Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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September 25, 2009

MAIL CALL: Tyler incident should teach us something about education

Dear Local, State, and National Public School Administrators:

With the recent events that occurred in Tyler on Wednesday, Sept. 23, I been wondering exactly how far it has to get, or how close to home, before something is done to protect our school teachers.

I am not sure exactly how this happened, or what could have been done to prevent this, but I do know that something needs to be done to prevent an event like this from happening again, anywhere.

I do not know why this student decided to do this, but I believe that this could of possibly have been prevented if our public schools had what we used to call discipline in them.

Often all administrators’ focus on is the TAKS test, local school bonds, or what is best for the students.

Without teachers, you have no school. Administrators, your district is not made up of good students without great teachers. Teachers’ hands are tied when it comes to discipline.

I went to college to become a teacher, and did my student teaching in public schools, and I know that the kids are not scared.

Many administrators say that it is not right to paddle a child, or fear a possible lawsuit. Well, what we have created is a public school system full of students who do not respect, nor fear a teacher.

I graduated from Athens High School in the 1990s when children still received spankings for bad behavior. I got in my share of trouble in school, but I knew when enough was enough.

And if I pushed it to far, I received “licks,” and I did a few times.

I am a public firefighter, and often hear people say thank you for putting your life on the line.

Well I say – Teachers, Thanks You! You should not have to fear this. If this had happened in my line of work, there would be national investigation, state investigation and local investigation, not to mention large amounts of money spent in research and reenactments, and eventually possible laws or protocols changed to prevent a repeat tragedy.

Public, it is up to us to make sure that your district makes school discipline the top priority. If you see that it is not getting done, then it is up to us to vote out the current school board member, as well as our local, state and national representatives.

People say that spanking a child will not help, that it will hurt the child in the future. Well I think they are wrong.

I say if a kid acts up, discipline them. If that means spankings, then spank. If that means sending them home for a week, then send them home.

But I know that a child will never be sent home because it seems that all we are concerned with is the tax dollar that we receive for that student’s attendance.

Yes, my son was acting up in kindergarten, and he received a spanking, and guess what? The problem was corrected.

We need to protect our teachers because they have more of an influence on our future than anything else. Administrators and elected officials – you better take care of your teachers, because without them, you are not needed.

Did anyone know that this tragedy also occurred on the same day that thousands of students across the nation gathered around the school flagpole to pray for their school, teachers, administrators and students? That is something that is also missing from our schools.

Chris House

Athens

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