Teachers like this, assuming that what was reported was what happened, will be removed and rightfully so.

But these are few and far between. Your child is more likely to die in a car accident than have their mouth taped shut.

A kid in my kdg class got his mouth taped shut because he wouldn’t stop interrupting show and tell. I distinctly remember being surprised that it actually happened but thought it made perfect sense at the time. I also remember that it didn’t work because he just decided to hum really loudly.

Anyway, as a teacher I cannot imagine feeling entitled to do that to someone else’s kid.

I have no problem with the tape on the mouth. Honestly, what’s the big deal? The middle schooler was embarrassed? Who cares. I am so tired of hearing my children come home from middle school saying nothing was taught because the teacher spends the entire class trying to get the kids to SHUT UP. Parents, why are your kids behaving this way and why don’t you think there should be consequences that might actually work. Usually they just send the kid out of the classroom so the kid gets what they want and they come back in and continue the disruption. One of their classmates posted on his FB page, “Ms. _____ moved me three times today! Personal best. I rock!” This is the behavior the teachers are dealing with and it’s time for parents to quit getting mad when there are consequences.

Teachers should not lay a hand on children in a public school. Tape on the mouth? No way. That said. I think the tone and trend of tearing apart teachers on Babble is in bad taste and not useful. There are thousands and thousands of teachers in America who go to work every day and do the best job they can teaching (probably) bratty a$$hole kids raised by “citizens” (if you can call them that) that don’t care. So, give it a rest….and be aware you are really just highlighting some specific bad apples. Throw these problem kids out of school. Public education should be treated as a privilege, not a right. Children should not be allowed to behave any old way they please and be allowed to remain in school, dragging everyone else down.

@GP – As I wrote in the post, it’s a shame when a few teachers drag down the good name of most teachers.

This is why 2 million kids are homeschooled. Parents are no longer interested in turning their kids over to derelicts who don’t care to protect or educate children.

@Sierra – Yikes!

@Lisa — Ha! Quite true.

@Michelle — What a gross oversimplification of teachers. First of all, no where in the post does the “vast majority of public school teachers are excellent.” And public school teachers “tend to come from the bottom half of their college class?” How sad for you to have such narrow-minded thoughts, or to live in an area with such a poor school system. But don’t think you can speak for the rest of the schools/teachers around the country, because you don’t.

One of the best teachers I ever had was one who knew how to control his students. In fact, he scared most of us S***less, though he never laid a finger on any of us.
I’m all for tape on the mouth, and fully give any teacher permission to do it to my child (in the right situation of course). H*ll, bring back the ruler slap! Get it once, you’ll never act out again!

I can see both sides of this issue. I was once a public school teacher. I came in early and stayed late. I spent most of my lunch breaks with my students. I worked hard to make sure every kid in my class, not only passed, but also LEARNED. I don’t think the quality or amount of education a teacher has is what necessarily makes a good teacher. I believe that teaching is a gift. A good teacher knows her students, and is able to get them motivated and eager to learn. By the way, I taught in an urban school, so the kids came from a diverse set of backgrounds.

On the other hand, there are some teachers, and everyone who teaches knows about them, who are lousy teachers. They don’t get to know their students. They don’t make adjustments for different learning styles. They don’t possess the gift for teaching. It’s sad, but after years of cyber schooling my kids, I’ve allowed them to return to public school. My youngest is having a great experience. The entire school seems to be involved with the students, from the secretary, to the guidance counselor, to the teachers and specialists. It’s been a great first month of school for her. My son on the other hand has one teacher in particular who told the parents at back to school that she leaves at 3:00 because she has three children, and she doesn’t come in early. She teaches the same curriculum every year and makes few if no adjustments based on the abilities and differences of her students. She is stubborn and unyielding. She refuses to ackknowledge that my son’s learning problems are real. She blames him for his disabilities rather than make adjustments for them. And this teacher is highly educated with a masters! But she doesn’t know HOW to teach. She is not a professional.

Anyway, that’s my two cents. There are good and bad teachers. There are dedicated and caring teachers and there are some who just don’t get it.