Hi Merri,

First let me clear up one minor detail, I am not a male. Sorry the name threw
you, but just because a person's name is generally accepted as being a
specific gender, we should not jump to conclusions.

That being said, I believe that teachers today need to be trained in social
work because there ARE so many other issues affecting a student's behavior.
Same sex relationships, abusive parents, drug use in the household, parents
with mental illness, and I could go on, but I am sure you get the point.

Teachers no longer stand in front of a class and impart knowledge. Now, we
must be able to figure out a student before we teach them, read the previous
teacher's file on the students in our classes, make certain we are not
causing more harm than their home life. It is not an easy thing to do,
teachers are not being trained appropriately to handle all of these issues.
The one child psych class is not enough, neither is the one sociology class.
New teachers need more education in social work and child psychology. More
student teachers leave the profession after spending their 15 weeks in one or
two schools, because they are scared and confused at how to handle students
with issues. Longer student teaching internships are a must as well, most
student teachers in Maine go to 2 schools in one 15 week period, it isn't
enough. They need one full year to really experience the joys and hardships
of teaching.

On my soapbox again!

Shawn M Weisser

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