What is Wrong with Teachers Today!?

A few days ago I received a FRANTIC phone call from Girly's mom. She informed me that Girly had been SLAPPED in the face by another girl. It was so hard that Girly had to go to the nurse's office and have an ice pack put on her face. Typically, if children have to go to the nurse's office... the nurse sends home a note. However for the last couple of days, they "forgot." We quizzed Girly, asked her what happened... only to find out she was talking while sitting on the carpet and the little girl who slapped her turned around and told her to shut up, then slapped her in the face.

We asked the common questions, "Where was the teacher?" "Did you tell her what happened?" "Did she get into trouble?" "Did you say something to upset her?" Her answers were: "She was on the phone." "Yes, I did." "No, she told her to behave or she would have a parent-teacher meeting." That was it? My niece was slapped in the face and that is all that happened? Phone calls were made, a meeting with the principal was demanded, and an angry email was sent to the teacher.

What came out of all this? The principal refused to return my sister's calls. The teacher phoned her, only to notify her that Girly has a problem shoving people. Which my sister PROMPTLY dismissed (never would happen. Girly would NEVER hit. I would say if she would... I'm that kind of aunt... the non-delusional kind)--and notified her that that wasn't the problem they were addressing. They were discussing why the teacher was taking a phone call in the morning while leaving her class to themselves long enough for her daughter, my niece, to get slapped in the face. The biggest concern was why her mother wasn't called, or a note wasn't sent home. ANOTHER concern was this has happened before with another child--a boy--who was placed in ISS for 3 days. Something I think would have been a very appropriate form of punishment. This child is out of hand.

A major teaching opportunity was missed by this educator. The educator informed my sister, Girly's mom, that the little girl was spanked by her father, forced to buy a necklace for girly, and forced to make an apology in front of the class. I agree with 1 out of the 3 punishments. Can you guess which one?

First, you never teach a child not to hit... by hitting them. I am NOT against spankings. I think they should be used in very specific circumstances. Second, teaching my niece that as long as someone buys you something... hitting is okay... is just the WRONG message. Also, teaching the little girl she can hit as long as gifts come later is also the wrong message. Third... The apology was a GREAT idea. It was unfortunate it came almost 3 days after the incident and followed act 1 and 2. She should have been sitting in ISS for the last 3 days. The apology should have come after and as a condition of her returning to the classroom.

Here is what I have to say in closing. It is time educators put on their thinking caps and use their brains. Bullying and violence is a horrible problem in the school system. The younger we start kids out knowing actions have real consequences... the better. Shame on Ms. B. She missed the mark on this one.