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Professionals don't have to ask

Leisler, that sounds like good advice, but mrfixit514 has a valid point too.

There have been threads right here on this forum about the problem -- student discipline verses the inability of teachers to impose consequences. And, while sometimes that problem has to do with the inexperience of a teacher in classroom management, and other times it has to do with the fact the teacher is not a great teacher, it also has to do with the fact that teachers, unlike other "professionals" have limited protection in terms of potential professional liability. In schools, for every action, there is an equal and potential quite alarming "reaction" -- often from parents previously nowhere to be found.

This can be a very tough problem. Many here have actually experienced, and suggested, parents being required to sign waivers. In other words, in some private and charter schools, a parent agrees not to sue if a student is disciplined. However, and unfortunately, that does not exist in public schools. Consequently, it has gotten to the point that a teacher can not EVER be alone with one student in a classroom after school or during lunch to provide tutoring or extra help out of fear of what can be alleged -- even though nothing but tutoring happens. It's a very serious problem in schools -- and, IMO, one that professionals in other fields do not encounter to this degree.

That's not to let all teachers off the hook, but to let you understand limitations to a teacher's authority certainly exist -- and some students are the first ones to tell you so.

Frankly, teachers don't have to all be great. Many students are at their mental capasity just warming chairs. The will go into the work force and we all meet them everyday. Workers who can not and will not think. When we had a coal digging, farming economy, these workers were mentally able for their tasks. Now that we are moving into a information moving economy, well, it is tough on them.

RE; "...unlike other "professionals" have limited protection in terms of potential professional liability..." First, many health care workers can not be alone with their patients. Military Officers go to prisons. Sea and aircraft captians can lose their license for one DUI. Same for good old truckers. Frankly a lot of occupations get zapped way quicker then teachers. Lastly, blame the lawyers. And what group is the largest donator to the Democrat party? Lawyers. So, one crew of democrats( the lawyers) is kicking another faction( teachers ) of the democrats. They deserve each other.