A community mama writes in looking for advice on addressing the librarian for singling out her daughter and humiliating her in class.
A Community Member asks:
“Friday my 8-year-old daughter came home from school and told me the librarian (during media center) asked her name then told her to go sit at the very back of the media center at a table pretty much away from the entire class as she accused her of coming home and “telling lies” on her the week prior. My daughter said the librarian then stands and makes an announcement to the entire class that is going forward, if anyone decides they want to go home and tell lies to their parents on her, then she will separate them, and they will sit alone for the period.
I assume she says this because the week prior I messaged my child’s actual teacher and asked about clarity on a situation that my child said took place with other kids while in Media Center that day…the teacher told me she wasn’t aware of the situation but would find out more and let me know. Apparently, she went and spoke with the library teacher, so the librarian felt justified in approaching my daughter.
Am I overreacting in wanting a meeting with the principal and librarian and also that I want her to apologize to my daughter in front of the class just like she called her out/humiliated her? What would you guys do? Help mommas!”
Community Advice for the Mama Wants to Confront the School Librarian Who Singles Out Her Daughter
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
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Advice Summary
The community members provided many suggestions and a lot of advice. You can read some of their responses below.
“I’d ask that my child doesn’t go to the library anymore unless another teacher or staff member is present as well! This librarian’s actions to me show how guilty she clearly is of whatever was said about her and I wouldn’t trust her alone with my child.”
“I’d be going off it, I’d definitely be demanding to have a sit down with the principal and other teacher and librarian there is no excuse to intentionally try and embarrass and segregate her from the class for something that happened weeks prior, sounds like your daughter was telling the truth about this person for a reaction like this.“
“Maaaaaan the momma bear lioness in me wanna say beat her down but the momma who can’t afford to go to jail yet says have that meeting and seeing your kid can skip media time cause that librarian gonna keep messing with her watch.”
“Heck NO!!! YOU ARE NOT OVERREACTING!!!! That Liberian needs to not only apologize to your daughter and you in front of everyone she needs to be FIRED as well! How dare she!!! We need our children to be comfortable telling on adults that do wrong; there are far too many children being abused these days! I’m furious just reading this!“
“You are your child’s advocate. Don’t second guess your initial reaction and protect your baby. Set up the meeting and bring the situation to light. She has no right to squelch the voices of the kids. That will start down a dangerous road for kids wanting to tell there parents about a problem and worrying that they will be called liars. Your child confided in you in hopes that you would protect her. So do just that. Good luck.”
Final Thoughts
My momma bear came out just reading this experience. How awful! I have before and would definitely reach out to the principal. For me personally, I would probably meet with the principal first and then, if needed, speak to the librarian. But if you feel you have already done that or that you want to meet with both, you definitely should.
Our children spend hours every day in school and have enough to deal with when it comes to their peers. They do not need to be bullied by the teachers just because they can. Nothing makes me angrier than my child being targeted by the teacher. Of course, that being said, I do realize that at times my child may need to be disciplined and I am okay with that. That does not mean that a teacher can humiliate my child or target my child in front of an entire class.
They may have no other advocate than you as a parent. Do what you need to in order to make your daughter feel okay about going to school. I would say to the librarian that if she in any way makes my daughter feel embarrassed or uncomfortable you will go higher up. You have every right to be a Mama Bear!
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