I’m a teacher, and you might think that we have access to all the information in the world on our students.  But guess again!  Because of privacy issues, we get to know very little unless the school or family deems that it’s necessary to share with us. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been caught off-guard that a kid’s mom is dying, or they have a history of theft or mental disorder, etc., simply because no one told me up front.  And talk about sex crimes-think how that info might affect how I would handle activities in drama like dressing in the dressing rooms!

I’d love to be able to get someone to do some background services on some of these kids.  Even a background check on some parents might shed light on the potentials of a child.  But of course, you can’t get enough vital information to do this.  I’m taking a Crisis Prevention Intervention class right now, and even the instructors agree that school districts err too far on the side of confidentiality and simply don’t provide enough information to teachers or even bus drivers, librarians and lunch workers.  

I really wouldn’t hold information against anyone, but it would sure help in the way I approach certain students.  I guess there’s a small part of me that wants to protect myself, too.

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