[Dan from Michigan]

When students violate a rule, such as using profanity, teachers send them to the principal's office from where they often return during the same period.

That's it?

I got 3 days once for saying "F#@# this." too loudly(meant to say it under my breath). This was in the mid 90's.

[brytlea]

I used to get very discouraged when sending kids to the office. Sometimes they were great and dealt harshly with them, but it depended on which principal they got. Some would give them a warning and send them right back. Now, I tended to deal with problems in class if possible (I can be pretty mean!) but sometimes you just have to get them out of the classroom or you will not get any teaching done (I teach biology, and you cannot have them acting like jerks during labs). But, when they come right back after 15 minutes, with a smirk on their face, the other kids know that the teacher's authority is pretty shakey.
And, I think our school was pretty strict from the stories I hear from other teachers.
Ya'll, there are bad teachers out there and bad schools, but do pray for us all. It is a pretty thankless job. I do it because I love the kids, and I do think I can have an impact on some of them. Oh, and I like to have my summers off! ;)
susie