Protecting Our Children from Predatory Teachers

Ex-teacher guilty in boy's rape. This headline concerns a 47-year Lowell MA middle school science teacher, Susan Clickner and her 14-year-old student. It began with help after school and telephone calls. It eventually led to a sexual encounter at the Westford 4-H Fair Ground on April 4, 2005. What is more disturbing then the headline is the sentence.

This type of headline appears to be in the news constantly. There are jokes of course that it is every teenage boy's dream to "make it" with his teacher. Fantasies are much better then real life. On September 28th Clickner, with her husband Steven at her side plead guilty to one count of statutory rape of a child. Judge Kenneth Fishman sentenced her to 21/2 years in jail, with 18 months to serve, followed by five years probation. Of Clickner's lawyer stated, "She will never teach again".

In Michigan South Lyon High School teacher Edward Baldwin, 54, was charged with six counts of criminal sexual conduct against the female student, now 16, between summer 2005 and April 2006. As part of his guilty plea, Baldwin admitted to fondling and engaging in oral sex with the student, who was 15 at the time the sexual relationship started. . Under Michigan law, sex between teachers and students is prohibited. Baldwin's likely sentence is 3 years. If the judge extends the sentence, Baldwin can withdraw his plea.

My granddaughter attends a high school in a town with a population of fewer than 7,000. In July, she confided to me that her band teacher made a pass at her. Since I am her guardian, I went to school with her and we talked with the assistant principal. My granddaughter had reported the incident shortly after it occurred in April to the school counselor. No report was filed on the incident but the assistant principle found that it was reported after an interview with the counselor. The reader's digest version is the teacher is still in school, but my granddaughter was transferred to another class.

She is now in an advisory with seniors instead of sophomores, and her new teacher abruptly resigned from his position and left town. He is divorcing his wife, and has moved to another state to be an ex-student of his. The school is being mum about the entire incident.

This is absolute madness. We are sending our children to schools where a few unscrupulous teachers are sexually violating them. Evidently, schools have policies regarding teachers being involved with students. However, what do schools do to educate students regarding inappropriate behavior by a teacher? What does a school consider inappropriate? I am calling on all parents to query your school on student/teacher relationships and establish what is appropriate. Some of my thoughts are:

1. Teachers/students should not give private gifts to each other.

2. Teachers should not have private telephone calls with students.

3. Students should know what course of action they should take if a teacher has made an inappropriate comment or gesture. For example who it should be reported to. What is considered an inappropriate comments or gestures?

4. Any student found submitting false reports regarding a teacher should be suspended.

5. If a teacher makes an inappropriate comment, he can get a warning. The second incident the teacher can be on probation. 3rd offence dismissal.

6. If a teacher makes an inappropriate pass, the teacher is let go.

7. Relationships with students to be confined to in school and at school functions.

8. Parents should be notified of school policies regarding teacher/student relationships.

9. Have a program where women support groups come and address sexual harassment in schools and workplace. This would be for male and female students.

10. Students should not call teachers by their first names.

These ideas are just starting points. The point is that parents need to be more mindful as to who is teaching their children, because evidently, the school administrations are not doing it, or they are not able to successfully.