I wanted to write this article in reference to the Natchitoches Parish School System. I have friends and family who are teachers and I have children who attend school at a Natchitoches Parish School. (I am remaining anonymous to protect them from any problems.) I attended Natchitoches Parish Schools and I always loved it. I have many great memories of friends and teachers throughout the years. There are teachers that if I see today, I am instantly joyous and pleased to see them because of the positive impact that they had on my life. That all being said, know that I am writing this from a point of concern. I am writing this from a sense of obligation I have from conversations that I have been involved in. Put simply: the Natchitoches Parish School system needs some work. 

 

I have had teachers tell me personally about writing children up and sending them to the office for a legitimate disciplinary purpose. (I don’t mean talking out of turn or something minor. I mean they literally cussed out or physically assaulted the teacher or another student.) Then what happens next is a huge issue. They are either sent back to class or they are allowed right back in class the next day with no further repercussions. 

 

I can say that when I was in school this was unheard of. 

 

One knew that if they struck a student there were going to be serious repercussions, and a student wouldn’t even think about striking a teacher without major consequences. Why does the administration cover up or dismiss bad behavior? Because “We can’t have our school looking bad” is the mindset of the administration. 

 

Teachers have told me that they actually step into camera view when a child is striking them so “at least it’s caught on camera.” They said, “Nothing is going to be done, but at least it’s on camera.” The administration gives no support to the teachers. For example, I heard of one school in Natchitoches that, for teacher appreciation, gave the teachers coupons that they had cut out of the newspaper. That truly tells a teacher what you think about them. It doesn’t stop there though, because problems come from the top. The School Board cannot wash its hands and claim innocence. This is happening under their watch. It is even to the point that many teachers no longer have a chance to eat lunch. I have heard them say that a lunch break isn’t required. You’d be hard pressed to find another job where you aren’t required to get a lunch break. Those that do eat often eat during their planning period while trying to prepare lessons and materials for the students, if that isn’t interrupted by meetings or other circumstances that often takes their time from them.

 

Unfortunately, that’s not just Natchitoches Parish. I have friends who work in other Parishes that have this issue. They wonder why teachers are leaving or why they can’t get new teachers. Well, simply put, they have no support from the administration. This is harmful to not only the teachers but the students as well. Imagine that you are a student and you were either assaulted or watched your teacher get assaulted. Then the next thing you know the perpetrator is back in class. What do you learn from that? You learn there are no consequences. So then it escalates the issue because more and more students see there are no consequences to their actions, so they act out accordingly. Why should they abide by the rules, when there are zero meaningful repercussions to their actions? This creates a hostile learning environment. 

 

If you’re reading this thinking this is only a high school problem, you are mistaken. These are Elementary schools I’m talking about. Now if you’re reading this and you are a principal or you work at the School Board and this is the first you’ve heard of this, then you should probably re-evaluate your focus. 

 

These are not numbers that you are dealing with: these are people. These are students and teachers who are caught in this downward spiraling system. They deserve better. This is you’re alert to do better. Don’t forget why you chose your profession. I’m sure that you wanted to make a difference. You wanted to help others learn and grow. Recall that passion and reignite it to drive you to be better and make things better. We must all take accountability for our actions; for the betterment of our children, our educators, and ultimately – our future.

 

Signed – a concerned parent, and hopefully the voice for many others.