So if this happened outside the school building, would you have the same response PP? It’s ridiculous that students can make threats against staff and nothing happens. I’d call my union rep stat.

Anonymous wrote:I told them this but they said they don’t think he is a threat. I don’t understand how threatening to punch a teacher only warrants a one day suspension.

Teacher here—he didn’t actually punch you, so there was a threat but no assault. One day suspension makes sense (students need to be in school). I also would not want him in my class, I understand why you are nervous. But since your admin won’t help you, here’s my advice (you’re not going to like it):

You need to be kind to this student. If he comes in and feels threatened because you are cold to him and taking notes on him constantly, he will be on edge and that’s what may make him more likely to hurt you. If you focus on repair and “kill him with kindness” attitude, he’s not going to want to hurt someone who is kind to him and who forgave him for something he knows deep down he shouldn’t have said. He may not deserve your kindness, but you extending warmth to him may save you from assault. Also, you gain back the power he tried to take from you. And students who know adults don’t have power are simultaneously thrilled and scared.

You can do this, op. Deep breaths. Head held high. Smile on your face. Eye contact with the boy. Take back control.

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I’m shocked they actually suspended him which is sad.

+1. OP, put everything in writing. Include dates, times, exactly what the student said, and the administration’s response. Email to your admin and ask for confirmation. They won’t like it but it CYA for the next time with you or another teacher when they claim it’s never happened before. Also check the online record to make sure it was documented. Sometimes these things “disappear”.

It might depend on the context and the tone in which he said it. I’m not trying to say it’s ever okay but I can imagine scenarios in which I thought it was a real threat or other scenarios in which I would think not a real threat just a kid being an idiot.

I'm sorry, OP. It's really sad, but teachers are sometimes assaulted by students, with very little in terms of consequences. This is why teachers quit. I hope you can get through to your administration.

I would feel unsafe. I would contact my education association (if you're a member) and ask for their advice. I would give students assign seating and put that student far from me, and I would arrange my furniture such that I was right next to the door. I would also begin documenting every single interaction I had with the student.

I would begin searching for a job in a different district, or at the very least put my plans into place for a transfer as soon as the process opens. This is not a school to which I would return.

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I’m shocked they actually suspended him which is sad.

Same. My friend is a teacher and had students who threaten to kill her. Nothing happened to them.

As a teacher I’m shocked they actually suspended him which is sad.

Can they have a principal sit in there for that class? You should have an observer in there with you as backup for several weeks.

Anonymous wrote:I'll disclose that I'm not a teacher and found this in Recent, but I'd file a police report and make a complaint through my union.

I’m not a member. I wish I was.

I told them this but they said they don’t think he is a threat. I don’t understand how threatening to punch a teacher only warrants a one day suspension.

I'll disclose that I'm not a teacher and found this in Recent, but I'd file a police report and make a complaint through my union.

Nervous

Unsafe.

7th grade student, not special needs. Said this in front of the class. Got a one day suspension and admin wants him back in my class. How would this make you feel?