The video was called “F$@#*N$ wit da teacha” and it revealed the horror my teaching colleague, a native of Nepal, went through each day.
Mr. B is a short man and he always dressed in a classy jacket and shirt each day with pressed trousers. He is really a brilliant man – a wonderful writer in both his native language and in English. The man has a Ph.D in English and teaches at a local community college to earn more money.
But in this video, which is no longer on YouTube display, he was standing near his door, visibly on his last nerve as he tried to clear his room of several stray students who were running in and out of the room. “You must leave. I am trying to teach,” he said to the main student messing with him. The student proceeded to touch the collar of his shirt, taunting him by saying, “I bet you won’t pop your f’in colla.” What this meant, I have no clue.
Mr. B did not react well to being touched by the student. The last footage is of him shouting down the hall for help from an administrator. No help ever came. Several kids cuss and laugh in the background of the video and then it goes blank. Another colleague of mine is the one who found the video. He frequently searched YouTube to see if the kids had posted anything. If you’re interested, check this one out of the hallway in my school, posted by a student a while back. (Yes, this is America and it happens in schools every single day. This is why there are weapons checks.)
Mr. B is a very smart man, but his accent presented a huge language barrier with his students. This made him an easy target. His classes were tormented – not because he didn’t know his subject – but because he was unable to manage the chaos, rudeness and downright meanness shown to him each day. Kids frequently came to me and asked to sit in my class during the hour they had Mr. B – not because they didn’t like him but because they knew a big block of students were not going to let them learn anything. And they knew Mr. B wouldn’t stand up for himself. As harsh as it may sound, in doing so, he wasn’t standing up for his students.
Our school had several foreign teachers who were tormented along similar lines as Mr. B. On Halloween, gangs of students ran the halls egging teachers. Our Kenyan and Ghanian Math teachers were both egged on their heads. Our French teacher, a nice older man from Canada, was egged as well; he never came back after that day.
On any regular school day, Ms. E, a chemistry teacher, would lock herself in the chemical closet during certain class periods because she was so afraid of the kids.
On and on I could go, but the point here is that the failed schools in America do not require more money so much as they require better discipline policies and classroom managers. Those in charge of our school knew these things were going on. They often acted cowardly in their discipline policy because having too many suspensions would rouse too much suspicion from the central office. Those teachers who were taunted and tormented didn’t have to take it; they should have stood firm and held their ground. They knew what they were getting into each day.
Really, it’s a battle. Though clichéd, urban education is a war for our future. Can we really as a country let videos like that one stand?
God bless all those teachers above who I describe – they are all doing very well in other job placements now. But none of them belonged in that school. There is no place for weakness on staffs in failed urban schools. The discipline problems in these environments are just too bad. It’s hard for me these days to go to a family gathering or some sort of classy party and hold forth with normal conversation because all I want to do is tell these stories, which often involve lots of cussing and other vulgarities. This makes for poor small talk because people are uncomfortable when they hear it. “It can’t be true – it can’t be that bad,” they must think.
Mr. B once told me that he would rather be blown up by a bomb in Baghdad because “boom – one time and it’s all over.” Here in the school, he said “You die many times every day.”
This… in America… It’s true.
19 responses so far
1 ottovbvs // Jul 11, 2009 at 9:10 am
Sounds like your school principal and the superintendant of the system should be fired. I wonder have you taken this up with them. I’m not going to dispute there’s a problem but it’s got to be fixed on the ground not with the sort of hyperbole about Iraq bombs etc that are present here. What exactly one asks is the purpose of this cri de coeur.
2 dacookson // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I’m surprised this doesn’t happen more often. Follow up article here.
3 barker13 // Jul 11, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Listen. There’s plenty of blame to go around. Ultimately, as with everything, you have to blame the American People for allowing this sort of dysfunction to exist.
Still… (*SIGH*)… you’ve got to put the majority of the blame on two sets of shoulders: 1) School administrators – the Head Office – the Superintendent, Board Members; 2) The Teacher’s Union(s) and the teachers themselves.
King Bill (if only!) commands:
Bring back corporal punishment.
Now OBVIOUSLY there’s room for abuse INHERENT in a system which gives educators such power; but look at the reality now… are we living in some educational utopia WITHOUT teachers who serve in a position of loco parentis possessing this tool?
OK. Next… (Regardless of what one thinks of corporal punishment.)
By high school…
By high school, if a kid can’t act like a civilized person – a respectful student – get him or her the hell out of there. Start with detentions… move to suspensions… then expulsion. The kid wants to ruin his or her life… so be it. My focus is on the kids who want to learn; I want them to have their chance.
The argument against this of course is “what next?” What will these kids do? Where will they end up? As dysfunctional adults won’t they hurt society even further – cost more to deal with “later” if we don’t expend the resources in an effort to “fix” them now?
Well… again… if we had a “King Bill” this would be a no brainer.
King Bill hereby gives Lord Arpaio, Duke of Maricopa, Earl of Arizona, carte blanche to handle the action – imprisonment to corporal punishment to capital punishment. If the “system” were run properly there’d be no need to spend $60K-$70K-$80K a year on prisoners. Heck… ‘ol Joe might well make a PROFIT off the sons of… er… female dogs.
Hey… again… fantasy borne out of frustration. Freely stipulated! BUT… BUT… this Gibbon kid ain’t making this $hit up! If THIS is the reality… perhaps it’s time for my fantasies to be given a serious look – at least up to a point.
BILL
4 completecurriculum // Jul 11, 2009 at 3:13 pm
its just terrible!! its the awful and real face that public education is showing up to society and I think its technically impossible our children will be able to ignore this attitudes towards people, OMG, ‘m really shocked specially when somebody was trying to convince me to homeschool my children, my only issue shall be dealing with a really quality k-12 customized digital textbook one that may teach my son to have a respect and world tolerant open mind
5 midcon // Jul 11, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Tom,
The above post from completecurriculum is a pretty blatant commercial post and should be removed along with my post pointing this out.
6 orgman // Jul 12, 2009 at 12:00 am
Yes the teachers’ unions hold some of the blame. Yes the school administrators hold some of the blame. And of course certain politicians can’t be left out. But ultimately the blame for circumstances like this falls on one group. The families of the students.
I am not going to single out parents because it doesn’t matter if it is mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, etc. bringing up the child . A person is not born with a sense of respect; they are taught it. If a society does not value responsibility; feels a sense of undue entitlement; or simply feels someone else will worry about the problem, so why should they; the best-conceived educational system imaginable will still fail.
The problem here is not systemic. It is societal.
7 barker13 // Jul 12, 2009 at 11:25 am
Re: Orgman // Jul 12, 2009 at 12:00 am –
“…ultimately the blame for circumstances like this falls on one group. The families of the students.”
No. A fine cliche… but no.
See, Org, the “families of the students” are part of the “asylum” population. And as I always point out, you’ve got a problem when you’ve got the frigg’n inmates running the asylum.
No, Org, it’s up to the politicians, the school administrators, the teachers unions and the teachers themselves to “pull rank” on the “families of the students” and exercise proper control and authority.
Blaming “the families of the students” is a cop out in the sense that they and their offspring shouldn’t be ALLOWED by mainstream society to disrupt our society’s educational process to the extent they do.
“I am not going to single out parents because it doesn’t matter if it is mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, etc. bringing up the child. A person is not born with a sense of respect; they are taught it. If a society does not value responsibility…”
But that’s my point, Org. The “families of the students” (the problem students) are PART of society, but they shouldn’t be the part in the drivers seat. No. That’s where the politicians and school administrators and teachers unions and teachers… in other words… that’s where SOCIETY – “polite society” used to be the phrase – needs to step in and reestablish control.
You’re offering NO solutions, Org; none – zip, zilch. Jeez, even Otto offers proposes a specific solution to the specific problem. I went much further in my Jul 11, 2009 1:16 pm post.
(*SHRUG*)
I’m not “going after you,” Org, but your post serves no purpose other than to repeat the liberal dogma that the problem is “societal” without proposing a specific method of “society” SOLVING the problem.
Wanna try again…???
BILL
8 orgman // Jul 12, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Gee Bill, it’s the weekend; I must have left my fascist problem-solving hat at work. “Pull rank,” what? Corporeal punishment alone is always going to be the answer here – especially for a 13 year old.
Seriously though, how do you figure that the families and parents are the ones in control of the system? I’ll pass on having the government “fix,” or existing school administrations beholden to teachers unions “fix” my educational system. Being a federalist and all, I’m not big on Big government or bureaucracy.
You’ll notice, educational systems work when students (and parents) have a choice. The ones who want an education get access to one. In the article’s case they go to sit in another classroom. For those who are lucky, they have charter or parochial schools available. The ones who don’t want to learn? Well that is one great fault of our system; we think everyone deserves an education. We should probably just hand these ones a broom at age 13 and tell ‘em to get to work. ..Then again, think how many drop outs have gone on to achieve great success in business. Hmmm…gray areas.
I’m not sure what “solutions” you were offering other than “kick the bums out.” I actually wasn’t intending to offer a solution; just provoke conversation-guess I succeeded. Really my point was simply that until people take account for themselves, we can mandate and legislate all we want but its not going to change the fundamental problem that a significant portion of our society is unwilling to take any responsibility for their actions. Many of these, supporters of our president.
BTW, I’m not sure which liberals you are equating me with. I don’t know many who espouse accountability. Most of the ones I know are more in favour of empathy and blame.
9 midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 12:16 am
This points out the inability of the “system” to manage an educational system where the behavior of students is a primary obstacle in effectively executing the educational systems mission. The system has been constructed under the premise that students will function within the system in accordance with the behvaior norms established for the system, thus allowing the system to operate as it was intended.
Given that the students (in many urban schools) do not comply with the behavior norms, you have three choices, modify the system to accomodate the actual behavior of the students, eliminate the students who do not or cannot comply with the system behavior norms or modify the students behavior.
The schools have already spent considerable time and effort in trying to modify the system to accomodate the actual behavior – metal detectors, constant police presence, counseling, and other methods that detract from the education delivery purpose of the schools. While they have achieved some limited success, that success is primarily in creating an environment where the students who actually want to be there to learn can learn. Of course there are probably just as many failures as successes.
The second option is to eliminate the students that will not comply with the behavior norms. This alternative rarely practiced because our society believes that school is probably the only chance that these students will have in life and because of enternal optimism that if you just put good teachers in schools and expose the students to these teachers they will soon be in college level courses. That’s the Stand and Deliver paradigm. That can and does work – with some at risk students and keeping them in school also works to modify their behavior. But it does not work with most.
So the third alternative is to modify their behavior. Behavior modification requires a change in environment, values, and role models all of which are controlled most heavily by their parents not the schools. We cannot ask the schools to do what the parents can not or will not do. The error that the system and society continues to make is absolve the parents and the communities of responsibility. Until the parents man up, nothing that system or society does will ameliorate the problem.
10 barker13 // Jul 13, 2009 at 9:24 am
Re: Orgman // Jul 12, 2009 at 9:12 pm –
“Gee Bill, it’s the weekend; I must have left my fascist problem-solving hat at work.”
Why not stimulate the economy by running out to the store and buying another hat for home wear then?
(*SMILE*)
Hey… btw, Orgman… congrats! You’ve managed to set a new record: Throwing out the old “fascist” label in your very first sentence!
(*CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*)
Mom must be so proud of you…
(*WINK*)
“Seriously though, how do you figure that the families and parents are the ones in control of the system?”
Because it’s the voters who elect the politicians who write the laws and the school boards which set policy. Between school policies and laws it seems to me that you can deal with the discipline problems.
(*SHRUG*)
“Being a federalist and all, I’m not big on Big government or bureaucracy.”
Huh…??? (I believe you meant to write, “Being an idiot and all…”)
What’s federalism have to do with school district policies and STATE laws…???
Seriously… are you just grabbing words out of a dictionary and adding them to your posts…???
Here. This may help: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/federalist
If not… try this: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/federalism
(*SNORT*) (*GUFFAW*)
“I actually wasn’t intending to offer a solution…”
Well… you succeeded in not offering a solution. Congrats! Dad must be proud too!
(Lord… where do these frigg’n people COME from…?!?!)
BILL
11 barker13 // Jul 13, 2009 at 9:36 am
Re: Midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 12:16 am –
Mid. I read your comments and you were right on target…
Until…
“We cannot ask the schools to do what the parents can not or will not do.”
But we MUST!
We’re all agreed that many parents are unfit. (*SHRUG*)
So when the home is dysfunctional… WHAT? What’s your solution?
“The error that the system and society continues to make is absolve the parents and the communities of responsibility.”
OK. So, again… WHAT’S your solution…???
Mid… for Christ’s sake… you get a solid “A” for a well written post. Great work outlining “the three alternatives.” Now finish the job! What’s you SOLUTION…???
“Until the parents man up, nothing that system or society does will ameliorate the problem.”
Mid. That’s not a solution – that’s a slogan.
Here… let’s try it this way: Address my Jul 11, 2009 at 1:16 pm post and also my Jul 12, 2009 at 11:25 am post.
Hey. I’m not saying you have to agree with any of my suggested remedies. (Though I would like to know where you agree – specifically – and where you disagree – specifically.) More than that, though, more than “reacting” to anything I or anyone else has written… what are YOUR proposals…???
BILL
12 midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 10:40 am
barker13 // Jul 11, 2009 at 1:16 pm – Corporal punishment
Does it work? Spare the rod, spoil the child? For some it might, but is it a proven enough technique to warrant its widespread/universal use? I haven’t seen enough data to say one way or the other. However, my intuition says that as a Pavlovian technique it would work on some and fail on others, but remains nothing more than classical conditioning. Plus, we would have to have this great debate on what’s constitutes abuse, torture, including paddle sizes, blow velocity, appropriate striking locations – certainly a big mess. So no – way too messy.
barker13 // Jul 12, 2009 at 11:25 am – State authority over children when parents fail.
Well we have that now. The state taketh away and giveth back on a recurring basis. Draconian measures would have to be adopted including voiding of all parental rights and cradle to adulthood state responsibility for the child.
If you would consider that, then I would just as soon consider restricting parenthood and births. If you can not or will not exercise your responsibilities, then you should not have children. I am in favor of a child licence. Pass a course and demonstrate that you are a responsible adult and you can obtain a licence for a child. Demonstrate responsible child rearing, and obtain a permit for another. Produce a plan on how you will provide a stable home for multiple children perhaps you can have more children. Become pregnant without a licence, then either the state takes the child at birth or the pregnancy is terminated.
It is harder to adopt a pet in my county than it is to have children. Pet adoption includes significant paperwork and the potential for home visits to ensure there is proper environment for a pet. Would that we would spend as much attention to having children.
We continue to relieve parents of their responsibilities and levy no penalties for having multiple children with no visible means of support except for state assistance. So, no I am not an advocate of state control and authority unless it’s complete and results in the terminatation of all parental rights and contact with the child.
13 barker13 // Jul 13, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Re: Midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 10:40 am –
“Does it work? Spare the rod, spoil the child?”
Well, I believe it does, but it’s not what I believe that matters. I say let’s TRY it. If it doesn’t work… well… then we’ll find out it doesn’t help. If it does… it does.
(Hey Sinz… if you’re lurking… you’re a big fan of the scientific method; what’a'ya think… test the hypothesis?) (*WINK*)
No… seriously, Mid… I say try it… monitor the results… analyze the results… give it a shot. One thing we know for sure is what’s occurring ABSENT corporal punishment. (*SHRUG*)
“…my intuition says that as a Pavlovian technique it would work on some…”
Well… “some” is better than none – at least according to my math. (*WINK*)
“…and fail on others…”
No doubt! But would it WORSEN this groups willingness and ability to disrupt overall schooling of the student body as a group? And even if it did, when taking into account the “some” it’ll work on, overall what’s the end result? When all’s said and done, will corporal punishment make the OVERALL situation better or worse in terms of being able to educate the most children to the utmost degree?
“…nothing more than classical conditioning.”
So…? “Classical conditioning” or not all I’m interested in is the best possible result for the majority of the student population and society.
“So no – way too messy.”
OK. We agree to disagree. Put in “your corner” let’s put up a check mark on the “no proposed change/solution” side of the tally, shall we? Fair enough…???
“The state taketh away and giveth back on a recurring basis.”
Yeah… and sometimes the state even errs on the side of abusing its authority. Still, for the purposes of our discussion I believe the state doesn’t act quickly and firmly enough.
“Draconian measures would have to be adopted including voiding of all parental rights and cradle to adulthood state responsibility for the child.”
Yep. You’re right. I’m all for expanding physical facilities and human infrastructure for dealing with the logical result of my proposed policies. Will it cost money? Sure. But will it save money in the long term… that’s what I’d bet on.
“If you would consider that, then I would just as soon consider restricting parenthood and births.”
(*SIGH*) Yeah… but now we’re into “King Dave” and “King Bill” mode. I’m talking about what’s actually possible – at least theoretically possible – within the confines of our system. Hey… I’m talking “back to the past;” you’re talking rewriting the Constitution – at least that’s what it would probably take. (You agree, right…???)
I mean, hell… you can assume I couldn’t get my “plan” past the Courts; but there’s no chance whatsoever that you could get your proposal put into law.
Back to your statement… “If you would consider that…”
Should I take it that by starting your sentence with “if” that indicates you oppose my idea? Again… your right… but that means another check mark on the “no proposed change/solution” side of the tally. (*SHRUG*)
“We continue to relieve parents of their responsibilities…”
I get it, Dave. It’s your way or nothing. No compromise. If not your action… then no action. We’ll all go down with the ship.
Dave. With respect… I’m trying to deal with the situation and the goalposts as it and they exist. You? You keep on telling me what you’d like to see in terms of behavior, but you’re proposing no viable plan to get us there.
(*SHRUG*)
BILL
P.S. – Hey… before you reply to me if that’s your intention…
WHAT THE HELL EVER HAPPENED TO TOM GIBBON – the author of this thread post?
Does it bother you that by and large Frum’s “contributors” seem either unwilling or else incapable of joining us in these discussions which were started in response to THEIR original posts?
It bugs me. In fact, if I were ever in a position to give any of these clowns a paid gig I wouldn’t – simply based upon their bad attitude. Ignoring the “grass roots” of New Majority isn’t the way to build New Majority. That’s my opinion anyway.
14 puckwi // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Hey Bill, It’s Tom Gibbon. I’m not unwilling or incapable, just doing many things these days – trying to earn a living and so forth. I appreciate you reading the posts and being such a thoughtful contributor.
I agree with you when you say: “By high school, if a kid can’t act like a civilized person – a respectful student – get him or her the hell out of there. Start with detentions… move to suspensions… then expulsion. The kid wants to ruin his or her life… so be it. My focus is on the kids who want to learn; I want them to have their chance.”
I think most, most, most of the kids in the poor schools – chaotic, etc – want to learn. Many are so emotionally or physically or mentally scarred that it’s impossible. Furthermore, many schools are dumping grounds for learning disabled children. This was the case where I worked. Kids weren’t given the proper attention, or competent attention, so they ran the halls and went berserk.
I’ll try to get back to you more often. If you want, email the editor@newmajority.com and he’ll give you my email. Thanks, Gibbon
15 midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Bill,
The first one was a “No” (Too messy)
You took the second incorrectly. It was, “I see your draconian measure and I raise you an even more draconian measure.” My rationale is that if you void parental rights – many of those “parents” would just make more babies. After all society rewards them for doing so. Would your draconian measure result in a population increase? Hard to say, but I prefer to nip it in bud so to speak. Reminds me of my stupid Japanese beetles that invade me every June. Unless I get them when they are grubs I end up with more beetles regardless of how many I kill with my scent traps.
16 barker13 // Jul 13, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Re: Midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:26 pm –
“You took the second incorrectly.”
Ahh… my bad! Please accept my apologies for misunderstanding.
“My rationale is that if you void parental rights – many of those “parents” would just make more babies.”
Hmm. Yeah. Now I see where you’re coming from.
(*SIGH*)
Hmm… how to get around that (viable legal strategies) I’m not sure.
Still… one problem at a time. The existing kid is trapped in a dysfunctional home… we attempt to “rescue” the child. That’s what I say. And if by rescuing the child from his errant parents we’re also serving the interests of society in terms of removing the child from being a continuing disruption for the public school… that’s taking out two birds with one stone. Or at least that’s how I see it.
Will the mother have more children? Perhaps. Perhaps even probably. But as I wrote above… (*SIGH*)… one problem at a time – deal with the problems in sequence if need be.
No. Not a perfect solution. Not even close. Still, I think it’s a better one than “staying the present course.”
“Would your draconian measure result in a population increase? Hard to say, but I prefer to nip it in bud so to speak.”
Oh, yeah… me too! Hey… you’ve got my support if you wanna run for King! All I’m saying is that I don’t think we’d get away with the “Bob Grant Mandatory Sterilization Act of 1970.”
(*SHRUG*) (*SIGH*)
BILL
17 midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I don’t think we would either, but you notice how close “parental responsibility” sounds like “personal responsibility”? Among the things lacking in our society is just that – personal responsibility.
Bernie Madoff stole my money – someone should reimburse me.
My coffee was hot and I burned myself – someone should pay for my pain and suffering.
My husband died in the World Trade Towers. Someone should pay me.
Someone shot my son at Virginia Tech, the state of Virginia should pay me money now.
I don’t actually have a steady income and I bought a house. It’s the bank’s fault for loaning me money.
My kid doesn’t listen to me, the schools should do something.
And on and on and on.
It’s always someone else’s fault. Someone else’s responsiblity.
I freely admit that every stupid mistake I have made in my whole life is a direct result of my own stupidity, ignorance, and lack of common sense. I sometimes feel like the Lone Ranger.
18 barker13 // Jul 13, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Re: Puckwi // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:09 pm –
“I’ll try to get back to you more often.”
(*THUMBS UP*)
Good man, Tom!
You actually have taken part in discussions arising from past threads you’ve contributed; don’t think I haven’t noticed.
I’m guessing you “get” where I was coming from with my little aside concerning “Where’s Tom?” Yes, it was directed at you, but in the large context it was directed to David Frum.
Hey… Frum’s gonna do what he’s gonna do… but I truly believe that if he take my advice on a number of these “administrative” matters he’ll ultimately do better with this blog.
Hey… I KNOW that I’m not exactly “Mr. Everybody Loves Me,” but by showing such contempt for and rudeness towards NewMajority posters (basically ignoring us) Frum isn’t doing himself or his reputation any favors. Same goes for those in his stable of “contributors” who behave likewise.
No response necessary, Tom… but if you’re in touch with Frum… well… you might wanna give him your input if you share my perspective even a little bit.
(*SHRUG*)
Best regards,
BILL
19 barker13 // Jul 13, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Re: Midcon // Jul 13, 2009 at 8:59 pm –
Tell ya what, Dave…
You be the Lone Ranger this week… I’ll be Tonto.
Next week… we switch!
(Boy, I can hardly wait till we get to play Batman and Robin! I wanna drive… I wanna drive…!)
(*SMILE*)
BILL
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