Any Ideas on How I Can Get My Music Teacher Fired?

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:32am

She deserves to be for what she did. I signed up to participate in All State this year.
1. She wouldn't hand in my form for me.
2. She never told me that I wasn't allowed to participate.
Issue 2 is why I'm crying right now. I'm Jewish, and she never told me that the festival was Friday AND Saturday, so I'm not eligible to participate because of religious commitment. So I've been working really hard for the past month, only to tell em that I can't even participate. $70 were wasted on this. So now back to the question: Do you think the music teacher deserves to be fired for this mistake?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:36am

I think that you should request a meeting with whoever is head of your school. Principal or Dean of Academics. Request that your teacher and the department head also be present for the meeting. At this meeting, calmly state your grievances and tell the Dean that this is not acceptable. Chances are you can't get this person fired, but you should let them know that you are not happy with the situation.

Updated On: 4/21/05 at 10:36 AM

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:43am

I think it is the rare event (sexual harassment, murder, perpetual drunkness) that would warrant trying to get someone fired. Why would you want to ruin this person's life over something that is partially your own fault?

It is your responsibility to be informed on your own about the dates and times of an event that you are actively trying to get involved in... Your religious committment is not her fault. I'm sure there are plenty of Jewish boys and girls that have made a decision to attend All State. Good for you for your committment to your faith, but again... not her fault.

While we're talking about being a good religious person... Would your rabbi encourage you to "go after" her with vengeance and spite over something like this? Revenge is not something generally supported by any religion.

In short NO. You should not try to get someone fired. Especially in this case where you are partially to blame.

Updated On: 4/21/05 at 10:43 AM

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:49am

"Do you think the music teacher deserves to be fired for this mistake?"

Even you are calling it a mistake...is it really worth trying to destroy someone's career? (Unless, of course, she is bad at teaching music...but that's a different issue.)

When my daughter participated in All State, she had to do all the leg work herself, too. And looked up all the info online, too.

While it's unfortunate that she wasn't more informative and helpful, it does seem to me that you should have checked out the days/dates involved if you knew that participating on a Friday would be an issue. To totally blame your teacher seems a little unfair.

That being said, I *am* sorry about your disappointment.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:49am

I agree with ckeaton (of course, I usually do). This seems like a communication problem, which is not an offense meriting dismissal. Either you didn't get or didn't seek out all the info needed. Turning in your form was your responsibility - not your teacher's.
I second the kudos for observing your faith! sometimes life's choices aren't easy ones.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:50am

*blush*

Updated On: 4/21/05 at 10:50 AM

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:53am

Aww, C - you know I have a soft spot for you!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 10:55am

Zi feeling iz MooTial.

Updated On: 4/21/05 at 10:55 AM

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 11:05am

Thanks everyone! I think I forgot to explain something. I go to a Jewish school. I'm very religious, and that's why people from my school are ineligible. So I think you're right, while she made a mistake, she doesn't deserve to be fired. However, I do want to complain, but I can't complain to my principal. She's leaving this year and moving on to a new school. And you're also right that I should haev looked up dates and times. Also, there were people from the high school helping me with this, my voice teacher and my piano teacher, so it was my fault for never asking them about it. I'm going to try to see if maybe I could do regular NYSSMA. If I can't, I'll jsut wait until next year.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 11:10am

One would think that as a music teacher in a Jewish school she have thought to mention the conflict. But still. It's a good lesson to learn early...always find out all the information for yourself.

And for what it's worth, I'm pretty impressed at how well you take constructive criticism.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 11:12am

Are there people from your school going though? Because I know that many people aren't as devoted.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 11:19am

"And for what it's worth, I'm pretty impressed at how well you take constructive criticism."

As am I! You're obviously very mature - I know adults who wouldn't have been as gracious as you. Happy Passover, MFL.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 11:45am

Agreed, that does show maturity...

and, sometimes it's good to spout off and then have people bring you back down to earth. Keeps you human. Best of luck with whatever vocal events you participate in, those are memories that you will cherish!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 11:50am

Thanks everyone! And to answer CKeaton-I'm the first person from my school to even try going. My school isn't too big on any music besides Hebrew.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 12:25pm

Really good news: They're letting me submit a late application IF the music teacher does it! And the head of NYSSMA talked to my mom (he didn't want to talk to me) and the hotel is walking ditsnace from the competition, and the competition is Thursday to Sunday. So I can audition and if I make it, I can still go to the competition without breaking any Jewish laws! I'm so happy! So my mom called my music teacher (she's called us before to appraise her furniture) and they're making he rhand it in. I don't care if this risks my prospects of getting a graduation solo. This competition means a lot more to me than a solo at a graduation for 70 people.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/05 at 1:41pm

Wow! That was a quick turn around!

Good Luck!