OWWWWWWWW!!!

[no_hypocrisy]

Today I was a substitute teacher for a special needs kindergarten (five year olds). Their third day of school. Five boys. One teacher and an aide. I was an aide.

Two boys started fighting and it got violent. I broke it up by literally getting between them and pulling the smaller guy away.

And the smaller guy was still in combat mode. He repeatedly kicked me in the right shin. At least 20 times. Punched me. Scratched me. Hit me on the head and in the face.

I had to get him down the hall to the remedial crisis teacher. Still kicking me even when I was behind him.

I filed an Incident Report with the school Nurse.

I'm limping. Four big black-and-blue marks on my shin. It's really sore.

Other than that, with the exception of one of the five boys, all the children leaned towards throwing miniature cars at each other, constantly overturning chairs at desks, throwing things on the floor, turning off the lights, shouting, running in the classroom, and more.

My head is still spinning and I just took X-tra Strength Advil.

[debm55]

1. I am so sorry for you no-hyprocisy. You stated you were the aide. where was the teacher. ? Sending healing vibes to you

I was a teacher for 40 some years. I have my Master's in EL and Special Ed She should have been there for you.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. New teacher.

She saw and didn't intervene.

She seemed almost scared of these kids.

[Irish_Dem]

11. Someone is going to get seriously hurt without adequate supervision.

An adult can be pushed to the ground by children and hit with hands or objects.
The other children can be hurt as well.

The new teacher is too afraid to do anything.

While you are dealing with a threat to the welfare of yourself and class.

You may want to rethink your situation.
What might happen to you?
What is your liability in the event a child is seriously injured?

[no_hypocrisy]

12. I was a substitute for just today.

Drive-by teacher.

I'll pass next time I'm asked. This class is lethal.

[Irish_Dem]

13. Yes you are making the right decision.

Acting out violent children with inexperienced frightened teacher.

Not a great combination.

She should have received special training.

I have friends who work pediatric psych and they can handle
this situation quite easily with training.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

2. Even if you don't intend to file a report or claim, document the incident including photos of your injuries.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Thanks. I will.

[2naSalit]

5. Yikes!

For the bruises... if you have any, arnica salve/ointment/oil/tea as a topical will help them go away fast. It causes the blood to reabsorb faster.

[hlthe2b]

6. You know what some veterinarians do with large actively aggressive dogs (albeit BEFORE they sedate them)...?

They keep a stock of big extra large HEAVY blankets around to throw over them and then hold them until they calm down (or sedation is administered). Now, some will say that is unacceptable for an out-of-control child--but the medical community has learned that while human touch can be triggering for many children experiencing forms of autism or other neuro disorders, that pressure touch (as in a somewhat tightly held blanket over their torso in basically a big hug can be reassuring. Of course, it depends on the restrictions in place at any given facility, school or institution--but I happen to know some hospital ERs are known to do similarly. when nothing else is available. (Obviously being careful not to cover the face nor obstruct breathing).

Of course, it would be important for staff to be trained on the safe "hows" and "when" it might be acceptable and whether or not parents, guardians, or others who know the child are available to help.

[kimbutgar]

7. In 2016 as a substitute teacher I ended taking over a special ed class for the teacher because she was having a

Nervous breakdown dealing with those kids. I was able to get them into a routine and the rest of the school year it was ok. They were 5 to 8 years old in a K-2 class. One of my tricks was playing music and singing to them when it was time to line up, get your lunch etc. I had this video on YouTube called self control that I played everyday and I’d sign self control when I saw one melting down. I saw these kids when they went into the 3-5th grade class but missed them in 5th grade because of school closures for Covid. A few of them when they’d see me in another class would sing the self control song to me!

Special Ed takes a lot of patience and also physically separating kids when they fight and removing them. I applaud your patience and feel bad for your bruises. I had some bite marks that were painful!

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Thanks. And that's the thing:

They know and they don't know what they're doing when they physically assault you.

And you can't go into reflex response (e.g., swearing, overcompensating, etc.). You have to absorb the punches.

[kimbutgar]

9. Yes I also learned how to ignore it when they called me names

I sometimes now will substitute in the special ed for the lower grades but not the 3-5 class. One kid told me he wanted to kill me for making him do his work. I was urged to file a report but the Vice principal who was in charge of the special ed was a “b” and just decided it wasn’t worth it. She didn’t want to deal with the downtown administration and never backed up subs. Luckily she left at the end of the 2023/24 school year and moved to Texas!

[debm55]

14. When I was called a "b" in my mainstreamed 5th grade I would say Yes, I'm Beautiful, Intelligent, Talented, Creative

Last edited Mon Sep 9, 2024, 08:30 PM - Edit history (1)

and Honest.

[kimbutgar]

15. Oh I like that !

I’m going to remember that !

[marble falls]

10. Like the guy at the end of the circus parade shoveling up elephant dookie once said, "At least I'm in show biz."

[Fla Dem]

16. Combat in kindergarten. That youngster has problems.

Good for you taking the blows to keep him from seriously hurting another child.

[HeartsCanHope]

17. Wow! I agree with you, pass on the next call.

No amount of money is worth that, and I hope the new teacher talks with her mentor about strategies for dealing with these kids. Someone is going to get hurt and the school will get sued. Thank you for your combat service today, and I hope your shin feels better soon!