Sunday, March 04, 2007
Schools: The Tales of the Taping
FoxNews carried this story of a substitute teacher taping students to a chairs a few days ago.
Earlier this school year, we had similar incident at the local elementary school. In this case no one made a claim of having fun.
At best the teacher in the local case received a little sympathy but mostly condemnation, as you can read in this area bulletin board service. The school system is very hush-hush about this. I know several teachers in the system. The best I got out of them is that the teacher in question is not allowed to work at that school any more but was not fired.
I question the wisdom of this non-action. In my experience, schools often get a pass from child abuse investigators and other law enforcement. I in what other setting an adult would receive a mere slap on the wrist for such actions. The school system in Alabama made the right decision, the one in Kentucky did not.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A mother is defending a substitute teacher who was banned from working in Jefferson County schools following reports that she taped several fourth-graders to their seats.At best this is a borderline incident. Taping children to chairs fails to pass the test of appropriate "fun" activities at school. Additionally, in this instance, what may have been "fun" to one kid might well have been quite frightening to another. I can't say that I know any children that enjoy being physically restrained.
Kelley White said the incident at Pleasant Grove Elementary School was all in fun. White said her 10-year-old son became upset at how the event was being portrayed after seeing a television news broadcast.
"My little boy said they were laughing and cutting up," she said.
The substitute, whom school officials declined to identify, was banned Tuesday from teaching in Jefferson County schools. Nez Calhoun, a spokeswoman for the county school district, said the action stands.
Earlier this school year, we had similar incident at the local elementary school. In this case no one made a claim of having fun.
However, a relative of a student who was in the classroom said two students were taped around their feet, and a piece of tape was placed over their mouths, as the entire class watched. The relative also said the teacher instructed the students not to tell their parents, and if they were ever asked to say it was a game.Hmm, could this be why the student in Alabama thought it was all in fun?
At best the teacher in the local case received a little sympathy but mostly condemnation, as you can read in this area bulletin board service. The school system is very hush-hush about this. I know several teachers in the system. The best I got out of them is that the teacher in question is not allowed to work at that school any more but was not fired.
I question the wisdom of this non-action. In my experience, schools often get a pass from child abuse investigators and other law enforcement. I in what other setting an adult would receive a mere slap on the wrist for such actions. The school system in Alabama made the right decision, the one in Kentucky did not.
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