My child’s teacher recently got DUI

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A background check won't turn up a DUI will it unless it's a felony, which happens after 3 or more.

Background checks usually don't show anything pending or misdemeanors.

Here we go again. MCPS does not do background checks. They (the private fingerprinting place) disentangle her prints to NCIC at the time of her employment. Normally DUI defendants are not fingerprinted.

Why don’t they care about DUI misdemeanors? Teachers do drive kids on occasion, and it’s evidence of very poor judgement. I’d want that to be a factor in the hiring or recertification of my kids’ teachers.

Please bring this up at a Board of Education meeting. There have also been instances of teachers showing signs of extreme intoxication at public concerts, even being filmed by students, and the administration seems to turn a blind eye to this as well. I have discussed this with some young teachers, and some actually think that they have a "right" to be publicly intoxicated. The principals' hands are tied if Central Office doesn't develop a policy about this.

Are you talking about school events or what teachers do in their private time? Of course no one should be drunk at school events but there’s no way I’m going to accept anyone policing what I do on my own time. I am allowed to be drunk at a concert that has nothing to do with my job.

Are you a young teacher??? Not a good idea if you want to stay employed.

Nope, I’m in my 15th year and have managed just fine so far. In fact, I’m going to a concert later this month. I’m going with a group of friends, we have rented a bus with a driver and I will be dancing with a drink in my hand. If anyone had the gall to report this to someone I’d think they were bat**** crazy as would my principal. Not to mention if any of my students saw me (I teach elementary) I’d be the one questioning the judgment of the parents considering it’s not a kid friendly show or venue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re an adult you should be an adult, period.

I don't know any adult who is role-model material 24/7. As a parent, it is very liberating for me to have times set-aside to just not be so much of an adult for a few hours. I could see a concert as that kind of event for someone.

Well if you’re an educator that’s not an option. You never know when you’ll see a student or heir parents. Blow off steam at a private party.

You’re a whole new level of crazy, lady.

[Anonymous]

I also think this thread has not defined what people mean by "being drunk" at a concert. Holding a drink? Singing/talking/cheering loudly? Stumbling/falling down? Puking in the stands?

Seeing a teacher in a completely different context can be jarring for students, but it is an opportunity to remind students that adults have lives that don't involve them and appropriate behavior is context dependent. What's appropriate at a concert (or a sporting event or whatever) is not appropriate at school; and what are appropriate decisions that grown adults can make for themselves are not necessarily appropriate or positive decisions for 13/14/16/18 year olds to make for themselves.

Then again, there are humiliating levels of inebriation. I would not want my clients to see me so drunk I peed myself, and I would think that teachers would feel similarly with respect to colleagues, bosses, students and their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Are you talking about school events or what teachers do in their private time? Of course no one should be drunk at school events but there’s no way I’m going to accept anyone policing what I do on my own time. I am allowed to be drunk at a concert that has nothing to do with my job.

Is it a good idea if students see you and you're their guidance counselor?

DP. There's a meaningful difference between "not a good idea" and "not allowed", in my opinion.

You're right that there is a difference. In this case, I would see drunkenness at a concert that has high schoolers in attendance as an act that "undermines the employee’s professional integrity," particularly for a high school teacher or guidance counselor. At your brother's wedding, drink all you want! (Quote from Employee Code of Conduct, p. 3).

I don't want to discourage teachers from having a life. Just be aware that you are a role model for young people in the community.

I’m sure you feel the same way about your child’s doctors, sports coaches and adult friends of your family, correct?

Yup. I'm not referring to simply drinking, which can be done moderately, but getting drunk, which results in impaired judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A background check won't turn up a DUI will it unless it's a felony, which happens after 3 or more.

Background checks usually don't show anything pending or misdemeanors.

Here we go again. MCPS does not do background checks. They (the private fingerprinting place) disentangle her prints to NCIC at the time of her employment. Normally DUI defendants are not fingerprinted.

Why don’t they care about DUI misdemeanors? Teachers do drive kids on occasion, and it’s evidence of very poor judgement. I’d want that to be a factor in the hiring or recertification of my kids’ teachers.

Please bring this up at a Board of Education meeting. There have also been instances of teachers showing signs of extreme intoxication at public concerts, even being filmed by students, and the administration seems to turn a blind eye to this as well. I have discussed this with some young teachers, and some actually think that they have a "right" to be publicly intoxicated. The principals' hands are tied if Central Office doesn't develop a policy about this.

Are you talking about school events or what teachers do in their private time? Of course no one should be drunk at school events but there’s no way I’m going to accept anyone policing what I do on my own time. I am allowed to be drunk at a concert that has nothing to do with my job.

Are you a young teacher??? Not a good idea if you want to stay employed.

Nope, I’m in my 15th year and have managed just fine so far. In fact, I’m going to a concert later this month. I’m going with a group of friends, we have rented a bus with a driver and I will be dancing with a drink in my hand. If anyone had the gall to report this to someone I’d think they were bat**** crazy as would my principal. Not to mention if any of my students saw me (I teach elementary) I’d be the one questioning the judgment of the parents considering it’s not a kid friendly show or venue.

PP here. Dancing with a drink is not the same as drunk. If you do mean drunk, then I hope you make it to retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re an adult you should be an adult, period.

I don't know any adult who is role-model material 24/7. As a parent, it is very liberating for me to have times set-aside to just not be so much of an adult for a few hours. I could see a concert as that kind of event for someone.

Well if you’re an educator that’s not an option. You never know when you’ll see a student or heir parents. Blow off steam at a private party.

You’re a whole new level of crazy, lady.

NP here. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re an adult you should be an adult, period.

I don't know any adult who is role-model material 24/7. As a parent, it is very liberating for me to have times set-aside to just not be so much of an adult for a few hours. I could see a concert as that kind of event for someone.

Well if you’re an educator that’s not an option. You never know when you’ll see a student or heir parents. Blow off steam at a private party.

You’re a whole new level of crazy, lady.

I’ve been at private parties and in walk the parents of my students. Or we end up with mutual FB friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Are you talking about school events or what teachers do in their private time? Of course no one should be drunk at school events but there’s no way I’m going to accept anyone policing what I do on my own time. I am allowed to be drunk at a concert that has nothing to do with my job.

Is it a good idea if students see you and you're their guidance counselor?

DP. There's a meaningful difference between "not a good idea" and "not allowed", in my opinion.

You're right that there is a difference. In this case, I would see drunkenness at a concert that has high schoolers in attendance as an act that "undermines the employee’s professional integrity," particularly for a high school teacher or guidance counselor. At your brother's wedding, drink all you want! (Quote from Employee Code of Conduct, p. 3).

I don't want to discourage teachers from having a life. Just be aware that you are a role model for young people in the community.

I’m sure you feel the same way about your child’s doctors, sports coaches and adult friends of your family, correct?

Yup. I'm not referring to simply drinking, which can be done moderately, but getting drunk, which results in impaired judgment.

Doctors, lawyers, cops, elected officials, and engineers never get drunk I guess.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it’s because I’m in my 40s, but no one I know—doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses etc—are getting “drunk.” The ones I know who do also are struggling with alcoholism. I think there are a few people on here trying to rationalize their own behavior. Getting sloppy drunk or getting a DUI shows majorly bad judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s because I’m in my 40s, but no one I know—doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses etc—are getting “drunk.” The ones I know who do also are struggling with alcoholism. I think there are a few people on here trying to rationalize their own behavior. Getting sloppy drunk or getting a DUI shows majorly bad judgment.

There’s drunk and there’s sloppy drunk. The day after my DH was diagnosed with colon cancer, my BFF came to town, whisked me off to her hotel suite and got me drunk. It was cathartic. I cried. Laughed. Cried again. Laughed some more and then watched the sun rise feeling like I might be strong enough to get through this. Slept until 10:30. Went home able to wife and mother.

I didn’t vomit in public, screw a stranger, DUI, or trash the hotel room. But I was hella drunk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s because I’m in my 40s, but no one I know—doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses etc—are getting “drunk.” The ones I know who do also are struggling with alcoholism. I think there are a few people on here trying to rationalize their own behavior. Getting sloppy drunk or getting a DUI shows majorly bad judgment.

There’s drunk and there’s sloppy drunk. The day after my DH was diagnosed with colon cancer, my BFF came to town, whisked me off to her hotel suite and got me drunk. It was cathartic. I cried. Laughed. Cried again. Laughed some more and then watched the sun rise feeling like I might be strong enough to get through this. Slept until 10:30. Went home able to wife and mother.

I didn’t vomit in public, screw a stranger, DUI, or trash the hotel room. But I was hella drunk.

But you were in a private hotel room which is the important distinction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s because I’m in my 40s, but no one I know—doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses etc—are getting “drunk.” The ones I know who do also are struggling with alcoholism. I think there are a few people on here trying to rationalize their own behavior. Getting sloppy drunk or getting a DUI shows majorly bad judgment.

There’s drunk and there’s sloppy drunk. The day after my DH was diagnosed with colon cancer, my BFF came to town, whisked me off to her hotel suite and got me drunk. It was cathartic. I cried. Laughed. Cried again. Laughed some more and then watched the sun rise feeling like I might be strong enough to get through this. Slept until 10:30. Went home able to wife and mother.

I didn’t vomit in public, screw a stranger, DUI, or trash the hotel room. But I was hella drunk.

But you were in a private hotel room which is the important distinction.

Then, you should amend your argument to say in getting drunk in public.

[Anonymous]

Ok I’ll meet you in the middle .

[Anonymous]

Getting arrested for something is not the same as getting CONVICTED of it.
Case may be thrown out and u have ruined someone's career and reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Getting arrested for something is not the same as getting CONVICTED of it.
Case may be thrown out and u have ruined someone's career and reputation.

She was convicted.