In New Jersey, 15-year-old Julio Artuz videotaped his teacher threatening him, to prove to his parents that he was being bullied. Earlier this year, parents in Ohio taped evidence of teachers bullying their disabled daughter, on a hidden recording device. Coming on the heels of bullying-related suicides, and the sexual bullying accusations against former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky, these incidents spark concern among parents. Anti-bullying legislation is in the works, but it deals with student-against-student bullying, not adult or teacher bullying.
Here are details about both of these teacher bullying and anti-bullying legislation.
New Jersey teacher bullying
Artuz, a student at Bankbridge Regional School in Gloucester County, N.J., had told his parents that he was being bullied by his teacher. They did not believe him, so the teen took film footage with his cellphone camera. The teacher is seen yelling, shouting obscenities and threatening Artuz in the classroom in front of other students. Artuz, a special-needs student, and his father were interviewed on NBC10 News. School officials say the incident is under investigation and that the teacher has been placed on administrative leave, and that a decision for disciplinary action will be reached Friday.
Ohio teacher-bullying lawsuit
Parent Kourtney Barcus and her boyfriend Brion Longberry said they hid a voice recorder in Barcus's 14-year-old developmentally disabled daughter's clothing. They wanted to prove to officials at a Miami Trace district school that the child was being harassed by teachers. Longberry, who helps Barcus parent the disabled girl, said they were shocked by the verbal abuse picked up on the tape. Teacher aide Kelly Chaffins and special needs teacher Christie Wilt were recorded making many derogatory comments to Barcas's daughter about her weight and disability. Both parents had complained often about bullying of their child. Chaffins has resigned and Wilt has been disciplined. The school has settled for $300,000 after the family filed a lawsuit. The parents placed their daughter in another school.
Anti-bullying laws
In both cases, the students were in special-education programs. The Ohio girl was not able to verbalize, but Artuz strongly objected to his teacher's repeated comments about being "special." Several states have anti-bullying legislation in place. Michigan is currently hammering out laws that would make it illegal for students to bully each other. One item of contention is that the law, as written does not list characteristics that students can't be bullied for. Among other things, opponents want it spelled out that students may not be teased for having a disability.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about parenting issues from 23 years raising four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and homeschool.
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