Topic : 12/06 Teacher Troubles

 I just watched the episode from Wednesday (on Tape) that includedthe story of the Assistant principal who was victimized by the bogusMySpace site with the vicious content.  Dr. Phil was WAY off basein questioning the AP's decision to sue the kids and theirfamilies.  He said this should have been handled 'in school' as adisciplinary action instead of a lawsuit.  The problem with thatis IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT SCHOOL and HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THESCHOOL!  This was something that happened in a very publicarena--basically the arena of this action was the entire world.

I would love to see the reaction of Dr. Phil if someone did somethingcomparable that attacked the reputation of him, his wife and sons on aninternet site or spread vicious lies about the personal conduct of hiswife and sons.   And the show revealed that the only action by theschool was a suspension--which is absolutely meaningless consideringthe level of seriousness of the offense.  He wasn't even shiftedto the alternative school as another option. 

And I don't think a lawsuit against the kids and parents is the leastbit disproportional.  Considering enormity of what they did it'snot a very big consequence.  An impartial jury will decide whatthe damages, if any, will be.  And the one kid that may face afelony charge--well guess what?  Life is hard, but when you'reirresponsible and destructive, it's even harder.  Better tofind that out now when he still has the resources of his parents to help him through this ordeal instead of escaping accountability with the belief he can get away with this sort of thing.  Because the next time (and there will be a next time) the damage he will inflict will be far greater and the consequences for him even greater and longer lasting.

And by not following through with this, all of the students in that school will get the clear message that this sort of thing is ok, something to repeat again and again and the position of teachers and administrators eroded even further.  And this episode is a product of the tendency to ignore or downplay previous levels of behavior that everyone tried to insist "wasn't really that bad" and we shouldn't burden the kids with the logical consequences of their badbehavior.

The consequences of a lawsuit are pretty tough.  But no where near as tough or ultimately destructive on all the parties as the consequences of NOT pursuing the lawsuit.

A few more thoughts, Anna.  Consider that this type of violation is much more likely to happen when you choose to become a teacher. I’m not saying it was OK, but it is an inherent risk when you work with people whose brains are not fully developed yet. Have you really thought about what Dr Phil said – that children at that age can’t accurately predict the consequences of their actions? Are you being fair in judging them by a standard they are incapable of comprehending? Shouldn’t a professional educator appreciate the ramifications of this fact?

You were terribly violated, no question. Nothing that ever happens to them could make up for how you feel and bring you satisfaction or justice. But letting go does not minimalize the magnitude of your injury. Can you see how your anger and fear and humiliation are changing you as a person? You are better than this. Stop being a victim and take your power back.

A final pragmatic consideration: will parents, the school board, and the community start to question your judgment on other issues if they see you as unreasonably harsh in this situation? I’m not saying you are, but can you afford to be seen that way?  By the way, Anna, I am a retired second grade teacher. I don’t know anyone in this case personally. Good luck to you, Anna.

 

MAYBE.... for punishment to FIT THE CRIME...the boys could go to different schools and talk about what they did.... and CYBER BULLYING... which is pretty much what they did.... and they could warn their peers of what can happen when such stunts are carried through.... and the consequences...... THEN maybe... this will NOT happen again.... it would be a PUBLIC SERVICE.... and to make it fair.... they would have to do this for 2 years.. so that their message would get out to as many students as possible....... to me..... this would be a punishment, that would fit the crime.....

What the heck is that huge picture??

What I can't understand about all the talk why the teacher should be fired because her actions 11 years previously were a bad influence on the children; why was nothing said about the boys that were watching the porn movies. According to the lawyer, their actions were criminal. Wouldn't it be an influence on the other children if they saw the boys were punished for their "illegal" actions?

 

 

I found this story to be very upsetting. I know the punishment of the justice system seems harsh, but no one takes notice of these situations until someone speaks up. Many situations are swept under the rug by schools. She has every right to do this and if the school had handled it properly than she wouldn't have to. Kids get away with way too much stuff and until you hit the parents in the pocket where it hurts them the kids keep on getting away with it. A lot of the time the only way to get parents attention/involvement is by seeking a dollar amount in which makes them step up to the plate and take action in supervising their children.

I feel so sad for Tericka. She has turned her life around and that is the wish and hope that everyone has that has ever known someone that has made bad choices. I am confused about what to think about her staying at that high school. I first felt she should be able to stay because if she had been my daughter, sister, and friend I would want her to be able to pursue any career she chooses. My 12 year old daughter came into my room and said she had an opinion about what should happen. I first told her what porn was and then asked her what she thought. She said that she didn't think she should stay because no would be able to think of anything else while in her class. I was surprised at her answer and said "Really ?"

As I thought about it more I began to realize that if Tericka had been a man, I as a parent wouldn't be comfortable with that scenario at all. I wish Tericka the best and hope a solution to her issues can be found.

 

Shame on you, Dr. Phil!  You blew it twice during the past couple of weeks.  First, you criticized the mother and grandmother of the three year old (who was apparently molested by her father) for going "outside the system" because they picketed the courthouse and distributed flyers to rally support when the court awarded unsupervised visitation to the father.  I'm sure you would not have stood idly by if this had happened to you!  Actually, they did not go "outside the system"; their activism was definitely within the parameters of the American political system (read first amendment rights).

 

As if that was not bad enough, last week you criticized an assistant principal for filing suit against a couple of students who had harassed her by posting a false ad in her name on myspace.com.  You again questioned why she couldn't handle this "within the school system".  She had to explain that there is NO "school system" that could effectively deal with this issue. And why should there be -- the students were acting on their own time and not on school property.  So what is wrong with handling it through the court system?

 

I was so angry after seeing your reaction that I was ready to head for Hollywood to set you straight!

 

To use your own words, Dr. Phil -- What were you thinking? 

I agree totally.  I work in the school system and from elementary school on, kids are let behave any way they feel.  Teachers get absolutely no respect and there is no consequence for misbehavior.  This teacher should not back down to the pressure of the parents or from Dr. Phil for that matter.  You can't tell me these kids didn't know they were doing something wrong when they posted on the website.  Shame on Dr. Phil for even hinting that this woman should reconsider her decision to take them to court.

I was watching the part of the show that was talking about the teacher sueing the students and i believe that she is being selfish. I am majoring in education and believe that the students where wrong but they will be held accountable for this forthe rest of their lifes. This is not what teachers should be about, i want to make a positive difference in childrens lives not ruin them forever. How would this make her feel safer at school or home? Get an alarm system!