So it goes like this, I emailed a parent because I had a question about what to put on our classroom directory. She responds to the question and then goes on to say that her son had a lot of positive things to say about me, which is great, but then she said that he told her a story that I met a guy but it didn't work out and now I met another guy and I might get married. First of all, I do not share stories about my present personal life in the classroom. The only story I've shared this past week had to do with when I was in school. We were talking about how to be good friends and then the topic of bullying came up and I shared a story with how I was bullied when I was in the 6th grade. No one even asked me if I was married - because sometimes kids ask that - so I have no idea where he got this information from and I don't want his mom thinking that I share stories like that in school. That's highly inappropriate. How do I respond to her to let her know that that information did not come from me? The only thing that I can think of was that a few years ago I got engaged and everybody kept hugging me and congratulating me in front of my students so when a student asked why, I told her. But I didn't elaborate and that was like 3 years ago! This is so weird. Help please.
That is weird! I think that personally, I would just tell her the truth - gently, and suggest that maybe he heard it from another student.
When I create my classroom directory I send home a form for the parent/guardian to fill out if they wish to be included in the directory. I then copy the returned form, which prevents ME from making any mistakes in trying to copy over the info. I put all of the copied forms into one booklet and pass it out only to the parents/guardians who returned the forms. As far as the info the son related to his mom I would keep it brief and say unfortunately what your son told you is not true and leave it at that.
Omigosh, I figured it out! We were talking about a science competition that we have at our school. Students who win at the school level can compete at the county level. I told the students that I was a volunteer judge last year and that I was planning on judging again this year. Our county's so large that the competition has to be split up over two weekends and I told the students that unfortunately I couldn't attend the weekend that our school was being represented because I had to attend a wedding. He must have only remembered the wedding part. Too funny. Yay, mystery solved.
Dear parent...I've been trying to figure out how your son conjured up such a story...I've deduced that he misconstrued that I was SPLITING UP the timing of a science competition in order to attend a wedding. Turns out this was a bit like that I'd game of 'telephone'. I usually promise to take half of what students tell me about their parents as the truth if they will do the same in return. Looks like it will be an interesting year...
I say the same thing, in jest, if it comes up: "I won't believe everything they say about you if you won't believe everything they say about me."
I think a phone call would explain this easier, but I'd also mention that I don't make a habit of discussing my personal life with students beyond simple comments about pets, etc.
I ended up responding back via email yesterday. I kept it light and just said that the story was too funny but followed up with a brief explanation. When she sent me that email she actually was giving an example of one of the "positive" stories her son had about me =) Hopefully, I cleared everything up.
