Homework can be a difficult field to navigate for children and parents alike. One father was outraged when he saw the comments his son's teacher left on a piece of completed work. Chris Piland posted the math sheet on social media, taking to Facebook to air his feelings.
In the caption, he wrote, "My son Kamdyn's teacher has been so rude to him and myself all year he comes home with this and I'm beyond frustrated that someone would write this on a childs work such great motivation (sic)."
The second-grade student was tasked with completing as many equations in a limited time span of three minutes. The eight-year-old was able to finish 13 questions before his time ran out, but the teacher wasn't impressed in the slightest. Instead of praising the child for his efforts or suggesting ways to improve, the work was branded "absolutely pathetic" in red ink, with a sad face thrown in for good measure.
Piland's post soon sparked an online debate, with some commenters urging him to take the matter to the school board. Some were so fiercely aggravated by the situation that they started a petition to get the teacher fired. It gained a lot of traction, currently sitting at just under 17,000 signatures and rising. The teacher, named as Alyssa Rupp Bohenek in the petition, is being investigated by the school. The superintendent has ensured parents they are handling the situation in a way that is fair to both the child and the member of staff.
While many side with Piland on this matter, there are those who have called the father out, saying that Ms. Rupp Bohenek is correct. An opposing petition created by a gentleman called Robert Deantonio calls for the teacher's job to be saved. The movement gained just 11 signatures in 2 hours, so is unlikely to reach a significant amount of supporters. One signer commented that children are "too soft".
Mr. Piland's post has 729 comments, 607 reactions and 320 shares at the time of writing. It's clear that this struck a chord in his local community, as well as with parents around the world. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
RELATED: How Much Should I Help My Child With Homework?