Non Mopar rant! High school politics.
I will say that I am a teacher. Yep.....one of them.
I never reply to these threads because they tend to take the same slant on several of the boards that I visit. Never been flamed in 15 years on the net, let's hope it does not start here!
One thing to think of is this. Schools reflect what comes through the door. In my school at least, many things are better than a few years ago. There are some changes however that are a bit disconcerting. Regardless, I don't have alot to do with what enters my room for the first time at my school.
In my opinion, schools are aware of these changes in the student population and are making efforts to change. It is not happening fast enough though I will state.
I think we can all agree that our culture has seen some significant changes within the past few years. I am still struggling with it. Getting closer to some solutions, but it is not easy. Strategies that worked well even five years ago don't now.
There is the triangle where parents blame the school, the school blames the parents and the kids blame one or the other depending on need. That really helps no one. I used to call it "running the triangle". Not good.
There are many good teachers, schools etc. There are also many that need help. It can be struggle but it is also the best job on earth for me at least.
What I tell parents to do is the following:
1. Talk to teacher first and find out what is going on.
2. Talk to administration if the teacher can't or won't fix it
3. Talk to the district. That usually works pretty well around here if it comes to that.
All I can say is that it is a tightrope for sure being in this business. I encourage you to spend a day with your child. School is a different place than even a few years ago. Lots of good, and some bad.
Regardless, a visit could be enlightening for sure.
FWIW-ROB
I read that and respectfully, I still dont see what you are trying to say.
Do you have an opinion on how things should be handled?
it seems that teachers hands are tied with zero tolerance rules that have very little to do with common sense on a case by case basis.
I'm sure that can be frustrating to teachers as i have the utmost respect for the one's who really work hard and care.
How do you feel about qualified individuals, "principle" or other teachers trained to carry weapons in schools in case of another columbine deal?
I talked to my Brother who is a highschool principle and he say's "nah, we don't need to do that."
I asked him "What if some nut comes in and starts shooting everyone up?" but he dismissed it as if it would never happen in "his" school, he did not want to hear it and he is an avid hunter and knows guns well.
I just said "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."
"And nobody needs to know you have it."
I also talked to a black, not that it matters, highschool principle in downtown Atlanta, at bad school district with lots of gangs and violence.
We had the same conversation and he told me "It's not allowed, but I have one tucked away on me right now as we speak, and I never leave home without it."
"I am not about to die or let someone else die because of the wussification of america concerning this issue."
"If I go to jail for saving someone's life, then so be it."
Just wanna know how you and your fellow teachers think about that , jeeper.