I am a major proponent of teaching “big kids” versus “little kids”, hence the certification in Secondary Education. I have always felt that a career for me in secondary education would be more rewarding because there is less of a chance of dealing with students who are not aware of the intended expectations that we as educators have for them. However after reading the article located here http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081008/METRO02/810080437/1026/rss06 I found myself thinking twice. Apparently, some “kids” will always be “kids” , at least in Ferndale, and there is nothing that we as educators can do about it but send them to the Principal’s office. This article tells about a 36 year old Adult Education teacher who was teaching “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. While covering the novel, a classroom discussion about witchcraft occurred and a 20 year old student, Dari Najor, asked the teacher if she believed in witchcraft. Upon the teacher saying no in regards to the practice of witchcraft and the punishment that was sentenced to the practicing “witches” of those times, the student poured a liquid on her and then lit his cigarette lighter as if trying to set her on fire. The teacher admittedly was scared for her life and did not know what to do but to get security. When security found the student, he was at his car smoking a cigarette and then attempted to come after the teacher again. Consequently, the student was expelled and sent to the mental hospital for a 72 hour evaluation and has been charged with a 93 day misdemeanor for assault and battery. Could you imagine an experience like this? All I can say is for his sake, is that I hope that she isn’t a witch because the consequences that she could have “brewing” up for him would cause an all out witch-hunt!!! It is October after all!!!
You know, I read this post, and I couldn’t help think of all the news stories we have heard about violence in schools. It is everywhere and it happens at every age. I guess the thing that is surprising about this event is that the student involved was actually an adult. He had made a choice to come back to school.I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised, look at the example the younger generations are being given. I know that 20 is technically an adult, but it is still an age where personalities are still growing and impressionable. I wonder what kind of upbringing this young man had that taught him this kind of behavior was tolerable. Not only that, but how much angry must this man have had built up in him that a discussion in his English class sent him over the edge?
I think that one of the things we have to be aware of as teachers is how vulnerable we can be in some ways. Issues with violence are a concern of mine, and I have yet to hear this addressed in any of my education courses. How do we defend ourselves if we are attacked? Can we be penalized for defending ourselves? How far should we let things go before we call for help? How can we be proactive about preventing violence in our classrooms? These are all questions that I have and hope that I will find some of the answers as I work towards my degree.
I know that for myself, teaching adult education or alternative education is most likely something I would not be able to handle. I hope that the teacher wasn’t scared from her job, and I really hope that “kid” got the help he obviously needs!!
Unbelievable and harrowing experience for the teacher! This student should be expelled form the adult education program in Ferndale. If I was the teacher I would push for it, and if it didn’t happen my resignation would shortly follow. This was an adult, not some 14 year-old kid trying to impress his or her friends or acting out. This guy needs to be made an example of, and by that I don’t necessarily mean jail time or even being hospitalized (although the latter seems like a real possibility). What needs to happen is that this young man needs to be expelled permanently from the adult ed program. There needs to be consequences for this type of behavior.