Loudoun Schoolteacher's Past Comes to Light at Hearing
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Originally published at 5:07 p.m., May 19, 2009
Updated at 12:00 a.m., May 20, 2009
A Loudoun County teacher yesterday became the focus of a congressional hearing on restraining schoolchildren as government investigators reported that a student in her classroom at a Texas public school died seven years ago when she lay on him after he refused to stay in his seat.
Dawn Marie Hamilton, a special-education teacher at Park View High School in Sterling, was not criminally charged in the 2002 death of 14-year-old Cedric Napoleon. But an administrative judge found that the teacher used “excessive, unnecessary force,” according to Texas records, and upheld a decision to list her on a state registry of individuals found to have abused or neglected children.
Cedric’s death was used as an example of abusive restraint in a report by government investigators. Yesterday, the investigators revealed that they had uncovered hundreds of allegations that youngsters were improperly held, bound or isolated during the past two decades. The Government Accountability Office investigators also reported Hamilton’s past to Virginia education officials, who, in turn, informed Loudoun school officials.
Hamilton has been placed on paid administrative leave while officials review the information, said Loudoun schools spokesman Wayde B. Byard. He said that Hamilton, who was hired in August 2007, cleared background checks and had good references from her previous employer, Rock Creek Academy, a private special-education school in the District.
“There was no reason to believe she was an unfit candidate,” Byard said.
No one came to the door yesterday at Hamilton’s red-brick townhouse in Sterling, and attempts to reach the teacher by phone were unsuccessful. Neither an attorney who represented her in the Texas case nor officials from Rock Creek Academy immediately returned calls for comment.
The use of restraints in schools is a complicated issue as more children with special needs that involve behavioral problems enter classrooms. In some cases, teachers must restrain children to ensure that they do not harm themselves or others.
Deborah Ziegler of the Arlington County-based Council for Exceptional Children said teachers need more training in the proper use of restraints, more support in classrooms and additional tools to help children who might become violent.
“You only should be using these restraints and seclusions for kids with significant challenging behaviors, and only when they’re a danger to themselves or others,” Ziegler said. “These restraints are being used on far too many kids inappropriately when other less-intrusive behaviors should be used.”
At the House Education and Labor Committee hearing, Cedric’s foster mother, Toni Price, gave an emotional recounting of his death. A photo of the smiling boy in a white sweater was displayed on the table in front of her.
On the day he died, Cedric, then an eighth-grader at a middle school in Killeen, stopped doing his schoolwork and the teachers delayed his lunch as a punishment, according to his mother and the GAO report. The boy, who had searched trash cans for food when he was younger, tried to steal candy that day, left the classroom and was brought back by an aide.
Cedric would not stay in his seat and ignored Hamilton’s verbal warnings, according to the GAO report. Investigators found that she held him in his chair while he struggled. The teacher, who weighed more than 230 pounds, then put the 129-pound boy in a “therapeutic floor hold,” the report said, lying on him as he kicked and cursed. The boy apparently began having trouble breathing and said, “I give.” He then went limp and was boosted into a chair.
“The teacher was put on a registry in Texas, but she was able to go to another state,” Price told lawmakers. “I think that teacher should be put on a worldwide registry.”
Lawmakers compared the improper use of restraints to waterboarding and called for better oversight and teacher training.
“In many instances this wasn’t about a child being a danger to himself or others, this was about restoring order,” said Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the committee chairman. “This is just unacceptable.”
Researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.
Tagged: Loudoun County Public Schools, Park View High School, Sterling, teachers
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I'm peering into my crystal ball. Things are murky. Wait! I'm starting to hear something. It ...it ...it sounds like the hue and cry from hundreds of Loudoun County parents of special needs children.
And, what's this. I'm starting to get images now. It appears to be Ms. Hamilton stopping by her local branch of the Virginia Employment Commission.
Maybe I should break out the Tarot cards?
Posted by JoStalin (anonymous) on May 19, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It appears that maybe someone in Loudoun County's Public Schools HR dept dropped the ball. If they had completed a national criminal background check, the likelihood is great that Ms. Hamilton's earlier charges would have been reported. Many jurisdictions run local, state background checks and miss the complete report.
Posted by dricc1 (anonymous) on May 19, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Even a national criminal background check would not have turned up Ms. Hamilton's record. I don't doubt that Va does FBI fingerprint checks for national criminal background on all of its teachers. Virtually every public school system does. Child abuse registers -- which is where Ms. Hamilton was listed -- are kept by local (i.e., county) jurisdictions. These are not criminal registers because child abuse findings are civil/administrative findings, not criminal findings. So unless the child abuse registries are going to be nationalized, the chances are high that someone who is listed somewhere will pass background checks and work with children. I don't doubt there are many, many folks with child abuse registry listings who currently work with children.
Posted by sheckycat (anonymous) on May 19, 2009 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's unfortunate that so many are so quick to judge this woman without knowing all of the facts.
I volunteer regularly in my son's elementary school where there are many special education students being mainstreamed. I have actually seen the "theraputic floor hold" employed. It is uncomfortable to watch, but can be very necessary in order to protect a child from harming himself or others, or from running off of school grounds, where even greater harm to the child could occur.
While I'm not familiar with the underlying facts of this particular case, I don't think we should judge solely on the facts presented in this article. It's too easy to make this teacher a scapegoat for all of the complicated issues associated with mainstreaming special needs children. The loss of any child is tragic, but let's not compound the tragedy by conducting a witch hunt.
Posted by pfallsgirl (anonymous) on May 19, 2009 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand they'll be hiring for the new Wheatland schools...
Posted by jhorstma (anonymous) on May 19, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
how come no charges of involuntary manslaughter were lodged in texas?
parents have a a long way to go before their children are safe
will charges be lodged against rock creek academy in DC and the supervisor who concealed this woman's past?
why are allowing this to go on one more day?
it is this kid it is someone else's kid it is horrorific predation on children
this only end in our own undoing might as well take charge and change this.
Posted by JohnAdams1 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 5:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Somehow, I pictured John Adams as being more...eloquent.
Posted by dingus5 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why we waste the resources and fuss over these future basket weavers and wards of the state is beyond me. Any 14 y.o. dope who won't sit in his seat when his teacher asks him to is doomed and will cost taxpayers money until he dies.
Special ed is largely a politically correct hoax perpetrated on taxpayers, and it shouljd be scaled back considerably. Let's spend more on our gifted and talented kids; they're the ones who'll imagine and create the next big thing that'll drive our economy and society forward.
Posted by mckdarrenDC (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hard to believe these children were allowed to be born, much less ever receive an education. I think the ancient Greeks had it right when they just left these kids out in the woods to fend for themselves. Better yet, we could start a new program where anyone with an IQ less than 100 would be terminated....oh wait, mckdarrenDC would fit the bill...sorry, you're just going to have to go because you don't add enough to my arbitrarily "perfect" society. Good luck with all those other "dope"s out there.
Posted by zoomie95 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes - let's have a witchhunt for Ms. Hamilton. Break out the pitchforks and torches! Or perhaps we can look at this a it more rationally. Perhaps there's a chance that Ms. Hamilton really does regret what happened. Perhaps it was a tragic but honest mistake. I seriously doubt that this woman is some kind of monster who enjoys killing children. Having worked with Special Needs Children, it's important to note that some of these kids don't know their own strength. There are cases where teachers are put in unworkable situations. As usual, the Post gives only enough information to build sensationalism and sell newspapers.
Posted by mwcob (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story has been edited from the print version. Today's WaPo notes that the teacher "weighed more than 230 pounds." The boy weighed 129 pounds. That's not a fair fight, even in wrestling matches.
Posted by whitetrash4u (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Special Ed is a hoax. It had become a crutch for kids who cannot behave and a babysitting service for those who have special needs. Many of these kids are potentially dangerous to other kids and school staff, but nothing happens to them because of their disability. I always like to ask those who criticize special ed teachers, how should you control a student who is totally out of control? Usually, I get answers which show me they have never seen a student out of control, and certainly never had the responsibility to personally bring one of these students under control. Mainstreaming is a danger to other students in some cases, but just try to remove one of these aggressive students to a more suitable learning environment. I will not judge this lady because unfortunate and unintended things sometimes happen when dealing with violent students.
Posted by nosurprise2me (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey whitetrash4u, should we make sure that teachers weights are better balanced to the students in the future? Perhaps the Administrative Judge that ruled in Texas should show us all how you properly deal with the students in today's public schools!
Posted by sodak7895 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with pfallsgirl. A floor hold should not cause death and members of congress comparing this to waterboarding should be ashamed of themselves. The therapudic floor hold is intended to benefit the child. It is not meant to torture the child into submission. Much like an anxiety vest, it is meant to bring them back to a level emotional state. It is akin to applying acupressure to the entire body. Even if it is implemented for the wrong reason it should not cause death. It's not that invasive of a technique. It is even endorsed by pediatricians. I have to believe that there were other mitigating circumstances. I would like to know if a pathology report was done? What was the weight difference between the child and the teacher? Did he die on the floor or in his chair afterwards? Were there any meds in his system? Did he have a previously unknown coronary problem?
Posted by akmzrazor (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where is in the post did it state the weights of the teacher and the student? I can't find that information in the Post
Posted by akmzrazor (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If someone pinned you, or better yet, your child to the floor until they died, would they be right? What if you (or your child) was being very bad, like not sitting in the chair? Now, lets suppose you had experienced a degree of neglect and abuse so bad that TEXAS took you from your mom and dad. From their comments, it is obvious that nosurprise2me and mckdarrenDC have their own issues to deal with.
Posted by mikejeck (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mckdarrenDC, you need to change your name to "Ayn Rand". It's a better fit.
Posted by dingus5 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The practice of saying nothing about bad teachers is so common they have a name for it "Passing the Trash". Education officials are so afraid of being sued for giving accurate references that they say nothing to warn other schools about employees that have harmed or molested children. There is so much documentation and safeguards for the teacher's rights that it is virtually impossible to get rid of a teacher, even if criminal charges are filed. According to another article about this incident the child who died weighed below 150 lbs and the teacher was about 230 lbs.--unfortunately laying on someone's chest until they can't breath and died has been a recognized way to kill someone for centuries (it's real name is Burking or Burkeing).
Posted by JanM1 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear mckdarrenDC,
You need to wake up just like most people in this country. If we focus and the gifted and talented we are doomed as a country. Check the www.childrenofthecode.org website.. Furthermore, the majority of children considered special education children are children with reading diffculties. Regardless what disability a child may have no child deserves to die, and to be abused in anyway.
Posted by Beebe555 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If only parents would take responsibility for their own children.... Like before the law was passed.
Ever notice how entitled and spoiled all the younger ones are these days after corporal punishment was outlawed?
Posted by indep2 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with indep2 ... kids run the schools nowadays. Corporal punishment should be reinstituted nationwide into all schools ... I remember in 1st grade (way back in the early 60's) that if I did not listen to the teacher I would get a good paddling ... also knowing that the teacher would call my parents and the punishment would be equaled at home that evening ... my brother and I grew up knowing that we were very much loved but bad behavior begets punishment you would not soon forget ... not the pansy PC "timeout" !! ... spankings/paddlings did not turn me into a violent, screwed up adult that so many "experts" would try to force us to believe when kids are corporally disciplined ... when my (now 22 year-old) daughter had the "terrible twos" until she was 5 years old -- I used to have to sit on her to control her tantrums so she would not hurt herself (she would butt her head into walls) .. I am the proud parent of this outstanding young woman who graduated from UVA last year !! --- WAKE UP PEOPLE --- if you properly disciplined your kids at home, teachers would not have to.
Posted by golfingary56 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Special Ed is not a hoax; overused perhaps, but not a hoax. I'd be willing to say that 1 to 2 thirds of a special ed class could be mainstreamed with other children, provided the teacher(s) received proper training and proper support to effectively deal with children who lose control. The other 1 to 2 thirds BELONG in special ed.
Considering the numbers of autistic spectrum disorder and other special needs children being mainstreamed into classes nowadays, it's absolutely essential that teachers be permitted to restain children as necessary whenever they lose it and the situation warrants it. I know of many children that when they fly off they require someone to employ a bodywrap on them, soothing speech, and rocking motion to calm them down and place them back in control.
The incident report is missing some critical details. Did the boy stop breathing when he when he ceased stuggling, or after he was put back in his chair? Did the teacher put her full weight on the student? Did the child suffer from a breathing disorder? Did the child suffer broken ribs or collapsed lungs from the restraint? When did he stop breathing and how soon was CPR started?
Definately a case of Too Much MISSING Information.
Posted by mhoust (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This kid probably was undermedicated but obviously that was not looked into. Charge the parents for child neglect. These parents continue to make every excuse in the book that their child is an angel. Wake up...the biggest problem is staring at you in the mirror.
Posted by Larsen770 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's time parents recognize the fact that teachers are not trained nor compensated for being expert in all aspects of child psychology. Demanding that school districts assume responsibility for behavior that parents themselves are not able to control is neither wise nor feasible. Too many parents in our culture have made it societies problem to raise their child rather than their own. They want to place blame elsewhere for their failings.
Posted by mouley (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Bitter_Bill (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 11:50 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by koolkat_1960 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 12:56 p.m.
We give the least equipped and least qualified people our most precious commodity that is, our children. Yes, special needs children are a challenge but we as a society need to meet and exceed this challenge.
Too many times these students are sent to school as a respite for parents/caretakes only to be "handled" by teachers who are ill-equipped to take care of children who don't have special needs.
More medication is not the answer and more restraint is not the answer. Making sure that resources are available for handling these children from home to school and into adulthood is needed. How we take care of the most vulnerable speaks volumes about us as a society.
Posted by nb3c (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
special education is a mess. Except for deaf education, blind education, most students in special education doesn't really have LD, ADHD, etc. they can use more attention in class.
Posted by Rockvillers (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those who wish anything bad to happen to special needs children are just ignorant and totally lacking in compassion for those who weren't lucky enough to have been born typical. Yes, special needs children can be a handful. I should know. My son is special needs and NEEDS every bit of special attention that he gets at school and elsewhere. He's also in a regular classroom when his diminished development allows him to. How would you like it if someone told you that you shouldn't have been born because you'd grow up to be ignorant?
Posted by peregoy (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do we have to mainstream? So that the mainstream child feels better about themselves? So that the parents don't have to say things like "Special Ed" at the dinner table?
What about the average/above average students who do not qualify for GT but are still intelligent kids? Why do they have to suffer less classroom learning time because the "Speacial Needs" kids is disrupting the class...yet again?
Do they not count because they have not been identified into a special little group? We really need to rethink our education system.
I have a sister-n-law who became a teacher because the homework was easier in college than her nursing coursework. Those are the people you want to put in charge of deciding when to use restraint against a child out of control? She also hit a child in day care across the face because she couldn't handle the pressure. Again, look at most colleges today and notice who is taking the early childhood route, you'll find a lot of those "special need" kids are going to be in charge of your children soon. And they wonder why my kids will be in private schools where I personally will do a background check on their teachers. You all do know that you can do a background check on a person yourself right? Not leave it up to some other individual who has everything to hide and nothing to lose?
Posted by ag1976 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Corporal punishment is child abuse and no government worker shall psychologically scar my children by employing physical punishment as a discipline technique. This is non-negotiable and I hope bullies like golfingary56 hear me loud and clear and furthermore never have an opportunity to interact with my children.
Posted by EdwardMyers (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We mainstream because it benefits the majority to learn the diversity in learning and emotional ability within our community. This is one of those skills that isn't on the SOL but clearly was missing from the curriculum of past generations given the lack of compassion some express here for those less like themselves.
Posted by EdwardMyers (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The classlessness of this forum never ceases to surprise me.
.
,
The kid had suffered unthinkable abuse and was under the care of foster parents. I'm sure if they just had beat him more everything would have been dandy.
Posted by AFF3 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am no bully Edward Myers, in fact as a kid I was always picked on by bullies (real skinny and wore glasses -- as my daughters would now call me nerdy when looking at old photos) ... the question still posed by me is how do you handle unruly kids (special needs or mainstream) when disruptive in a classroom. I can never remember school shootings and such when I was a kid and guns have always been readily available in this country -- seems like since the PC liberals have had there way for years with psycho babble at the forefront this nation continues to see an uptick in such "acting out" -- but parents continue to refuse to handle the problem at home and since teachers cannot touch students --- kids seem to think they are the ones in control. Gimme a break !!
Posted by golfingary56 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen, golfingary56
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to agree with Gary56. Most parents today do not discipline their kids and cannot understand why their little darlings are not loved by the whole world. Some of the people on this board should spend some time in a classroom. Teachers are so underpaid for what they do.
Posted by katesgram (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole teachers are underpaid this is very interesting. If teachers are so underpaid why do so many people want teaching jobs? Could it be that teachers are just not worth more and are easily replaceable? That would explain the seemingly low salaries.
Posted by koolkat_1960 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i agree that more parents need to discipline their children. however, this child did not have parents. only a foster mother. he was found as a child digging through trash to find food. who knows what this kid has gone through. this is such a tragic story. p.s. that woman sounds obesely large, she should not be sitting on anyone. let alone, children.
Posted by gmugrad06 (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
koolkat, i think it's exactly the opposite. most teachers get into it for the PASSION not the paycheck. if teachers earned too much money you would get a ton who are in it for the big payday instead of actually caring about being an educator and willing to be paid less because they CARE. i feel this way about cops and firefighters and social workers too- imagine if those were really HIGH paying jobs what kind of worthless boobs would go for those positions. instead, we get people who give a rat's patootie and do it for the right reasons. usually.
Posted by tttrenee (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a special education teacher (with an appropriate height to weight ratio), I can attest that in "mainstream" or "inclusion" classes,my kids outperform and are better behaved than the general education kids. For all of you pointing fingers, you obviously do not have children nor do you have any idea what goes on in the schools. Let me add one more tidbit - we are in a disposable society where everything is quick and easy. Until "society" changes (sure!think Rome!), our educational system is doomed. We as a country are doomed - we are simply creating our own disposable society that will be obliterated by the most resourceful country with the most resources - what do we have folks? NADA! No manufacturing, shrinking resources, and a lazy society that wants to be entertained and provided for by the government. Just an FYI - tomorrow I will be going to work playing a surrogate parent instead of teacher. I love each and every one of your uncontrollable children - they are a perfect reflection of YOU!
Posted by autumnvalleyfarm (anonymous) on May 20, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all the school in question should not have delayed or eliminated lunch as a punishment, especially with a child who has been traumatized by not having adequate nourishment. It should go without saying that a 230 lb. teacher should not be smothering a child half her weight. And, to the UVA grad's mom, it's quite shocking that you would sit on your child (at 5 years and younger) to control tantrums. There are many different ways to deal with tantrums, but I've never heard of sitting on a child as an appropriate way of dealing with them. (Yes, I had a child with some terrible tantrums myself).
Posted by readerny (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Directing violence towards kids is not how we teach children to become civilized. golfingary56, apparently having been abused as a child, perpetuates that violence to the next generation by abusing her own child. That cycle needs to be broken. Violence is not an acceptable form of punishment and it is sad to hear child abuse justified as discipline.
Posted by EdwardMyers (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It does sound like GolfingGary was abused as a child himself- it is an extremely difficult pattern to break, and I hope his daughter has better luck.
.
Posted by AFF3 (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Edward Myers, well said!
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Home School is the answer. Good Day,ph.
Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"when my (now 22 year-old) daughter had the "terrible twos" until she was 5 years old -- I used to have to sit on her to control her tantrums"
Physical abuse has a well-documented impact on brain development in children and their ability to regulate their emotions. Maybe that's why a five year old was having terrible twos tantrums?
Posted by jt12 (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Government ownership of the means of producing education. Otherwise known as socialism. Stop it now! Sell all the public schools.
Posted by jackdoitcrawford (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Talented and gifted children are also classified as special education. For those ignorant fools posting here: Every child deserves an education according to the laws in the USA, no matter what their mental/ behavioral capacities are. They are someone's child, sister/brother, family member. If they were in your family, would you be saying the same mean things that you are on this post?? The arrogance of some of you! You should be gratefull for what you have and not tear down others.
Posted by jknicksleo (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As the mother of a child who is on the autism spectrum, but high-functioning and mainstreamed, I can honestly say that there are many people posting on here who need to walk a mile in the shoes of a parent with a special needs child. Maybe then you will have some compassion for what we have to deal with. Children on the autism spectrum have brains that are wired differently than normally functioning children. Therefore they may not respond to the social cues that normal children would respond to. There are therapies that greatly benefit our children on the spectrum to overcome some of their issues. However, it's very expensive and most health insurances do not pay for it because it's classified as an educational therapy. For that reason, there are many children on the autism spectrum who are not getting the benefit of this very worthwhile treatment. Many determined parents, with the help of dedicated, knowledgeable special and general education professionals, such as autumnvalleyfarm, ensure that their children become go on to become productive members of society. If any of you bothered to do a Google search you would find that many famous people are thought to have been on the autism spectrum to include Einstein, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin. It's even been said that Bill Gates may have had tendencies towards Asperger's Syndrome which is also an autism spectrum disorder. Where would we be as a society without the contributions of these people? So for people like nosurprise2me and mckdarrenDC, I suggest you do a little research and maybe do some volunteer work with some of these kids. Maybe then you'll learn to have a little empathy. Afterall, not everyone can be perfect like you seem to think you are.
Posted by heather.zwicker-02 (anonymous) on May 21, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by PercyKution (anonymous) on May 22, 2009 at 1:24 a.m.
I guess the majority of the people commenting did not take the time to read the article carefully. The "teacher" and I use the term loosely was 230 lbs., while the child was 129 lbs. It disgusted me to hear some of the backwards comments from the readers. She killed the child pure and simple what other facts do you need. The boy told her he couldn't breath and people excuse that kind of cruelty. At the least she should not have a liscense to teach. How many mentally retarded people have the state of Texas executed, but this woman they give a walk. I also work at a local school and have dealt with kids with special needs and I have seen how some treat them with disdaine like they can help that they were born with difficiencies. For those that have written that they have no value I suggest that you move to Texas enroll your child in their school system and when they misbehave have a 230lb. cow sit on their chest and when you complain have her then sit on yours.
Posted by olgacet (anonymous) on May 22, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What happened to this child is horrible. Not sitting down in your chair is not an act punishable by death.
The teachers weight is significant to a certain degree but is only one factor in this tragic situation. However, a person's weight does not determine how well they will do their job, how compassionate they are, or how moral and ethical they are. In some of these comments we see prejudice and ignorance towards special education students and also towards large and/or overweight people.
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on May 22, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For ag1976, part of the reason to mainstream is that there are children with disabilities who are on track educationally, but may need special education services in speech or motor skills. These children may not be disrupting the class so perhaps you need to think about the fact of how "normal" children might be disrupting the class because they don't have things handed to them on a silver platter at school like they do at home. Also, mainstreaming teaches "normal" children to have some empathy for those who are different and the children with disabilities to learn certain skills from mentors in their mainstream classroom. It's a symbiotic relationship and once you have a relative with special needs maybe you'll learn more about the issue.
Posted by heather.zwicker-02 (anonymous) on May 22, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Put her in jail.
Posted by mherrera (anonymous) on May 26, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mckdarrenDC seems to think that all Special Ed students are future basket weavers and wards of the state.
I hope he/she never has a child, grandchild, niece or nephew, in special ed. Not foe mckdarrenDC's sake, for the child's.
He/she says we should spend more on our gifted and talented kids; they're the ones who'll imagine and create the next big thing that'll drive our economy and society forward.
Those people don't need help. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford imagined and created big things that drove the economy and society.
Between the two of them they had less than two years of formal education.
Posted by RICK_tallman1 (anonymous) on May 26, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Therapeutic floor hold? No restraint is "therapeutic". It may be therapeutic for the teacher or whoever is performing the restraint, but it certainly isn't therapeutic for the person being restrained.
If these same restraints were used on the detainees at Gitmo, our new President would say it was torture.
Posted by RICK_tallman1 (anonymous) on May 26, 2009 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with pfallsgirl who says "...it's unfortunate that so many are so quick to judge this woman without knowing all of the facts. It's too easy to make this teacher a scapegoat for all of the complicated issues associated with mainstreaming special needs children. The loss of any child is tragic, but let's not compound the tragedy by conducting a witch hunt."
Just because the teacher was significantly overweight does NOT mean that she wasn't doing her job correctly. The fact that she had another student die in her classroom is suspicious but not positive proof that she did something wrong. There could have been extenuationg circumstances that we are not aware of so people need to not be so quick and nasty to make ignorant, uneducated comments. The shoe could possibly be on the other foot for some of you without intentions.
Posted by shenry255 (anonymous) on May 31, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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