Duval County 2nd Grade Teacher Suspended 10 Days...

[brainstormer]

Most adults in our country would benefit from de-escalation training. From road rage accidents to workplace shootings to politics to the classroom and everything in between. The United States has a serious anger issue. "Terrorism" allows us to ignore our internal issues because the threat of it keeps us preoccupied. Meanwhile, we are just destroying ourselves from within.

The child was a second grader who just wanted to keep using his computer. Ignoring him and moving on with class would have solved this problem. He wasn't physically hurting another student or adult before the teacher chose to grab him and drag him to the front. Imagine walking into a clothing store and asking a sales associate for help. The associate ignores you, so you grab the associate by the arm and drag him/her to the register. You would probably get punched and charged with assault. The teacher chose to make a problem when there wasn't one.

[KenFSU]

The child was a second grader who just wanted to keep using his computer. Ignoring him and moving on with class would have solved this problem. He wasn't physically hurting another student or adult before the teacher chose to grab him and drag him to the front. Imagine walking into a clothing store and asking a sales associate for help. The associate ignores you, so you grab the associate by the arm and drag him/her to the register. You would probably get punched and charged with assault. The teacher chose to make a problem when there wasn't one.

I agree in part, but as the husband of a second grade teacher, I would also argue that simply ignoring the fact that a student is breaking the rules isn't the solution either. The child wants to keep using the computer after the teacher tells him to put it away? Tough shit, he ain't in charge. Ignoring his disobedience is the same as condoning it, and it sends a strong message to the rest of the class that the teachers instructions are optional, not mandatory. Quickest way to lose control of a classroom. Violence certainly isn't the answer, but with teachers powerless to enforce any real consequence and school administrations increasingly gun-shy about having any type of disciplinary paper trail, I'm surprised more teachers don't lose their cools.

[brainstormer]

I taught second grade for 5 years. A positive student-teacher relationship goes a long way. Something like asking the child to make sure all of the laptops are plugged in inside the cart when he is finished might have been enough to encourage him to "choose" to be done and also feel empowered because he got to be helpful. Teachers never win by engaging in authoritarian power battles with students. You can still have high expectations for your students and be firm without going negative and physical.

[bill]

I taught second grade for 5 years. A positive student-teacher relationship goes a long way. Something like asking the child to make sure all of the laptops are plugged in inside the cart when he is finished might have been enough to encourage him to "choose" to be done and also feel empowered because he got to be helpful. Teachers never win by engaging in authoritarian power battles with students. You can still have high expectations for your students and be firm without going negative and physical.

Snowflake

[DTJAXEYE]

https://affectiveliving.com/2014/03/08/what-students-really-need-to-hear/

[brainstormer]

I taught second grade for 5 years. A positive student-teacher relationship goes a long way. Something like asking the child to make sure all of the laptops are plugged in inside the cart when he is finished might have been enough to encourage him to "choose" to be done and also feel empowered because he got to be helpful. Teachers never win by engaging in authoritarian power battles with students. You can still have high expectations for your students and be firm without going negative and physical.

Snowflake

Thank you, Bill. A "highly effective" Snowflake with student growth that surpassed my colleagues.

[Tacachale]

I taught second grade for 5 years. A positive student-teacher relationship goes a long way. Something like asking the child to make sure all of the laptops are plugged in inside the cart when he is finished might have been enough to encourage him to "choose" to be done and also feel empowered because he got to be helpful. Teachers never win by engaging in authoritarian power battles with students. You can still have high expectations for your students and be firm without going negative and physical.

Snowflake

Bill, isn't there a TU article needing a comment about sagging pants or the knock out game that requires your attention?

Lol.

[Adam White]

I taught second grade for 5 years. A positive student-teacher relationship goes a long way. Something like asking the child to make sure all of the laptops are plugged in inside the cart when he is finished might have been enough to encourage him to "choose" to be done and also feel empowered because he got to be helpful. Teachers never win by engaging in authoritarian power battles with students. You can still have high expectations for your students and be firm without going negative and physical.

Snowflake

Bill, isn't there a TU article needing a comment about sagging pants or the knock out game that requires your attention?

The struggle is real!

[Jim]

I taught second grade for 5 years. A positive student-teacher relationship goes a long way. Something like asking the child to make sure all of the laptops are plugged in inside the cart when he is finished might have been enough to encourage him to "choose" to be done and also feel empowered because he got to be helpful. Teachers never win by engaging in authoritarian power battles with students. You can still have high expectations for your students and be firm without going negative and physical.

Snowflake

What greater power is there than having the power and showing restraint?