CONTENT WARNING: Violence
I am a teacher in an EBD (Emotional and Behavioral Disorder) school; basically, we have kids with aggressive and violent tendencies. I have a class that’s typically much calmer than the others, so when another teacher asks me for help, I don’t think much of leaving them to get on with their work. I’m gone for less than a minute.
When I return, [Child #1] is strangling [Child #2]. After stopping it, finding out what went down and that it was pure boredom from [Child #1], and then dealing with him insulting me, I escort [Child #1] to the Head of Year office and [Child #2] to the nurse’s office. I explain to both what happened. [Child #2] has some bruising going on and the nurse opts to get the hospital involved, pretty worried for the child.
I head back to class only to find that [Child #1] is back. I send him back to the Head of Year office when he starts insulting me again. A few minutes later, The Head of Year 11 — their year head — turns up at my door, so I step out to speak to her.
Head of Year 11: “Why is [Child #1] with me again?”
Me: “As soon as he came back, he started insulting me. And I didn’t think it was appropriate for him to be back in class just after he strangled another child.”
Head of Year 11: “It’s not really a big deal, though, is it?”
Me: “He strangled another student.”
Head of Year 11: “Yes, but that student is fine, so it doesn’t matter.”
Me: “He’s gone to hospital!”
Head of Year 11: “It’s not really a big deal, though. There was no blood.”
Me: “I don’t want [Child #1] back in my class.”
Head of Year 11: “He’s coming back to the class; you don’t have a choice. He’s your student; you have to teach him. It wasn’t a big deal. Suck it up and do your job.”
They wander off. I get the Head of my department.
Head of Department: “Not sure what you want me to do about it. He’s your student and Miss [Head of Year 11] is right; it’s not really a big deal and you need to suck it up and do your job.”
They can’t seem to figure out why they struggle to keep staff and were shocked when I handed my notice in.