Scapegoat for Dinner AGAIN?!

Another student attacks her teacher in Baltimore City. Who is responsible for the attack? The teacher, of course.

This article is another example of how teachers have become a scapegoat for that which ails society. A high school sophomore—a student who should be old enough to know right from wrong—commits a violent act, and it is the victim who is held responsible.

Teachers are by no means perfect; most of us are even human. It is not, however, fair to assign sole responsibility to the teacher who leaves her workplace in an ambulance.

Let's step back for a moment and consider who else may be responsible:

The student. I cannot think of a reason why a rational person would deem it acceptable to assault an adult—especially a person of authority. The student needs to be held accountable for her actions; in fact, it is probably the lack of accountability to this point that has led her down this path.

The parents. Besides a brief mention of the responsibility of the "community," the article does not mention the role of the parents. Where are they? What are they teaching their child? What is their reaction to their daughter inflicting physical harm on a teacher?

It is, of course, important for teachers to be prepared to work with students of various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; this is true not only for instruction, but for conflict mediation as well. Professional development on conflict mediation is worthwhile for teachers, but this type of training does not excuse parents of their responsibility of raising their own children.