Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 19, 2008 McELVAIN TEACHERS SPEAK OUT

There are those "out there" who would pooh, pooh this story...wondering instead, what about test scores??? If these students were not meeting or exceeding state standards, then these "bad teachers" who obviously failed to motivate their students to be actively engaged in learning should be fired! Do the teachers have a union...well, it should be disbanded!!!

There are those "out there" who should have to substitute for these teachers...while they heal from their injuries.

This is a classic example of the fallacy of "merit pay"...rewarding teachers with bonuses who are able to get their students to "pass the state test", while maligning and/or firing teachers who "fail" their children. I would venture to guess that the "good teachers" were able to get their (remaining) students to "pass the state test" because "Ms. Thomas and Ms. Jefferson" took the trouble-makers off their hands!!!

Which teachers do you think MERIT EXTRA PAY???

Teachers Speak out after Student Brawl at School

By: Holly Brantley

JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. - The fight happened at McElvain School for students with behavior problems. The incident sent two teachers to the hospital, and police took at least seven students into custody.

Now, teachers want to get the word out about how bad the fight really was. They say at least eight additional staff member were hurt, besides the two that went to hospitals. And, they tell Heartland News more than 50 students were involved in the fight. They say staff has begged administrators to put a police officer in the school because they fear for their safety, and especially the safety of students.

The two teachers would only share their story with us if we agreed to keep their identities secret.

"It was awful," said one teacher we've agreed to call 'Ms. Thomas'. "In all my years of service, I have never had something like this happen, ever. To see a teacher on the ground with her head bludgeoned is ridiculous."

She describes the frightening scene just before lunch Monday morning at McElvain School.

"I saw her come out of the room with her head bleeding," said the other teacher we're calling 'Ms. Jefferson.' "She fell to the ground and he busted the fire extinguisher off the wall in an attempt to use it as a weapon. The teachers surrounded her to try to protect her."

The two teachers tell Heartland News the blood scene was surreal. It all started when one male student punched a female teacher in the head.

"I had her blood all over my clothing," said Ms. Jefferson.

They don't know what set him off, but the result, they say was a school left in chaos. One teacher tells us the hallway looked like a murder scene.

"If I could use one word, it would be mayhem. I was terrified. People were screaming. Objects were being thrown. It was unreal," said Ms. Thomas.

Just as a sheriff's investigation shows, the fight broke out after students went after the kid who attacked the teacher.

"They are very protective," said Ms. Jefferson.

The teachers tell us at the time, all the school's administrators were away at a meeting. The teachers say they are trained to handle crisis situations, but they contend nothing could have prepared them for what happened inside McElvain Monday.

"When you have 60 kids and they're all set off. We don't have staff to cover it," said Ms. Thomas.

The suspect eventually ran outside and, according to teachers, jumped into a truck that was driving by the school. About a dozen students jumped on it too, in an attempt to get to the boy. Teachers and police tell us fists were still flying when authorities arrived.

"They sprayed mace," said Ms. Thomas. "They were tackling kids and yelling at the staff to get them back in the building. At that point I was hurt by one of the bigger adult students."

"It takes three men to subdue some of the bigger kids," said Ms. Jefferson.

McElvain is a school for students with a history of behavior problems, including teens and preschoolers. The incident happened as four and five year olds were heading to lunch.

"The staff was picking up two and three kids at a time and running them back to class," said Ms. Jefferson.

Some of the students are from the Heartland. Others are from as far away as Chicago. Among the older kids, teachers say gang and drug activity is common.

"We have gone to administrators for four years asking for a resource officer," said Ms. Jefferson. "It's been denied every time."

Teachers say their main disciplinary tool was after school suspension, but they tell Heartland News administrators recently refused to keep paying faculty to assist with the detentions.

"So we're losing that leverage," said Ms. Thomas. "Many of these kids are into drugs. They want their time after school for that activity. That's about the only things we can use to discipline them. They don't care about check marks."

"We love our jobs," said Ms. Thomas.

"That's why we do it," Ms. Jefferson agrees. "It can be very rewarding to see one of these students make a change and go back to their home school."

Teachers tell us trouble at McElvain is nothing new. In fact, they say it's not unusual to have an officer called two or three times a week -- however, they say what happened Monday is.

In the past, incidents were kept within school walls, however not they say they are afraid, and they want people to know what they are dealing with, and how much they need protection.

So far, calls to administrators in the Tri-County Special Education District have not been returned.

Monday, Jackson County Sheriff's Deputies told Heartland News more students could face charges.