[Richard]

Originally Posted by dr. mabuse

Had more than a few teachers/professors feel that class time was their prime time to air private grievances/family issues/boyfriend-girlfriend issues/agendas. Sometimes their views were expressed with language that was completely inappropriate, even in the swinging 60's and 70's.

Would specifically like to know how Richard has handled the problem of a teacher that struggles with the above problem.

Even more annoying in college ( regardless of agenda ) as it was completely on my dime.

Colleges are a different subject but in dealing with such matters with fculty (not just teachers) at the high school level, I've:

• observed
• discussed and counseled
• mentored
• taught classes to demonstrate what I expected of a teacher under such circumstances
• sent teachers to observe other teachers and to be observed by other teachers with feedback
• sent teachers to specialized training by private and public ed support centers
• investigated allegations/reviewed curriculum and required my and Department Head approval of lesson content
• held seminars to review curriculum content with parents
• suspended faculty for behavior or failure to respond to guidance
• denied faculty contract renewals for failing to meet performance expectations or to respond to guidance
• fired faculty

When dealing with similar behavior(s) by students, I've also:

• removed students from classes and enforced our school's discipline policies IAW our published student code of conduct (which had a letter of understanding and agreement which was signed by students and their families)
• counseled and placed students on a behavioral modification plan (ours was called the PGP - Personal Goals Program)
• required outside counseling at the parent's expense
• required parents to accompany their students to class in lieu of suspension
• suspended students (no credit granted for any work/exams during period of suspension) - when I suspended a stuent, I had the student call a parent from my office and explain the reason for the suspension while I sat and listened, and then spoke with the parent immediately afterwards to answer any concerns or questions - I made a short MFR of the discussion(s) immediately after we were done.
• removed students from class and had them do their assigned work while isolated in my office under my supervision
• denied students credit (WF = Withdrawn Failed) which affected their academic records
• dismissed students

And so it goes...

Richard