Where exactly are school teachers coming from these days? Some of them are acting downright inappropriate, saying things and doing things they would never have said and done even 10 years ago. It seems that a breakdown in judgement has occurred and the Gorilla wonders: is there any going back to the “old school” methods of etiquette for our esteemed educators? Let the Gorilla explain.
Old school teachers= strict disciplinary measures, tougher rules, and morally sound behavior on the part of the teachers. New school teachers= limited disciplinary measures (not politically correct), less rules (kids can bring cell phones to school), and immoral behavior on the part of the teachers (teachers saying and doing things that cross the lines).Every day the Gorilla hears about another teacher acting inappropriately with his/her students. The worst acts are committed when teachers have affairs with, or seduce, students. (Who could forget such colorful characters as Debra LaFave or Mary Kay Letourno?) But, just as heinous, is when a teacher physically abuses or hurts a student. Or how about when a teacher just makes an inappropriate comment to a student? These occurrences happen everyday, but go mostly unnoticed and unpunished. But how do we monitor what teachers should be allowed to say or not to say? And what dialogue is considered inappropriate?
In recent days and weeks, the Gorilla has had some very direct feedback from high school-age kids about what their teacher’s are saying to them in daily conversation. (Yes, the Gorilla does do his own research!) Some of what he heard was certainly disheartening, not to mention shocking, but it made him ask the question; do teachers still have ethics? One high school freshman told of a physical education teacher, who informed the entire class that the absence of a fellow student was due to her having had an abortion the previous day. (”Or so he heard”). Another teacher told a female student in the tenth grade that she was, “as dumb as a box of rocks and possessed absolutely no common sense” because of project she left untitled. One male teacher and coach posted pictures of some of his female students on his MySpace page, with “favorite student” captions and ratings above each from 1-10.
Now maybe these aren’t complete deal breakers, but what do you think of this behavior? Should teachers be allowed to say and do such things to students? It seems as if these teachers think they are on the students’ level. But what can be done to stop it? Doctors, psychologists, and ministers have a code of ethics that they must follow, so shouldn’t teachers have to follow one as well? It reminds the Gorilla of all of the stories about Au Pairs, who were misbehaving with the children they cared for, thus- the invention of the “nanny-cam.” That actually fixed the problem and not that it never happens any longer, but it certainly curbed the problem. So, if we follow that lead, maybe we can find a way to incorporate “teacher-cams” too. Hey, it’s a stretch, but I’ll bet you those teachers would quit their misbehaving- and fast!