Do you think teachers for children should get personal?

Question

Do you think it's all right for teachers to get personal with their students' home life? If the child is feeling neglected or if the child has problems at home, should the teachers get involved? Some say they have no right, some say they should act like role models and get involved. What do you think? You think it would make a difference at all?

Answer 1

I am a teacher, and my answer is yes, but to an extent. There are very specific guidelines to interviene in a child's life. If they are displaying signs of neglect or abuse, it is the law for teachers to report it. There is no ands, ifs, or buts about it. Teachers are considered conservators of the peace in many school systems, and are bound legally to report abuse or neglect to the principal. If the principal doesn't report it, the principal is responsible. This is where I tell new teachers to document EVERYTHING!

Now, if there is a chronic need for clean clothes, food, things like that, then yes, teachers should get involved but to an extent. I keep extra change on me, carry maybe an extra sandwich, and have plenty of wipes, lotions, deodorants (etc...) in my office mailbox. Nurses keep extra items such as this in the clinic, so students can get what they need anynomously. Doing things like this makes a difference. Some students come from homes that are continuously disruptive, and school is the one place where their emotional and sometimes physical needs are met. It makes a difference!

Answer 2

Absolutely, it does make a difference. Maybe teachers don't have the right to do so, but there are a lot and I do mean A LOT of kids out there whose parents couldn't care less, or that don't have time to spend with their children and many other reasons, there are so many children now a days who are neglected emotionally, or abused emotionally or physically, and it does affect their school work. Some teachers, however don't or can't find the time to get interested in the child as an individual and the poor child then again is being neglected. If the teacher suspects something is going on with a student in the home or outside of the school, they should and usually do report it to the school Counselor and/or Principal. Sometimes, if it wasn't for a caring teacher who got involved, some children may not be with us today.

Answer 3

Yes, because for some poor wee souls out there, the teacher is the only adult in their lives who will show any interest in their problems. In an ideal world, teachers would teach and parents would love and cherish their child and ensure they can to no harm. But we all know that the world is far from ideal and if a child is suspected of being abused or neglected then a teacher (or, indeed, any adult who sees the signs) has a duty to seek help for that child.

Turning a blind eye to it all because a teacher feels it 'isn't their place' could, at best, lead to a child growing up feeling miserable and unloved or, at worst, a child who is murdered at the hands of their abuser. Teacher must get involved in a child's home life if the situation dictates that child needs help that their parents can't or won't provide.

Answer 4

As most have stated that teachers have the responsibility for reporting cases of abuse.

Now for getting involved into less extreme cases depends on the situation. For those who answer "yes" automatically, understand that good intention is not always the best. As the old saying goes "The highway to Hell is paved with good intentions". I can tell you stories about many teachers who all want the best for the students, but ended up making a bad situation worse, and in some cases getting into legal troubles. The last thing any teacher needs is a lawsuit. So be very careful when you choose your "battles". Probably the most frustrating thing about being a teacher is seeing a case, in which things are beyond your control and you can not do anything.

Answer 5

In most states teachers are mandated by law to report neglect or abuse to the authorities. In my state, we have to report it directly to children's services. If the problems are issues that affect the student's education then it is for the benefit of the child to get involved. That does not mean a teacher needs to quiz every child about every aspect of their lives. If a child comes to the teacher and volunteers information the teacher has a responsibility to find out if it is dangerous or illegal for the child. On the other hand, if a child divulges information that is just gossip or of a personal nature but not dangerous for the child, the teacher has a responsibility to keep the information confidential and not pass it on.

Answer 6

I think a teacher, as well as any adult in a child's life, should be involved. Sometimes as teachers we are aware of situations or feelings that might not be displayed at home. I would get involved if I felt that the child was in danger or needed help. I would also get involved if the child asked for help. But it's such a fine line these days, you have to keep it very open and well-documented so people don't question your intentions.

Answer 7

In the case of neglect or abuse in most states teachers are MANDATED to report suspicions.

For more general issues, I think it's not necessary to get all in the specifics of their business and home life. However, being a good role model, letting them know that you are there for them, and generally acting like you care they are there can make a huge difference for a child with a crappy family. It did for me.

Answer 8

I think it depends. If the child has scratches and bruises all over his/her body, then a teacher should ask the child why they have those scratches and if it leads to personal family, then I think it is ok.

On the other hand, if there isn't any signs of the child being hurt or not being well cared for, then I think the teachers should stay out of their personal business unless the child is willing to share.

Answer 9

If the teacher senses real abuse or danger then it is their responsibility to the child to intervene in some way. Children in a bad situation at home may not know it is a bad situation because they are simply accustomed to it.

Answer 10

We, as teachers, can be held legally accountable if we suspect there is abuse or a problem at home and don't report it to the authorities. It's not that we have nothing better to do with our time - it's the LAW!