classroom management

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classroom management
By Cathy-Dee

I totally agree with you, I couldn't paddle a student, although I have had a few that may have tempted me if it had been an option

I do know there are a few school districts where paddling is still permitted. Usually
only with the parents permission and in quite a number of schools only by the administrator.
Perhaps one way to deal with this issue is to first feel confident about your abilties to handle children and also about your right to choose to paddle or not. Then.... tell the Principal that although you do understand that paddling is an option, you would prefer to not use it as you have in

your past experiences been able to set up a discipline program for children you've taught which has successfully managed the situation.

Then go further to state that should the need arise you would go to your administration for guidance on the matter and ask for support as you would feel uncomfortable padding a student from a personal perspective. This means you'd allow the Principal, but only as a last resort.

Perhaps you should even go as far as to do some web searching and find out exactly how many states do allow corporal punishment, etc., and then talk about how the world is changing because of the violence kids see on TV, how some are subjected to physical abuse, etc., you would rather not paddle a child and perhaps be adding to a negative outlook from that child's perspective.

It is hard when there are two sides to an issue and both sides are so far apart. I know I could never paddle a student. I don't have problems with parents choosing to spank a child, but even then one has to be careful.

You never know perhaps a few of the principals you will interview with are not advocates for paddling and are hoping to hear a response like yours.