I was a teacher for twelve years and I cringed when I saw other teachers make those mistakes, especially with common words. From my experience, this happened mainly with teachers 1) who did not have teaching credentials but were hired on “emergency” credentials because the school district could not get enough credentialed teachers, 2) whose strengths were in math and/or science and so their English weaknesses were overlooked because there’s such a lack of math/science teachers, or 3) whose first language was not English, but the language of many of the students. None of this is comforting when you expect basic literacy from the school teacher, of all people. It does need to be brought to the attention of the administration even if you do it anonymously. It’s not to punish the teachers, but to make it known to the administration– and the school district– that you are a concerned parent really involved and attentive to your child’s education and that it makes a difference to you who is teaching your child. You want caring, credentialed teachers who have gone through a real graduate school education program and who know not only their subject matter, but teaching methods, child pyschology and development, and English literacy.

Eye woodn’t wurry. Just kidding! Actually, I would find it annoying, but she is probably writing notes when also keeping her eye on 20 or more children. I know that I end up writing some of my notes at the end of the day when things get frantic in the classroom, and while I hope I am spelling every word correctly, I may miss a few while I am watching the class too. I am kind of a freak that way–I reread the note like 3 times, but maybe she doesn’t. Is everything else going well? Is your child happy at school? Is your child learning? If she starts teaching the kids how to spell words wrong, then maybe mention it, but otherwise I wouldn’t. It will set you up for tension the rest of the year, even if the teacher doesn’t show you. Believe me, there are parents that make us take a deep breath when they walk in the room (GULP) and you don’t want to be that parent unless it is necessary! I hope this helps! Obviously, if you think it is having a negative impact on your child, say something, but otherwise, wait it out. Good luck!

(By the way, I reread this a few times too. Did I do OK?)

If it were me in your position I would not be happy either. I would keep the documents with errors on them, just in case it starts happening a lot and you do need to address it, but in Kindergarten I would hope she can spell the words she is teaching! I have observed that many people under the age of 30 have worse spelling skills than older people as they were not taught the same way at school. When I was a primary school student (I am 41) we had a big focus on spelling and I remember doing spelling tests all the time. If I were you I’d keep an eye on it and think about whether it is affecting your son or not. If you think it is you could bring it up with the teacher. You can always reinforce literacy at home and help your son yourself too. I use educational computer games, books and word games with my young son and have found that has really helped his literacy skills. If it is really important to you, try that too.

I would honestly say it depends on how often it happens. If it is every once in a while it shouldn’t be made into a huge issue. If it happens often, I would pull the teacher aside in private and say that you have noticed many misspellings in her written work that she is sending home. I have a learning disability and have missed spelled things not on purpose but it does happen when you don’t have time to think not less write a note home. This teacher might not have noticed the misspellings.

I wouldn’t involve an administrator unless it becomes a repetitive and continual issue.

Although spelling is worked on in the classroom most early education classroom work on students inventive spelling so I doubt she will have a long lasting effect on the children in her classroom when it comes to spelling.

Inaccurate spelling, the use of improper grammar and incorrect usage are three of my pet peeves! “The pot calling the kettle black” is another.

Parents and teachers have a responsibility to do their very best when teaching children that are in their care at home and in the classroom. This incident involves a handwritten note from a Kindergarten teacher who cannot spell the word “microscopes” properly. You, on the other hand, have made so many spelling, grammatical and usage errors I can only hope you don’t get into an argument with your son’s teacher that involves anything in writing! You could have checked your spelling after writing the question but chose not to. I can but wonder why since you claim “spelling is a huge pet peeve” for you.

I don’t think you should ignore it if it continues, however, how much paperwork can she have sent this early on in the year with her handwriting on it? Is it possible you’re overreacting just a bit?

I truly hope you’re not offended, however, there are some glaring errors in your question that are making me cringe!How can you possibly know what paperwork she has sent home to other parents or if that paperwork also contained errors in spelling? Watch your punctuation! Your commas are misplaced, dashes uncalled for and periods at the end of anything in quotation marks should be contained inside the quote. Sentences do not normally begin with the word, and. There is no dash in misreading and no such word as impressional. The word you’re looking for is impressionable. Your last three sentences should be one sentence with commas placed between the thoughts and a question mark at the end. Don’t cringe, you didn’t make a statement.

If it bothers you talk to the teacher about it. A teacher appriciates a parent who approaches them before the administration. (Remember you’d want people to come to you & not go over your head before you know of the problem.)

I would agree with another person that responded-you can even make a joke about it. Remember teachers are human too. The beginning of the school year is also an especially busy & exciting time for everyone!

All that being said, I think it is fair for you to ask the teacher about it. Spelling is important.

This is so totally unprofessional !! My daughter had a first grade teacher who could not spell and it annoyed me endlessly. I kept all of her papers with misspellings to address with her. However, when she misspelled a spelling word, I had a conference with the principal and her.

In my opinion, anyone in a professional role who has spelling problems should work with a fellow teacher. This fellow teacher should proof the other’s work for spelling errors BEFORE the paper goes home to parents.

Careless errors made by a teacher demonstrate to students that it’s OK to be lazy and sloppy in their work. I don’t think this is the message that I –as an educator — wish to impart to the children in my care.

mmm. Good question. And I’m a teacher. An English teacher at that. To my way of thinking, it is not as important in kindergarten, but I’d hit the roof if a teacher of older kids had spelling errors.

Teaching kindergarten requires more skill than I have (I teach junior high), but, with the greatest respect to my colleagues (whose wrath I am about to incur), it is not intellectual stuff.

I’d be inclined to let it go if I were you.

Now, I’ll sit back and wait for the “thumbs down’ symbols to pile up after my answer.

It’s a hard one. Since it isn’t misspelled on your son’s assignments when he reads them or in the classroom, it isn’t really an issue. I am an English teacher and I’ll admit that I have difficulty spelling. I try my best, but it’s hard to get the “ie” or “ie” right in some words. I’d talk to her first about it before I’d talk to the principal. If she knows that someone is watching her, she’ll be much more prone to careful editing…even if you just make a joke out of it. Good luck!

If it was handwritten, as in cursive, it is quite possible that she was just writing fast and the o turned into an a.

I would let it go. Now if she had stuff hanging in the room and it was misspelled…then say something.