What do you think of the Katy,Texas teacher that taped a student's mouth?

Question

I just heard on the news that the Katy, Texas teacher who taped a student's mouth last year and got fired is now going to get paid $40,000. It was either that or have the district re-instate her. I mean that was wrong to tape the kid's mouth. She deserved to be fired and now she's getting paid a year's salary for free?
This will open doors for teachers to think they can get money for reprehensible behavior.
I think it's a disgrace that they paid her anything!
What do you teachers or educators think about this verdict?

I would like EDUCATORS and TEACHERS to answer this question. I do not want stupid juvenille kids that write something dumb to answer this.

PS. I am in the teaching field. I have taught all levels K-12.

Answer 1

I'm a 3rd grade teacher, so I qualify to answer. :) The teacher isn't getting paid because she did something wrong. She's getting compensated for the year's salary she lost. It's almost next to impossible to fire a teacher in most states. In NC for instance, we have what's called tenure (instead of a union). Basically what this means is we're garunteed our job after 4 years of service unless we REALLY screw up. In other states that have unions, the process for firing a teacher is incredibly lengthy and complex. Chances are the school district in the situation you're talking about didn't go through the proper channels to fire her and are now having to pay for it.

Personally I don't think taping a child's mouth is the proper course of action, but I don't think it's grounds for termination either. It was wrong, and she should have had to make a public apology and all that jazz and been suspended. But fired? Who knows what the kid did. I've jokingly taped my students' mouths before (w/puny tape, nothing strong), and it would be wrong to fire me over it. You have to look at the circumstances involved (I didn't read the article or whatever, so I don't know about the teacher in Texas).

For the most part, teachers don't think they'll be compensated for reprehensible behavior. With any profession, there are idiots who do stupid things. Overall though, people with common sense don't screw up. You have to remember also that teachers are dealing with 20+ personalities at once, trying to get all of the students engaged in learning. What works for some students doesn't work for others. It's a constant trial-and-error artform that can be trying at times. While taping a kid's mouth is stupid given how quickly people jump to conclusions, I would hate for a great teacher to lose his or her job over one lapse of judgment.

Answer 2

It is easy for someone who is not in the teaching field to judge those who are. People expect teachers to have a smile on their faces and a perfectly controlled classroom at all times.

The reality is that parents don't teach their children respect for anything. Parents are too worried about being a friend to their child to ever tell the child "no." Now days teachers must not only educate a child in the subjects but teach the child proper behavior as well.

Anyone who is critical of a teacher's actions needs to volunteer a day at school. Better yet, follow your child around for a day. I bet you will see things you never thought your child would do.

The teacher was wrong to lose control the way she did, but if parents would do their jobs nothing like that would have happened.

Answer 3

It was not wrong to tape the kids mouth. She did not deserve to be fired. What's reprehensible is that parents send their kids to school without having learned respect for their elders or people in a position of authority.. They don't back teachers, neither does admin, they you complain about the state of education and how your taxes are being wasted. Lawsuit happy people, like yourself , are a big part of what's wrong in America, IMHO, of course.

Answer 4

if id been there id taped her mouth shut

an if she was a young gurl teacher id ripped her skirt off just for fun

Answer 5

I think its wrong. If she was a good teacher, she would find another alternative for displining her kids.

Answer 6

hey i would like to have done that many times also,,,, but that leads to who is the adult in the situtation ...... she should not have been paid she should not teach anymore clearly she does not have what it takes to teach,,,,

Answer 7

She should have used a needle and thread.

Answer 8

Amen, physanchem!!!

Answer 9

I agree with you.