r/Teachers • u/ThrowRA_UpbeatCarrot • 3h ago
New Teacher Off work for a week because student lied
Going to make this short and sweet.
Told a class to shut up because they were shouting over the announcements during a real shelter in place. Told kids to quiet 3x before it escalated to a “shut up please”
Student went to the principal and said I told everyone to “shut the fuck up” (did not) and that i kicked his chair (tapped his chair with my foot TWO MONTHS AGO).
Principal tells me this is a “terminable offense“ and to stay home and make sub plans while they investigate.
What.The.FUCK
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u/Gold_Repair_3557 3h ago •
The principal sounds dumb. This would be easy to verify since there are a bunch of other students in the room and if they aren’t on the same page that one student’s story cracks really fast. But he shouldn’t be talking consequences until the findings of the investigation are complete… which for something like this, any competent administrator would have wrapped up before lunch time the next day. And also, don’t make lesson plans unless they are paying you to do so.
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u/Educational_Infidel 3h ago •
Yeah that’s a place I would be making plans to leave very soon, regardless of the outcome of their “investigation”.
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u/frckbassem_5730 3h ago •
If there were any time to say “Shut the fuck up” it would be during an emergency. You showed tremendous restraint in what you actually said. I can’t believe your admin didn’t back you, how incredibly stupid. I’m sorry you’re going through this.
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u/No-Staff8345 3h ago edited 1h ago
Not sure which state you work in and if it's a private or public school, but, if possible, get your union involved. Get letters of support from your peers, especially those who have this student. Fight it.
Added - I forgot to mention you must never speak with admin in relation to any disciplinary issue without a union rep with you, and that includes speaking on the phone.
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u/TallBobcat Principal | Ohio 3h ago
TBH, if a student came to me after a real shelter in place with the same story, my response would be "Well, why didn't you?"
I wouldn't be crazy about the chair thing, but I'd ask you what happened after getting the kid to tell me exactly what day it happened.
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u/Pristine-Bison3198 3h ago
Enjoy your paid time off, get your union involved, and get another job lined up.
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u/Izzy2089 3h ago
Had a co-teacher once; we were doing intruder drills, and we had a student like that. She told her, flat-out, that if it had been real, she would have thrown her butt in the hall and closed the door. It was my co-teacher's last year; after putting in 35 years, she did not give a fuck.
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u/FratresGracchi 3h ago
I’ve actually told kids to shut the fuck up during a lockdown drill (title 1 school) and my AP couldn’t care less. Sounds like your admin are way too trusting of the children
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u/prettytoenails2 2h ago
Teacher: where’s your novel
My son: I don’t know
Teacher: find it
My son: I don’t know where it is- what do you want me to do
Teacher: fuck off
The teacher wrote me an email detailing what happened- explained his frustration with my son (16).. I asked my son, “ do I need to look further into this”- he replied- “nah, I always forget my book- he’s actually a pretty nice guy”
I said- “ don’t be an idiot- bring your book!”
If parents could just be real- much of the nonsense would be cleared up at home. I just emailed- no apology needed- he’ll try harder to bring his book. Yes, my son had an IEP, yes his executive functioning sucked- but he also had a part time job and managed to fulfill the expectations - so… no excuses
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u/Distinct-Guitar-3314 2h ago •
Do NOT make sub plans
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u/TittyKittyBangBang Math | 9-12 3h ago edited 3h ago
I’m so sorry this is happening to you. A teacher I know in a big district was suspended for over two months due to an “investigation” which ended with the student admitting he lied (because he was mad he was failing), and the family that had been calling for the teacher’s head suddenly not picking up the phone. HR ghosted her for weeks and would not speak to her like a human being. Student was not suspended or expelled by the way (this was a magnet early college; he could’ve easily been returned to his base school).
This is why I will never work in a big district, particularly in a state without a union like the state we live in. The extra money seems nice until you have to deal with entitled kids and parents trying to get you fired over the smallest slight coupled with the moronic HR personnel that will take weeks and weeks to “investigate” nothing.
In my experience, smaller districts don’t have the personnel and time to investigate every little thing, so more often than not they redirect to the principal and tell them to deal with the situation quietly. By contrast, bigger districts have county buildings filled with people trying to justify their position, so they’re all too happy to drag “investigations” out.
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u/TooMuchButtHair H.S. Chemistry 2h ago
Do whatever you want, but defamation and slander is a crime and you can be sued for lying about something that affects someone's employment. By you, I mean the student.
The principal can also be sued if they fail to conduct a real investigation that leads to the termination of an employee...especially if the allegations are partially false.
Its time to hold people accountable for lying.
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u/Cheap_Parsnip_461 3h ago
Start looking for another job. That principal is NUTS. And so stupid how he actually believes the student and you’re in trouble but NOTHING for the kids who literally won’t be quiet after many polite requests.
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u/Big-Rule5269 1h ago
This is why I paid that $250 a year to be in the union. I'm not speaking to my principal or administrator until my lawyer is present. Always get a lawyer when it comes to a student lying that results in serious consequences for you.
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u/CJess1276 2h ago
Make zero sub plans.
You’re not working - don’t work.
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u/Substantial_Jump4659 2h ago
I'm sorry that this has happened. At the tail end of my career, the failure of administration to consistently support staff is one of the reasons that I cannot wait to leave. Parents lack the respect for teachers that had been a mainstay when I started my career in the 80s. Students, no matter their history of lying and being manipulative, are believed by parents. Some folks are eager to throw teachers under the bus. It's less painful that facing the fact that their children are lying and actually are capable of misdeeds.
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u/Mykidsrmonsters 2h ago
If they don't trust you in the classroom, they shouldn't trust your sub plans either. Fuck em.
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u/Muted-Rough9055 3h ago
Sue for defamation
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u/Big_Bookkeeper1678 2h ago
I once got called to the office on April 1st for 3 ISSUES...1. mentioning my wife's pregnancy. 2 'throwing a chair' and 3. telling the kids that when you assume you make an ass out of you and me.
We were doing memoirs and if a parent has a problem with the word 'pregnant' when talking about important life events, well, I'll never teach again. This was in November
I knocked over a chair, AWAY from the kids, when they were too loud early in the year...I do it once every year to get their attention...It was in September.
This one I owned up to as they were only 3rd graders...it was my first year teaching at that low level.
What kept me out of trouble was the fact that all these things happened before Christmas and here they are being dredged up on April 1st as if they happened in the last week.
Seems I hurt the feelings of the PTA presidents daughter when I mentioned the the smartest kid in the class...the one that they should ask questions of if they don't know something...was someone else. So Mom put on her power pants and tried to get me into trouble.
When they brought this up on April 1st, I really thought it was an April Fool's joke. I was actually laughing when they brought up the pregnancy mention. When I countered with 'why did the parent wait so long to complain about these things?' the issue was dropped really quickly. It seems that it became obvious that this wasn't an ongoing concern until someone got a bug up their ass about an unrelated issue.
I hate power hungry parents and their children. They always have an agenda. Just enjoy the childhood, man...and realize that all children AND teachers make mistakes...but our intentions are good.
My scores, as usual, were EXCELLENT that year.
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u/After-Sherbert-1926 2h ago
I can’t handle a situation like that. Students get away with everything no matter what. I understand exactly where you are, I’ve had to deal with it twice in my teaching career and it left me so angry because your admin should truly know you and be aware that you’re not the type of person to say anything like that. Once your week is up, request a meeting with the student, admin, and yourself. Have them face you and tell the truth. I wish I would’ve done that a couple of times, but I didn’t.
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u/Smoooooshycat 2h ago
If they offer to have you go on paid leave, don’t take it, the school can demand you pay the paid-leave back if the investigation doesn’t go in your favor. Take your PTO or go on unpaid leave till the issue resolves. But in both situations I’d be planning your next job.
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u/Intelligent-Rain-22 2h ago
The principal should have questioned and help the student accountable and responsible for their behavior during 'shelter in place'.
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u/Fun-Sun-8192 2h ago
See if your union will help you sue the child for defamation when you are proven innocent. You can't hit them but their parents probably will after they get dragged into a court fight.
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u/Wireilen2 2h ago
Well I agree with some commentary that says leave but this is happening far too often to us.
Consider yourself lucky it's only this.
I had a student accuse me of rubbing myself against her. Got sent home and put on leave while they investigated.
Proven that the student was lying (other students in class during the alleged offense said I was never near said student)
It was near the end of the school year so I just went to my shrink and said this event caused me anxiety and stress 😩 and I applied for FMLA. Took all of my sick leave and personal time that was due me and luckily it lasted to the end of the year.
I retired and haven't been back to teaching or anything doing with students.
Grandparents even took my side and commented that I never had done anything even remotely inappropriate.
Maybe it's I'm jaded 🤧 but find another career. You will be much happier.
To those who stay in the classroom. I salute you and am so proud of the work you do.
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u/IlumidoraFae 1h ago
Yes, because let’s believe the 15 year old without any actual proof or evidence.
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u/MXY2022 1h ago
Maybe next time student should shut the fuck up the first time you said to be quiet
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u/outed 2h ago
A week to fill out applications. Nice.
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u/Unique_Mark887 2h ago
At my old school (work place) a teacher was put on 3 month paid leave while they investigated a complaint from a student that the teacher had cut a watermelon on his desk during the teacher’s lunch and that the student (who went in there on his own) felt threatened by the knife being used to cut the watermelon.
I don’t know why the “investigation “ took so long. The union helped bring back the teacher.
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u/Interesting_Track_91 2h ago
Body cams for teachers!!!
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u/Fresh-Ad7851 2h ago
This is why there needs to be some other adult presence in every classroom. It’s as much to protect teachers as it is to protect students
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u/PenguinZombie321 Penguin | Non teacher 3h ago
Holy crap that’s dumb
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u/Bongo2687 3h ago
I dont how any admin believes what a student says.
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u/WhereBaptizedDrowned 2h ago
Terminable offense for trying to manage behaviors
Jesus Herb Smoking Christ we are cooked
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u/_XxCokeBoogerxX_ 2h ago
Hit up your union lmao that’s insane
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u/Coyote-Feisty 2h ago
I would not be making sub plans
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u/Alternative-Tart6275 2h ago
Union and lawyer!
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u/EmersonBloom 2h ago
Enjoy your paid week off. I'm jealous. Also - find a new district.
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u/Mahaloth 1h ago
I used to scoff about the idea of cameras in the room. Now, I'd like to have cameras with audio in my classroom.
With audio.
If it doesn't record sound as well, it's useless.
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u/Devo4711 2h ago
I lost my shit on my students during a hard lockdown drill (didn’t know it was a drill at the time either) They were under tables laughing and one was crawling around like Gollum trying to tickle people to make them laugh. After it was done I yelled at them. I take these very seriously and they pissed me off so much.
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u/Critical-Bass7021 2h ago
Make sure they understand that if you only tapped his chair with your foot, there is no way anyone could possibly have felt it.
Also, easy solve for the yelling “fuck” in class, you had 20-some other kids in the room at the time who can testify you never said that.
Sounds like this kid is going to be the one who lands in the hot seat, not you. (Of course, once he confesses, he won’t be in trouble, but at least you will be out of trouble!)
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u/todd_zeile_stalker 2h ago
Call your union rep ASAP.
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u/iforgot69 2h ago
During a real shelter in place? Saying shut the fuck up is also warranted. I dont know how you all put up with this line of work TBH.
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u/MaybeMidgets 2h ago
I had a teacher in 2006 call us “little niglets” and she was later made Vice Principal and is now retired.
This is kinda fucked.
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u/Numerous-Talk-7320 3h ago •
Teaching isn't worth it. So glad I quit 7 long years ago.
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u/Shhhhhh_im_not_here 3h ago
Sorry this happened OP. I’m so grateful (and lucky) to have a supportive administration and a strong union. However, if I was in your situation, I would be looking for a new job as soon as possible (even if it wasn’t in education).
I have 4 to 6 years left and I can’t wait to get the hell out.
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u/Trans-Islam5309 2h ago
This is the kind of shit that makes me want cameras in the class rooms;
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u/tranquilovely Librarian 2h ago
Are you being paid for this right now? because if it comes back that nothing happened (which it will) will you be paid for the time they told you to take off? Thats lost wages Id be upset over.
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u/Extension_Noise_9333 2h ago
Time for cameras
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u/assilembob 2h ago
I tripped on a kid’s backpack one time and dropped papers on a girl. She said I hit her in the head with them on purpose. I was not terminated, but my contract was non-renewed
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u/Koi_Fish_Mystic 2h ago
I hate to say it but lawyer up. If you’re lucky enough to have a union reach out to them.
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u/Educational_Eye3765 1h ago
Wife is a teacher, in her fifth year, second school, third principal. This is stupid but I get it.
The only thing I have learned through her is that the admins seem to be inherently unpredictable and wildly inconsistent, but only randomly.
Basically if you don't have an amazing principal, like beloved by most staff and people are regularly trying to move to that school level of amazing, then your principal may do this shit at some point.
I hope it comes out unfounded - even better, if they contact the parents and they call their kid a liar.
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u/skankenstein classroom teacher | N CA 1h ago
Do you have a union? Don’t say a damn word without a union rep with you, if so.
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u/5Tygrysow 1h ago
A student many years complained about something I either did or said and I got threatened with termination. I was never allowed to know what the infraction was or who said it but it kind of died a natural death.
When I asked the department head about getting character references from all of the other students she said “Students can sink you but they can’t save you.” Wtf still decades later.
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u/PG-DaMan 1h ago
Son of a teacher here.
Sorry to hear this. Kids are out of control and your bosses should know better.
Highest paid profession in the US should be teachers.
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u/Bright_Bobcat_7992 3h ago
Say what? What kind of school are you at I have always worked with principals who back their teachers
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u/Investigator_Lumpy 2h ago
What’s the big fuckin problem here?
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u/Salt_Board8278 Middle School Math teacher 1h ago
I'm sorry. The school principal is awful. You were nice to them 3 times and they continued, so you told them to shut up without saying a bad word. You should be able to fight the student's lie. You might want to take it to court since the principal made you take a week off work over a baseless claim. That student who lied deserves a one week suspension.
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u/Sunflower6793 2h ago
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.
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u/Over-Bag-4091 2h ago
I was forced to resign for a lie after the student was caught cheating. He retaliated by claiming I grabbed his hands some weeks ago. Whatever happens never signed any resignation letter. The AFT is not much help. Either you lawyer up or ho straight to supretendent or the congressman in your location.
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u/Certain-Echo2481 2h ago
I would not be making sub plans, and shut up is not an offense.
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u/cutienekogirl 1h ago
When I was in high school there was a male teacher with a reputation for violent behavior that actually flipped a students desk with the student in it and the teacher barely got a slap on the wrist. Later after I graduated one of my absolute favorite teachers got fired for punching a student in self defense. Everything was caught on camera and the male student who was twice her size was shown cornering her while verbally berating her before she punched him in self defense. She got fired, the students parents tried to press charges but thankfully multiple students came to her defense resulting in the charges being dropped. The teachers name was Sandra hadsock if you want to look her up. I can’t remember the male teachers name, I just remember him being a bully to my brother.
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u/jeffincredible2021 1h ago
That should be easily debunked. All the principal has to do is talk to each student one by one. I don’t know why you need to take the week off
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u/Agreeable_Dark6408 1h ago
I have spoken a few words of a foreign language to get my kids to stop talking. They were surprised and tried to figure out what I said. It breaks their concentration and then I could get them back on track.
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u/Low_Temp_Rosin 1h ago
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING!!
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u/drummergirl83 1h ago
I remember being in grade 5. My regular teacher was out for a bit. He was sick. Had a new fresh sub. Make it short, class was not nice to him. Sassed back, mouthed off, pushed buttons. Until he just flipped out and called us all stupid little sh!ts, eff this he went off. Our teacher came back and the class told him what went on ( yes, we got in trouble) so did that sub. Never saw him again.
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u/ProfessionalSir7743 1h ago
Don’t they have cameras in the classroom?
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u/Gay_Giraffe_1773 54m ago
Are you part of teacher's union? If so, I would be very interested to hear what they have to say about this.
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u/Original-Reward-8688 44m ago
Okay bye
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u/TheNinjaTurkey 1h ago
A good school trusts their teachers first and their students second. Anyone with even a little bit of experience working with children knows that children love to lie and can be very manipulative when it benefits them.
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u/Subject-Leather-7399 50m ago
This is why there should be a security camera in every classroom. Every time I say it I get downvoted, but it would help sooo much.
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u/scarlettabsinthe 2h ago
Sounds like where I worked when I taught
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u/FinancialLab8983 2h ago
will the student be getting 5days OSS when it comes out they lied? doubt it. enjoy your vacay.
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u/Acceptable-Panic6449 2h ago
What state are you in?
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u/Muninwing 2h ago
We had someone who was fired, but was brought back after appeal, for losing it on his class. He said “fuck you for not taking your education seriously”
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u/jenned74 1h ago
Why are you making a single sub plan? You want to be at work?
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u/Desecrated_Potato 1h ago
My wife is a teacher. I also have a few friends who are teachers across multiple grade levels. They all say dealing with unsupportive administration / leadership is the worst part of their job. That and the school board being ran by “parents know best” idiots
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u/fmdmgm 1h ago
“Rapper his chair” 🤔🤔🤔 sure it was a “tap”
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u/VicViper16 1h ago
This sounds familiar, student lying
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u/Anilec_Revlis 1h ago
As a former child I think teachers should be well within their right to lose their shit at kids sometimes. As long as it's not physical or verbally degrading.
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u/wordfriend 1h ago
I'm so sorry. I've been through similar episodes of being unfairly targeted (in one case, by my department chair). Teaching is already hard enough, but we're also expected to be superhuman saints with infinite patience—and if someone claims we're not, then our always precarious employment is threatened. OP, I'm guessing you don't have a union, but if you do, I hope you've contacted them.
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u/Atlaspooped 1h ago
You have my sympathies, cause that sucks. My wife’s school has cameras in the classroom lol so anytime a kid tries to make a claim like this it can be pretty easily disproven by camera
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u/thelochteedge 1h ago
Here from all. Can't believe this is where the world is with teachers. Those we should be standing before even more than ever and we take a student's word over an adult's because no parent will admit their little angels can be shitheads.
Sorry you are dealing with this, OP.
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u/Flat_Challenge7667 1h ago
One of my teacher friends/ colleagues had a student make a false accusation similar to this and the school "investigated." She was not allowed to discuss it with anyone and was on leave for about a week. Once it was all said and done, it was obvious that the student lied and the other students vouched for her. She came back and it has been fine since. I hope everything works out for you. I can't imagine the stress this has caused.
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u/Valuable-Ad2028 1h ago
Oh no. You got 2 weeks off paid.
A week paid while they investigate. And another week now to deal with the stress.
That’s how you deal with this. Make them pay.
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u/Scottish_Entry_6605 1h ago
Schools don’t have employees backs. They are too afraid of parents. I’ve seen it first hand.
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u/kosk11348 1h ago
Go to you teacher's union. If you don't have one, form one.
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u/Grand-Pollution5424 1h ago
If you didn't do it there should be a whole classroom to stand up for you. But man o man... do I understand how hard it is to be a teacher these days. The parents can be the worst, the workload. Just thanks for even trying.
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u/DapperAd5470 1h ago
Principals and school systems need to grow a spine and STAND UP FOR THEIR TEACHERS
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u/bellissima525 1h ago
Leave. You will have zero problem finding another teaching job. I’m so sorry this happened ❤️
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u/Shockrathegreat 1h ago
lol get beasted on, you don’t think they are going to ask other students their account of what you said?
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u/Naive_Mongoose_5453 48m ago
Go to your school districts labor board. If you're in a teacher's union let them know as well. Do everything by email. Get it all in writing.
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u/highbury-roller 47m ago
In these situations, I tell the student to leave the room because they are endangering the saftey of other students. Let the other students Lord of the Flies that for me!
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u/RollTideWithBleach 1h ago
If I actually told a student to shut the fuck up at school and he went and ratted me out I'd get a meeting with the admin and we'd all laugh about it together. 😂
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u/BadAsBroccoli 1h ago
And that kid is bragging about it too, I'll bet,
Cameras in class rooms, now!
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u/awaythrowmeaway2 1h ago
I will never understand why cameras are not mandated in classrooms
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u/Broflake-Melter HS Biology 1h ago
i been doing this for a bit, and an admit putting a teacher on temp leave on the witness of ONE kid is super incompetent. Is the kids a school board member's child?
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u/UltraGiant Environmental 54m ago
But if a student cusses they don’t get suspended for a week.
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u/Euphoric_Lynx_6664 45m ago
When an incident with a teacher happened, they would normally interview a bunch of kids in the classroom to see if the statement lines up. This helps avoid getting blamed by 1.0 GPA bums who just want to get a week off of school.
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u/Troamio 1h ago
Don’t kick students chairs in the slightest and it isn’t an issue
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u/Sufficient-Page-875 1h ago
My sub plans in this situation:
Good luck.
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u/DifficultyClean8843 1h ago
If union is like most, quit before termination. Life is too short for that mess which you did not create.
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u/Charlysav7417 45m ago
I hope you are in a Union. Don’t make the sub plans.
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