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Re: Re: Re:
And that's a part of the problem, Kabu: finding that balance. I honestly don't recall having overly 'disruptive' classmates when I was in grammar school. Sure, there were a few who may have spoken out of turn or acted up a little, but nothing that may have warranted anything severe, like having their mouths taped shut and then skin painfully ripped off when the tape was removed! Like I said, back then, I believe the teacher's most prominent weapon was simply embarrassment . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 7, 2014 at 5:41 AM
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Re: Re:
yes and there was a lot of abuse...no child should fear school because of bullying from other kids and teachers. Still there must be a level where children have a pleasant but disciplined atmosphere to work
posted by
Kabu
on November 6, 2014 at 2:59 PM
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Re: JimmyA
I'm not sure, Bill, what kind of point he may have been trying to make, but personally, I'd rather have those pebbles in my mouth . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 2:16 PM
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Re:
Abusive is one thing, C C T, but when they draw blood, that's in a whole new spectrum. Although, as children, we usually are too embarrassed to tell, the circumstances in your case are probably a bit different. In fact, they were probably criminal! I'm sure you too would like to go back in time and 'correct' things . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 2:14 PM
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JimmyA
🎈When I was in kindergarten, a teacher for speech would stick his hand in my mouth. He would tell me the story of Socrates, putting pebbles in his mouth. BC-A, Bill’s Roost
posted by
BC-A
on November 6, 2014 at 12:38 PM
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I think we used to take the punishment and were too embarrassed to tell.
I remember the back my hand dripping with blood a blue bruises, but I hid it.
posted by
C_C_T
on November 6, 2014 at 11:07 AM
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Re: JimmyA
No, Sir Wiley, and that's what makes what happened to me all the more unbelievable! I did go to Catechism for 8 miserable years, and did have to occasionally contend with a few abusive nuns and priests. But we all thought we were relatively safe in a standard elementary school! Like I wrote, that Mrs. Flannagan may have just had a bug up her ass that day, and I innocently triggered her outrage! For years after that, no one could come near me with a roll of masking tape . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 6:18 AM
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Re: Jimmy
I guess that, Naut, would be considered an 'ace in the hole.' My daddy can beat up your daddy would be replaced with my daddy can sue your daddy. Thinking back, I believe that, most of the time, our teacher's main weapon in disciplining the kids was embarrassment; sitting or standing in the corner wearing a dunce cap, or something along those lines. But when it gets physical, that's when the trouble really starts . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 6:14 AM
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Re:
It did indeed, Kabu. And you're right. In 'our' day, we feared our parent's wrath more than anything else, so if you did get into any kind of trouble in school, you usually took your punishment with a grain of salt and kept your mouth shut when you got home! Today it's just the opposite, although some of the teacher's behavior is out of control, like in this case . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 6:10 AM
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Re:
I know those stories all too well, FSI, because my dad had a few also! If the same rules and laws we have today were in effect back then, the jails would have been filled with priests and nuns! How they got away with some of their disciplinary tactics is truly a crime . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 6:07 AM
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Re: jimmy
I believe you may be right, jean. I think what bothers me the most is that we have to wait until we're adults to realize how we should have reacted as children. Again, if I knew then what I know now, I would have never 'allowed' that teacher to tape my mouth shut! I would have properly defended myself. But, when you're six-years-old . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 6:05 AM
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Re:
Thanks for the kind words, lovelylady, and I'm sure these aren't isolated incidences. I guess the times haven't changed all that much, except that now teachers can get in trouble for doing such things! I recall my dad telling me about similar incidences when he was in school, but he had to contend with ruler-wielding nuns! But you're right . . . some people simply should not be placed in control of kids if they can't control their own emotions! I wonder what the future holds . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on November 6, 2014 at 6:03 AM
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JimmyA
Were you in a Catholic School pard??
posted by
WileyJohn
on November 5, 2014 at 5:43 PM
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Jimmy
I'm pretty certain that nobody at any of my schools ever had their mouths taped shut - I think it's outrageous! Our teachers had various other methods of keeping us in line, and none of them involved any kind of physical punishment. My Dad was a lawyer, and he would have raised holy Hell...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 5, 2014 at 4:35 PM
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actually, I remember on a couple of occasions in grade school when I was terrified thaat someone would tell my parents when I had been in trouble....times have changed...perhaps gone too far...but taping a child's mpouth shut is cruel and unusual punishment. Had to be stopped.
posted by
Kabu
on November 5, 2014 at 2:01 PM
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That is sad what happened to you back in first grade that nine year old recently...My dad had quite the stories to tell about his time in middle school run by nuns.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on November 5, 2014 at 9:57 AM
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jimmy
i too am sorry that happened to you, you or any child does not deserve that kind of treatment.
it is frightening how many children are being abused today at the hands of parents, teachers, and others that are supposed to take care of them instead of abusing them.
it is horrible when the child dies, like in the case of the 15 month old that died from shaking by the caregiver. these people have a special judgement waiting for them.
posted by
jeansaw
on November 5, 2014 at 9:17 AM
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I am so sorry that was done to you, Jimmy. People who educate and do such horrible things to children should have their teachers certificates nulled immediately, and they should NEVER allowed to teach in ANY school-public or private-ever again.
About three or four years ago, there was an incident at a Virginia public school where a teacher's aide shoved a nine year old autisic boy into a duffle bag and then zipped it shut. His mother was called to the school to bring him home because he was being "disruptive."
The teacher was suspended for a brief period, but she was never fired. I believe there is a lawsuit still going on.
There was also a recent incident involving a young girl with Down's Syndrome where her teacher decided it was appropriate to cut her hair because she felt it was improperly kept. To this day, that beautiful little girl is horrified of scissors. And of going to school.
You should have spoken up when you got home. I understand why you didn't, but I believe it would have saved you a great deal of anguish.
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on November 5, 2014 at 8:15 AM
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