Westview Middle School Students Altered Teachers Drink

The Big Picture wrote:

I think everyone here is not seeing the big picture. Sure the boys should not have played this prank, however, most of Hamblen County Schools policies prohibit a teacher, or any faculty in a classroom setting from having a beverage out and open in a classroom setting. Some schools are very strict and some schools aren't. It basically depends on the principal. This incident should not have happened because the beverage should not have been in the classroom. That however, doesn't take the blame from the kids. I agree they should not have done this, but the teacher has fault in this too. Did she get disciplined for having her beverage out? She is probably not the first person who had something put into her drink, but she is probably the first person who realized something was put in her drink.

I'm absolutely amazed that you would blame the teacher for having a drink in the classroom. I am a teacher, and yes, I have a refrigerator in my room in which I keep a drink on hand. I do this because as a teacher, I am interacting with my students the entire day. My throat gets dry. Therefore I do require a drink on occasion and cannot leave my classroom to go to the water fountain (students would be left unsupervised). So before you imply that the teacher is at fault, think about what their other options are in order to simply take a drink when they need one. My students respect my property and they know they aren't to touch things or alter things that aren't their own. If they chose to do so, then yes, they should be punished. Do I want to have to be concerned about students trying to harm me - NO! Should I have to be concerned - ABSOLUTELY NOT. Parents want their children to be in a safe learning environment when they are at school. Teachers and their families want and DESERVE the same.

Teacher2 wrote:

I absolutely cannot believe that a parent would say that she got what she deserved. I have read every post on this topic and I just dont know what to say. I am also a teacher in the middle school setting.(Not WVMS) I keep reading how it was a prank. I keep reading how it was just a joke. It's apparent that this teacher was and is not well liked by students. A "joke" is something that you want to laugh about. I joke with friends, play pranks on my family, but never on someone that I dont like. They wanted to look tough in front of the class. The comments about the teacher not being able to have a drink in class makes it sound like it was her fault. If she isnt allowed to drink water, then she wouldnt have had germ-x put in her drink. Maybe they would have found something else to do to her. I agree that there are some not so great teachers. In those cases, we need to speak to our children and let them know to inform us of these things and take care of them as parents. We should use this story as an example to teach our children that we do not take things into our own hands. Why were these boys messing around the teachers desk in the first place. I never get in my students lockers unless there is a good reason. What do you think would have happened if she played a prank on the boys and put germ-x in their milk at lunch. She would have been fired on the spot. Bottom line is, good teachers have to deal with problems like this all the time. The way you teach your students determines the way they treat you.. i will agree with that, however please remember that not all students are angels.. if that was the case, our jails would be empty. We have to start showing the youth of today that misbehaviors such as these have consequences.

Why were the boys messing around the teachers desk? And where was the teacher?

Astonished wrote:

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I'm absolutely amazed that you would blame the teacher for having a drink in the classroom. I am a teacher, and yes, I have a refrigerator in my room in which I keep a drink on hand. I do this because as a teacher, I am interacting with my students the entire day. My throat gets dry. Therefore I do require a drink on occasion and cannot leave my classroom to go to the water fountain (students would be left unsupervised). So before you imply that the teacher is at fault, think about what their other options are in order to simply take a drink when they need one. My students respect my property and they know they aren't to touch things or alter things that aren't their own. If they chose to do so, then yes, they should be punished. Do I want to have to be concerned about students trying to harm me - NO! Should I have to be concerned - ABSOLUTELY NOT. Parents want their children to be in a safe learning environment when they are at school. Teachers and their families want and DESERVE the same.

Apparently you misread my entire post. I said the boys are at fault!! However, the teacher also has some responsibility. There are several schools that absolutely do not allow a drink in the classroom. Under any circumstances. I am not implying the teacher is at fault, and I do agree in respect for your belongings. All I am saying is that there are several schools that are very strict on a teacher and/or other staff member not having a beverage in their classroom. Maybe this is the reason? I don't know. But there was an open beverage and unsupervised children. Did the teacher deserve this? Absolutely not! But would this have happened if the principal was strict about having an open beverage? I bet your water in closed and in the refridgerator in your room between drinks from now on!!

The Big Picture wrote:

<quoted text>Apparently you misread my entire post. I said the boys are at fault!! However, the teacher also has some responsibility. There are several schools that absolutely do not allow a drink in the classroom. Under any circumstances. I am not implying the teacher is at fault, and I do agree in respect for your belongings. All I am saying is that there are several schools that are very strict on a teacher and/or other staff member not having a beverage in their classroom. Maybe this is the reason? I don't know. But there was an open beverage and unsupervised children. Did the teacher deserve this? Absolutely not! But would this have happened if the principal was strict about having an open beverage? I bet your water in closed and in the refridgerator in your room between drinks from now on!!

I would think most principals are realistic about there being a drink in the classroom. I know my principal would much rather me get a drink from my refrigerator (and yes, thank you, it does stay in my refrigerator closed.......), instead of having to leave my room in order to get a drink. Unfortunately, teachers don't have the leisure of being able to step away from his/her desk and grab a drink when needed. We leave the room for any reason - bathroom emergency, fight in hall, etc., and what we have is a liability. I just think it's ridiculous that people (not necessarily referring to you) would find a way to smooth this over for kids. Half of what kids get away with today wouldn't have been allowed when I was in middle school. We would have been expelled. Oh, and just for the record everyone, I don't teach at WVMS.

In regards to your other post, I haven't heard where the teacher was or if it was at her desk. I would suspect that the germ-x was on her desk - that's where I keep mine for my students to use.

Astonished wrote:

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I would think most principals are realistic about there being a drink in the classroom. I know my principal would much rather me get a drink from my refrigerator (and yes, thank you, it does stay in my refrigerator closed.......), instead of having to leave my room in order to get a drink. Unfortunately, teachers don't have the leisure of being able to step away from his/her desk and grab a drink when needed. We leave the room for any reason - bathroom emergency, fight in hall, etc., and what we have is a liability. I just think it's ridiculous that people (not necessarily referring to you) would find a way to smooth this over for kids. Half of what kids get away with today wouldn't have been allowed when I was in middle school. We would have been expelled. Oh, and just for the record everyone, I don't teach at WVMS.
In regards to your other post, I haven't heard where the teacher was or if it was at her desk. I would suspect that the germ-x was on her desk - that's where I keep mine for my students to use.

I totally agree with you. Parents don't teach their kids anymore about responsibility. But in this case as you have said, your drink in in your fridge until you take a sip and then replaced. Which is exactly what I do. I am only saying maybe the teacher has some responsibility also for leaving an open drink around teens. I am not making light of the situation, because it was wrong of the boys to do this and again they are at fault. I just know morals today are compromised and I think we as educators have to stay on our toes. Just by thinking ahead. Just a thought.

The students were wrong. They altered a teacher's drink. End of discussion.

whatever wrote:

I agree that respect goes two ways, but no teacher deserves this. Being a teacher myself, I've learned NOT to ever set a beverage down where students have access to it. I usually drink out of something that has a lid on it. Knowing how students act today, I'm not surprised the students did this. We have so many good students in our school system, but there are so many bad ones, too. I hope these students are not allowed to come back to Hamblen County Schools. They don't deserve an education in our school system. Let another school system deal with them.

Why are teachers allowed to drink in class when students can't Why did she leave the students unattended long enough for this to happen? Seems like something much worse could have happened with a bunch of hormonal pre-teens alone in a room.

Also, Does anyone remember being a kid????? They play pranks and do stupid stuff. I think it's way too extreme to kick kids out of school for a year over this. Make them do community service to teach them a lesson. Make them research and write a report on the dangers of poison. PADDLE THEM!!!!!! Something besides expelling them. We can't spank them because it's cruel but I guess it's not cruel to turn these kids out into the world w/no education or the knowledge to survive in this shitty town where there's a meth lab or crack house on every corner. Let's just kick them out of school. That's really gonna teach them to take responsibility.

And what kind of teacher says that these children don't deserve an education i this county. I got news for your, No student deserves an education in Hamblen Co schools. That's punishment enough. Whoever the teacher is that thinks these kids don't deserve an education, Honey, you don't deserve the pay you get nor do you need to be a teacher. EVERYONE deserves an education. Not that they are going to get much of an education in hamblen co. THIS ENTIRE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS A COMPLETE JOKE. Most of the teachers that I know either home school their kids or put them in private school because they know first hand how backward and political this school system is. I'M SO GLAD THAT MY TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR THIS.

Concerned Parent wrote:

There are a lot of good students. And then those that make poor choices. Also, there are plenty of good teachers in Hamblen County, however, there are some that need to find another career. I could never speak to my supervisor or clients the way I have heard teachers speak to and treat some students. Why shouldn't everyone be held accountable for their actions?
What would have happened if the boys that did this crime would have told how they were being treated by this teacher? Would anyone have listened? Would anything have been done? Most likely not a thing! Then we ask why do children do some of the things they do?

AMEN SISTER! Seems like a natural instinct to fight back when there is no one to fight for you.

Local Citizen wrote:

I agree some teachers probaly should'nt be teachers however I don't care how a teacher treats a student in no way do they have any right to put something in anyones drink especialy in the teachers drink regardless the teacher is an adult and you should teach your chilren to have respect for adults period if there is a problem with your childs teacher take the proper avenue to fix the problem but it should never be acceptable for any child to show disrespect to there elders. It has nothing to do with being a good or bad student wrong is wrong if they truly did this they should be punished. That's what's wrong with our kids today teachers are not allowed to diciplin in the classroom because of all of the sue crazy people in this world.Put a stop to this now make an example or it will only get worsse!!!!!!!!!!

I'm all for disipline. Paddle the kids, punish them in some way but.......Who's going to dicipline the teachers????? There are no proper channels with Hamblen Co schools. They don't care & will do nothing about it. From experience (and many many other parents experiences) I confidently say that it doesn't matter what a teacher does, they nor the administration, will be repremanded or punished in any way unless it's made public and they are forced to address the situations.

I certainly wish some of you would step into a classroom for jut one day and see if you could survive. I seriously doubt it. It takes a strong, caring person to be a SUCCESSFUL teacher. It takes someone willing to love ALL types of kids. It takes someone who is willing to walk into a school and deal with what kids have dealt with the night before at home - the kids could care less about what they are suppose to be doing there if all they can think about is watching momma get high the night before. So before you go and be just such a rude person justmythoughts, better ask yourself if YOU could take it. Know what you are talking about before you start bashing all teachers on a website such as this. I know personally I've had enough of it. Finally, I GUARANTEE YOU that if your child had of been the one who got their drink tampered with, you wouldn't rest until the persons responsible were never allowed in the school system again.

Sad this is that I don't even know the teacher that this happened to, and this posting has made me so upset and hurt. I've dedicated my life to teaching. This is just ridiculous.

justmythoughts wrote:

<quoted text>
Why are teachers allowed to drink in class when students can't Why did she leave the students unattended long enough for this to happen? Seems like something much worse could have happened with a bunch of hormonal pre-teens alone in a room.
Also, Does anyone remember being a kid????? They play pranks and do stupid stuff. I think it's way too extreme to kick kids out of school for a year over this. Make them do community service to teach them a lesson. Make them research and write a report on the dangers of poison. PADDLE THEM!!!!!! Something besides expelling them. We can't spank them because it's cruel but I guess it's not cruel to turn these kids out into the world w/no education or the knowledge to survive in this shitty town where there's a meth lab or crack house on every corner. Let's just kick them out of school. That's really gonna teach them to take responsibility.
And what kind of teacher says that these children don't deserve an education i this county. I got news for your, No student deserves an education in Hamblen Co schools. That's punishment enough. Whoever the teacher is that thinks these kids don't deserve an education, Honey, you don't deserve the pay you get nor do you need to be a teacher. EVERYONE deserves an education. Not that they are going to get much of an education in hamblen co. THIS ENTIRE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS A COMPLETE JOKE. Most of the teachers that I know either home school their kids or put them in private school because they know first hand how backward and political this school system is. I'M SO GLAD THAT MY TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR THIS.

Are you allowed to drink bevarages on your job when you are in need of a drink? Come on now - people get thirsty.

teacher wrote:

I certainly wish some of you would step into a classroom for jut one day and see if you could survive. I seriously doubt it. It takes a strong, caring person to be a SUCCESSFUL teacher. It takes someone willing to love ALL types of kids. It takes someone who is willing to walk into a school and deal with what kids have dealt with the night before at home - the kids could care less about what they are suppose to be doing there if all they can think about is watching momma get high the night before. So before you go and be just such a rude person justmythoughts, better ask yourself if YOU could take it. Know what you are talking about before you start bashing all teachers on a website such as this. I know personally I've had enough of it. Finally, I GUARANTEE YOU that if your child had of been the one who got their drink tampered with, you wouldn't rest until the persons responsible were never allowed in the school system again.
Sad this is that I don't even know the teacher that this happened to, and this posting has made me so upset and hurt. I've dedicated my life to teaching. This is just ridiculous.

I didn't bash ALL teachers. I said that the teacher that said these kids "don't deserve an education in hamblen county" doesn't deserve her pay or need to be a teacher and I stand by it. I have more respect for a good teacher than you could ever imagine. A real teacher does care about her kids and there are some good ones out there. Sad thing is...they are all retiring left and right and we're stuck with the new ones who want summers off. Again, I did not intend any disrepect for teachers in general, it just made me sick to see a teacher say a child doesn't "deserve" an education. I apoligize for any hurt feelings.

teacher wrote:

I certainly wish some of you would step into a classroom for jut one day and see if you could survive. I seriously doubt it. It takes a strong, caring person to be a SUCCESSFUL teacher. It takes someone willing to love ALL types of kids. It takes someone who is willing to walk into a school and deal with what kids have dealt with the night before at home - the kids could care less about what they are suppose to be doing there if all they can think about is watching momma get high the night before. So before you go and be just such a rude person justmythoughts, better ask yourself if YOU could take it. Know what you are talking about before you start bashing all teachers on a website such as this. I know personally I've had enough of it. Finally, I GUARANTEE YOU that if your child had of been the one who got their drink tampered with, you wouldn't rest until the persons responsible were never allowed in the school system again.
Sad this is that I don't even know the teacher that this happened to, and this posting has made me so upset and hurt. I've dedicated my life to teaching. This is just ridiculous.

I know how upsetting this is and how frustrated you are, but you might as well give up trying to make people understand. I do not understand why people so love to bash teachers, but they do, and this attitude is passed along to their children.

I don't know how long you have been teaching, but I can tell you it was not always this way. Sure, there were always children who "misbehaved" (I was one of them; I talked too much), but parents were not so quick to take their children's part against a teacher or to believe the things children came home and told them. Nowadays, parents think nothing of cursing a teacher in front of a child. You and I both know this is not all parents, or there would be no teachers, but there are enough of them to make your life miserable. If it is any consolation, if you truly do love your students and want what is best for them, they know that and will remember you for it. That's about all we can hope for, isn't it?

When my son was in middle school and something had happened that truly had me perplexed, he told me not to worry about it; I knew the student was lying. I told him I didn't think MY students would lie. He looked at me and said, "Mom, ALL students will lie if it will keep them from getting into trouble." As funny as it sounds, that was quite an eye-opener for me.

By the way, my husband was a guest-lecturer in my class for ONE AFTERNOON and came away with a brand new respect for teachers. He said there is no way he could ever survive being a teacher, and he had a very high-stress job (making three times my salary).

I thought I would always be a teacher and could never see myself doing anything else. After five years of being out of the classroom, I truly don't think I could ever go back, although I really loved teaching. It is just too frustrating now.

I can not believe that anyone would think that this teacher is partially responsible for the actions of these kids. They had no right touching anything on her desk.I have three teenage boys and if they had done this i would have punished them and they know this also.This is whats wrong with kids today.They do not ever want to face the consequences of their actions and so many parents will not let little johnny face the consequences.We need to praise our kids daily, love them and hug them daily, but we also need to let them know what is expected of them.I can honestly say that I would not want to teach these kids because of what they did.I realize they could have done worse things,but how many of us would be so forgiving if they had put something in our drink?I think what they did was not one bit funny....it was a dangerous prank and should be dealt with as so.

I also want to add that if little johnny had stayed in his seat we would not even be talking about tnhis now.These kids should have thought before they took action.I do not know anything about the teacher but I admire anyone for wanting to teach these days.The kids cannot be punished....they have so many rights that we have taken all the rights away from the adults.We need to put prayer back in school.discipline back in school and maybe our kids would not make the mistakes they make now.I direct preschool and I love my little kids as if they were my own.I worry about what they will face in the future,but we just love them and teach them to be good people and respect each other. May god watch over all of us as we soon begin a new school year.

I give!! You win. The teacher was completely in the right, her breaking the HCBOE policy is irrelevant. The kids obviously were malicious little beast who deserve to be cast out of this school system forever. Why stop there, just kick them out Hamblen Co all together. Maybe we should tarr and feather them.

And how do you know these kids weren't diciplined? How do you know that their parents didn't beat the crud out of them when they got home? Do you know their parents? I don't.

Where would you be if you weren't given a second chance. I'm pretty sure everyone has done something as a teen that you regret. I know I did plenty.

Everyone wants keeps saying it would be different if it was put in our drink. Not really. If this was your kid, would you still think the punishment fits the crime. Good grief. They were wrong. No one is denying that. We just feel the punishment is a little extreme.

Reply all you want... Stick a fork in me, I'm DONE!!!

No you are wrong!!!!No one wins....not the teacher ...not the kids...no one wins!!!!!!!

WAY BACK WESTVIEW PARENT wrote:

BACK IN THE EIGHTIES, MY DAUGHTERS WERE STUDENTS AT WV...A TEACHER CAME BACK FROM THE LADIES ROOM AND FOUND A PROPHOLACTIC (SP) IN HER COFFEE CUP....INSTEAD OF GIVING THE STUDENTS THE REACTION THEY WANTED,,,,,SHE DIDN'T MISS A BEAT, SHE OPENED THE OUTSIDE DOOR IN HER ROOM AND THREW THE (THING) OUT. CASE CLOSED. PRANKS ARE FOR ATTENTION.....HARMLESS ONES AT LEAST. I'M SURE THE STUDENTS IN THIS ONE SHOULD BE PUNISHED BY THE PRINC. NOT HANDCUFFED.....ARRESTED. UNLESS: THIS INCIDENT IS ONE IN MANY?

I miss the good old teachers like that. They didn't take no crap but new the right way to deal with it when it came their way. Teachers like that seem to be few and far between.

I miss the good ole days too when kids didn't walk into the schools and shoot each other.ets all pray for the teachers and kids this year instead of fussing over who was right or wrong in this situation.