Over at Dave Hoggard’s blog there’s an interesting post about disciplining students in public schools.  Even more interesting is the discussion going on in his comments section.

Disciplining students is a sticky situation for teachers and administrators these days, and the lack of discipline in many students’ homes doesn’t help matters.  But one comment to Dave’s post had the following statement that I think highlights another problem in schools:

Yes, discipline begins in the home, and there way too little of it
these days. And yes, the issue is complex. And I did not chime in to
advocate corporal punishment, though it sure worked in my 7th grade gym
class. But as former public school teacher for five years I can attest
that David�s basic point is spot on. The system is totally rigged
against the teachers, and as such there is almost no hope for
discipline, except in those classes that happen to have the exceptional
teachers who just plain inspire it. (Emphasis mine).

I agree with the writer that in many ways the system is rigged against teachers, but I also think it is rigged against students.  How sad is it that only exceptional teachers inspire their students?  Shouldn’t it be a core skill?  And unfortunately the same students that cause problems for the teachers cause just as many problems for the other students, if not more.  The "good" kids are being robbed of their teachers’ attention and of the opportunity to learn and be taught.

Celeste and I have been fortunate that our kids have not had any spectacularly bad teachers, but they have had some very average teachers that did little to inspire them.  On the other hand they’ve also had the fortune of having a few very energetic and inspired teachers and in those classes they have blossomed in a way we could hardly imagine.

Oh and in case you’re wondering about our view towards school discipline, our kids would much rather not find out what would happen if we ever got a call from the principal.  Let’s just say that they would have a far greater appreciation for the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness.