Alexandria Student Accuses Teacher Of Assaulting Him In Class -...

Anonymous wrote:

Cameron Mom, your lies show through and through. Just thought I'd say it. And I can say this pretty much for sure.

I have no reason to lie. I even have emails to back this up. Sounds like the blog of a defensive participant to me...

Let's wait to see what the courts decide the truth to be.

Anonymous wrote:

The scary part is that nearly six years ago i attended this school and she was my teacher for history, i saw her nearly everyday. She was such a nice teacher, im pretty sure that the full fault of this is of the student's because i still remember at that school there were some kids who could have been mistaken for monsters. Poor Ms. Waugh.

I am trying to figure out what you are talking about. This is one of the best elementary schools in Fairfax County! These children are so well-behaved, these teachers are so involved and loving, and this principal is one of the Nation's finest! I moved to this county for this particular school. As a matter of fact, when my son went onto middle school and was having trouble adjusting, I was told by the middle school administrators that Cameron students had a harder time adapting to middle school because they were sheltered! I was appalled! Frankly, I want my 10 year old to act like a ten year old and to be sheltered from a society that forces children to grow up too quickly. One needs only to visit Cameron School to see and feel the love these children receive there. I cannot think of one child I would call a monster! This particular child supposedly had issues, according to Mrs. Waugh's interview. This is still no reason to place hands on a child. Mrs. Waugh is no lightweight! I certainly would not confront her physically and I am an adult who is no lightweight either! I am so sad to see a former student of Cameron make such remarks about a school that feels more like family than any school I have ever known. I do feel badly for everyone involved...obviously this was something that got way out of hand. But please don't portray Cameron as a school full of monsters. They are children and their actions are a direct reflection of their guardians.

DMA wrote:

<quoted text>The article did not say but it did say the student was NOT injured!! She probably verbably embarrassed him in front of his class mates and he considers that assult. I agree with most that the parents handled it the wrong way. Children do lie!!

Yes, they do lie. They learn it from adults.

Sorry cameron mom, but this teacher's an amazing woman and that's all I can say.
And about the kids being monsters, I remember in Cameron in 3rd grade, "popular" girls came on putting on makeup, going to the bathroom to put on lipgloss and eyeshadow, and made fun of the girls who didn't. 8 year olds doing that... and cursing as well. I remember a kid stealing my brother's favorite Yu-Gi-Oh card, and my brother talking to my dad and vice-principal about it because he was that hurt. Some of those kids were pretty much monsters. Other than that, it was a great school.

This teacher was being assaulted. The last I checked, the constitution gives us the right to protect ourselves. When that twelve year old punk placed his hands on that woman in a violent way... she was no longer a teacher... she was a woman being assaulted, and quite possibly would have been hurt further, had she not defended herself. How dare the school system knowingly place teachers in classrooms with punks like these, and not provide sufficiant security. And then to support the criminal, and subject the victim to further assault by harming not only her job, but reputation. It's disgusting. The media is just as much to blame in all of this. This should tell people something about how ignorant the people reporting the news are. Do they not care about reporting the truth? They may have stated the facts, but by posting her face and name for all to see, they also damaged her for life. It's tragic. And if that teacher is reading these comments... I'm so sorry for you. Please keep your head high, and know that you are supported, appreciated, and understood. Please don't let this get you down. Fight for your rights!

This is the way Fairfax County works. You're guilty before both sides of the story are heard.
If this teacher has had problems with this child. She needed to document everything and send reports home to his parents and a copy to the principal of the school for record. It's terrible that it had to come to this. I guess they need video cameras in the classrooms just like on the school buses. Somebody needs to protect the teachers. She must have been a good teacher for being there for nine years. I'm really sorry for her. I hope the young man and his parents are real proud of themselves for ruining a teachers future.

Oh, another thing. Why did Fairfax County just put her on paid leave until both side of the story are heard. They do it with police officers, why not good teachers? If I was her, I would fight for my job back, win, then leave for another county. Good Luck Ms. Waugh.....

Cameron Mom, I find it so hard to believe that you moved from one area in the country just for your children to attend Cameron School. Cameron has been in the spotlight many times due to some of the programs that are there, but there are other Fairfax County Schools that have exceptional programs, and all FCPS must follow the Program of Studies and Standard of Learning Objectives and this school has to work ten times harder to keep their scores up compared to other schools in the county. I find it hard to believe that you have had problems with Mrs. Waugh, and if you did not receive any satifaction from the administration, contact the Cluster Five office, or the school board. Your post has no merit whatsoever, like you said in your post that you suffered from depression, it's time to go back on the Prozac or whatever psychotic drug your psychiatrist recommends.
Mrs. Irene B. Jenkins

I'm at a lost on this matter! I truly feel for the Teacher more than the Student. The Parents of this child should be doing some real soul searching, because I am willing to bet they know he has behavior problems. Normally, any child who would feel threaten by a Teacher would run out of the classroom and call a Parent quickly. Now, may be we have losted a great teacher, someone who put the educating of young minds as her number one priority? Problem is because of this altercation many lives will be affected. I wish her the best at whatever she does! Looking from the outside in the school I see a lot of dangerous Students, whether in Elementary, Middle or High School we all know that some kids today behavior is too extreme to deal with in a school setting. Most of the time they find their way into the Criminal Justice System and from then on they are a lost cause! Parents should have open communication with all the People educating your child, if not then you are neglecting your responsibilties as a PARENT!

Cameron Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, they do lie. They learn it from adults.

Thinking you have some real issues or it was your child in the article!

amen... Amen... AMEN!!!

ITeachNPG wrote:

<quoted text>
I am a teacher in PG County. I am sitting in class right now waiting for my students to finish a test. I can't tell you how many times in the last 40 minutes I have asked someone to close their mouths, sit in their seats, stop touching, stop hitting, stop playing, or whatever else have you. Some times the kids try to give you a hug or play with you and when you say stop, they don't. The kids treat it as a game. It's sad to know that she was presumed guilty before she was found in a court of law guilty. I teach in a middle school, students threaten us all the time and hit us as well but our administrators do nothing about it. Hopefully, the parents will see that if the tables were turned, they would have thought twice about their actions.

The kinds of comments that I hear concern me... First of all, you said yourself that Ms. Waugh was a good teacher "at first"...then things started to change... wonder what made them change. Just look at the news, adults and school administrators have NO RIGHTS at all. Kids can say and do whatever they want and no one says anything. They can assault, disrespect and you name it and it's okay... so this CHILD grabs Ms. Waugh... and she's suppose to just sit there and take it! What's the school sytem going to do to protect her? NOTHING! I'm not a teacher YET but I spend and enormous amount of time working with children and I find that most of the children I deal with are not being taught to respect those in authority. So put yourself in her shoes... she started out a good teacher but something changed... think of what it must be like dealing with all those students in one day... and MAYBE having ONE or TWO good ones in the whole bunch. Put yourself in her shoes again, and could you really tell me that you would not have defended yourself... you would have sat there and let that CHILD possibly break your arm or injure you in some other way? I wouldn't. I don't think she should have quit... she should stayed on and made them fire her... and then she should have sued them royally! I don't think she was really thinking clearly.

Cameron Mom wrote:

I am a Cameron parent who has had two children taught by Mrs. Waugh. My first experience with her was over 8 years ago with my GT son. No problems. My second encounter was last year with my daughter and it was a nightmare. I noticed a rapid decline in Mrs. Waugh's teaching techniques. She was a less-than-involved teacher. She made disparaging remarks and degrading comments to my honor-roll daughter (I mention this only to enforce that this is NOT a troubled or problem student) and they were hurtful to her self-esteem. She came home many nights crying and was sick many mornings not wanting to go to school. I brought it to the attention of Mrs. Waugh and the administrators and it no longer continued but I truly believe it was because I confronted her about it and I involved the administration of Cameron. While I think it was hasty on the part of the parents to contact police directly I certainly don't think that they were wrong in taking action. It is the word of the teacher against the word of the student and frankly I believe the truth lies somewhere in between. I know last year during class, Mrs. Waugh allowed two girl students to physically fight in class while she sat there. It was only until it got out of hand that she told another student to "hit the button" to contact the front office. I have heard this story from my daughter and several of her friends. I also find it incredulous that Mrs. Waugh, who was supposedly defending herself, would resign just like that! Sounds fishy to me...I frankly have felt over the last few years that Mrs. Waugh was not as satisfied with teaching as she once may have been. I noticed after having her own children that her dedication to teaching had declined markedly and I often wondered whether or not she was depressed. I am certainly not a Doctor but I do have a history of depression myself and I recognize the obvious signs. This was an unfortunate event and it brings unwanted attention to a school I moved into this county just to have my children attend. I agree with a lot of people on this post...there needs to be more information gathered before any decisions are made. Unfortunately, my experience with this particular teacher has me shaking my head saying, "I am not surprised."

One thing I learned as a
advocate is that you
always in a situation
either as a parent or teacher
you believe the supposed
victim and call the police.

Teachers call or are supposed
to by law if neglect or abuse
are a question, call Child
Protection Agencies then the
Law Enforcement.

Now the parents did a reverse
in role play that normally is
done the opposite way around,
and someone questions their
motives for doing the exact
same thing the teacher would
have done, if the shoe were on
the other foot.

Teachers who posted, question
are you using tax dollars to
post during work hours, we the
tax payers pay you during the
teaching of children during test
or not? If thats the case please
save the money tax payers are
paying for you to teach and not
to play on the computer they bought
for teaching from and log off.

This is a child and if he/she
spoke as a victim then that
victim, is always telling the
truth, unless otherwise proven
in a court of law or by invest
igation of the case now present.

The picture is always placed by
news media, so others can come
forward if the issues has arisen
in other cases unknown.

Place the face on the person of
accused and or alleged assaults
and others will come forward.

Thus leaving for a better rate
for conviction of a crime that
took place.

Anyone who wouldn't believe their
child is either not listening to
what is said or is disattached
from reality of what was said, and
should re-evaluate how the reaction
would be when lashing out towards
those seeking answers.

That be it a teacher or the parent
of an alleged victim, each one has
a responsibility to those they are
entrusted to care for, if anyone in
my advocating for vicitm/survivors
ever asked me who do you believe or
you don't actually believe that do
you? I have to say yes I do because
they said it did!

If parents went to police then the
child has an advocate and he/she is
doing what I just wrote; ADVOCATING!

CASOO ROARS FOR THE LOST wrote:

One thing I learned as a
advocate is that you
always in a situation
either as a parent or teacher
you believe the supposed
victim and call the police.
Teachers call or are supposed
to by law if neglect or abuse
are a question, call Child
Protection Agencies then the
Law Enforcement.
Now the parents did a reverse
in role play that normally is
done the opposite way around,
and someone questions their
motives for doing the exact
same thing the teacher would
have done, if the shoe were on
the other foot.
Teachers who posted, question
are you using tax dollars to
post during work hours, we the
tax payers pay you during the
teaching of children during test
or not? If thats the case please
save the money tax payers are
paying for you to teach and not
to play on the computer they bought
for teaching from and log off.
This is a child and if he/she
spoke as a victim then that
victim, is always telling the
truth, unless otherwise proven
in a court of law or by invest
igation of the case now present.
The picture is always placed by
news media, so others can come
forward if the issues has arisen
in other cases unknown.
Place the face on the person of
accused and or alleged assaults
and others will come forward.
Thus leaving for a better rate
for conviction of a crime that
took place.
Anyone who wouldn't believe their
child is either not listening to
what is said or is disattached
from reality of what was said, and
should re-evaluate how the reaction
would be when lashing out towards
those seeking answers.
That be it a teacher or the parent
of an alleged victim, each one has
a responsibility to those they are
entrusted to care for, if anyone in
my advocating for vicitm/survivors
ever asked me who do you believe or
you don't actually believe that do
you? I have to say yes I do because
they said it did!
If parents went to police then the
child has an advocate and he/she is
doing what I just wrote; ADVOCATING!

Wow...very well said. Thank you for stating what no one else did.

she shouldn't have put her hands on him anyway... she did say that she tried to take him out into the hallway... can't he walk

Retired Teacher wrote:

Cameron Mom, I find it so hard to believe that you moved from one area in the country just for your children to attend Cameron School. Cameron has been in the spotlight many times due to some of the programs that are there, but there are other Fairfax County Schools that have exceptional programs, and all FCPS must follow the Program of Studies and Standard of Learning Objectives and this school has to work ten times harder to keep their scores up compared to other schools in the county. I find it hard to believe that you have had problems with Mrs. Waugh, and if you did not receive any satifaction from the administration, contact the Cluster Five office, or the school board. Your post has no merit whatsoever, like you said in your post that you suffered from depression, it's time to go back on the Prozac or whatever psychotic drug your psychiatrist recommends.
Mrs. Irene B. Jenkins

As a former mother of a student at Cameron I have to disagree with your comment regarding the fact that you find it hard to believe someone relocating to attend Cameron. Many do and this is why. Cameron Elementary is a jewel of a school. Each day as the children enter school they are warmly greeted at the door by a woman sitting out in front of the school. Hugs are welcomed and given and for those children who perhaps missed out on a parents warm embrace in the morning this can make or break a day. When you enter school you are once again greeted. The Principal and Asst. Principal will know your child's name within the first week (as well as the parents) and there will be a Miss or Mr. in front of your child's name. At the end of the day your child will be escorted to their car, should they be picked up, by the principal and he will stay at school until the last child leaves. Each year your child will attend many outings - some that they will remember forever. For 30 years Mr. Towery, the Assistant Principal, staff, and numerous parent voluteers have been attending field trips such as 3 days to Williamsburg, overnight trips to the State Fair, 6th grade field trips to NYC with a broadway show and a Mets game, family camping trips, etc. Each year mother's of Cameron girls are welcomed to a special Mother Daughter Tea with a special program honoring mother daughter relationships. Each week there is a school wide math challenge, countless hours of Mr. Towery and the Assistant principal tutoring students at lunchtime, mentoring them and providing guidance on right and wrong. For children needing a more academic challenge there is a full time gifted and talented program starting in 3rd grade that is second to none. The teachers receive their training at William and Mary like the Center Schools. My child was introduced to concepts in 4th grade that SEES does not present in their program until 6th grade. This I know since we were at SEES for 5th and 6th. In the courtyard of the school there are farm animals for the children to care for. Responsibility is being taught, creatively and lovingly. Cameron also elected to wear uniforms, thereby focusing on what should be important at school - learning. And the community gives back. Mr. Towery gives so much to students and families that when he needs something it's easy for folks to provide, whether building something, donating computers and other supplies, or just volunteering time. We entered the public education system after leaving private school. Since we had no ties to our base school we went on recommendations from other parents and sent our child to Cameron. Since leaving Cameron we have not experienced the dedication of school leaders as we experienced at Cameron nor the genuine love for children. The incident was unfortunate however let's not put the school down because it is one place where the administrators still believe in trying and are dedicated to the process.

Former Cameron Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
As a former mother of a student at Cameron I have to disagree with your comment regarding the fact that you find it hard to believe someone relocating to attend Cameron. Many do and this is why. Cameron Elementary is a jewel of a school.

Thank you. These are the EXACT reasons we moved to an area that placed my children in Cameron Elementary. Let's also not forget that in 1997 (the year before my family moved here), Cameron Elementary School was profiled on the Oprah Winfrey show and in Redbook Magazine as one of the Best of the States Recognition Schools. Only eight out of 600 schools are chosen. This is a FABULOUS school. I have never seen a school where so many teachers have taught for so many years. Former students who now bring their children to Cameron say, "I remember when I had Mrs. So & So! I can't believe she is still here!" There are teachers and administrators in this school who have been there throughout their entire careers. That speaks VOLUMES about this school.

I wasn't going to blog anymore because I was disgusted by what I was seeing. Defense for a teacher who put her hands on a student. A teacher who divulged to the press that this student had behavioral problems. This is information that she had no business divulging. The school records of a minor are CONFIDENTIAL. If she "loved" him as she claims, she would have kept this confidence.

I told the truth about the problems that I had with this teacher. The point I was trying to make was that there are two sides to every story. And I really think that everyone needs to take a step back and look at that. For so many people claiming to be educated, I am appalled at how many close-minded remarks were being made. It also frightens me that much of this is coming from people claiming to be the very ones teaching our children. I know that teachers aren't paid enough and some parents aren't involved enough. It doesn't justify what Mrs. Waugh did. Let's put ourselves in the place of the child's parents and think "what if that were my child." Our duty as parents is to listen to our children. How many abused and neglected children are ignored everyday? How many lose their lives because no one listened?

This is a good school. I am proud to say that I have been a Cameron Parent for over 10 years. I have had three children attend Cameron. I did move to this area of Fairfax County for this school. Choice of school is key for many people making moves. Good parents do it all the time.

Waugh, next time get to the police before the bad guy. These kids are bad and the law is not protecting adults from them. Some kids are bad and need to be punished, like this kid. Waugh, I believe you because I don't think you would hurt a child. Some teachers will hurt our children, but in this case Waugh you are the good guy and the kid is the bad guy and he knows he was bad. These parents had better put their child in check now and stop thinking he's a good child cause he ain't good - he is a trouble maker. The truth will come out!

You're just as stupid as Casoo. Two idiots together!

Cameron mom, I know who you are and your child is an idiot and definately not GT. You are a big mouthed trouble maker and we all know it. You are worthless and wasting the time and intelligence of everyone!