Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Shoot! Where Do They Get These Teachers?
The Seattle Times reports that a Lake Stevens High School Teacher has been placed on administrative leave after threatening to "shoot" misbehaving students. Apparently a student had been daydreaming in a literature class when teacher Gary McDonald picked on her, when other students intervened, McDonald threatened to line them up and shoot them, with the Virginia Tech tragedy only a month ago, I wonder how a teacher could find any humor in a remark like that. If McDonald cannot control his student, what is he doing teaching a high school class anyway? The article, written by Times reporter Lynn Thompson, said that McDonald's class started with 30 students, but has dwindled to just 17.
See, that just makes me so mad. I can't believe that they would even give him paid suspension. He should be fired and not allowed to work around children or young adults.
ReplyDeleteKids have a hard enough time getting along in school as it is. I know this based on the experiences I had as a child and what I see my son go through weekly. If they can't depend on their teachers to treat them kindly in a place that can be so harsh... well, there's something bad wrong with our system, values or whatever.
Cindy
I hope this is an isolated case. I would think that resourses would be available to him to help control the class.
ReplyDeleteI had Mr. McDonald as a teacher for three years, no matter what the media says, including the two of you, he was and still is an awesome teacher. I can understand the point you have made about school being harsh, but the "harsh" reality is that children are spoiled rotten now days and some get completely out of line. As far of school being harsh, wouldn't you agree that the real world is much more harsh than school could ever be.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy for people just to pass judgement without even knowing all the facts. The media has one purpose, to stir things up. This article was written by one over-opinionated individual, you can never tell just how true the facts are in the news. If Mr. McDonald lost his temper, he had good reason to do so.
Thank you. Why don't you tell explain what happened. As far as kids being spoiled, yes things have change since I was a child, but your comment is a generalization. How does threatening gun violence change the situation? I'll put the ball in your court now, I'm listening!
ReplyDelete