Re: Science Olympiad Issues

From: <dgbj_at_aol.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:25:07 EST

How do you deal with a bad coach, a bad teacher, a bad parent? What you'd
like to do would be counter productive. You need to keep this guy on your
team, if possible. Diplomacy is required. Try to get the coach to see the
right way.
 
Get the facts. There is no liability issue. Many other school programs in
sports, music and art involve students from other schools using the facility.
 Talk to the principal's office and the school district superintendent.
Liability belongs to the district, not the school. It is the district's
attorney and risk manager who make that decision. Find allies throughout the
system.
 
Talk to the coach. Let him know that you know that there is no liability
issue. Just calmly state the (obvious) facts. Point out the benefits of
competition and cooperation, as others on this forum have done. Let him know that
you have no interest in a program that excludes some students from
participation. (What he is doing may even be illegal.) Your goal is to use your time
to teach as many kids as possible. You have to teach the teacher.
 
I suggest you make a presentation to the school board and ask for their
support and blessing. This will make the point that it is a district program,
not a private program for the coach's kids. Do it in a way that the coach will
go along. This is to support an activity that educationally benefits his
kids as well. Bring parents, teachers and kids from the other schools.
 
If the coach is unteachable, find another coach or science teacher who will
support an inclusive program. He doesn't own the gym, the school district
owns it.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Received on Mon Jan 22 2007 - 15:29:32 CET