> If it is student behavior, tell us. For some reason they seem to avoid the truth. <
You make a very good point! I’ve taught in urban public schools for many years. And trust me, the rank-and-file are very upset about the lack of classroom discipline.
But no one above the rank of classroom teacher seems to care. We write letters to the editor, and they don’t get published. No one from the media comes to investigate. And the union leadership is more concerned about endorsing Democrats than in classroom safety.
I guess it’s all about not rocking the the boat, and avoiding any bad press.
Quick story:
A knife fight once broke out in the classroom of a friend of mine. What did my friend do? He picked up the phone and immediately dialed 911. This was serious business! Well, my friend was later called on the carpet for that. Call 911 again, and you’ll be fired for insubordination.
He was told he must call school security first (that way the school can bury the report).
That is a terrible story.
This is not a new thing, though. Years ago a male friend of mine was teaching high school. He was a big guy, but one of the gentlest, soft spoken good teachers who cared about his students in a transitional area where many did not want to work.
One day some students were fighting and he tried to stop it.
The students beat him to the ground. Days later, while he was telling me, he broke down and cried. I was shocked.
The problem isn’t new, it appears Teachers have reached the point where they need a “Donald J. Trump.”