By: Kaitlyn Nathem [Co-Editor of Vox]
School is supposed to be a safe environment for students. Teachers are supposed to be calm, trustworthy, responsible adults that students can talk to about problems. How are students supposed to feel safe and relaxed when their teacher was just in jail for more than just a simple DUI?
Students are expected to behave outside of school therefore teachers should have consequences if the police get involved with their “after- school activities” as well. If students were to get assault charges pressed upon them, they most likely would be suspended and/or not allowed back to school. If students received the strict consequences, so should teachers. Just because a teacher is an adult doesn’t mean that they should have special treatments for when they make a mistake.
The Teachers Union helps protect teachers from multiple things that could happen outside of school or inside of school to keep their job and pay the same. The teachers have a group of people that are fighting for there rights. This is unfair to the students. Students don’t have anything to ensure that if they make a mistake outside of school that they still get to attend the same place of education. The consequences for teachers and students are not equal. Students are being taught that it’s okay to participate in a vicious act outside of school and still have a job when they get released from jail. That’s not something that students should be learning!
It’s important for students to feel like they aren’t threatened during a class period. When a teacher is returning back to school from being inside a jail, students aren’t going to want to attend that class. Students are going to feel like at any moment their teacher could just snap. Students and teachers should have the same consequences when coming back to school after a misdemeanor or felony has occurred.
Marc Ferguson • Sep 13, 2011 at 10:08 am
Thank you for telling me I am super cool, Sam – you made my day! Obviously your writing style is outstanding as well – particularly your diction skills! And I completely understand the writer’s point of view, which as you have stated is undoubtedly the plurality of student opinion. We’ll see what happens.
Sam • Sep 12, 2011 at 10:21 pm
I’m not Mother Jones; I don’t spend any of my free time researching unions of professions I will never get into. I’d heard from hall gossip that you had mentioned Madame could possibly keep her job because of some organization she is a part of — not knowing the name and not having even the slightest bit of light shone on this seemingly Seraphic group, I was naturally confused. Kaitlyn’s explanation that, “the Teachers Union helps protect teachers from multiple things that could happen outside of school or inside of school to keep their job and pay the same. The teachers have a group of people that are fighting for there rights,” was like striking gold — and in my mind, I feel obligated to assign a veritable prophecy the title of “most informative opinion article.”
I can only agree with your statement about the teacher in reference not posing a threat to any students. I considered her to be my “adult in the building,” that we (the students) are encouraged to have. Therefore, as you can probably gather, I never saw any malice that she had towards any of her students. But I think that even more prevalent than the sense of danger if she returns is the overwhelming aura of awkwardness. Students, being creatures of gossip and lore, have already stitched together a multitude of possibilities and, hilariously, outcomes of the allegations towards her. Even if she is given permission to return by the Board (or whoever the governing body is), the students have already rebuked her ability to teach them.
Also, I just wanted to say that it’s super cool that you commented on this, Mr. Ferguson! Your writing style is definitely very unique and extremely fitting (and organized) at detailing both facts and your opinion.
Marc Ferguson • Sep 12, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Part 2 – As to our right to a defense in our union – unions were formed to look out for the rights of workers and anyone who thinks corporate America will look out for the rights of their workers is wrong – this is our livelihood and we have every right to have representation – and when we do wrong, that representation will do no more or less than to look out for our rights – it won’t find us innocent when we are guilty – and students do have rights – you have every constitutional right that teachers do – and you also have a right to an attorney – we pay union dues and one of the benefits is having a lawyer if it is justified to have one.
I don’t know what will happen with this teacher – I hope she learns from her mistake and is given a chance to redeem herself. If not here or even in teaching, then in another chosen profession that allows her to be a positive contributing citizen. But I do believe that our French students deserve this to be resolved so that their education is not made to take a back seat to this issue. I understand the frustration of the writer.
This is just my opinion. I am not someone who has any power to help or hinder either side to this sad issue.
Marc Ferguson • Sep 12, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Really – informative? Has anyone spoken to the individual that is being referred to? How can that be informative when the article is the opinion of one individual who has not even interviewed the person of whom she is referring to? I agree that the number one concern is the safety of our students – if that is at issue, I would agree with the writer – knowing what I know about the situation and the teacher, I do not believe that is an issue – I do believe that the individual she allegedly assaulted was in danger, and I believe that what she did was inexcusable, but I do not believe her students are in any harm. This is not behavior she has ever displayed at school.
Sam • Sep 6, 2011 at 11:03 pm
I’ve often read the Daily Powwow in my free time because I have nothing better to do (my comments being the only ones in the past several months are a testament to this) but this is without a doubt the most informative and realistic opinion article I have read. :] Congratulations.