School districts not dealing with problem students.
- Thread starter NorthernHawkeye
- Start date
To be fair I don't think I saw students openly swearing at staff in MS.
But I also know I was relentlessly bullied in MS and the staff also turned a blind eye to the whole thing.
I always thought it was weird that when I was in school you were not allowed to have any electronics on you at all but right after I left K-12 and went to college that cell phones became a big thing and suddenly they decided that it was ok for kids to have the phones on their person during class.
I don't understand parents who WANT their kids to have these electronics on them at all times. I can't stand the kids having the dang things and would like to smash them. My kids have Kindles or old phones that they can use over wifi but we heavily restrict their usage and time on them. They get pissy with me and I'll smash the damn thing with a hammer right in front of them. I know these these things are addictive. My daughter never seems to have issues giving up the phone but my youngest son gets upset and moody if he's on electronics too long so we are very mindful of how/when they use them.
I have no idea why parents are not in full support of schools being 100% phone free zones. This really shouldn't be an issue.
I have no idea why parents are not in full support of schools being 100% phone free zones. This really shouldn't be an issue.
I went to Catholic school so I get this but public schools are secular.
HOWEVER there is plenty of secular common sense that says these are basic human things that everyone should learn to follow and can be nurtured without the Bible.
The ESE system and the hands off rules surrounding the ability to discipline those kids has absolutely killed the public school system.
The last 10 years or so, we as teachers have been encouraged to be more the kids "friend" instead of their "teacher". Having a good teacher/student relationship is important, and kids will certainly work for you more if they like you, but it has gone too far. Teaching is not that damn hard. Drop the hammer during the first 1-2 months of school, and the rest of the year goes pretty well. Kids need to know who is in charge - even the best of them will test you to see how much you will allow. The word "NO" comes out of my mouth a lot in August - November. One of my teaching mentors told me when I first started "you are not here to be liked, you are here to be respected." New teachers (District + Building Admin, and AEA types) don't get that because they don't have 6 classes per day of 25+ students. I've always maintained thar you can run a tight ship in your classroom AND have a good relationship with kids. You don't have to be a jerk, but you have to be firm, fair, and consistent. It's a lot like parenting.
I agree with an earlier post. The few times I got in trouble at school, I got in 5x worse at home. That piece is missing today. There never was any question whose fault it was. Now, parents (in general) question the teachers. Hell, even with cameras in the hallways providing PROOF, the kid will say "didn't do anything", or "we were just playing", or "you try to do too much".
I'm glad I'm at the end if my career...
I agree with an earlier post. The few times I got in trouble at school, I got in 5x worse at home. That piece is missing today. There never was any question whose fault it was. Now, parents (in general) question the teachers. Hell, even with cameras in the hallways providing PROOF, the kid will say "didn't do anything", or "we were just playing", or "you try to do too much".
I'm glad I'm at the end if my career...
Ask any parents that think public schools suck how much time they spend with thier kids actually talking to them about their day or helping them with home work.
We eat dinner together and I ask my kids about what happened the best and worst part of their day. We try to do movie time/game time together also.
Teachers are given minimal time per period with our kids and now don't even have textbooks. If parents aren't attentive kids get left behind and pick up bad behaviors. Don't even get me started on the douches that defend their angels no matter what.
Parents need to parent and support school staff better.
I have heard this from multiple teachers that they have kids that need to be dealt with and nothing is ever done about it. If you discipline them, you are the problem and/or probably racist. Zero administration with any sort of balls. I should note that these were both ICCSD staff members but stories were very similar.
Last edited:
Most kids arrive at elementary school having spent their earliest years at a day care center “tended to” a lot of day care workers with GED’s who also came from a daycare environment. Their main mission is to keep the kids alive and wearing a clean diaper by the time they’re picked up.
They learn that the kids who get the most attention are the ones who act out so there’s a lot of negative mimicry behavior. They see a kid scream and throw a fit get extra attention- even if it’s negative- and they think that’s a good idea.
So few children now have a stay at home Mom and get to go to a little church “nursery school” three mornings a week and learn concepts like “cooperation” and respect and sharing in a room with 7-8 other kids.
That’s what my kids were so lucky to have in the early 80’s and it shows in them today as adults.
They learn that the kids who get the most attention are the ones who act out so there’s a lot of negative mimicry behavior. They see a kid scream and throw a fit get extra attention- even if it’s negative- and they think that’s a good idea.
So few children now have a stay at home Mom and get to go to a little church “nursery school” three mornings a week and learn concepts like “cooperation” and respect and sharing in a room with 7-8 other kids.
That’s what my kids were so lucky to have in the early 80’s and it shows in them today as adults.
Many parents are not involved in their kids lives, and may even be problems.
BUT, schools and teachers cannot control that. So, instead of complaining about poor parenting, which is something they cannot change, teachers and schools need to take control of their environment and set firm rules with consistent enforcement.
Blaming the parents is just a way to deflect from the school's inability or failure, to set and enforce standards on their campus.
BUT, schools and teachers cannot control that. So, instead of complaining about poor parenting, which is something they cannot change, teachers and schools need to take control of their environment and set firm rules with consistent enforcement.
Blaming the parents is just a way to deflect from the school's inability or failure, to set and enforce standards on their campus.
The Virginia school where the 6 year old was a KNOWN behavioral risk and who teachers warned the Administrators about - yet he shot his teacher when they ignored the situation - is about to be an expensive example.
There must be pushback from the School System and the parents who care must back them up.
At some point the truth has to be stated.
Either raise your kid to behave or don’t have kids. Send the kid to school rested, nourished, and with a clear understanding of what you, the parent, expect: Sit down, pay attention, respect the Teacher and your classmates.
Kids are assholes. And theiir behavior is a direct reflection of how they are parented. You see shitty kid behavior in public or in school...you have an idea about who cannot parent. Pretty clean and simple.
I completely agree with you. I always thought there should be a system where kids could move between collegiate prep and vocational. One school for each group with opportunities to move back to college prep if earned. Not sure how to implement because many of the parents of the behavior problems would, again, sue. Guaranteed.
Again, you know nothing about me and how I teach. GFY, loser. What’s your job?
Bullying doesn’t happen around me and the kids know it. I have a good way of calling it out that makes the kids realize they’re doing it. I’m sorry that happened to you. Middle school wasn’t easy for me either.
They don’t think it’s ok. They just won’t stand up and tell the kids no and enforce school board policy.
The thing I don't understand is here in the KC area we build a school called Horizons for kids in the Shawnee Mission district years ago that was supposed to be for so called problem kids. My wife works at one of the regular Shawnee Mission schools. However, it's almost impossible now to get a kid out of school and into Horizons. I think it's frustrating for everyone that we continue to let the very small 2-3% of students bog down and take so many resources from the other 98%. Makes zero sense.
This. I’m really tough on K and 1st. A K teacher at my new building complained to the boss that I lit up one of her students after the kid yelled back at me, “I am!!!”. Oh hell no. If you allow a 5 year old to do it you’ll have a 6th grader doing it when he reaches that age. Even the little ones test. By the time they’re in 2nd they understand expectations and then it’s all fun.
It’s all part of the relationship building process, which people who work with me know I’m good at. I had to cover a middle school group - many I had taught since they were 5 - and the teacher next door said to someone else it was the first time it was quiet in there all week.
Like you, I’m glad retirement is getting closer.
I know you post countless times on HROT during school hours. I know that you would like to take phones away from others (see below). Rules for thee but not for me?
No you don't. You don't know my job. though, despite not owing you jackshit I told you how I post. This cellphone thing I have no idea what you're yammering about now...like it's a me thing. I don't need my phone. The most it gets used is when a piece of equipment gets broken, I get on Amazon, and purchase a replacement out of my own pocket. Otherwise it's connected to bluetooth playing music as the kids workout and perform.
What's your job you effing hypocrite? If you even have a job does your boss know you spend time posting online? Otherwise, again, GFY.
I had 500 office referrals come to me this year. I know it’s exactly 500 because there were only 500 in the package. Five years ago, I had 73.
I’ll say it again, kids don’t know how to negotiate with friends, they have no conflict resolution skills, they don’t respect their peers or adults.
Parents want phones and iWatches because they want to be in communication with their kids at all times. If there is an issue with another student at recess, the kids text their parents and the parents call me. If you think I’m kidding, come spend the day with me.
Sounds like you know exactly what those kids need. And, you’re in the position to actually do it. Do the right thing for those kids and help them learn those skills now.
I really don’t see how the teachers union has jack to do with students behavior. Getting more money and time off for teachers sure.
The list of who is responsible should start…
1.Students
2. Parents
3. School board
A students behavior isn’t the teachers job.
Agree with your list Tony. Need to include District Administration at #3, followed by Building Administration at #4. School Boards seem pointless to me. They do nothing.
Our Associate Principal got his hand slapped by District Admin for suspending too many kids. Kudos to him for supporting teachers + getting kids out who were disrupting the learning environment. How many District Admin types were in our building the last month? Zero. If those overpaid District types had to put up with the daily onslaught on f-bombs, the N-word, and constant disrespect, things might change. They stay away from the madness and put their head in the sand. It's really sickening.
Our Associate Principal got his hand slapped by District Admin for suspending too many kids. Kudos to him for supporting teachers + getting kids out who were disrupting the learning environment. How many District Admin types were in our building the last month? Zero. If those overpaid District types had to put up with the daily onslaught on f-bombs, the N-word, and constant disrespect, things might change. They stay away from the madness and put their head in the sand. It's really sickening.
Totally disagree, student behavior is everyone’s job. Classroom management is a huge part of creating a successful classroom. If a teacher sends a kid to me early in the year for a non-major offense, that teacher has lost the respect of the student and potentially the classroom.
Last edited:
Catholic schools will kick the student out and not give two shots about that kid as it should be.
Umm, the kids who are acting out have parents or parent who don't have a clue what is going on in that school or care to know.
Actually they educate kids who have families who care about education. It allows the jag offs to eventually work for the catholic school kids. It’s perfect. The world needs ditch diggers and people who shop for food at convenience stores.
Poverty? As I have said before, my wife makes 90k plus as a primary school teacher. And has 3 months off a year.
Still underpaid but not really poverty. And no I wouldn’t want to do it. But in some cases, the pay is fair.
Depending on the district, teachers beginning their careers can really struggle financially. The financial reward is definitely at the end of the career, but it’s really tough when you start.
