Ricochet

Sometimes people are not who you think they are.

Just got a call from an ex student Steve who was in despair that one of his long term friends (and another ex student) Toby had stolen Steve's money and several other people's belongings.

I don't know what is going through Toby's mind - he didn't reach out to me and I am going to let it be for now.

I did tell Steve that we forgive people not because they deserve it but because we do.

During 2012-2013 I taught a challenging student - and I use the word "taught" even though I mean that he was in my classroom. I am not bothering to reference all of the times I talked about Curtis and am not going back and reading what I wrote. His behavior was horrible.

I couldn't get any administrative backup so I had no power. I had to have him removed during almost every test I gave - which was the only backup the administration gave me.

I would write him up - and nothing ever happened.

I met a friend for lunch yesterday and we got to talking about Curtis. She said that she had put him out in the hall virtually every day because of his behavior. I know I saw him in the hall from other people's classes this past year.

He is old enough to drive and incapable of behaving in a way that allows you to teach other people while he is in the room. (and, no, there is no IEP and there is no reason for this deficiency except willfulness on his part)

And so this got me to thinking. I kept him in the room, tried to teach around him, wrote him up and got nothing - and was the least effective in his classroom as I have ever been because of his acting out.

Other teachers put him in the hall (and we are told not to do this) and taught the rest of the class. And were more effective with those students.

I believe that you play the hand you are dealt and try to do right by all of your students. In this case, I should have sacrificed Curtis for the rest of the class.

And I did try to involve his mother. She would not respond to phone calls or emails because I was the only one complaining. Right.

Mel says it better than I did.

Third post about the tragedy here in Marietta.

Hubby said something yesterday about finding a jury, that the media has convicted the parents on the front page and they couldn't get a jury. Actually, I do have reasonable doubt, based on two books I read probably 30 years apart. A Rip In Heaven by Jeanine Cummins tells the story of two sisters, Robin and Julie Kerry, and their cousin Tom Cummins, Jeanine's brother. The three cousins were on a bridge over the Mississippi when they were attacked by 4 young men, The girls died, Tom got away and was then arrested by the police who did not believe his story.

In The Dingo Baby Case Lindy Chamberlain was found guilty and served time because the police and community thought she responded in too cold a manner to the disappearance and assumed death of her baby, Azaria. It was Lindy's faith that Azaria had gone to a better place that led to an early calm acceptance.

So, do I think the police make mistakes? Yes. Do I think people as a whole jump to easy, wrong conclusions? Yes. Do I believe that outward appearances tell us everything? No. Could I go in and base my opinion on what they can prove? I hope so.

As more information comes out, some of the police reports are just damning.

The police make errors. Wrong people are convicted. We have a system of presumed innocence (which is disappearing as the media needs fresh blood and something to stir up).

I hope that the police gather enough solid evidence to convict all of the guilty parties and put them away for a really long time.

And I really hope I am not on that jury.

Listmaker, listmaker, make me a list.


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Summer is half done. Wish my list was half marked off as well.