Education

I am not a teacher in regular schools, but have about 15 years in religious education of just barely teenagers. My last year, I was confronted by the department head (grandmother of one problem child) about my mistreatment of the grandson and his cohort in crime. These two boys had a record in both the church and public school going back to kindergarten. They delighted in disrupting the class, so that nothing was accomplished.

Grandma, said, "How about I teach a class with you?" I had had enough, "Here's my lesson plans and books, why don't you teach them?" And I quit. That was 3 years ago, and I miss it. The present class is wonderful by all reports and has a very good teacher. I don't feel so badly since they are in good hands. You know this age group can be a handful at best, but with a pair of purposeful disruptive, it is nearly impossible.

I wonder about the administration turning a blind eye to the histories of these two, who injured you and your reputation. It's like they took the path of least resistance, rather than facing the problem that should've been dealt with years ago.

My Dad a few years out of the battlefields of WW II was teaching a 6 grade class. They gave the male teacher, combat vet, all the trouble makers who were a year from aging out at 16. They thought it great fun to torment their teachers. One day, one of these, threatened Dad with a knife. He took it away from the thug, with that 1,000 mile glare in his eyes, stepped on the blade and snapped it. He handed it back calmly saying, "You or your friend try that again, it won't go well." Fortunately it wasn't witnessed by adults and the those who saw it were impressed. He had no more trouble with that lot. Except he was sad, that one he saw improving turned to heroin.

Good teachers are heroes. I hope you don't give it up. I think if that one kid had gone on to high school, Dad would've continued teaching.