One of the kids I work with got into a situation today with one of the coaches. The young man (16) got into an argument with a young lady (17) and insults/threats were hurled from both kids. The coach stepped in but instead of telling the kids to calm it down and go their separate ways, he decides to jack up the young man by the collar and force him into the stairwell that has a blind spot. The incident report says the young man was being difficult, defiant and violent. This young man does have behavior problems BUT me and the other staff members know that it takes alot for him to actually get physical with someone.
I went over the incident report with him and let him know that his mother will be contacted but I would like to get his side of the story before we make the call. I told him that it's important to be truthful even if you were wrong because the only way I can truly help him is if he tells me everything right or wrong. He admitted that he did get violent but because the coach jacked him up by the collar and forced him into the stairwell. He admitted that he grabbed the coaches collar and backed him into the wall. He says the (52 year old coach) then threatened to throw him down the stairs and told him "swing boy, gone head try it. You can't take me."
Anyone who has had CPI training knows that what the coach did only escalated the situation. This coach has been in 3 other incidents like this. I advised the young man to next time take a deep breath and walk away. I told him next time the young lady "says something sideways" just walk away or go get one of the instructors in the vicinity. Now the situation with the coach is tricky because the camera in the stairwell was off(suspicious af). I advised him to next time take out his phone and record or to call my number. He said his homeroom teacher has his phone.
Because we are in the era of mass school shootings and immature staff members, I don't think taking away cellphones should be a punishment. Yes kids should respect authority and yes phones can be disruptive but if you confiscate phones they should be given back immediately at the end of class. They should not be held for multiple periods. Times are different.
I went over the incident report with him and let him know that his mother will be contacted but I would like to get his side of the story before we make the call. I told him that it's important to be truthful even if you were wrong because the only way I can truly help him is if he tells me everything right or wrong. He admitted that he did get violent but because the coach jacked him up by the collar and forced him into the stairwell. He admitted that he grabbed the coaches collar and backed him into the wall. He says the (52 year old coach) then threatened to throw him down the stairs and told him "swing boy, gone head try it. You can't take me."
Anyone who has had CPI training knows that what the coach did only escalated the situation. This coach has been in 3 other incidents like this. I advised the young man to next time take a deep breath and walk away. I told him next time the young lady "says something sideways" just walk away or go get one of the instructors in the vicinity. Now the situation with the coach is tricky because the camera in the stairwell was off(suspicious af). I advised him to next time take out his phone and record or to call my number. He said his homeroom teacher has his phone.
Because we are in the era of mass school shootings and immature staff members, I don't think taking away cellphones should be a punishment. Yes kids should respect authority and yes phones can be disruptive but if you confiscate phones they should be given back immediately at the end of class. They should not be held for multiple periods. Times are different.
