This
memo was distributed to the staff at a local suburban high school was posted on
the town's Internet message board.
******
Folks-
oversight on my part - but an important piece from Mr. F as we move to the
mid-point of the year.
Quoting
Mr. F
"As
many of you are aware we have had an inexcusable number of fights and events in
our building over the last few weeks. As Dave and I work together to manage
discipline I have been experiencing a number of extremely disrespectful
students. This behavior is not acceptable on any level. If you confront a
student who is disrespectful please send them down and they will be dealt with
accordingly. To help alleviate discipline problems please aim to plan lessons
and activities that begin and continue through the bell. Also, your presence in
the hallway between periods is recognized by the students and so I ask that you
assist us as much as possible. Thank you!"
I
would like to add that you should not have to deal with consistent surliness in
your classrooms--- Send them down-- we will send them out.
D
W
Principal
High
School
******
Some
replies to this post, blamed the Governor amongst other things for the increase
in disrespectful and aggressive behavior at the school.
Some
other subsequent posts defended him.
I
replied as follows:
"It
disturbs me that you are finding a way to blame the Governor for this" (A
quote from one of the posts)
Here's
how the Governor and all those who constantly bash teachers are to blame.
Kids
are not stupid!
When
they see public officials and the public in general show little or no respect
for teachers they figure, why should they?
How
can you expect children to respect someone who is continually referred to as
"greedy, lazy, poor performing, a leech, overpaid, under worked, in it
strictly for the time off, etc."?
Additionally,
teachers are frequently chided for not making it "interesting
enough".
If
only they did, all children would learn and flowers would bloom in every
classroom.
In
other words, we want teachers to be entertainers for forty two minutes every
class period.
If
the child doesn't pay attention, do the work and learn, then it must be the
teacher's fault because he hasn't been entertaining enough.
If
the child isn't entertained sufficiently, the teacher is doing a poor job and
the student has the right to act up and be disruptive.
If
the child is sent out of the class for poor behavior then the teacher is
labeled as "not being able to control the class".
Trust
me, Socrates couldn't teach a disruptive class!
If
the student refuses to participate in learning, it is the teacher's fault
because he hasn't "engaged" the student.
This
mentality has been foisted on public education by politicians and educational
"experts" many of whom haven't been in a classroom in decades (if
ever) but continue to pontificate and dictate.
The
saddest part of all is the public continues to believe it.
At
a later point in the message board conversation I wrote:
Teachers
and schools have little authority and what little they have is becoming less
day after day.
If
a child is given a poor grade, it is because the teacher is a poor teacher.
If
a child is disciplined, he is being bullied.
If
a coach requires a child to do an extra push up because of poor performance, he
is the victim of corporal punishment. (Believe it or not asking a child to
write "I will behave" fifty times is considered corporal punishment!)
If
the child does poorly on a state test, it is because he hasn't been taught
well.
If
a child is disruptive, it is because the teacher hasn't made it
"interesting" enough.
And
to top it off, every one has an Uncle Joe who is a lawyer eager to pursue all
these injustices!
Additionally,
to address the fight issue.
If
a teacher intercedes in a fight and a child claims injury, the teacher is
punished.
If
a teacher intercedes in a fight and a child claims any sexual infringement, the
teacher is fired or worse.
If
a teacher does not intercede in a fight and a child is injured, the teacher is
neglectful.
If
the teacher is injured - well tough luck for him (or her).
Talk
about no win!
******
What
are your thoughts on student behavior, how it affects classroom learning and manner in
which discipline is handled at your school?
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