re: Teachers are walking away from their careers in Alabama because of unruly students

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Can you elaborate more?

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Well I do have to admit that I work in a very wealthy system with strong parent involvement. I think we have a 98% graduation rate and something like 90% go to college. So I AM working with better stock than most.

Because of that, I cultivate an environment that is conducive to collaborative learning. True collaborative learning - not just group work. We spend the first part of the year identifying student interests and their talents. Most of the ELA standards are learned and practiced through problem-based learning and passion projects. You can look up the "Genius Hour" project to read more about what my classroom might look like. Each student brings a their interests and skillsets to problems (problems identified through narrative and informational texts) and is responsible for helping their group come up with new solutions.

Everyone is expected to read on their own and use class time for mastering standards and solving problems. We don't do worksheets outside of organizers and use a lot of technological resources in class.

I also use flexible seating with multiple sections of the classroom structured for different needs, learning styles, or just desires. I even have an introvert cave where students can go for quiet time if there's the opportunity for independent work. There's a standing section, a couch section, some circular tables, bean bags, a few regular desks.

Because of the way we work and learn, talking is not only allowed in most cases, it's encouraged. We do have time for independent work - such as writing assignments - but we're mostly figuring things out together or applying concepts from texts to in-class activities.

I also don't have to see fidgety, energetic students (usually boys) as problems because they'll have the opportunity to move. I'm close to a courtyard and can see it through my classroom window. I have permission to let students work out there if there are no problems, so I've had guys go out there and throw a frisbee for a few minutes if they need to. Or have them just work out there if they're being loud. As long as they produce and accomplish what I need them to do, I'm fine with it.

These strategies aren't happening daily, but they do happen and the students understand it. The freedom they get helps build a rapport between me and them. They almost always listen to me, and to be honest, I've had one behavior problem in the past two years. As in one moment where I had to call a parent for a discipline issue. That was it.

BUT AGAIN...and I'll just be honest...my class roster is (guessing numbers) 90% white, 8% Asian, and 2% black, and our household income level is really high.

Sorry to bring race into it, but the reality in America is that a majority white school in a wealthy area is a dream environment to work in.

How the hell did you get that lucky?

I'd probably be happy being a teacher in those circumstances.

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We need to start beating kids again.

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More discretion in punishment ought to be used, too. Now, it seems, it's all or nothing. It encourages students to go full broke on bad behavior or just be as meek as possible.

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How the hell did you get that lucky?

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I have no idea. I almost ignored the phone call inviting me for an interview. I was about to accept a job at Tarrant County Community College in Ft Worth. They called (somewhat randomly as I didn't apply directly to the school) and I went in out of respect for the principal.

So it goes.

Parents. Often many parents coach their children to act " crazy" so that they can receive the SSI "crazy check". Seems pretty regular now that we have a weekly school meltdown post. I keep telling yall that EBR parish public schools is on the verge of giving up its last Death Rattle. Then where will the beautiful children be all day, Mall of Louisiana?

This is all started when we got rid of corporal punishment.

My wife, 1 BA and 2 MAs, has taught in Mobile County at the same school for 26 years. Senior Honors AP Gov and Eco...and probably know mores about the Constitution than most in Congress or anyone posting on this board...so, that is an instance.

No parental guidance at home.

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It’s been enabled by schools districts catering to sue happy parents that want to go after the school every time their kid gets suspended. And administrators not having the power to stand up to parents who think their special little baby would never do any wrong.

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THIS!!!!!

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Teaching someone something they have no desire to learn and are told by parents they don't need to learn anyway is impossible.

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This is the issue 100%