Linda Powell, a primary school teacher at St John’s CE in Kearsley (UK), has been suspended amid claims that she allegedly struck a 7-year-old girl. As reported in the Bolton News, the school has faced controversy before about its treatment of special needs students: In 2006, parents claimed that boys with special needs were being dressed up as girls, and that children were being physically abused and, as punishment for misbheaving, were “forced to suck a dummy.” Mel Livesay, who belongs to a parents’ action group, says that her 10-year-old autistic son was dressed up as a girl:
“He has autism and it really affected him. It still does now. For a long time I did not know why he did not want to go to school and why he would cling to the railing not wanting to go in.”
There’s education and then there’s punishment, and those are two completely separate things when it comes to my son’s—to any child’s—learning.
Dressing them like girls?? “Safe Room” closet confinement?? Are we really still that barbaric??? I’m in total shock! I dread when we most past pre-school and I have to contend with the education system.
I posted a link to a story here earlier today about aides being abusive to kids in Orlando, FL. I think it might be waiting for moderation. I have the link on my forum also.
My younger autistic son (now age 7) was continually locked in a closet, so now we’re homeschooling. The school’s practice is apparently perfectly legal and called a “safe room.” Isn’t that nice?
I agree some people shouldn’t be teaching, but the principal, v-principal and all the special ed instructors AND the teacher were in on it. The entire system is flawed IMO. I can say that while still holding to the opinion that there are a few good teachers in it.
Here is a story out of Orlando. Headline:
Teachers’ Aides Accused Of Kicking, Choking Autistic Students In Class
http://www.local6.com/news/16204429/detail.html
This is so totally outrageous that I could spit nails! What possible “explanation” could there be for cross-dressing kids??? Holy smokes!
Wow this is bizarre. Glad I homeschool one son and the other has an aide that would let me know stuff.
I had a 5th grade teacher in Oakland like this; have also realized that he had a lot of his issues going on and that he should not have been teaching —and needed lots of help.
It is stories like this which make me glad I homeschool my son. You have a wonderful site here and I have added you to my links.
I hear many stories in Reno, though not as extravagant as being forced to dress up like girls. Being physically abused, more common. My personal experiences in elementary school weren’t pretty, personally, though hardly like that. Intimidating, sure.
Cliff
Some people should never choose teaching as a profession in the first place, and others need to either revevaluate why they are there, seek other employ or seek psychological assistance or treatment.
I had a teacher like this in elementary school. I realize now, as an adult, that she was severely troubled and should not have been working with children. Nothing was done during our year, although something must have come to light because she was transferred out of district to work in…special ed. *sigh* I think about her when I hear one of these stories.