Kamdyn Piland came home from school one day, but something was different. His parents noticed he was very upset and teary-eyed. When they asked him what was wrong, he simply shrugged it off. Still, his parents kept asking him questions until he finally told them what was wrong. He showed them a piece of paper that had a horrible piece of criticism from his teacher.
Unhelpful Piece Of Criticism
After taking a closer look at it, his father, Chris, saw it was not a helpful critique whatsoever. He viewed it as a personal attack on his son. He wasn’t going to let it go. His response to this went viral overnight and the internet took a stand. But what did the teacher write in the first place?
Unhelpful Piece Of Criticism
A Regular Kid
According to his father, Chris, Kamdyn was just another regular kid. He wasn’t hyperactive, he didn’t indulge in video games, TV shows, and sugary foods. It was a total surprise to the whole Piland family when they discovered he was getting all kinds of criticism from one teacher at school.
A Regular Kid
Something Serious
When he saw the note on Kamdyn’s schoolwork, Chris began wondering if that meant that something serious was going on. He looked into the matter at hand after this. What he found out truly alarmed him.
Something Serious
A Regular School
Kamdyn attends Valley View Elementary School and is in 2nd grade at the moment. With schools, Valley View is just another normal public school. This boy wasn’t what most people call an overachiever, however.
A Regular School
Many Complaints
However, Kamdyn’s parents were under the impression that he was doing relatively well in school. They didn’t see any serious problems going on. The complaints Chris got about Kamdyn started arising ever since the school year started.
Many Complaints
Good At School
In many ways, Kamdyn was just another normal young kid, but his father was always sure he was a good student. Pretty much all children hate doing their homework, that’s nothing unusual. However, Kamdyn had no problem finishing his assignments. That is until he started second grade.
Good At School
He Couldn’t Just Watch
It was very difficult for Chris to just sit back and watch as his son started failing his classes. He knew it was time for him to do something on the matter. What was going on in the first place?
He Couldn’t Just Watch
Struggling In School
Kamdyn was by no means unintelligent or dim, but Chris clearly saw his son was struggling. His grades started slipping even more, but Chris didn’t think that was in character for his son to do this badly in school.
Struggling In School
Way Too Harsh
When Kamdyn came home with a piece of criticism from Alyssa Rupp Bohenek, his teacher, his father realized then that it must have been connected to this teacher. The note read, “Absolutely pathetic! He answered 13 in 3 minutes! Sad!” Chris thought this comment was much too harsh for a second-grader.
Way Too Harsh
Ms. Alyssa
The teacher who wrote this insensitive comment was none other than Alyssa Bohenek, who’d been teaching at the school for a while already. She earned a reputation as a teacher who was rather difficult to please. Kamdyn was in her class, and clearly, the two were not getting along so far.
Ms. Alyssa
His Teacher
Every single thing Kamdyn did caught her eye, and every mistake Kamdyn made would receive a harsh written warning. Of course, all this negative feedback had a serious impact on the little boy’s confidence and self-esteem.
His Teacher
Addressing Bad Grades
Most parents don’t enjoy hearing that their kid is doing badly in school. Still, it’s usually better that the problem is addressed as soon as possible. How one deals with bad grades has always been a subject of debate.
Addressing Bad Grades
Tough Love
There are many cases in which spending more quality time with the child and working with them through the lessons will help. Some cases might also call for extra lessons. ‘Tough love’, however, does not work, especially on kids this young.
Tough Love
Constructive Criticism Please
Even full-grown adults find negative feedback to be draining. We accept that there will be a time when someone had to deal with it. Still, it’s much more helpful when criticism like this is given in a constructive or professional way.
Constructive Criticism Please
A Huge Blow
Being criticized for no real reason will always be damaging to the self-esteem and confidence of the receiver. Can you even imagine how much more it would hurt a young child when it’s given by an authority figure?
A Huge Blow
As A Mentor
Being a mentor is by no means easy, but one thing we can all agree on is that mentors have to be good role models first and foremost. At the end of the day, a teacher isn’t simply someone to deliver lessons and lectures.
As A Mentor
A Leader
It’s important for these people to make sure they become good leaders who will have a positive impact on the students they teach. From the way things looked, Bohenek wasn’t fulfilling this part of her job.
A Leader
Not Helpful Whatsoever
We can’t blame Chris for getting angry at the comment the teacher wrote on his son’s homework. It was completely uncalled for, and she took it way too far. Why didn’t she offer him constructive criticism instead of insulting him that way?
Not Helpful Whatsoever
Only Made Things Worse
Chris wanted his son to do better in school, so he knew that this kind of behavior wasn’t going to help him at all. In fact, there was a high chance that this was only making things that much worse for Kamdyn.
Only Made Things Worse
A Recurring Problem
Was there a chance that this was the only negative comment that Mrs. Bohenek gave the entire year? If this was the case, Chris might not have made such a big deal of it. However, it turns out that the teacher had been sending the same kind of feedback since the beginning of the school year.
A Recurring Problem
Far Too Personal
Most of these comments were much too personal in Chris’ opinion. If the criticism was fairer and well-put, Chris would have just spoken to his son. After finding all this out, he knew he needed to talk to the teacher directly.
Far Too Personal
Took To Facebook
What kind of teacher would call their own student “pathetic” anyway? Chris knew that teachers needed to treat all their students in a fair way. There was no doubt that the teacher would be much more helpful if she would encourage her students instead of insulting them when they get poor grades.
Took To Facebook
Payback
Chris was looking to make a point and get back at the teacher for hurting his son. So, he made a post on Facebook to condemn this so-called teacher for the behavior she’d displayed towards his son.
Payback
His Viral Post
In this post, he explained what happened and showed the note that the teacher wrote. Chris was shell-shocked to see how quickly his post gained attention. It seemed as if the whole country was waiting to hear about the saga that was unfolding in the school his son attended.
His Viral Post
Everyone Disapproved
The comments and interactions between people showed that everyone disapproved of the harsh words the teacher wrote on that piece of paper. In a way, Kamdyn and Chris felt rather vindicated by these reactions.
Everyone Disapproved
Her Responsibility
The teacher’s responsibility isn’t only to make sure the students get good grades. It’s also important for them to be happy with what they do. It’s true that being a teacher is no easy task, but it is an important job.
Her Responsibility
The Harsh Comments
It’s probably so difficult to help children succeed in life. Chris knew that, but he didn’t think that this fact justified the harsh comments she left for his son time and time again. Kamdyn was just a little kid who wanted to learn.
The Harsh Comments
How Learning Should Be
Let’s face it, learning is one of the most valuable parts of becoming a human being. Not to mention, the age kids learn is a crucial time in their lives. It’s imperative that you know how to learn new skills, abilities, and tasks in order to become independent in the future.
How Learning Should Be
No One Likes Negativity
Another important thing to remember is that learning is the most effective when it’s done in a creative and inspiring wat. Negativity won’t help anyone. It could only be damaging to the person and their life.
No One Likes Negativity
Launching A Petition
After posting on Facebook, Chris was ready to let the matter go. However, it seemed as if the internet wasn’t moving on from the topic so quickly. In practically no time, someone launched an online petition that called for Bohenek to be fired.
Launching A Petition
Rallying Behind Him
Chris couldn’t believe the way all these strangers were defending him and his son. He didn’t once think that this story would mean so much to other people, let alone so many of them. It truly warmed his heart to see people stand up for his son.
Rallying Behind Him
Endangering Her Career
The petition turned the story into a serious situation. It meant that Bohenek might be out of a job if she didn’t find a way to protect herself from all the backlash she was getting. At this point, Chris was still upset enough that he wanted her to be fired.
Endangering Her Career
The Line Has Been Drawn
It seemed like the best option for the future of his son as well as for the other kids who went to his school. There are times that a line has to be drawn. This was exactly that kind of moment. The teacher simply went too far.
The Line Has Been Drawn
Teaching How To Learn
When you’re a teacher, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you’re doing so much more than just teaching the material to the students. One of the most underrated parts of being a teacher is encouraging the students to enjoy learning about new things.
Teaching How To Learn
Processing Improves
If a teacher is able to do this, then the other parts of being a teacher will be no problem at all. As soon as the students understand the process itself, they tend to understand the information better and quicker. Spreading negativity and anger does nothing in a classroom.
Processing Improves
In Response
Once the petition went up on behalf of Kamdyn, it got about 10,000 signatures. However, some teachers started to stand up for Bohenek. They claimed that she didn’t deserve to get fired for what she had done.
In Response
Reaction
In terms of how the teacher made 7-year-old Kamdyn feel, he had a lot to say on the matter. When asked about it, he said, “She made me really sad and upset. I was really mad. And [it was] really mean to do.” No kid should feel this way, especially as a result of their own teacher’s words.
Reaction
Seven-Year-Old
Later, Chris spoke to more news outlets, saying, “You don’t write that on anybody’s paper, let alone a little 7-year-old, second grader’s paper. It said on the top of it that he answered only 13 of them in 3 minutes and that it was absolutely pathetic with a sad face”. “It broke my heart,” Kamdyn added.
Seven Year Old
Unprofessional
Chris had a whole lot more to say on the matter. He was furious about the entire ordeal. “I believe what you wrote on his paper was extremely unprofessional and just very rude and she messaged me back and said she was sorry I felt that way,” he explained.
Unprofessional
Punished Not Fired
They were able to agree that she did something very damaging to a young child. Still, they felt like the teacher only had to be reprimanded for what she had done. They thought it was too much to fire her for this.
Punished Not Fired
Update
Adults like teachers and parents are those who mold these little kids into what they’re going to be in the future. The school decided to look into the matter and ensure that justice is served. Chris posted an update, saying, “Thanks to all the efforts and support of the dedicated people who signed and shared this petition, I’m happy to announce that the teacher in question is currently being investigated by the Valley View school board.”
Update
Superintendent
According to a news outlet, the school’s superintendent, Rose Minniti, has been made aware of the remarks written on Kamdyn’s assignment. After meeting with the Valley View School District and the teacher, an investigation was started.
Superintendent
What’s Best
In response to the media, Minniti said, “As always with everything, we’re going to try to do what’s best for the students and what we need to do for the employee under investigation”. Continuing, she said, “It’s a personnel issue and the results of that are not going to be dictated by social media. It’s going to be dictated by the facts and evidence.”
What’s Best
Personnel Issue
Let’s hope something will come of all this and justice will be served. Still, plenty of people all around the world are calling for this teacher to be fired. In fact, the petition had already gathered over 20,000 signatures!
Personnel Issue
Some Blamed Him
Some of the people who had taken the teacher’s side decided to turn the whole story around and blame it all on Chris and his parenting instead. They said he should spend less time on social media and more time on his kids.
Some Blamed Him
Helping With Homework
They continued and said this wouldn’t have happened at all if Chris would have simply helped his son with his homework. However, at the end of the day, most people who read the story agreed that Bohenek was the one in the wrong here.
Helping With Homework
Training The Teachers
Speaking about education is something that will always be relevant. In reality, teachers do require monitoring from time to time to make sure they’re doing their best. They’re teaching the future of the nation, after all.
Training The Teachers
Teaching Styles
It’s crucial to make sure that teachers are able to perform their duties and impart good lessons to their students. Even though the grades of the students can indicate how good a teacher is, it’s also important to take note of the teaching style and techniques.
Teaching Styles
Teaching The Teachers
One issue came to light in the debates that were happening in the comments. A lot of people believe that teachers require more guidance as well. Just because a person was qualified to teach doesn’t mean they’re really ready for the job.
Teaching The Teachers
They Need Mentoring
There are plenty of cases in which the teachers themselves should be monitored. Every class is different, and each student has their own issues to work through. As a teacher, one needs to know how to handle those kinds of challenges.
They Need Mentoring
Becoming A Mother
The people who were following their story soon learned that Bohenek became pregnant in the past few months and she was about to have her own child. It’s possible that the pregnancy hormones made her act a bit of our character and more impatient than normal.
Becoming A Mother
Finding Some Inspiration
This story could be an important lesson and help us understand how she will act as a parent. Its interesting to see if she would have just let it go or act the same way. Being a teacher means taking care of your students and making sure they always stay motivated.
Finding Some Inspiration
A Creative Approach
Not only do teachers need to inspire their students, but they too need to be inspired, individuals. There is a high chance that any personal situations or negative vibes that the teacher is experiencing, will certainly feed into the class. Thus, it is the role of the teacher to be positive and optimistic, to help with a better outcome for her students.
A Creative Approach
A Great Teacher
The teacher should always work the best to her ability to stay inspired and be a good role model for her students. Teachers sometimes try out different creative techniques to help students that are struggling. These teachers are the best kind of mentors.
A Great Teacher
Children Are The Future
That within itself may be the problem of this student. Teachers must be in a proper state of mind when they are teaching their students because this can impact how the students grow, and the type of people they become.
Children Are The Future
The Lesson
Are you fortunate enough to have an incredible teacher? If you have been in this situation then you know how beneficial this can be for your development. Teachers do not need to change their entire lives, but creating a class that centers on the student is very helpful.
The Lesson
Extra Attention
There are certain instances that focusing all your attention on your students will build their confidence. Instead of what Bohenek did, she should have done this instead. In reality, this how is students build their futures and to do so we need proper models.
Extra Attention
Important Lesson
Ultimately, this is an important lesson for both parents and teachers. Although teachers are expected to behave in a certain way, at the end of the day they are still human beings and we can’t forget this.
Important Lesson
Mistakes
It makes sense that people make mistakes from time to time, and this is something that cannot be avoided. It is a parent’s job to be engaged in their children’s education and be on top of their study and work time if the students are not responsible for themselves.
Mistakes
Bully
After posting this story online, people responded negatively to the teacher. People were very vocal about the subject and were open to their opinions. Some of the comments were “A teacher bullied […] a second-grader,” said Peckville resident Beth O’Brien. “I think they should be fired.”
Bully
Shouldn’t Happen
Chris stated that everything he did was in the best interest of the children, and not just to make someone lost their career. Chris’s point was that this situation should never happen and he wasn’t going to tolerate it, also Kamdyn was switched to a new class.
Shouldn’t Happen
Taken Seriously
Chris was so determined to speak about this to raise awareness to make people see the severity of the teacher’s actions. Chris was hoping that this would now be taken seriously and would help prevent it from occurring with other teachers and students.
Taken Seriously
Comments
Many people online had varying reactions. Most were on the same page and just as angry as Chris and felt that the teacher should be fired immediately. Below you can see one of the responses and how infuriated she is.
Comments
Ill Spirited
At the end of the day, there are always people who act unkindly for one reason or another. Especially with social media, people use it as a platform to express themselves, usually in ruder ways. This man avoided the actual situation and instead attacked Kamdyn’s math skills.
Ill Spirited
Not Bad
Another response came from someone named Rose who felt similarly to Chris. The truth is, for a seven-year-old to answer 12 math questions in 3 minutes is far from disappointing. Certainly, he did not deserve the comment on his homework.
Not Bad
Strong Words
Many were strong in their opinions and had no intention of holding their opinions back. Erona White expressed how Alysssa should no longer be a teacher, and how shocked she was at the idea of a teacher putting a student down.
Strong Words
Personal
Margaret made an excellent point when she recognized that Chris said the teacher was rude to Kamdyn all year. This begged the question as to why? At that point, it felt like it was becoming rather personal.
Personal
Apologetic
Response from Brittney showed how sincerely sorry she felt for Kamdyn. She also agreed that the teacher should be fired, given that she went against her duties to support and motivate her students instead of the opposite.
Apologetic
Arguments
However, with social media, things can escalate in many different directions. The platform allows for any kind of commentary to be written and things can get out of control. This is exactly what happened when Erin got involved.
Arguments
Trauma
Another remark came from Sandra, who insisted that Chris switch his son to another classroom. This way, Kamdyn would avoid any future trauma. This was excellent advice that Chris decided to follow.
Trauma
Toughen Up
On the other hand, some people took a different direction. David told Chris to toughen up his sun. He also moved the blame towards Chris and said it was his fault that he did not help his son with his math skills.
Toughen Up
Pathetic
In Lori’s comment, she emphasized the word “pathetic”. She found this worth rather harsh and offensive. She was shocked at the thought of a teacher calling her student “pathetic.” She was definitely on Chris’s side.
Pathetic
Still Employed
At the end of the long debacle, there still hasn’t been much of an outcome. Bohenek is still working as a second-grade teacher and that’s all we know. All we can hope is that she has improved her behavior and attitude towards her students.
Still Employed
Tender Age
An interesting comment from a woman who said, “Such a tender age to be scarred from this form of abuse. There are a lot of so-called ‘teachers’ that are working in schools that don’t care for children and aren’t fit to teach … Little to no training or love for the profession. I’m a former teacher and has taught for 20 years, I can truly see why many students and families are turning to homeschool and other non-traditional learning opportunities”.
Tender Age