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When I was in 6th grade, my classes were so far apart that I literally couldn't run thru the crowded halls fast enough to get there without being late. My teacher kept sending me to the Dean, who kept paddling me, hard. One day, I came home and couldn't sit down, when my father inquired what was happening. After I explained that the teacher and Dean didn't want to hear my reasoning for being late, my dad called the Dean and said, if he laid another hand on me, my father would kick his ass. My old man was a big dude and not clumsy. They finally believed me and changed my classes around, and I was never tardy again.
It should've never happened, even once, but the school had inflexible rules and didn't want to listen to a legitimate excuse. Some common sense and caring go a long ways in most situations.
Exactly right. (sounds like me and your dad might have some traits in common btw...lol)
I found that crap so extremely frustrating. The administration and teachers in public schools often treat kids like things, a group with a single identity instead of individuals. They don't listen to individual circumstances when dealing with an individual which is bad enough but they often resort to bully tactics like this teacher did. I find this not only ineffective when trying to stop undesirable behavior I actually think it's destructive or damaging. I realize that kids typically get past that stuff, it's not debilitating or anything but that doesn't mean any of those instances should be ignored. I'm also not suggesting no discipline. I do believe a person can be taught how following a reasonable rule benefits them and from that will be encouraged to make that choice of their own free will rather than being frightened or humiliated into doing it.