Welcome to Ask Willie D, Rocks Off's advice column where the Geto Boys MC answers reader questions about matters, in his own words, "funny, serious or unpredictable." Something on your mind? Ask Willie D!
HIS TEACHER CALLED MY SON A LOSER
Dear Willie D:
My 9-year-old son's teacher called him a loser. It all started when the class was divided into groups to work on a science project and my son's classmate asked the teacher a question. Not satisfied with the answer, my son basically challenged the teacher's knowledge of the procedure to use in determining whether a car toy can measure magnet strength and that's when the students say she told him, "Shut up loser!"
Granted, my son can be a royal pain in the butt sometimes when his baby Einstein-like genius is on display, he's still a kid with feelings. He called me crying because he was so embarrassed.
The teacher was suspended, but I want her job. If she said something as cruel as that to my kid, imagine how many more she's done something similar to. She doesn't deserve to work around kids. How do you feel about me pursuing this further?
Work Release:
Your son sounds like me when I was in grade school. I used to learn things at home with the sole purpose of going to school to challenge my teachers' knowledge of the subject. I wanted to show them up. Now why would I do that? Well -- I did it for attention.
The teacher was wrong, but your son needs to learn when to stand up, and when to stand down. Teachers, as with others in authoritative positions like cops, have feelings too. A student might earn a 69 in a subject, but because he or she doesn't cause problems the teacher may pass him or her with a 70. A driver might get pulled over for speeding, but because he accepted responsibility and didn't try to BS the officer or argue, will get let go with a warning. It's called not outshining the master.
Unless there's documented evidence that the teacher has a history of talking down to children, I don't think I would go after her job. For her to be the ruler of her classroom, and be kicked out of it is embarrassing enough and very humbling. Trust me, she's learned her lesson.
CALLING TOO MANY TIMES FOR A JOB
Dear Willie D:
I applied for a manager's position at an electronics store, and the day manager said he would call me back, but he never did. Since the store is near my house I stopped by on the way home the other day. The place was really busy, so I tried to stay out of the way. I think the manager noticed me because he nodded his head as if to speak.
I stood around for like 20 minutes trying to get a chance to talk to him before I finally left. Do you think I should give him a call or just continue to wait? It's been three weeks since I filled out my application.
Standing Around:
I would not advise you to wait on anyone to get your money. Give the manager a call, and in the meantime use any spare time to fill out additional applications. Don't ever put all your eggs in one basket unless you only have one egg.
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