Safety in the classroom

[southerncrone]

I am compelled to post this poll based on my own experiences these last few years, especially this year. I have had many veiled threats (& some more overt threats) this year. This is something I have not experienced in the past. Just wondered if I'm in a unique place, or if other teachers are having the same experience.



Compared to when you first began teaching, how safe do you feel in the profession today?

[LWolf]

1. Other: physically safe as usual.

Property safety is way down.

The outside of my room is regularly vandalized on weekends, and yes, it is students. Several of them have been caught in the act.

Vandalism IN the room is more subtle, but definitely more prevalent than it was in the past.

[southerncrone]

2. We are experiencing the vandalism increase, too.

The subtle in-classroom has increased
The graffiti has increased
The willful destruction of books, keyboards, lockers, etc. is on the rise
The big ticket items are now happening.... a very expensive projector was stolen out of a classroom. Our surveillance cameras caught the event (still can't believe I'm saying surveillance cameras when talking about school, but....)
The students were apprehended in possession of the projector
They had unlocked the classroom window during school that day, then came in through the window that evening & stole it.

The sheer cunning, premeditation & brashness of this is amazing. When caught they just shrugged it off like it was no biggie. They know because they are minors, nothing too bad can happen to them & their record will be cleared. Many of these kids have NO FEAR of anything. Others are ticking time bombs who could explode at any time; we have "mini-explosions" daily. It is scary.

BTW, I teach at a rural school, not an inner-city school.

[LWolf]

3. I also teach at a rural school,

and you've described it accurately. :(