The
world is changing around us.
Although schools remain some of the safest places for
students and staff alike, recent incidents of violence in our schools remind us
that we need to be cautious. As rare and as unlikely as these events are, all
of us need to take precautions, but they should not prevent us from doing the
things that help us reach kids and support learning. We cannot be
paralyzed by fear. We also have to be vigilant and take steps to protect
ourselves from false accusations and violence.
Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself:
- Avoid being alone in a classroom with a child. When you are it provides the opportunity to be falsely of inappropriate conduct or other accusations. In Massachusetts this week, a teacher was killed after being alone with a student.
- Never be alone in a private area with a student. If a student comes into the classroom and you happen to be alone, immediately step out into a public area such as the corridor. When a student wants to speak about a confidential matter that can be accomplished by speaking low even though you are in an area where you can be viewed by the public
- If you cannot avoid being alone with a student, always prop open a door so that those passing in the hallway can see you, and you can call for help assistance if you need it. Propping the door open also immediately creates an open and transparent atmosphere.
- Don’t transport a child without another adult in the car with you, or without parent and administrator permission.
- Most adolescents do not react well to sarcasm. Avoid sarcasm with students.
- Don’t pin students in corners. Sometimes the things we say or do pin kids in corners resulting in aggressive behavior.
- Do not use force against a student unless it is absolutely necessary to defend yourself or to protect another student or individual from injury.
- Always protect a child’s dignity.
- Take all threats seriously – take tempered but appropriate steps.
- Avoid being at school or your work area extra early or late into the evening. If you have to arrive early or stay late, let others — like your administrator or the cleaners — know you’re going to be there.
- If you’re at school or work early or late, lock the doors to your work area and be aware of your surroundings.
- Secure purses, wallets, cell phones and other valuables in a locked drawer or filing cabinet. If you don’t have a locking drawer or cabinet, let your administrator know.
