A (rotten) Apple for the Teacher

Mid-term reports came out here at our local school. Generally, this is not cause for concern. This, however, was not one of those times and not necessarily because of grades either.
As with any profession, there is good and there is evil, right or wrong, good or bad – however you want to put it. Teachers aren’t any different. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most ethical, caring, professional educators one could ever hope to know. Within this same district, I have met a few people (and I use that term loosely) who I wouldn’t let teach my dead dog. I’ve even put this in writing to one particular school when discussing the class placement of one of my children. I don’t kiss and tell but if they were to read this blog – they’d know exactly who I’m referring too.
One pet peeve that I have when it comes to teachers is that some seem to think that just because they are the adult, their word is law. In short, the “I am God Complex”. That, heaven forbid, they (the teacher) would be wrong – it has to be “the child”.
I personally believe that a child should show a teacher respect if for no other reason than they are the adult. But being an adult doesn’t always make them right - they are human after all (or most of them are anyway).
When reports came out, my DD went to a particular teacher. She noticed that some of the points that she had earned where not on the report and thus lowered her grade. When she asked the teacher about the points, his response to her was “I don’t have to explain this to you”.
Say what?!?!?!?!?
Two things came to mind immediately:
1. My DD is/can be a lot of things but she’s not a liar, so I know she was not making this up and
2. This teacher WILL explain to her how he figured her grade.
I immediately picked up the phone and called another teacher whose capacity is similar to that of an advisor (A). We have been working closely with A for 4 years. I had to leave my name, number and a brief but to the point message with the secretary because A was already gone for the 4-day holiday weekend. Three minutes later I received a return phone call from A. They tracked her down (they obviously know me too well at that school). I explained the situation to her and I told her that I would like a meeting with the 4 of us immediately. Come hell or high water Mr. I-don’t-have-to-explain – will explain.
So, I’m left to wonder at this point: when did kids (eeewwweee! DD will be mad since I referred to her as a kid) become non-people? Are they not allowed to self-advocate? Have a vested interest in their education? If he doesn’t have to explain to her – the “owner” of the grades per se’, then who pray tell DOES he have to answer to? Who exactly is a teacher accountable to? The student? The parents? The administration? The school board? The community? All of the above?
As I said before there are a lot of very worthy teachers out there. A few rotten apples can spoil the bunch and there’s definitely something rotten here.