As a candidate for the Washoe County School Board, I believe it’s essential to shed light on the challenges faced by our educators. Today, I want to share the experience of one teacher, my son’s teacher, a story that exemplifies the urgent need for change within our education system.
The Overcrowded Classroom
At the beginning of the school year, the kindergarten classrooms at Jessie Beck Elementary were left overcrowded. Due to budget constraints, one of the kindergartner classrooms had been removed, and the students were redistributed across the remaining three classrooms. My son’s teacher, a seasoned teacher, found herself with 26 energetic kindergartners—a daunting task even for the most skilled educator.
Two Troubled Students
The situation escalated when two students with severe behavioral problems entered her class. These students disrupted the learning environment daily. Their actions included violence—hitting, throwing objects, and even choking other students. But it wasn’t just physical aggression; they also used offensive language, directing hurtful words at their teacher. The situation grew more dire as the classroom was repeatedly evacuated to keep the other students safe, something the District refused to tell the parents.
Restorative Justice Gone Awry
The district’s approach to discipline—restorative justice—was meant to foster remorse in students who misbehaved. Unfortunately, it backfired. Instead of encouraging positive change, it rewarded bad behavior. The teacher’s hands were tied; she couldn’t discipline the disruptive students effectively. The administration’s insistence on this flawed approach left her helpless.
Requests for Help Ignored
Desperate for assistance, the teacher repeatedly requested support. She proposed solutions: a full-time aide, disciplinary measures, or even removing the students from her classroom. Her pleas fell on deaf ears. The administration remained unresponsive, leaving her to manage the chaos alone.
The Chair Incident
The breaking point came when one of the troubled students hurled a chair at the teacher. The impact left her with a bruised face, as if she’d been punched by a heavyweight boxer. This incident injured the teacher so severely she was forced to seek emergency medical treatment. Shockingly, nothing happened to the student responsible. The lack of accountability was appalling.
Blaming the Teacher
Throughout this ordeal, the administration consistently blamed the teacher. They even removed her from the classroom—an unjust decision that was later reversed. The toll on her well-being was immense. Eventually, she chose not to return to that classroom, leaving the district without a dedicated teacher with years of experience.
Impact on Students
It must be pointed out that while all of this was going on, the other students suffered. End of year testing showed that most of the students were behind in their academic achievement. Students witnessing this violence exhibited classic trauma responses to these incidents. My own son grew fearful of school and leaving our side. At no point did the administration offer any support such as counselors or tutors. Instead the district banned parent volunteers to better hide what was happening.
A Call for Change
This teacher’s story is not an isolated incident. Ask any teacher, your child’s teacher, what they think in private and you will hear desperate pleas for help. It reflects systemic issues within our schools. As a school board candidate, I pledge to advocate for:
Reasonable Class Sizes: We must prioritize manageable class sizes to ensure effective teaching and student well-being.
Supportive Discipline: Discipline policies should empower teachers, not hinder them. Restorative justice should be reevaluated.
Responsive Administration: Administrators must listen to teachers’ concerns and act promptly.
Let’s honor our educators by creating an environment where they can thrive. Our children deserve nothing less.
Note: The events described in this blog post are based on real experiences I personally witnessed. While the names have been omitted to protect privacy, the impact remains.