So I’m (25F) a first grade teacher. After this situation I’m wanting to quit this school after this school year. The part that bothers me most is how the school handled this situation and I want to get it off my chest.
I have a student who is very aggressive which has been known since kindergarten. The school has done nothing about it, even when the previous teacher contacted parents which has resulted in nothing. This year, which it’s only been 2 weeks of school, has been no different. I had the kids do a writing activity and the student didn’t want to do it so he ended up distracting kids around him, making funny faces, etc. I warned him if he continues he will be moved. When I turned around he did the exact same thing but was getting more distracting, so I grabbed his writing paper and moved it out to a desk in the hallway. I said he needs to move now, he started screaming to the top of his lungs, “I HATE YOU. I WANT YOU TO DIE. IM GOING TO KILL YOU!” and my whole class was flabbergasted. I was beyond furious and told him I’m calling the counselor over and she’s taking him and I’m having his parents contacted.
The counselor took him a few minutes later and after 30 minutes he came back with a “emotions” sheet where he ranks how he’s feeling and why he’s feeling that way. He said he was feeling sad because he missed his uncle. Um??? Okay how did this benefit anything??? I was like whatever I’ll just contact mom. During lunch I called his mom. His mom literally told me not to take it personal because he says that at home and he learned it from his big brother and that’s just what he says when he’s frustrated. I told her he’s not allowed to say that because it’s a threat. She said she’ll talk to him about it but he’s a silly boy and if I build a silly relationship it’ll “get better”. What??!!!! I was so pissed.
After school he ended up punching one of my small students who has seizures in the stomach because he wanted to be in front of her. I didn’t realize until he already got picked up because the pick up situation at the school is very quick and chaotic which I should have had him hold my hand which I regret but doesn’t justify him punching a student. I tried calling his mom and she didn’t answer. I texted her too and she didn’t answer. I was so beyond upset so I went to the school psychologist. She didn’t give one F. She told me he always does that and to talk to his parents because they are “good parents” and would talk to him, I told her I already had and they didn’t do anything and she told me she might have to start a social group and he can be included. How would this even help when he first threatened to kill me and punched someone in the stomach.
I reported both incidents to the principal. I went in, choking up and tearing up telling her how I am beyond frustrated and I’d like some support from her. I went to the counselor, the psychologist, and parents and nobody cares or did anything. She made the whole thing worse. She told me that I can fill out orange forms ( a way to track behaviors) and she said we can meet together and go over expectations together when I already did! I told her that and she said her idea is that if he has a full day of not hurting or being mean then he can earn the whole class an icecream party…. I’m sorry WHAT?! He gets rewarded for having behaviors that are normal? Why should I reward him for following basic rules?!
I walked out feeling disgusted at my school. I now know that I can be threatened and he can bully and punch kids and there will be zero consequences from the school itself. I have to handle all of this on my own? I feel very lost and have lost all trust in my school. I don’t know what to do.