As a former teacher, I know the job is demanding. Teachers today deal with extreme and unsafe student behaviors with few corrective options and minimal consequences. Teachers are trying to teach curriculum to a classroom of children interrupted by misbehavior. Compliant children are removed from the classroom while other staff deal with the child who has taken over. Learning is disrupted, and sadly, this happens too frequently.
Teachers cannot do their jobs, and the rest of the children witness this violent, disruptive behavior. How safe can students feel in the classroom?
Without meaningful consequences for disruptive behavior, these disrupters will be right back in the classroom with no behavior change. I am appalled by the accounts of what teachers have to deal with on a daily basis. We need to figure out how to contend effectively with extreme behaviors and give teachers more support so learning can be conducted in a safe atmosphere and students no longer feel anxious and unsafe.
As Evergreen Public Schools searches for a new superintendent, it’s a perfect opportunity to hire someone who will implement changes that allow teachers to successfully do their jobs so students can get the most out of every day.
