(sorry for the long story. but we really need help right now. appreciate any suggestion)
My son is in middle school 8th grade. He has been hurt, harm and humiliated by his band teacher for long time. He does not have any problem or issue with other teachers in school. We have reported to school principal, vice principal and counselor, but they did not provide any help and support to my son so far. My son is continuing suffering in school band classes right now.
It's my fault that I did not pay attention every time when my son complained to me. He complained to me many times about this band teacher always single out him even he did not do anything. This band teacher threw his homework to trash can, my son has to dig it out in order to get credit. The band teacher also commented on my son's recording homework likes a trash can.
My son really likes Jazz music. He passed audition and joined school band for almost 3 years. My son has learned drum for more than 5 years and piano 8 years. He has two private drum teachers. one teacher is volunteering in school band. When my son was in 7th grade, the band teacher did not give him opportunity to play drum. Band teacher told him that the opportunities of playing drum should give to 8th grade because it's their last years. When my son is in 8th grade, band teacher let a 7th grade new drummer join the band without audition. Since the 7th grade new drummer joined the band, band teacher let the 7th grade new drummer play most of music. Band teacher even humiliates my son many times in front of class say the new drummer is much better than you. Band teacher never gives my son his feedback or comments at which part he need to improve. At meantime, the drum teacher thinks my son play very well. And most students in the band think my son play much better than the new drummer who just joined few months. Band teacher even used his power to replace my son play with the new drummer in one of biggest Jazz festival. He told school the decision is based on his professional evaluation that describes my son has less experience, drum skill is not good, music performance is bad. Again, the band teacher never provide his suggestions and the reason why he thinks my son play not well. The band teacher even talked to my son said "you are lucky that I still let you play in one of concert. but for high level performance, I want better drummer to play." My son got really hurt and humiliation from these words and actions band teachers has made. (ref: three judges from that festival gave badly comments to the 7th grade new drummer, please send me email if you would like to hear the judges recording)
After we started to communicated with band teacher and school for my son equal right of learning at school band. The band teacher became more aggressive to my son. He does not stop to single out my son in class, he intentionally isolated my son from group discussion and play. My son has to sit in corner and do nothing by himself. The band teacher does not stop hurting my son. Just few weeks ago, he gave my son referral discipline. This referral record will keep with student when they go to same school district high school. This incident and discipline is ridiculous wrong from this band teacher. At that day, my son was following other students. He went inside the locker to check if any trombone case in broken. (band rule: students can not play hide and seek in locker/locker room) when my son came out from locker, band teacher stood in front of him while they were other students there. The band teacher was mad and talked to my son "go to the office". My son has never been sent to office. He was so scared and he did not know what he did wrong. He asked teacher what did he do wrong. The band teacher ignored his question as usually and walked away. My son went outside the locker room and on the way to office. He described that he was so scared and couldn't breath, he has tightening in his chase. (my son has asthma, also in school medical record) My son felt his is going to faint and he had to sit on a chair. He just sat for less than 10 seconds, the band teacher saw him and rushed him to go to office again. My son stood up and ask band teacher "I didn't know what I did wrong, teacher can you please tell me what I did wrong.". Band teacher asked my son to follow him to outside of classroom. When they were outside classroom and only my son and band teacher. The band teacher lowered his voice and threatened my son "if you don't go to office now, I will call school security". Then the band teacher turned away back to classroom. My son went to office, but he did not know what to report to office at that time. After an hour, I received a very drama email from the band teacher and attached referral letter. In band teacher's email, he describes he is so care about students and their safety. With his care in mind, he saw my son was playing hide and seek in locker. He said he spoke with him about his concern and care, but my son began arguing with him and becoming very combative. In his email he also said he had to ask my son go to office 3 times but my son refused to go to office and was becoming more defiant and causing quite a scene. He also wrote that he told my son he would have to call the campus supervisor if he did not go on his own. This email and referral letter from band teacher is intentionally make up a incident to make my son in big trouble. My son explained to vice principal that he was on the way to office, he did not refuse and argue with teacher. He also mentioned to vice principal that he did not feel well at that time. But he still followed teacher's direction to go to office. Vice principal told my son that you do not have right to know what did you do wrong before been sent to office. He also said my son was nervous cause his difficulty breath. (my son doctor said he is not sure if it was asthma symptoms or anxiety) From the beginning of this incident, band teacher asked my son to go to office for his false accusation (again). Band teacher did not ask other students to go to office but my son (single out as usual). My son did not feel well but band teacher failed to notice my son may need his inhaler (in his backpack). Everything happened within less than 30 seconds from my son was in locker room to the office. We have communicated with school about this referral, but vice principal was insisted and honor teacher's referral decision.
Right after vice principal informed us the formal referral on my son's record, band teacher sent another email to school principal and vice principal with more false accusation of my son's behavior in his class. These false accusation includes often late for classes, not taking responsibility to setup drum, talking in class, using cell phone, kicking other student. My son was crying when he was writing back to school of all false accusation.
The band teacher is so powerful with protected right from school. My son has no power to defend for himself. We asked many time to have transparent conversation between band teacher, my son, principal, vice principal and parents. But school never responded to our requests. Instead, they sent us their investigated result which is always from band teacher's perspective.
We are still dealing with these false accusation, referral and other unfair learning right. If you could provide any suggestions or you know someone has similar experience, please let us know. We really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you so much.
