack talk" to me. My guess is that she was sort of teasing you and that you shouldn't take it too seriously. :iagree: That's kind of what I was thinking.... Who won that point, btw? (If she did, then her trash talk worked, kwim?) And, I'd suggest following elegantlion's response suggestions. :D You definitely need to develop some court smack talk of your own. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate CA Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 If someone had said that to me I don't even know how to express how strongly I would have responded. That is the MOST UGLY AND COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR comment I have read in a LONG LONG time. You *know* and *love* your child. Does she? YOU are the very best teacher of your child(ren) that ever was created on this earth. You go forward and teach that child of yours with love and confidence. Don't let anyone rob you of the joy of teaching your child(ren)--ever. You were made for it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 How would she know what kind of teacher you are? How INCREDIBLY rude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 We need this woman's email. Now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanga Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I missed! :lol: Better luck next time! You are the best teacher for your children! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 One of my dh friends with no children, was very concerned when we told we would be homeschooling our future children. He was worried that me 'forcing' them to go to the library, might eventually make them go POSTAL.:001_huh: It was his main concern. HUH???:001_huh: I've never heard THAT one before! Interesting......:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Silly, silly woman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Be glad that your child does not have someone soooo incredibly rude, insulting, and arrogant!!!! Unbelievable!!! Her attitude should all the more encourage your homeschooling. If the teachers act this way toward you...an adult, just imagine what they do to and teach the children! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Has she been sitting in on your classes? How on earth could she make such a ridiculous statement? How could she possibly "know" or even have a supported opinion about whether or not she might be better at teaching than you if she's never seen you teach? What does she teach, definitely not logic, hmmm???? How rude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie in AR Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I think in that situation I would have laughingly told her to just keep telling herself that. ("That" being that she is a better teacher for your dc than you are.) And then I would have aimed every return right at her head. ;) I have an acquaintance who gives me a running commentary on my "deficiencies" every so often. In truth, they aren't deficiencies at all ;); I just choose to do things in ways that are different from her methods. It bothered me for years, until it finally dawned on me that, for some reason, my choices make her feel insecure. You may have to move her out of the "friend" category into the "acquaintance" category; that is what I finally did with the above-mentioned friend. Life is too short to be constantly told what you are doing "wrong" in someone else's eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Maybe you should consider sending your kids to her for character training. Anti-logic and arrogance are probably very important. You wouldn't want to disable your children by bringing them up to have a good attitude. ;) My grandfather had a special phrase he suggested we use in these situations which goes as follows: "Shut up you mad bugger, I'm sick of listening to ya!" Now I don't think he ever actually said that to anyone, but we've all felt better over the years by thinking it! :) Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Well, we finally had an "issue" last year and what came out of that was her belief that by my hs-ing, it was a statement that what she spent 4 years doing (college) was completely wasted and invalid. . It is interesting to me that my sister -- who went to college and got her degree in business management -- actually found out today that she has all the credits needed to become licensed to be a teacher. She is qualified to teach right now and just has to take a test sometime before the end of the first year she is teaching. So what does that say about the qualifications needed to teach? Pretty much anyone with a college degree probably has most of the credits they need to do this. That was kind of a surprise to me considering all the arguments I've heard about teachers being the only ones qualified to teach. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan in SC Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thanks for everyone's kind words! You all are SO great!!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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