A student spit in my face today...ask me anything

[laylah]

[MonkeyFunk]

1. Where'd you hide his body?

[laylah]

5. It would be a "her"

and I was so shocked, all I could say was "OMG, she spit in my face". Thanks for the response Monkey:hug:

[NightWatcher]

2. how long will you be in jail?

I'm assuming you slapped the shit out of them

[laylah]

7. Oh heavens no...

it never crossed MY mind but everyone I have told the story to, which have been few until now, had your same sentiment. I am a wimp, what can I say. I really was taken aback...omg!

Thanks for responding :hug:

[NightWatcher]

8. you are not a wimp, it was smart not to retaliate

[laylah]

16. Thanks...

it isn't in me to do harm, unless, of course, one of MY children are involved. :hug:

[Brigid]

3. Did he/she get suspended?

Back in my day, such a thing would have been unthinkable. And a kid who would do something like that would be in big trouble at home as well as at school.

[laylah]

9. Yes, suspended but not

for that. Fight earlier...long story...not in Kansas anymore, ToTo. Alternative school in the projects of the town close to me. Unfortunately, African American kiddos are the majority...I cannot imagine their lives, as a middle-aged white gal. I always try to be understanding but it is really hard at times.

Another kiddo body slammed me last week. I did get into her face and was called on the carpet for it (I was waving my pointing finger around) so I am trying to be cool.

I should have been a...a...waitress, that's it! LOL :rofl:

Thanks for responding :hug:

[flvegan]

14. Bodyslammed?

If you're going to stay there, you may want to take up aikido.

Sorry you're going through this. My mom was a teacher for 23 years. I'm glad she's not anymore.

[laylah]

15. Yes, another first for this young

"old" lady.

I have worked with at-risk youth for almost 30 years; however, I have NEVER been in this kind of an environment before. BTW, I am a social worker currently working as a Para. Unfortunately, or not, I have determined I am not cut out for this; therefore, I am putting resumes out. And, frankly, it is sad in that so many people give up on these kinds of kids and now I am one of them :cry: If I were African, maybe I would have something to offer but as a white woman who came from a home with both parents present, dysfunctional but good, I have no idea what these kiddos experience outside the classroom.

Thank you :hug:

[Deja Q]

46. The kid should have been suspended - FOR that.

Not that suspension would do any favors. That tactic worked in the days when one parent was always home, able to raise the children and properly punish them for having been suspended in the first place.

[MrCoffee]

4. Did you get his/her punk ass tossed out of school?

[laylah]

10. See response

#9 and ty for responding! :hug:

[zabet]

6. Ewwwww

How many black eyes does
the student have?



jk

[laylah]

11. From what I have been told

not enough :grin: Thanks :hug:

[Parche]

12. Looks like they dont swallow......

:shrug: :shrug:

:hi:

i would have hit them.......

[laylah]

13. I know Parche,

I have been told that by EVERYONE who has heard this story. I was sooooooo taken aback, I could only say, incredulously, "She spit on me!". Actually, I'd rather be this way than what these kids are used to in their daily lives, which WOULD have been a beating. Thanks for the sentiment, and I DO understand it :hug:

[cordelia]

17. I cannot imagine

That type of behavior is completely foreign to me. I almost went into Social Work many years ago, but one thing led to another. . .

You are to be admired for caring as much as you do, and for not beating the snot out of the spitter.

[laylah]

18. ...

:hug: Thank you.

[raccoon]

38. Sorry that happened to you. HOpe you find another job.

I don't think you were a wimp. You did the right thing, IMO. As you said, you were so taken by surprise. Another thing, she might have started a fight with you.

It's easy for people who weren't there in this sort of situation to be a Monday morning quarterback and say, "I would have done such and such," but I don't think anybody ever really knows what they'd do until they're actually in a situation.

[femmocrat]

19. I would have charged her with assault.

But I'm sick of taking shit from everyone.

I know, that's not a question, just my 2 cents.

Sorry you have to put up with that crap. Good luck with your job search. You deserve better.

:hug:

[laylah]

20. I was told that earlier but

I figure what is one more charge to these kids? They don't get it and the only one's who DO are others than their parents. Makes me physically ill, actually. The concept of throw-away kids does not compute for me and that is exactly what the majority of these kiddos are...their parents are loadies, absent, don't care, in prison...you name it. Thanks for your thoughts :hug:

[LostInAnomie]

21. That happens to me about once a week.

I work in a self contained ED classroom though. Every time is like the the first time, and every time you feel like killing them.

Good for you that you could restrain yourself. If someone without an emotional disability did it to me, I doubt I could.

[laylah]

23. No, no disability

here just very pissed off kids. :hug: You are a very strong person to put up with that on a regular basis, no matter the population you work with! I salute you! :yourock:

[LostInAnomie]

26. You're the strong one.

No disability = kid getting punched in the face, if it were me.

I've always taken a very grim view on kids that assault teachers. I don't think they should be given second chances. Teachers have to take enough shit as it is. We shouldn't have to put up with physical abuse and then have to look at the kid the next day.

[Inchworm]

22. Thank you

for doing what you do each day.

:hug:

oh.. I gotta "ask you anything" hmm...

Do you like being a teacher?

:hi:

[laylah]

24. I am not a teacher,

I am a Social Worker confined by newly enacted (a year before I graduated in '01) laws, therefore, currently I am a Para-Professional. Next week...keep this shit up, I may be a cereal killer :rofl:

:hug:

[Inchworm]

25. I seeee

Yea, if thats not what you signed up for I can see where it would suck.

Kids today...

:)

[Skittles]

27. WTF LAYLAH!!!

you want I should kick some student ass? SPITTING IS ASSAULT !!!

[laylah]

32. Naw,

no butt kicking needed. Unfortunately, I am sure these children get enough of that without me adding to it. But, thanks for the offer:P :hug:

[Mugu]

28. Clearly you did the right thing in not retaliating.

You are clearly a better person than I. I feel certain that under similar circumstances that I would be jobless and on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

I can tell that you're upset, but you done good and should be proud.

Best Regards, Mugu

[laylah]

33. Thanks for

responding, Mugu. Yes, it did upset me, a lot, but I think I was more taken aback than anything. Thanks for the input :hug:

[Rhythm]

29. How long's her suspension?

Good for you for withholding what would have been a much-deserved beating.

[laylah]

34. Mornin' TB

The suspension is for the rest of this week. I really have to ask, tho', is a beating going to teach these kids anything? Or, anyone, for that matter? Thanks for your response :hug:

[Forkboy]

30. Did you taste it?

Sorry...someone has to think of the sick angles involved, and I'm just the guy for the job. :)

[laylah]

35. ...

:spank: Thanks for the laugh, you sick puppy :hug:

[kwassa]

31. Many responses on this thread suck

they want to exchange violence for violence.

How productive is that?

I think you should get out of that school. You clearly don't have the call to do that kind of work, and it is difficult work.
You don't feel a connection with the African-American students, and from your comments, it does not seem that you know a great deal about these kids, nor feel an affinity. Or, are you burned out?

You do neither you or them a favor by sticking around.

[laylah]

36. kwassa

YOU clearly know nothing about me. I have been working with at-risk kiddos for 30 years, and I love it and them. I have just never been in THIS kind of an environment before. Feel no affinity? Excuse me? My skin may be white but I definitely have a feelings of affinity AND empathy for these children. Walk a mile in my shoes before you start telling me about me, please.

I feel this has hit a nerve for you and for that, I apologize. I have asked my teacher (who is African, as well as the Principal) what the hell I have to offer these kids and they have both told me a caring heart. Well, personally, I think there is probably much more to it than that but that I do possess.

Lastly, I don't "do" violence against anyone, especially children. I do understand why some of the responses would be upsetting. For me, I took them in the vein in which they were offered.

Thank you for your response :hug:

[LanternWaste]

37. That you kept your cool says many good things about you.

That you kept your cool says many good things about you. It's comforting to know that the professionals in your field are just that-- professionals. :hi:

[laylah]

41. Aw shucks

:blush: Thanks for the compliment. Today I was urged by teachers to file assault charges but it just didn't feel right. HOWEVER, the Big Kahuna directed me to do so. It still didn't feel right but hey, what's a woman to do when da boss says "Do it".

Later in the day, the real instigator of yesterday's mele issued me a veiled threat for doing so. *sigh*

Thanks so much for your response :hug:

[Beer Snob-50]

39. Did you deserve it?

I bet you did.

[laylah]

42. ...

:spank: Thanks for the laugh :hug:

[SPKrazy]

40. Another example of our polite society...

what happens to him? suspended so he can go wreak havoc on society?

:hug: :hug:

[laylah]

43. Well, SP, you dear,

actually it was a "she" and she has been suspended until next week. As I said upthread, I was directed to press charges. :cry: These kids see things I could never imagine in my wildest dreams so my thought, when I was urged to press charges earlier, BEFORE the directive, was what does that do? What will it accomplish? Will she learn anything from it? AND THEEEEEEEN, the real instigator goes (somewhat) unscathed yet issued me a veiled warning. I dunno, I just dunno.

You, SP, are a sweetie. Thanks for responding :hug:

[alarimer]

55. Nothing gives them the right to act like animals

Frankly kids who act like this deserve what happens to them.

[SKKY]

44. I'm curious how I'll respond to that...

..I plan on teaching when I retire from the Navy (In 4 years), and this is the one scenario I alway run through my mind. What will I do when I'm physically confronted by a student. Any thoughts or tips?

[laylah]

45. Do you want to teach

in a school full of "good" kids or "bad" kids (GAWWWWWWWWD/DESS I hate those terms! They are ALL good, their behavior is what can suck! :mad: )

I have no tips because although I have worked with at-risk youth for years (mostly unpaid:P ) and love it, I have NEVER, ever, eeeeeeeever been in this environment before.

My only "tip" would be to be sure, absolutely sure, your heart is into it. You will experience kids from the easiest (my kaghime :loveya:) to the hardest (my "WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE CHILDREN OF YOUR OWN" CHILD :loveya:) For me, the easy ones are wonderful in many ways but I want a challenge. You have to decide for yourself what is best for you.

Thanks so much for responding and thank you for your service :hug: :patriot:

[SKKY]

47. Well, here's my take on it, and you can tell me if I'm off base or not...

...A school of good kids, or children of privilege, already pretty much have their lives taken care of for them. I think it's in the high-risk schools where a teacher can really make the most difference. I mean, If I'm going to take a huge pay cut and teach, I think there has to be something more to it.

[laylah]

48. Unfortunately,

teachers, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE, are paid too little! That said, if you want to work with at-risk kiddos, you have to expect "surprises". If you choose to work in inner-city, project schools as I do now, you have to be prepared to expect what I have described these past 24 hours, and more. :hug:

[SKKY]

49. Well, I actually went to an inner-city school...

..as part of Louisville's desegregation initiative in the 80s, so it would almost be a homecoming of sorts. I'm way more comfortable in that setting than anything else.

[laylah]

50. Well then,

there ya go. As I said earlier, if your heart is in it, that is the most important thing. These kids need people like you. Moreso now than ever before. :hug:

[SKKY]

51. That's what I'm hoping...

...I know one thing, after 20 years in the Navy and after seeing some of the things I've seen, there's very little that would surprise me in a school.

[reyd reid reed]

52. Day-um...

I'm sorry.

[laylah]

53. Thanks

rrr :hug:

[my2sense]

54. Sorry to hear you

had to go thru this. It's terrible. I've always appreciated those that work with children....I know I don't have the patience. She would have been getting up off the floor and looking for her teeth.

Glad you kept your cool. :hug: