Why I got in trouble:

[deafbajagal]

The audiologist came into my classroom. She starts talking to my aide (who is hearing) about things that she really needs to talk to me about. My aide tells her, "You really need to tell her about this...this is something you need to address her (talking about me) about." She rolls her eyes and says, "It's too hard to talk to her. She's Deaf - I don't sign that good."

I was so busy with my students, that I didn't even know what happened until she left my room. I thought maybe she was asking my aide something trival such as a piece of paper. Instead she was asking a very important question that would affect my entire classroom and all of my students (ordering new equipment). My aide tried to get her to talk to me but she wouldn't.

Pffft! Was I ever mad. So I sent an email to her and different people who work with my students to remind them that they need to be speaking directly to me, the classroom teacher, about things that they normally would speak to other teachers about. Just because I'm Deaf doesn't make it ok to talk to the aide. The other professionals were doing the same thing that the audiologist was doing. I've tried speaking with them one-on-one about the situation, asking them to please be sure to come to me directly about anything that needs to be discussed, etc. I also talked to them about respecting d/Deaf teachers by treating them as they would any other teacher.

Guess what happened? I got in trouble for sending the email!

 

[Bebonang]

I hope it is a misunderstanding between the audiologist and the aide. Of course the audiologist need to speak with you about any concerns about your classroom. I wonder if you can talk to the principal about the situation and please bring along the aide so that she or he is a witness to what is going on in your classroom. They are very rude, both the audiologist and the professionals, and should be more respectful to talking over the issues with you. That is also discrimination ignoring you just because you are DEAF.
At least they should write down on paper to talk to you if they think that they can not sign good or not at all. That is ashame of them for doing that. I hope you don't get into trouble which is not a fault of your own but trying to pass the message on to them about how you feel and want them to communicate with you. They don't listen just like any audists do.

 

[kimpossible]

What?! unfair! how did you get in trouble?!

 

[jillio]

An audiologist with that attitude toward the deaf doesn't need to be practicing. I would report her to the licensing board. Her behavior and her attitude are extremely unethical. Not to mention rude and discriminatory!

I can't believe that you got into trouble for sending the email! IMO you were perfectly justified in addressing the situation. It is the audiologist who needs to be reprimanded.

 

[shel90]

That is so wrong! So wrong...some hearing people need some serious traning.


I used to work in a TC program at a public school...when i would try to offer suggestions or talk to the general education teachers about our students, they treated me exactly the same way that audi treated you. They told the principal that they prefer him to deal with me as if I am some problem child or something. I hated the attitudes at that school.


Come and work at my school, u wont be treated that way for sure!

 

[shel90]

An audiologist with that attitude toward the deaf doesn't need to be practicing. I would report her to the licensing board. Her behavior and her attitude are extremely unethical. Not to mention rude and discriminatory!

I can't believe that you got into trouble for sending the email! IMO you were perfectly justified in addressing the situation. It is the audiologist who needs to be reprimanded.

I agree...pls report that audiologist. We need to speak up against those who put us down.

 

[moonflower]

omg that is so wrong jeez

 

[VamPyroX]

Perhaps, you got in trouble cuz you emailed others?

Since the issue was with the audiologist, you should have only emailed the audiologist... not everyone else as well?

For professional reasons, issues should be made directly to the person involved... not others.

For instance, I'm working at an office. A co-worker does something that I don't like. So, I will email that co-worker directly. I don't send email to that co-worker AND other co-workers in my department AND other employees in the company AND my manager AND etc... etc.

If that co-worker refuses to cooperate with me, then I follow the chain of command by contacting that co-worker's supervisor. I don't contact that co-worker's supervisor AND other supervisors AND other bosses.

So I sent an email to her and different people who work with my students to remind them that they need to be speaking directly to me, the classroom teacher, about things that they normally would speak to other teachers about.

This is probably what happened. Since you contacted everyone regarding this issue, you got everyone involved when it actually started with the problem with only one person. (As I mentioned above, it's better to contact just the person directly involved, not everyone else.)

After that problem is resolved, then you can make a neutral comment towards your class on your own time without bringing up the audiologist issue.

 

[Byrdie714]

Perhaps, you got in trouble cuz you emailed others?

Since the issue was with the audiologist, you should have only emailed the audiologist... not everyone else as well?

For professional reasons, issues should be made directly to the person involved... not others.

For instance, I'm working at an office. A co-worker does something that I don't like. So, I will email that co-worker directly. I don't send email to that co-worker AND other co-workers in my department AND other employees in the company AND my manager AND etc... etc.

If that co-worker refuses to cooperate with me, then I follow the chain of command by contacting that co-worker's supervisor. I don't contact that co-worker's supervisor AND other supervisors AND other bosses.



This is probably what happened. Since you contacted everyone regarding this issue, you got everyone involved when it actually started with the problem with only one person. (As I mentioned above, it's better to contact just the person directly involved, not everyone else.)

After that problem is resolved, then you can make a neutral comment towards your class on your own time without bringing up the audiologist issue.

 

[shel90]

Perhaps, you got in trouble cuz you emailed others?

Since the issue was with the audiologist, you should have only emailed the audiologist... not everyone else as well?

For professional reasons, issues should be made directly to the person involved... not others.

For instance, I'm working at an office. A co-worker does something that I don't like. So, I will email that co-worker directly. I don't send email to that co-worker AND other co-workers in my department AND other employees in the company AND my manager AND etc... etc.

If that co-worker refuses to cooperate with me, then I follow the chain of command by contacting that co-worker's supervisor. I don't contact that co-worker's supervisor AND other supervisors AND other bosses.



This is probably what happened. Since you contacted everyone regarding this issue, you got everyone involved when it actually started with the problem with only one person. (As I mentioned above, it's better to contact just the person directly involved, not everyone else.)

After that problem is resolved, then you can make a neutral comment towards your class on your own time without bringing up the audiologist issue.

She said that the other professionals were doing the same thing to her too.If they were doing what the audiologist did then she had the right to email them too to set the record straight with everyone.

See below:
The other professionals were doing the same thing that the audiologist was doing.

 

[GarnetTigerMom]

An audiologist with that attitude toward the deaf doesn't need to be practicing. I would report her to the licensing board. Her behavior and her attitude are extremely unethical. Not to mention rude and discriminatory!

I can't believe that you got into trouble for sending the email! IMO you were perfectly justified in addressing the situation. It is the audiologist who needs to be reprimanded.

I agree with you. She should have report the audiologist about the behavior that is unaccpetable and unethical, and you right,, it totally rude and disrespectful. I think she should go to the board to have some changes to fix the situations.

 

[VamPyroX]

She said that the other professionals were doing the same thing to her too.If they were doing what the audiologist did then she had the right to email them too to set the record straight with everyone.

See below:
The other professionals were doing the same thing that the audiologist was doing.

Well, if the problem is with everyone else... it is still more professional to do it through BCC.

What is BCC? Blind Carbon Copy.

It's almost like chain email. It's a matter of privacy.

For instance, I want to share a joke with my friends. Some of my friends don't know each other, but if I send it to all of my friends without using BCC... they all will be able to see each other's email address. That's a violation of their privacies. By using BCC, I forward the joke to myself and BCC it to everyone else. Now, all my friends see that the email was send to me and themselves without seeing anyone else's email addresses.

Now, back to this issue... it's similar. If BCC was used and the email was done in a neutral point of view (no finger-pointing at anyone in particular) and was done in BCC, no one will know who else is involved. Since this email was sent to everyone without using BCC, everyone knows everyone else who has done the same thing. Since this was sent to students as well, then the staff's private email addresses were revealed to students... a big no-no.

So, it's still better to address professional concerns as one-on-one... or in private.

Let's say that I have a few students and faculty members giving me the same problem with communication. What I would probably do is... "Lately, I've been neglected when it came to communication from you. When you have something to say to me, I would appreciate it if you would say it to me directly instead of through my assistant or aide. If you aren't sure if you can sign it to me, then you can at least email me or write it down on paper. By telling everything to my assistant or aide instead of me, you're making it obvious that I can't handle things on my own and that you are reluctant to approach me. This is what I would probably call "unprofessional". So, I would appreciate it if you would communicate with me directly from now on. Thank you." (Notice how I didn't mention any particular times or dates of the incident and no specific names were mentioned?) Now, this is an issue I would use with my staff. So, I send this email to myself and BCC it to the staff members... only those who I have the issue with. Now, I need to resolve it with the students. I can simply bring it up during my next class as if I am telling everyone and am not singling anyone out. Or, I can do it directly with those specific students through email. "Lately, I've noticed in class that I have been neglected when it came to communication from you. When you have something to say to me, I would appreciate it if you would say it to me directly instead of through my assistant or aide. If you aren't sure if you can sign it to me, then you can at least email me or write it down on paper. You can also wait until after class and tell me in private. By telling everything to my assistant or aide instead of me, you're making it obvious that you are reluctant to approach me. It would really help me do my job better as a teacher if you would work with me instead of around me. Thanks." (Notice how I didn't mention any particular times or dates of the incident and no specific names were mentioned? Also, I mentioned "class"... which is more appropriate for a student environment.)

 

[shel90]

Well, if the problem is with everyone else... it is still more professional to do it through BCC.

What is BCC? Blind Carbon Copy.

It's almost like chain email. It's a matter of privacy.

For instance, I want to share a joke with my friends. Some of my friends don't know each other, but if I send it to all of my friends without using BCC... they all will be able to see each other's email address. That's a violation of their privacies. By using BCC, I forward the joke to myself and BCC it to everyone else. Now, all my friends see that the email was send to me and themselves without seeing anyone else's email addresses.

Now, back to this issue... it's similar. If BCC was used and the email was done in a neutral point of view (no finger-pointing at anyone in particular) and was done in BCC, no one will know who else is involved. Since this email was sent to everyone without using BCC, everyone knows everyone else who has done the same thing. Since this was sent to students as well, then the staff's private email addresses were revealed to students... a big no-no.

So, it's still better to address professional concerns as one-on-one... or in private.

Let's say that I have a few students and faculty members giving me the same problem with communication. What I would probably do is... "Lately, I've been neglected when it came to communication from you. When you have something to say to me, I would appreciate it if you would say it to me directly instead of through my assistant or aide. If you aren't sure if you can sign it to me, then you can at least email me or write it down on paper. By telling everything to my assistant or aide instead of me, you're making it obvious that I can't handle things on my own and that you are reluctant to approach me. This is what I would probably call "unprofessional". So, I would appreciate it if you would communicate with me directly from now on. Thank you." (Notice how I didn't mention any particular times or dates of the incident and no specific names were mentioned?) Now, this is an issue I would use with my staff. So, I send this email to myself and BCC it to the staff members... only those who I have the issue with. Now, I need to resolve it with the students. I can simply bring it up during my next class as if I am telling everyone and am not singling anyone out. Or, I can do it directly with those specific students through email. "Lately, I've noticed in class that I have been neglected when it came to communication from you. When you have something to say to me, I would appreciate it if you would say it to me directly instead of through my assistant or aide. If you aren't sure if you can sign it to me, then you can at least email me or write it down on paper. You can also wait until after class and tell me in private. By telling everything to my assistant or aide instead of me, you're making it obvious that you are reluctant to approach me. It would really help me do my job better as a teacher if you would work with me instead of around me. Thanks." (Notice how I didn't mention any particular times or dates of the incident and no specific names were mentioned? Also, I mentioned "class"... which is more appropriate for a student environment.)

Where did she say that she didnt BCC to everyone? Also, she didnt say that she was telling everyone about what the audi did, just to address the problem of lack of respect from everyone to her and pls to speak to her not to her aide.

Let Deafbajagal come back and answer our questions.

 

[deafbajagal]

I emailed directly to all of the professionals (OT, PT, etc.) who were doing the exact same thing that the audiologist was doing...they were coming to the aide rather than me to discuss the students' progress in therapy (or lack of progress), ordering equipment such as a walker and new wireless FM system, etc. That kind of thing. I've already addressed the issue with them personally (one-on-one) but that really didn't go anywhere. My aide kept trying to tell them to tell Ms. XXXX about this, not me - I'm the aide, she's the teacher. ALL of them told her that it was too hard to communicate with them (too much time to write back and forth or to get her to interpret...which she is not able to because this is all happening while we're in the classroom, so we can't just drop and talk). In my e-mail, I simply reminded them to speak with me directly on issues that they normally would speak with any other teacher. I got in trouble with the admin (who I CC'd to let them know what was going on) because they said that I should remember that they cannot sign, so it is too hard for them...I just should let the aide take my messages for me. Nope, that didn't go well with me at all. This is the attitude that is happening at my school and it is really pissing me off (excuse my language). I'm having to educate people how to treat Deaf adults, including teachers, with respect. I tried talking with each of them personally. That didn't work. So I sent an email to all of them (maybe I should have done it individually?). If that doesn't work, then I will go up the chain of command. The audiologist situation is one of many that is happening. Another example...the PT recommended a change of service for a student. She told the aide, not me. So I was shocked at the IEP meeting (which I, the TEACHER, am responsible for conducting and making sure all is in order) when she was talking about the change of service. As a result, it really became a big issue because we weren't prepared...and the parent got so mad that we had to stop the meeting. At that point I told the PT that she needed to be talking to me directly about stuff like this! In fact if she had talked with me, I would have been able to give her some suggestions on how to handle the situation (for confid. reasons I really cannot elaborate here). But she continues to do it. So my next step was through e-mail. I got in big trouble from my boss because I was not being considerate of their needs. I almost got written up over it.

 

[Tousi]

This is a little off topic but I have wanted to mention this for the longest time now. Vampy, no offense, but it seems to me that, no matter what the topic, subject, thread is about re the deaf, deafness, deaf culture, etc that it is pretty much only as a last resort that you support the deaf view. Was NTID THAT bad? Lol...

 

[shel90]

I emailed directly to all of the professionals (OT, PT, etc.) who were doing the exact same thing that the audiologist was doing...they were coming to the aide rather than me to discuss the students' progress in therapy (or lack of progress), ordering equipment such as a walker and new wireless FM system, etc. That kind of thing. I've already addressed the issue with them personally (one-on-one) but that really didn't go anywhere. My aide kept trying to tell them to tell Ms. XXXX about this, not me - I'm the aide, she's the teacher. ALL of them told her that it was too hard to communicate with them (too much time to write back and forth or to get her to interpret...which she is not able to because this is all happening while we're in the classroom, so we can't just drop and talk). In my e-mail, I simply reminded them to speak with me directly on issues that they normally would speak with any other teacher. I got in trouble with the admin (who I CC'd to let them know what was going on) because they said that I should remember that they cannot sign, so it is too hard for them...I just should let the aide take my messages for me. Nope, that didn't go well with me at all. This is the attitude that is happening at my school and it is really pissing me off (excuse my language). I'm having to educate people how to treat Deaf adults, including teachers, with respect. I tried talking with each of them personally. That didn't work. So I sent an email to all of them (maybe I should have done it individually?). If that doesn't work, then I will go up the chain of command. The audiologist situation is one of many that is happening. Another example...the PT recommended a change of service for a student. She told the aide, not me. So I was shocked at the IEP meeting (which I, the TEACHER, am responsible for conducting and making sure all is in order) when she was talking about the change of service. As a result, it really became a big issue because we weren't prepared...and the parent got so mad that we had to stop the meeting. At that point I told the PT that she needed to be talking to me directly about stuff like this! In fact if she had talked with me, I would have been able to give her some suggestions on how to handle the situation (for confid. reasons I really cannot elaborate here). But she continues to do it. So my next step was through e-mail. I got in big trouble from my boss because I was not being considerate of their needs. I almost got written up over it.

This is a perfect example of us deaf people bearing the burden. I cant believe how disrespectful they are to u!

 

[deafbajagal]

*sigh* I know. I'll have to join you and work in your school now .

 

[jillio]

I emailed directly to all of the professionals (OT, PT, etc.) who were doing the exact same thing that the audiologist was doing...they were coming to the aide rather than me to discuss the students' progress in therapy (or lack of progress), ordering equipment such as a walker and new wireless FM system, etc. That kind of thing. I've already addressed the issue with them personally (one-on-one) but that really didn't go anywhere. My aide kept trying to tell them to tell Ms. XXXX about this, not me - I'm the aide, she's the teacher. ALL of them told her that it was too hard to communicate with them (too much time to write back and forth or to get her to interpret...which she is not able to because this is all happening while we're in the classroom, so we can't just drop and talk). In my e-mail, I simply reminded them to speak with me directly on issues that they normally would speak with any other teacher. I got in trouble with the admin (who I CC'd to let them know what was going on) because they said that I should remember that they cannot sign, so it is too hard for them...I just should let the aide take my messages for me. Nope, that didn't go well with me at all. This is the attitude that is happening at my school and it is really pissing me off (excuse my language). I'm having to educate people how to treat Deaf adults, including teachers, with respect. I tried talking with each of them personally. That didn't work. So I sent an email to all of them (maybe I should have done it individually?). If that doesn't work, then I will go up the chain of command. The audiologist situation is one of many that is happening. Another example...the PT recommended a change of service for a student. She told the aide, not me. So I was shocked at the IEP meeting (which I, the TEACHER, am responsible for conducting and making sure all is in order) when she was talking about the change of service. As a result, it really became a big issue because we weren't prepared...and the parent got so mad that we had to stop the meeting. At that point I told the PT that she needed to be talking to me directly about stuff like this! In fact if she had talked with me, I would have been able to give her some suggestions on how to handle the situation (for confid. reasons I really cannot elaborate here). But she continues to do it. So my next step was through e-mail. I got in big trouble from my boss because I was not being considerate of their needs. I almost got written up over it.

Here's the irony of the situation. They say its too hard to talk to you because they don't know sign. You make it easy by putting it in an email, and they get mad because you made it easy for them! This is a clear cut case of discrimination, and refusal to provide the accommodations that allow you to effectively do your job that they hired you to do.

 

[Matilda]

An audiologist with that attitude toward the deaf doesn't need to be practicing. I would report her to the licensing board. Her behavior and her attitude are extremely unethical. Not to mention rude and discriminatory!

I can't believe that you got into trouble for sending the email! IMO you were perfectly justified in addressing the situation. It is the audiologist who needs to be reprimanded.

Perfectly said! I couldn't have said it better!

 

[VamPyroX]

I emailed directly to all of the professionals (OT, PT, etc.) who were doing the exact same thing that the audiologist was doing...they were coming to the aide rather than me to discuss the students' progress in therapy (or lack of progress), ordering equipment such as a walker and new wireless FM system, etc. That kind of thing. I've already addressed the issue with them personally (one-on-one) but that really didn't go anywhere. My aide kept trying to tell them to tell Ms. XXXX about this, not me - I'm the aide, she's the teacher. ALL of them told her that it was too hard to communicate with them (too much time to write back and forth or to get her to interpret...which she is not able to because this is all happening while we're in the classroom, so we can't just drop and talk). In my e-mail, I simply reminded them to speak with me directly on issues that they normally would speak with any other teacher. I got in trouble with the admin (who I CC'd to let them know what was going on) because they said that I should remember that they cannot sign, so it is too hard for them...I just should let the aide take my messages for me. Nope, that didn't go well with me at all. This is the attitude that is happening at my school and it is really pissing me off (excuse my language). I'm having to educate people how to treat Deaf adults, including teachers, with respect. I tried talking with each of them personally. That didn't work. So I sent an email to all of them (maybe I should have done it individually?). If that doesn't work, then I will go up the chain of command. The audiologist situation is one of many that is happening. Another example...the PT recommended a change of service for a student. She told the aide, not me. So I was shocked at the IEP meeting (which I, the TEACHER, am responsible for conducting and making sure all is in order) when she was talking about the change of service. As a result, it really became a big issue because we weren't prepared...and the parent got so mad that we had to stop the meeting. At that point I told the PT that she needed to be talking to me directly about stuff like this! In fact if she had talked with me, I would have been able to give her some suggestions on how to handle the situation (for confid. reasons I really cannot elaborate here). But she continues to do it. So my next step was through e-mail. I got in big trouble from my boss because I was not being considerate of their needs. I almost got written up over it.

That's a good plan... follow the chain of command. Since you can't get through with those people individually, talk to their boss. Who would that be? Is there a chairperson or is it actually the principal?