I am training to be a primary teacher but aventually want to work with vunerable children, possibly abused children (not sure how to get into this line of work). i've been warned that by doing this i can be left open to all sorts of allegations? what do u think this means and how can this happen? maybe i'm being niave, i'm not sure...please give me your opinions!
134132
I teach at the minute and am the child protection officer at school. I also do support work in a children's home outside of school hours. Obviously both involve working with vulnerable kids. The vetting that you have to go under to get these jobs is immense, so you won't really leave yourself open to any allegations. Once you start, you have to follow set guidelines anyway, so there shouldn't really be a point when anyone can accuse you of anything. One thing to be careful of, is that if you are with a child who is really vulnerable and a bit emotionally unstable, try not to be alone with them, because then obviously if they do make any allegations, it's your word against theirs, and in today's society, you'll automatically be branded unsuitable to work with young people
618440
ummm i'm pretty sure that you aren't going to find that job. once you are a registered sex offender i'm almost positive that you are barred from teaching in any capacity.
318181
I liked the answer on bullying, and I fully agreed on it. But, teachers can be bullies too.\n\nI read in a parenting magazine the other day that 42 states still allow spanking! Yeah, and whether or not YOUR child has had this happen to them, a girl in a public school system in Nebraska (I think it was Nebraska) was paddled with a board that was 2 inches thick with holes in it according to the article. That's f*cking insanity! \n\nAs far as the local school system around here, most of the kids don't know it- but it's legal. The school handbooks just say that it's, "STRONGLY RECCOMENDED NOT TO USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT". It really bothers me. I myslef do not believe in spanking. I'm more than positive that a lot of parents around here would not be pleased to here that their child has been spanked. If that happened to my child, I would tell the school that it should not be just, "STRONGLY RECCOMENDED NOT TO USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT". If they refused to do anything about it, I'm sorry, but here comes the violent side of me: I'd kick that teacher's a*s!\n\nI know many parents would do the same thing. And here's another thing I don't like about public school systems: The right to permanently take away objects from students. Yes, I know how hard most teachers work to get children/young adults to pay attention in their class room. But if they are to take say a brand new $359.99 iPod, umm,yeah, I might be a little more than pissed. I think that they should just put the item on their desk till the end of class and then GIVE IT BACK!\n\nFurther more, it seems like they just let any one walk in and become a teacher. A local teacher around here went to the local Mamasita's restaurant and saw a 16 year old girl sitting across the room. Little did he know, the waitress who was waiting on him was the girl's mother. He said to the waitress, "Get the girl over there a Apple Martini... oh, and also, give her this." He handed the woman a card. It said, "NEEDED: MORE THAN RATED R FUTURE STARS FOR THE porn site www.whateverthehellthesite'snamewas.com.\nOi! Was he ever in trouble!\n\nBut for some younger teachers, they aren't giving enough opportunity. A teacher applying for a job might see a "NEEDS MORE EXPERIENCE" thing in the mail from our local school. Well, how the hell are you going to get experience if no one will give it to you? This is about more than education of the students! Future teachers can learn more about teaching from their first teaching gig.\n\nWell, I believe overall, that there could be ALOT of improvements for the school systems.\n\nEDIT: Best answer?
541682
I work with children and this is what I see when they are being abused.First thing is they withdraw in themselfs and don't do what they usually do.Like go places with people or hang with their friends. Their school work fails. Then they start acting out.Doing things to get introuble.Plus they're mad alot and will say disrepectful things to u.You also might see them always being hurt. I wish u all the luck in finding out the truth.
304527
It is none of your teacher's business if you are in love or not. They are there to teach the required subjects and unless you are doing something harmful to yourself or the school they shouldn't interfere. As for gossip, every Board of Education I know of forbids a teacher to spread rumors about students.\n\nAnd a male teacher prying into something as personal as your relationship?\n\nGo to your principal. Tell him/her your teacher has been asking you some very personal questions that makes you uncomfortable and makes you uneasy. Then tell your parents. If you don't want to reveal all I'm sure you can pick out a few questions asked that are personal that your parents wouldn't like to know a male teacher is asking their daughter. But make sure you tell the truth. You'll find yourself in deep trouble making up lies.\n\nGet an adult on your side. Because you've already made your position sound really bad. And it will get worse trying to hide it. Prove to everyone you are grown up enough for the relationship you want.
199023
The best way to teach children is to encourage.  Criticizing never works.  Small treats and rewards are good ONLY if they really deserve them e.g. if they get full marks on a test.  Never humilitate a child in front of his/her classmates.  That will deflate his confidence in an instant.  Is this the kind of info you were looking for?
307770
Yes.\nThe problem is that we are all scared as children, and now that I am an adult I see how wrong and rude some teachers were/are.\nTell your Principal exactly how rude she is and what she said. Tell her that this is a valid complaint and if she doesn't rectify this kind of behavior that you have no choice but to speak to the Principal's Superintendent!\n\nDon't be afraid, nothing can happen to you. But do not attempt this if you are a trouble maker and have a documented history of your behavior as it will backfire on you.
319695
it really depends on where you are teaching and what age group you are teaching. The main rule would be never be in the room alone with a kid. If you find yourself in this situation always make sure the door is open. May sound a bit daft but very important. Good luck with the work experience.
622709
If you don't want to get stuck in the middle then go to the principle and speak to him privately letting him know that you wish to remain anonymous. Just please don't let it slide because she is a "friend". What other things does she do that you don't know about?! Most importantly, WHAT KIND OF TEACHER IS SHE?! I'm sure none of us would want her teaching our children. Save our children and your colleagues and yourself and do the right thing.
161978
You just answered my question (What is the most important thing you ever learned?) in the way that makes a teacher trainer believe in what she is doing!\nLook, I can't speak for the UK these days. Got qulaified -Got out! I'm on International Eductaion now and it's been my passport to the world...and a vocation I still believe in after...well too many years at the chalk face! The profession doesn't need people to make up numbers, as much as it needs dedicated professionals who seek a reward far richer than gold. I have funny feeling you are just the sort of teacher the kids are so desperately needing (and frankly deserve!)...so hang in there, cos it really is worth the slog. You can contact me for info about a curriculum based on learning to learn for life ...not for tests or govt. figures, if you're interested. jacquelinewebb@isoz.ch.
435512
To be a writer.  I wanted to find a way to write Children's Books and incorporate lightly about abuse, so that Children could see at an early age what the signs of abuse are, and hopefully ask questions to save Their futures.  Meaning physical and emotional abuse.  Sounds like a great concept.\n\nSo many Children think that these things happen to everyone, and They usually have to get into Their Teens to find out it isn't.\n\nMay GOD Bless Every ones Journey, Their Lives, and Their Dreams......
344216
as long as you don't have a physical relationship with this person and you realize he is obligated by law to turn you in if you tell him of certain things that may be going on in your life. (abuse or something along those lines) you should be fine. keep it teacher and student. it is ok for him to be a mentor and a rock for you.
501122
If it is way too personal it might be sexual harrassment, if you are young please go to a school counselor about it.  If you are at work, an adult, Ask yourself, is this a pattern?  Do others experience this?  Again, you can discuss it with your personel department.  If all this is too risky, there is a way to avoid questions like this, without lying... for example, you could say "Why do you ask?"  or "Actually, I have a man in my life" (a pet, perhaps?), or maybe, "I'm sorry, but I make it a practice of never discussing my personal life at work.
514835
Wow.  Most of the responses posted are not very fair.  The people who responded assume that pedophiles are child molesters.  Some studies have concluded that at least a quarter of all adult men may have some feelings of sexual arousal in connection with children.  This does not necessarily mean that they will act on those feelings.  In fact, some experts state that most child abusers are NOT pedophiles. Often, they are adults who are primarily attracted to other adults but who, for a variety of reasons, have used children to fulfill their needs.\n\nI say you should continue be his friend.  Even if he says that he is a pedophile or a potential pedophile, does not mean that he will act on those feelings.  You stated that he "Never did anything that you know of".  As a friend, you can encourage him to keep it that way.
441080
Something very similar to that happened to my daughter when she was in seventh or eighth grade.  She wrote a very polite letter to the principal and copied it to the teacher who gossiped, explaining what happened, and that she felt the teacher should not have done that.  The result was that the teacher apologized.  The key here would be for you to be very calm and courteous in your letter and simply explain what happened and that you think it isn't right for the teacher to discuss your personal information.  Best of luck with getting it resolved.
551436
As a teacher myself, i am offended, not by the question, but to those people who are calling this person lazy and telling him to re-think his profession! \nThose people who have been teachers know that the curriculum is over crowded as it is, way too much time is spent planning not to mention assessing, marking, reporting, making resources and all the other things that go with it! I dont see any problem with a fellow teacher asking for ideas, ive surely done it, no teacher is perfect nor does any 1 teacher have ALL the answers - so why kid yourself that you do. Very nieve if you think you are beyond asking for help / ideas not to mention very narrow minded and quiet scary. Have the other teachers here never asked for help with planing or lesson ideas ?? I doubt it!\n\nAnyway, when i teach abuot rain forests i like to get the kids as active as possible. I was lucky in Australia we had a local forest we could go and visit but even if you cant, looking at pictures, videos and immersing students in the total experience, visual, audio everything in between. Get them to classify animals, plants and the parts of the rainforest ... identify animals that are dependant on parts and as a further investigation , possibly for G&T students get them to investiate de-forestation and hold a mini debate on the topic. There are tonnes of ideas for art activies, making dioramas or collages is also fun and keeps them involved! \nHope this helps, and ignore the other 'teachers' who think they are beyond asking for help, personally i am appaled that so called professionals would even give a response like that. Everyone needs ideas and pointers in their teaching life. There are good websites (i dont know any right now) but they actually have forums for teachers to ask and discuss... im sure those here are not members, but there are hundreds of teachers always willing to help.\nGood Luck! Have fun!
193176
As a teacher, I doubt they are plotting against you. Personally, I don't have time to plot against any of the students. When things like that happen there are generally two reasons: 1) accident - I had a situation where a student asked me why I had asked them the same question 3 or 4 times - I hadn't realized that I had or 2) the teachers think highly of you or your ability and are therefore trying to give you a challenge.