I was so shocked I was speechless...
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Topic: I was so shocked I was speechless...
Posted By: RinTinTin
Subject: I was so shocked I was speechless...
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:05pm
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...when our neighbour, who is a Primary School teacher was telling me about how her and another teacher were laughing about one of their female students who came to them in tears after the Gardisal (Cervical Cancer) Vaccine talk. Apparently the child was petrified that if she didn't get the vaccine she'd get genital warts. The teachers were laughing because they thought the vaccine was actually for ACTUAL Cervical Cancer. After I pointed out to her that it is actually for the Human Papaloma Virus (sp?) (Genital Warts) which has been labelled as a main cause for Cervical Cancer, she literally went dead quiet and blank. She had NO IDEA, none at all! I found this sooooo shocking. Irrespective of which side of the fence you're on with the vaccine debate, don't you think it's important for the teachers at your childs school to know what it is and why? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:09pm
That is disgusting to not have any idea about the vaccines they would be encouraging their students to have and to be laughing at a child regardless..........hope they get warts....
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Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:10pm
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Eeerrrr yes! That's pretty crap that they were having a laugh about her too! poor wee thing. ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:17pm
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I will take the other side here. I don't actually think its that bad that they don't know. They should not be encouraging kids to have the vaccine, it is just happening in the school...it does not involve the teacher.
I think its important that teachers know where to send the children for furthur information but do not believe its the teachers role to educate the child re vaccines - that is the parents job! I think its crap if they were laughing infront of the child...that is completely unprofessional. |
Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:25pm
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I hope the teachers weren't laughing at the girl, that's bloody mean.
And it's slack, but it's not really a teacher's place to know. Teaching and healthcare are different things. Presumably the vaccine talk was given by a health professional?? ------------- 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:44pm
That's terrible! I agree that teachers should leave it up to the health professionals and parents to discuss this (and other) vaccines. If they're gonna be talking about that in school then I hope they also mention that lots of sexual partners also presents as high risk for cervical cancer  No shot is gonna 'cure' that. Grrrrrr.-------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:57pm
I agree with all of the above  ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Peanut wrote:Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 6:39pm
Ditto
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 8:14pm
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The teachers should at least have the bare basics about what the vaccine is for. I mean, even I know, and I don't have teenage kids.
If something is rolled out in schools, not just vaccines, but anything, then I would hope a briefing is given to the teachers. As obviously as the OP has just told us, they are sure to get questions. I think it is terrible that they were laughing about it. Shame on their undies though, they were the misinformed ones. Edit: I just saw that this was a primary school student, so a little bit different. I still think it was horrible that they were laughing though ------------- 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 8:22pm
Sorry guys but I disagree. I think it is a teachers job to be up with the play so to speak and keep up to date with current news and events. The vaccine is a pretty topical thing right now and a basic understanding is just general knowledge. To me it shows that they havent been paying much attention to what is going on around them and I think that that is important when you are teaching. |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 9:09pm
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I forgot to say in the OP that even though it's a Primary School, it's a FULL Primary school which is quite common around here and means that it goes right through to Intermediate age. Yes, the talk is given by the school nurse and a "side kick" of some description I believe. I do think the teachers need to at least know the bare basics as they are the ones who build relationships with these kids and the kids tend to ask the teachers the questions first and ask their parents and/or health professionals later. The teacher should be able to at least say "It's ok don't panic. This is what it's for and you can go "here" to find out more information". You know, to at least ease the initial worries of the kid. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 9:17pm
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As a teacher myself , I can't belive how much is being handed over to the teachers as being their job e.g swimming lessons, personal hygiene etc. It is def not a teachers place to promote or answer questions on a vaccine, esp a primary teacher who is not teaching sex education. That is most def for a medical professional or parents! Yes, they would have been briefed on what was happening in the school and no doubt been told not to answer any questions as any misinformation they give is the schools liability.
As a teacher, I would refer a child else where to talk about issues in regards to it. Yes, they should know info from watching the news etc but TBH if it doesn't apply to them they may not take an active interest in it. I know there is some things I know little about as they are not in my teaching area and of no interest to me. Emmecat, I teach health in secondary schools and we do teach about multiple partners etc. The program is actually quite good depending on the school. Yip, I have gone slightly off topic 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 9:39pm
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I agree with everything Peanut has said So won't say much more on the matter, except the laughing thing is what gets me - although I guess you take that in context and might not be the same if you were there (not excusing, but if you were a fly on the wall in our staffroom you'd be a bit more leniant...)
The teacher's job, IMO is to direct any questions to outside resources, booklets, the internet, parents and health workers. It is not in our job description (and DEF not at primary) to give info about that. It is however, our job to make the child feel comfortable regardless of the question. |
Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 16 March 2010 at 10:38pm
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If teachers are considered guardians of children whilst they are at school they should at least be aware about what the child is being vaccinated for (ie in parentis). I am sure most parents won't be there while they are jabbed and are putting their faith in the school to look out for their kid.
That is just my opinion though and I don't mean any offense to anyone. Edit: This is in regards to teachers of schools who have the Gardasil vaccination program in place. -------------
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:20am
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I think teachers have enough to do as it is and would really rather they concentrate on that. I see their jobs as so full on - having to keep up with where 30+ kids are functioning in every subject as well as keeping up to date with an ever changing curriculum. I wouldn't want the teacher answering any questions about the vaccine as it it our decision to provide our daughter with the information we want her to know regarding it. I think these days teachers end up having to do far far to much parenting... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 8:22am
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OMG stupid teachers! what is the world coming to when the people teaching our children arent very bright to begin with. They should have known better themselves, after all its been topical for quite some time now!
just re read what you said and saw it was a teacher recounting a story to you - i hope that they didnt laugh about the girl in front of her or her classmates. that would be very rude and unprofessional. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 9:09am
| What worries me is that if the teachers didn't know what the vaccine was for, they may have passed on the wrong info on to the student... and regardless what you think about the vaccine, if your student comes to you scared and crying I think it is the teacher's responsibility to reassure and at least provide correct information. |
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 9:16am
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Peanut- that's good to know the health programme in schools has improved lol. I worry that people will see this vaccine as a cure all instead of a possible aid.....no point the kids getting it then having lots of sex with different partners ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 12:33pm
So if that is the case then why are they giving it AT school? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 12:41pm
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Because it's a surefire way of reaching the masses. -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 2:25pm
totally agree!!! its not alot of info to take in in regards to the vaccine so dont see why they cant be a bit more clued on incase they are questioned by a student.. |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 3:45pm
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Hmm but should the teachers be saying anything about the vaccine since they are not health care workers...I would think they would only be able to direct the student to somewhere they can get the right advice.
I also think the comment about teachers not being very bright is pretty unfair since my sister and lots of my friends are teachers and they are all certainly bright and do great jobs. In my opinion, there are a lot more stupid parents out there. ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 8:41pm
I get that....but if they are going to be stepping into THAT role then surely someone, or a few someone's, need to be EDUCATED about what it is that is going to be happening? So though I agree in principle that teachers are NOT health workers, when the school is tasked with stepping into that sort of venture then there needs to be IMO at least a basic education to/from the staff about what the programme is. Personally I would NEVER consent to my child getting a vaccine at school......if I fell it is necessary I will take them to the Dr. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 9:22pm
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The vaccine has NOTHING to do with the school programme, it's like the dental clinics and hearing/eye tests - surely you wouldn't expect a teacher to know everything about that as well?
Sheesh, spend a day in a teacher's role and then go on about how stupid we are. Some parents have no respect for what is lumped on teachers these days. |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 9:23pm
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mumtooboys - usually a school vaccination programme is in place where they have problems getting parents to take kids in. I fully agree that I would never let my child be vaccinated at schools.
The school would have had an information evening for parents (lead by a healthcare worker), the girls would have been told information about it and then a consent form is sent home so children can opt out if they like. The teachers are not there with the children when they are vaccinated. There is usually 2 nurses vaccinating and then 1 floating to calm and reassure. You have to remember that techinally the school is only providing the venue the rest is done by outside agencies. As for teachers being dumb, thanks. Its attitudes like this that make our job 10 x harder than it has to be. I love my job but hate that I have to take on teaching kids things that I fully believe are a parents role, only to have the said parents turn round and whinge about what the school isn't doing education wise for their child. Edited to add: I would discuss the vaccine with children as I teach health and HPV is part of our programme but if I was a primary school teacher there is no way I would discuss it - I would take them over to the office and calm them and get them to ring their parents. I could get myself in alot of sh*t if I said the wrong thing esp considering not all parents explain fully what it is to their kids or maybe not vaccinate their children. It would be a mine field really. |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 17 March 2010 at 10:21pm
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ok i never said all teachers are dumb! but as with all walks of life you get the smart ones, the average ones and the dumb ones... and yes there are some dumb teachers out there, the same as there are dumb parents! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 18 March 2010 at 8:47am
I personally wouldnt have a problem with it ... I got TB (well at least tested) and Rubella at school, so I dont see why I wouldnt immunise my children in that way if its a jab I think is worth it. I also dont think its really a teachers place to explain what the injection is for ... thats what they have the healthcare workers come in for. I cant recall who said it .. but it would be a minefield ... you would have parents complaining that their children were "swayed" .. other parents complaining that their child wasnt informed when they asked the teacher ... you cant win really. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 18 March 2010 at 1:08pm
I personally wouldnt have a problem with it ... I got rubella, hipatitis B, and tetanus at school. using the schools is a good way to make sure a large number of children have the ooportunity to get them. As for the orginal question I have to agree with the comments made reagrding her being a teacher and not a health care worker. however i do think that as the child came to her that they should of referred her to someone who could explain it to them correctly. ------------- http://daisypath.com"> 
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Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 18 March 2010 at 3:28pm
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*edited to delete my post because I couldn't word it right!*
But aside from the warts and the girl being scared (that's not really that funny when I think about it), I think teachers have enough to do and simply directing the child to the pamphlet and suggesting they talk to their parents would be sufficient action for me. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 18 March 2010 at 10:24pm
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In defence of Bizzy (gee, how often have you heard me say that ).,,,and not in reference to any teachers on here as I dont know you but you sound switched on enough..unfortunately you only need a few REALLY DUMB teachers to tarnish the lot...and there are some REALLY DUMB ones out there. It is sad that it does put a stereotype on the rest of the profession.
Mind you ...I think anyone that willingly spends a full day, 5 days a week with 30 odd kids...is pretty much insane!
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 18 March 2010 at 10:30pm
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I guess it really comes down to what the teacher in question answered the student with.
OP, did the teacher say it was cervical cancer, or did they decline to comment? -------------
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 19 March 2010 at 7:51am
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Yeah Kellie - would be interesting to know what the teacher actually said...
My daughter must have been really lucky with teachers as she is in her 9th year of schooling and we haven't had any "dumb" teachers yet... we've had a couple that I didn't think were the best teachers for my daughter but I wouldn't describe them as dumb... after all they have had to get through the training and then get a job in a competitive market and then actually run a class with 30+ kids... It's a hard job and teachers get such a hard time, they can never please everyone... But like I said maybe we have been lucky with her teachers ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: aqua36
Date Posted: 19 March 2010 at 8:36am
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Surely people have shared stories from their work day and laughed about things - a silly customer, phone call, colleague etc. Teachers are humans too, not robots. The other things is this teacher wasn't laughing in front of the child - recounting a story from their day. If they mentioned the name of the child this is unprofessional. Have you considered how many parents are out there that would not take the time to discuss the vacine or other health issues, and many other things including taking their child to the doctor. Believe me it is a lot of parents - yes those of you on here would not be in that category but many don't and leave it all to teachers and health care workers to pick up their slack because they care about the kids. Schools are just a venue for vaccinations, as pointed out just like the dental clinic, hearing tests. Teachers are advised to point the students to the health worker or their parent to answer questions. This is because they are not meant to "encourage" the vacine so to speak which can happened even when answering a questions. And that they are not trained about each vacine (other wise they would be nurses or doctors). Some people moan about them not teaching the basics well enough now - perhaps because they have to do too much other stuff unrelated to their core job as it is. As for there being "dumb teachers' out there - there are dumb everything - police, parents, lawyers, banks, builders etc etc.
------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 19 March 2010 at 8:46am
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well said aqua36 ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 19 March 2010 at 6:23pm
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[QUOTE=kellie] If teachers are considered guardians of children whilst they are at school they should at least be aware about what the child is being vaccinated for (ie in parentis). I am sure most parents won't be there while they are jabbed and are putting their faith in the school to look out for their kid.
That is just my opinion though and I don't mean any offense to anyone. QUOTE] I am a teacher and all parents need to sign a permission slip before their child gets vaccinated so it's actually the parents choice if they get immunised. As for the support provided by the teacher, we are there for hugs (yes, I will give the kids a hug if they need one) and words of encouragement about not being worried about the injection etc I was not told anything about this vaccine and at the time I had a class of Year 7/8's so the girls were getting it done. We had a district health nurse come in to teach the girls about the vaccine and for them to ask Q's etc -------------  My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 19 March 2010 at 6:34pm
THANKS! I've been teaching for 8 years and I've never come across a 'dumb' teacher...ever. Yes, there are some that may be dissorganised, but dumb???? Well, they got through 3-4 years at university then have been employed as they are well trained and know what they're doing. I think that until you've walked in someone's shoes people shouldn't make such rude, judgemental comments ------------- My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 20 March 2010 at 11:43am
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Yes you should always walk a mile in someones shoes before you critisize them. That way, when you do...you're a mile away and you have their shoes.  Anyway, I'm not sure what she (the teacher) actually told the student she didn't divulge that. And no, she didn't laugh AT the student in front of her. Perhaps it was/is an unreasonable expectation on my part to think teachers should have some idea of the general basics of things like this. Perhaps it just highlights my own ignorance. |