A teacher’s aide in Athens, GA got her 15 minutes of fame recently for taping one of her student’s mouth shut to prevent the kid from talking. If you ask me, that aide should never be allowed to become a full fledged teacher. No, not because she taped the kid’s mouth shut, but becaused she used clear packaging tape — everyone knows duct tape is way better. She’s clearly an amateur and doesn’t deserve to climb the academic ladder!
Anyhow, my initial reaction was Bwahahahahaha! that’s just plain brilliant! wrong. I can’t believe there haven’t been a million stories like this already that an adult in charge of children’s welfare and education would do something this fucking awesome horrible.
Okay, okay… we all know that what she did is probably going too far. But rather than focusing on that particular action, most people are using this incident as a spring board for discussion about corporal punishment in schools — which the state of Georgia still allows. To sum up all the important, complicated, and intricate details/arguments of this issue: some people are for it, and some people aren’t. (I have a magical gift for making shit concise, yea?) Most of the arguments come down to who is responsible for disciplining children, parents or teachers? And most arguments blame one or the other when shit goes wrong.
Since I teach at the college level, I get to see the end product of children going through the primary school system, and frankly I’m scared. Most of them display behavior that I fully expect from years of magnificent parenting and education — and by “parenting and education,” I mean TV, video games, smart phones, drugs, and the internet! So there’s a duality within me: one half remains empathetic to these poor kids since they were deprived of discipline and morals, and the other half wants to mandate mouth taping as a prerequisite for all classes.
So what do you think?? What are appropriate and effective ways for teachers to enforce rules for those kids that aren’t getting proper parenting at home??
(P.S. – Yes I just ended a post with a conversation question. No I’m not terminally ill. And no I’m not going through menopause — I’m a man.)
Vinny C
09/30/2011
I’m a student and I have often wished the teacher would tape the mouths of some of my dear cell-I mean- classmates. Because, honestly, I don’t really care to know where the party is at later, girls sitting behind me.
Dr. Cynicism
09/30/2011
Well now I get to use you as evidence that students desire this as well. So if I lose my job, I’m coming after you
Avi
09/30/2011
My grade 8 teacher actually did this at well! The difference is, she completely did it as a joke disciplinary measure, everyone laughed and the kid didn’t mind at all. I don’t know whether in this circumstance, it was meant to be an actual punishment, ergo the aide getting in trouble, but I think that everything has two sides to it! Yes, my teacher technically shouldn’t have done it, but it was a good laugh for everyone involved.
And it really does work quite well:D
Dr. Cynicism
09/30/2011
I totally don’t doubt the efficacy of the technique
hisqueen
09/30/2011
She is awesome..*note to self, get Duck tape during Sam’s club shopping trip*. I totally need this in my Arabic class..There is a new romance going on in the class and I really want to turn around and say STFU already. Call, text..go on a damn date..but shut up in class. How can I learn anything if they are chattering constantly.
I think that kids behaviour is based solely on the lack of discipline by parents now a days. All you have to do is watch the parents behaviour to see where it comes from.
Dr. Cynicism
09/30/2011
I’m leaning more toward this being a requisite for all classes.
Staje
09/30/2011
You do have to make sure you get enough tape to do their hands, otherwise they can totally take off the mouth tape.
Dr. Cynicism
09/30/2011
Well thought out Staje! *note to self — buy more duct tape* What about their legs/feet? I figure why not while we’re at it…
Summer
09/30/2011
I had a 4th grade teacher that taped a boy’s mouth shut. Gawd. That was funny. Thanks for reminding me.
I’m for corporal punishment, not for child abuse, but for corporal punishment. There is a difference. I have three boys and see (in school, my neighborhood, and their peer groups) kids that would respond better to harsher punishments. At the very least, bring back cafeteria-trash pick up duty. OMG. That was the worst. Picking up smashed milk cartons off the dirty floor after a bazillion kids had destroyed it while your friends played at recess. I can still remember the cafeteria ladies in their pink uniforms barking out orders.
Dr. Cynicism
09/30/2011
Now THAT sounds awesome! Maybe I’ll just bring a ton of trash to scatter around my class for just that occasion.
Chelle
10/03/2011
I’m turning duct tape into a gag…. Sounds like a song.
Dr. Cynicism
10/03/2011
A song that many of us would proudly sing.
Kelly
10/03/2011
True story. My third grade teacher sat on top of a student in our class and stuffed tissues in his mouth. I completely understood why. He totally had it coming to him and was a cumulative build up of months being sassy in class.
Crazy thing: she didn’t lose her job.
Dr. Cynicism
10/03/2011
I MUST meet this super hero woman!!!