I adore my caseload for work. I get to work in many schools with awesome kids, families, and colleagues. However, I drive through many high crime neighborhoods to get there. When I really think about it, I take many precautions when driving, parking, walking to a school building, and when I'm inside certain buildings. I've seen out of control fights between students. I've had student be aggressive toward me. And, I've been concerned for my safety in my work areas.
That's why this story caught my attention today.
First of all, the teacher was cleared of all charges. And, I'm basing my information on her Today Show interview and the video in the linked article. I think she could have avoided hitting the student.
My employer provides yearly training in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention. The school district I work for has a "hands off" policy for adults touching students unless the student is a danger to themselves or others, and then there is an approved restraint hold permitted, as a last resort. Have I restrained a student before? Yes. Have I been injured by a student before? Yes, if you consider a bite, scratch, kick, pinch, etc. as an injury. Oh, and I've been clocked in the head with a mini-cabasa. That one hurt for a while!
From the limited information I have from the situation with the linked story, I think there are a number of things the teacher could have done. Of course, I don't know her school policy or anything else. But, here's my opinion from the information in the video.
1. Her vocal tone did not appear to be assisting with deescalating the student. She appeared to be yelling back at the student. It's okay to be firm, but if you are escalating along with the student, the result will not be awesome.
2. She backed herself into a corner. If a student is charging you, get away! I've had to do that before. I was embarrassed that I couldn't control my student in our small office during therapy. But, when she followed my into the hallways, another staff member saw there was a problem and helped intervene. Another staff person could have even just called administration or the SRO. Plus, you have to consider the safety of other students.
3. She hit back. I have not hit a student. EVER. But, I have blocked attempts at aggression. Block and move away.
4. She didn't call for assistance. Was there a call button in the room to the office? Could she have sent a student next door to another classroom for assistance? If I would have seen a student escalating, I would have asked for help immediately, especially if I felt extremely threatened.
Hindsight is wonderful. I'm grateful I get this specialized crisis prevention training every year, but I wish general education staff would be trained as well. I think it could help a lot to deescalate situations that could become something serious.
Teachers don't have an easy job, but that doesn't give us the right to "defend ourselves" when there are strategies and procedures in place to protect the student and staff alike.
