Paddling: No Excuse

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Paddling: No Excuse
By Michelle

I am entering my fourth year of teaching at an inner city high school. I can honestly say that there are times -- many times -- when I feel that conventional behavior management does not work. However, I could never support
paddling. At the high school level, the teacher may have to worry about the student returning a paddling of his or her own. The only appropriate age for paddling is elementary. Now, who could conceive of striking elementary school children. They, unlike high school students, are defenseless. Nevertheless, there is no excuse for paddling in an educational environment.
I suggest limiting

privilleges or contacting parents via telephone calls and postcards throughout the semester. This is a good practice if done at the very beginning of each semester. If you call parents of new students to introduce yourself and inquire about any educational concerns of their children, they will be more willing to listen to your calls about behavioral problems later. It works. Trust me.