Sunday, November 24, 2013

Why are teachers being blamed for the inappropriate behaviors of students? ... Submitted by a New Bedford High School Teacher

In Saturday's paper Dr. Durkin stated that "the teachers, in those instances, agreed they had acted rashly". She also stated "that some incidents stemmed from teachers struggling with classroom management and said that professional development would be offered"(read article). Why aren't parents being held accountable for their children's behavior. Teachers not only teach curriculum but life skills, appropriate behaviors and manners. Why are teachers being blamed for the inappropriate behaviors of students? The teachers at NBHS are here because we believe in what we do. We recognize the population we work with, we don't need to be admonished but supported by the community we serve!

20 comments:

Joe Teacher said...

Good news from Dr. Durkin: The teacher who got punched in the face was not assaulted. His face fell into the student's fist, twice.

The teachers who had his ribs broken needs to understand he was not assaulted,It was only an incident.

Any questions?

Whaling City Watch said...

The people who like Dr. Durkin's management style don't work for Dr. Durkin. If they did, they'd have a different opinion.

Eddie said...

Since Jon Mitchell became mayor the NBPS districthas been on decline.

You can lie about the numbers but the numbers don't lie.

Anonymous said...

What has Mayor Jon Mitchell done in the last 2 years to improve education New Bedford?

Just the Facts, Please said...

Mayor Mitchell has done nothing to improve the city of New Bedford...I just read a post on Facebook that lists New Bedford as #49 on a list of the 100 most dangerous cities in America! Such a dubious distinction...so much for his self-proclaimed prophecy that he was going to reduce crime in the city! Not only hasn't he lowered the crime rate (see today's news article about the 31-year-old male who was shot and killed Saturday night), but it's now spilled over into our schools!

Anonymous said...

It's easier to blame the teachers for the parent's failures. :(

Anonymous said...

Instead of fluffing off the assault incidences by stating that the teachers were injured as a result of breaking up the fights, Durkin should have been PRAISING the teachers for their trying to prevent them (students) from getting badly injured.

SHAME ON HER AND THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS INCLUDING THE MAYOR for not standing up and defending teachers for their actions!!!

Anonymous said...

Lou, I heard that Durkin is planning to use classroom management and discipline issues as cause for termination. She is working closely with building principals to identify staff who may be considered weak links, and tallying the number of conduct cards/ incident reports as justification for dismissal. This is wrong.

Anonymous said...

Classroom management bull crap! I would love to see all of the Assistant Superintendents along with Durkin try subbing for a day or two at the high school or middle schools. Bet they won't be able to handle some of these students either--classroom management. Then and only then can they become aware of what we deal with daily and get little or no support from the administration. Oh silly me, the principals or housemasters will certainly honor those conduct cards!

Anonymous said...

What happened with the 6 inch serrated knife found in high school park lot after it was reported to SROs? When a brawl breaks out and someone gets injured, will the mayor, once again, cover for Durkin as she minimizes, and sweeps it, under the rug? Just another day and a life in NBPS. Teachers are expendable, right? Don't ask. Don't tell.

Anonymous said...

They are threatening us with Dr. Durkin's unrealistic expectations, and refusing to take our concerns about safety seriously. Blowing us off, making false promises. They are ready to serve our heads on a silver platter if it means job security for them. Kissing up to the superintendent and nodding their heads in agreement, begs the question if they are capable of thinking for themselves. At one time, we respected them and trusted their judgement. Not any more.

Anonymous said...

Big do-ins (excuse me, "incidents") at the high school today. . . . . . . . .3 more fights! One teacher had to go to hospital to have 7 staples put into the back of his head! Just another "incident" they will minimize or sweep under the rug!

Anonymous said...

I think somehow, some way, 60 minutes, 20/20 or shows like that need to be contacted. Heck, we would settle for Channel 6 or 10 news. The word has to get out before something really, really drastic happens. It is brewing. Administration is kissing up to this superintendent. When will New Bedford ever get a Superintendent again that cares about the TEACHERS????

Anonymous said...

I have been a teacher in the NBPS for a while. I am results oriented, allowing no funny business or foolishness in my classroom at any time. It is all about the content. Always has been.

With that said, I can honestly say that I have never seen student behavior at such a "stunning" poor level ever in my tenure. It is beyond understanding, although I have a pretty good idea of the problems.

Things will only get worse before they gets better, I predict. Keep focusing on the data and all the other "crap", pardon the word, and not the real problem, student behavior, and you are ignorant of the true problem that plaques our district.

Enough with the rigor discussion. The majority of our students do not have the capacity for rigor. It has been the districts MO to pass students along without being proficient in the grades they have participated. Administrators have created the problems to which they would like teachers to fix. It is not going to happen.

Administrators pressure teachers to pass students, and as long as that happens the gap between MCAS, Common Core, or PAARC and report cards will will never ever go away.





Anonymous said...

"No Funny Business" said it quite clearly! Excellent post. This social promotion b.s. has to stop or this district will go nowhere. Absolutely not fair to anyone, the students who get passed on, the students they end up with who ARE prepared, and the teacher that they end up with, not to mention the adult life these students are being set-up for. These administrators actually set these kids up for depression as adults, the article "A Nation of Whimps" speaks to this fact. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200411/nation-wimps

Anonymous said...

I agree with above post. I was told when newly hired years ago to give students a passing grade of "D" as long as they just came to class. When I protested that "the failing" students do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN CLASS, two different department heads told me "I'd look bad if I gave out any F's and administration would question me about it." I went ahead and still give my F's to students who do absolutely nothing, which reminds me of what Dr. Durkin said during our PD in August that "FAILURE ISN'T AN OPTION."

Thran555 said...

Teacher's still have the right to "fail" or give a "F" on the report card or progress report. IT IS THE PRINCIPAL'S DISCRETION TO OVER-RIDE THE "F". Also you , the teacher keeps the recorded "F" for future proof and at least show the administration that your are not a cog in the machine! I say more teachers should stand up for what they believe is the truth. Administration and DESE can't stop you! Stay strong. I did.

Anonymous said...

I pity the teachers in the middle school and high school. we can't even control the kids in elementary school anymore so I can only imagine how they act when you get these kids. Years of entitlement and no consequences is what leads to disaster.

Anonymous said...

Entitlement in school, leads to the the perception of entitlement in life. We have made it difficult for students to comprehend the "idea" of accountability and responsibility. Sad. Unless something changes New Bedford will be below sea level.

Anonymous said...

I agree with above post re. entitlements. After receiving a "free breakfast," some students barely arrive to class before the bell or are late, want to sleep, or check their cellphones or other electronic devices. While I am patrolling the aisles trying to make things RIGOROUS, some of them are trying to catch a few winks. Before long, they are thinking about their "free lunch." Some don't want to do anything because it is a Monday or Friday, or they have just had lunch and "it is the end of the day" . . . . . . 1:00! What a culture we've created!