Get a load of this. I learned in a meeting today that one of my students threatened to stab his teacher to death last year with a pair of scissors. He actually stood behind her when she wasn't looking, scissors aimed at her back, but another teacher caught him and stopped him. When asked if he was really going to stab her, he replied "yeah. Because I don't like her." So, what did they do? Suspend him-- as in "see you next week"! Let me just say that if that were MY class, someone would be gone for good, because if it wasn't him, it'd certainly be me. And I get the pleasure of teaching him all year. He's already tried to kiss me. I guess if it happens again and I offend him by saying no, he could stab me with scissors. Lucky me. Last time, he did it when I was talking to someone and I didn't even know who had done it until he pulled away. It was on the cheek, but it was a little to close to my mouth for comfort. What the hell is wrong with my school system? What kind of administrator allows a student who threatens to kill back in class? He also threated to kill students last year because "he didn't like them." Well tough shit. He needs to be put away.
Sometimes I think I must be nuts doing this for a living. Teaching isn't what it used to be, believe me. I'm not even in a "bad" school. I'm pregnant, tired, and stressed, and although I love many of my students and find them an absolute pleasure to have in class, other times, it feels like hell.
The first time that boy threatens me, I'm gone. I have a baby to protect, as well as my sanity. And I have rights, one of them being to not have to work where people have threatened my life. Lets hope I stay on this kid's good side, because I'm scared.
Posted by Hannah at August 18, 2005 08:45 PMyou need to report the kissing. it is sexual harassment. he should be expelled. if not, go to the school board. you can say it is creating a hostile work environment. you don't have to put up with this.
Posted by: Rachel at August 18, 2005 09:20 PMWhy do schools keep this information concealed from the teachers until the student is in the class?
In my godsister's first year of teaching, she learned that one of her students had acutally killed somone. No one told her until the school year was underway. She was terrified.
I would be too.
Be sure to tell someone about that attempted kiss. Keep a record of everything you can.
Posted by: willow at August 18, 2005 11:12 PMI agree with Rachel, you shouldn't have to "watch your back," so to speak, in your own classroom. He's obviously a threat and needs professional psychological help. Take care of yourself.
Posted by: Elaine at August 19, 2005 03:15 AMI agree, at least put it on the record. I know it may cause more animosity with the boy but perhaps you can put it on the record without having to directly confront him. He sounds VERY disturbed.
You definitely shouldn't have to work in that kind of environment, especially with a baby!!!
Posted by: girl from florida at August 19, 2005 11:00 AMI am shaking reading this. What the hell is wrong with that kid. Does he really think he can behave that way! Attempted stabbing, harrasing you and the other kids. What makes it worse is the school allowing this type of violent behavior because they did not press charges or kick him out. He certainly needs to be locked away!!
Can you get another position? I'll keep you in my thoughts/prayers.
I have a friend who left teaching and didn't really want to. She left because of all the stuff that comes down from the powers that be. As you said, teaching isn't what it used to be. I taught nursery school a while back in a small town, and loved it. I did it for 7 years until we moved to another town. But it was a private school, and there weren't all the rules and regulations and general nonsense that's around today.
Posted by: cassie-b at August 19, 2005 03:30 PMI JUST went to an employee law class here at my job and we basically discussed two things in the two hours: sexual harassment and violence in the work place. I will look up the info out of my book and email you. You have a right to a safe work environment! Safe from violence AND sexual harassment of ALL kinds!
Posted by: Allison at August 19, 2005 05:14 PMHannah, I pray that he NEVER does anything to harm you! That's just AWFUL! My dad used to teach at a job corps site [my mom was a secretary there ~ that's how they met], and a guy pulled a knife on my dad in the men's restroom. And my mom got several death threats from students, too. Granted, that was a job corps center, but still ~ they got out of there FAST. My thoughts are with you. It's amazing what teachers deal with these days [and shouldn't have to deal with]. My dad feels burnt out sometimes because of it.
Posted by: Lisanne at August 19, 2005 05:30 PM