Katie: I am an early childhood special education teacher and executive board member of my education association. A member (general education high school teacher) brought a concern to the board after being in a meeting where a parent yelled at her multiple times and was extremely disrespectful toward her during the IEP meeting. She was very upset that the special education teacher / case manager did not address the behavior and end the meeting to be rescheduled at a time that the parent wasn’t so upset. She wanted to excuse herself from the meeting but didn’t want to be seen as insubordinate or unprofessional. I am wondering where the law is on this?
In our district there is a code of civility and if a parent is yelling/using foul language/can’t control their temper the meeting can be ended and the parent escorted off campus. It’s not okay for parents to yell at staff in a meeting. I’m the LEA/staffing specialist and as a facilitator I can and will end a meeting if anyone (parents or staff) are acting like that. There is a way to express anger/frustration in a respectful way. Should check to see if your district has policies and protocols in place for those types of situations
The teacher needs to put her big girl or boy pants on.
I sympathize with the teacher, because I know how it feels, but it’s part of her job. I was an EMT and Nurse. Patients and family in the midst of a crisis can say rude things. Put yourself in their shoes. Consider that the parent may have been provoked.
You can discontinue the meeting if anyone is being rude or disrespectful.
…is it part of her job?