Does my situation require any particular care- input from teachers especially welcome

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chaim

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I am a special education teacher in a program for kids with learning disabilities and ED/BD (emotional/behavioral disorders). We have a kid in class who is a gang member- I mean real, true, gang member (the "Bloods"). He really doesn't appreciate being told what to do, is very disruptive in class and he really hates authority figures (especially male authority). At this point I've been treating him like any other student and ignoring that he is a gang member. That means I call him on his misbehavior and he has been written up several times (he is in danger of being sent to a special program for behavior issues which he won't appreciate). The last situation with him resulted in his threatening me and getting an in-school suspension for it (the one day suspension was for cocking his fist like he was going to punch me). He has stated "no one talks to me like that" (for mild verbal repremands), "you think this is a game?" and "you know who I am" as well.

So, should I be taking him more seriously? Teachers especially, am I right to ignore possible danger (I don't know of many teachers who have been shot by gang members for "disrespecting" them, they have that much respect for teachers anyway, but there have been a lot of teachers beat up throughout the country by them) and treat him like everyone else, or should I ignore his behavior? BTW- if you say to ignore it, I really don't know if I could stand to take that advice, but I want to see what people think.

More importantly, other than raising my personal situational awareness to level orange when I leave the school and trying to leave with a group when possible, what else can I do. This is a school- bringing any weapon (including pepper spray) is a crime and will get me fired at best, arrested at worse (if actually attacked though this may be the least of my concerns, but if I'm not attacked it is a lot of risk to take so it isn't an option). Heck, even if he does attack me and I fight back (sans weapons) I'd probably be in hot water (including a lost job)- he is 17 so he is a minor, he is one of my students, and I am a teacher- but if I'm attacked, all bets are off (job or not). So, I'm thinking more defensive ideas here. I'm thinking of trashing my rolling cart that I use to transport my books home for planning and photocopying the pages I need at school (instead of bringing the entire teacher's edition home) and using a brief case. That will let me move faster if needed and the case can be used as a shield. I have a nice solid cane type umbrella when it rains so that can help with keeping some distance, but it doesn't rain everyday. Is there anything else I need to (or even can) do?
 
yes dont ignore it and document every thing with school administartion and school district police if you have that at your school.
 
Take him deadly serious. If a member of the Crips or Bloods threatens you
it is a serious and viable threat. Do whatever you need to do to stay safe.
If this banger really takes offense at being made to behave the chance of him
reacting to this "insult" is significant. He will likely take his reprisal in person
to help boost his image within the gang and gain "face" points but the chance of him recruiting an associate you don't know to take you out is not impossible.

I spent enough time working in South Central to know personally that bangers from these groups have no respect for anyone or anything. Stay safe first. Even if it costs you a job. Jobs can be replaced but if you die
because you put employer rules above safety no good is served.
 
I gotta ask; how certain are you he's really a member of a Bloods gang? It doesn't seem like he would bother showing up to school if that were the case.
 
I have a few friends and families that have taught high risk youth, and what I take from talking to them is that you just have to wait for him to make a move and then you appropriately defend yourself. If your school has metal dectors, that will help your safety while in the building, but I would make sure any information on your vehicle and home is completly confidential. (think yellow pages and teacher parking lot). One family member had a knife pulled on him in class and he beat the hell out of the kid, but that was back in the PC-less late 70's.

Recently though, a good friend has worked in an at risk school/residence (enclosed campus) and the most the staff could do was take it up a knotch when restraining. No offensive moves but defensive with force is the way to best describe it. He has had a picture ripped off the wall and smashed over his face, a toster caused concussion, and a bite mark on his shoulder the doctors refused to believe was caused by a human. His background is in developmental psyc, and mine in research based so we were able to talk alot about the issues it brought up with being counter productive to a students reform. He is a much more non violent type where as I'm the country boy who made soccer a contact sport in highschool, and it was interesting to see the progression (degression?) in the way he handled violent situations. He started to realize that there is no reform or even a viable future for some of these kids and force was necessary for not only his survival but for them to not attack again. It was a sad realization for him and even I dont want to believe that there is no hope for some, but an independent can only do so much to find the right form of treatment when the individual refuses to help themselves.

In your case, I would be less worried about the job and the laws of minors and consider about the safety of you and the rest of your class. Talk with your admins and fellow teachers, and make them aware of the threat, but most of all do what you feel is right. It takes a special person to do what you do and I know I sure dont have what it takes.
 
I gotta ask; how certain are you he's really a member of a Bloods gang?
Click to expand...

The school based police officer and school administration has definately identified him as a member of the Bloods. I work in a rural school, but it does have a definate gang problem.

document every thing with school administartion and school district police
Click to expand...

My boss knows all about it but sees it as both him and me. She is one of those far left types who sees all kids as salvagable (a decent mindset I guess, except when it smashes up against reality and you refuse to modify it) and she sees troubled kids as victims of their environment. Part of the problem in her mind is simply that I haven't found the right way to reach him. She also is "superfeminist" so the fact that he is worse with me than the two women teachers in our program must be me, not him having trouble with men, since there is no such thing as gender based anything (though she admits that he is like he is with me when with male teachers in other parts of the school). Hence, he threatens me and only gets a one day in school suspension (well, officially, in reality she let him go to class after after half the day).

Still, she does realize he is a problem and he may be transferred to another program in a month or two. He will have a meeting about it soon, and that is when things will really hit the fan most likely. He isn't going to like being sent to another school (he has friends, gang members, and family at this school) and he'll probably see me as much of the reason for the move (we plan to detail all the behavior issues as the reason more than his refusal to do any work in any class).

The police resource officer knows him very well.

As for how much danger, I may be facing a beating if it gets too bad, but I do doubt he'll do much else. He actually does have some half decent personality traits, and he seems a little embarrassed about some of his gang activity. At this point I think his threats and posturing are for intimidation purposes and not yet serious threats. Still, embarrassing a gang member (how he seems to see being repremanded in class or being written up) is not always the safest behavior.

Sefus,
Actually, this job isn't bad. Most of the kids are more learning issues than behavior issues (the behavior issues are supposed to be secondary for our program- the gang member was misplaced in our program really). Most of the kids respond to me pretty well. It is a far cry from when I was working at the psych hospital and (until moving to the eating disorders unit) fairly often got hit, kicked and spit on even when patients liked me (as they usually did). Heck, at another local psych hospital, someone doing the same job I used to do just got killed by a patient in a "hands on" situation (he basically dropped dead after taking a hit while breaking up a fight between patients).
 
You know where I teach so you also know that I also have many similar kids in my building.

My advice......do not pass go, do not collect $200.00. DEMAND that your principal take action on this kid. He has made over threats against your safety and you have no obligation to just stand there and take that. Document everything, leave a paper trail two inches thick and everytime your principal refuses to do anything, cc that memo to someone in an ever-expanding circle outside of the principal.

You are hamstrung from being able to defend yourself in the event that he makes good on his threat so it is incumbent upon you to be pro-active in getting him out of there before that happens.

If your principal won't help you, file a police report ASIDE from the SRO. Go to the nearest precinct house and demand to file a report of a threat of bodily harm. If your principal refuses to take administrative action, go to her boss at the central office (we call them Regional Offices), talk to the union (er, I mean Education Association) representative and ask them what their policy is on filing a grievance for principals who refuse to protect their staff.

Do NOT play around with this. If this kid comes after you, you are screwed regardless of the physical outcome.
 
Take it seriously because it is serious. I stopped driving school bus several years ago because school district wasn't taking death threats against a teacher seriously. Took them a month to even take the student making the threat out of regular school.

The 14 year old who made the death threat while on my bus wanted to go kill the male teacher that had stopped him from physically harrassing a female student that day. I didn't let him leave the bus because I felt it was a real threat.

The reason he and his twin brother rode my bus, was because they beat up their mom's boyfriend when they were thirteen. They were drug dealers and users and had raped at least a couple of girls. They also had done some arson. They also had access to weapons since their dad lived in the country, and they all deer hunted at least a little. But the school district felt they were victums of their environment or some such.
 
Strange.
In the academic world, it's called misbehavior.
In the real world, it's called assault.

I do not envy you your position, but I do admire you for it.
 
You have the right to defend yourself. IF you have to defend yourself, use only the force necessery to control the situation, and you should be fine. If you are fired for it, sue the hell out of the school district.

Although a firearm or knife is not an option, if you look around your classroom, there are a mirid of weapons avalable. Just use your imagination.

When you are sitting alone in the classroom, or even when you are watching the students work, start playing what-if games in your head. I know it sounds strange, but if you are constantly doing the what-if thing, when something does happen, chances are you will have already thought it out, and will react instinctivly to what you have trained yourself to do.

Sparky
 
Chaim,
As you know, the school laws covering Special Education are a little more structured due to the funding sources it receives and Fed. laws covering various Disability Acts....However, in your situation I would do the following...
1st. Document and keep an anecdotal record of all events.
2nd. Notify your Dept. Head for an emergency I.E.P. (For those not familiar)
(An individualized educational program for placement conducted normally twice a year, or when needed consisting of school personnel, parents, interested parties etc. Make a point to have the school psychologist present.)
Let the committee know the extent of the disruption, normal discipline procedures are not working, and you demand HOME PLACEMENT...No student has the right, including Spec. Educ., to prevent a teacher from doing their job and denying other students the opportunity to learn.There are funds from the Spec. Educ. budget for home-bound instruction, and with no time limits....Have a school contract drawn up so that when certain conditions exist, he or she can return and the consequences if not adhered to...
Lastly, weapons on campus are a no-no, but like it has been suggested, be in Condition Yellow/Orange away from campus...
Good Luck!
 
I've worked with kids like this since 1988. Some practical advice:
1. Keep yourself physically fit and learn how to throw a punch if you don't already know how. If you give the impression that you aren't an easy beat-down, that goes a long way toward keeping you safe.
2. Maintain a business like attitude in all your dealings with this kid. Don't personalize issues and don't display emotion. One of the nicknames my kids gave me is "Agent Smith" if that helps give you some idea what to aim for.
3. Be fair to the kid. Simple fairness means A LOT to them. I've had far fewer problems than teachers who aren't nearly as strict as I because I am fair.
4. Don't put the kid in a position where he has to save face in front of an audience. They'll do stuff they know will only end badly for them if it means saving face in front of their peers. You're going to have the last word anyway, you don't need to embarass him too.
 
Wow. I had to deal with a few really nasty characters myself as a school psychologist, and I hear you. This is the part of the job that no way do you get paid enough for! I don't think I have an answer, but I have some observations:

1) You know this, but I'll say it to encourage you...if you let this kid cow you, you have lost all control of your classroom. Can't happen. It takes a lot of courage to stare this kid down, but you can do it. Unlike the usual S&T situation, you are in a position to effect some change in your student and you must remain engaged with him.

2) You cannot show fear. You likewise should not show anger. Don't let him get under your skin.

3) I think your instincts are good on the reason for this: he is posturing, it's the way he's "supposed" to behave in his group. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take the threat seriously, though! Leave your building each day with other people, and preferably with the SRO nearby (not walking you to the car...see #2 above) where he can intervene quickly if needed. Might also be useful to take different routes home every day.

4) I know this is lame and kind of late for this situation but have you taken any self-defense classes? Not guns and knives self defense, but just personal self-defense? If not, it might be good to do, assuming you're going to keep doing this job, because sure are there's bears in the woods, you're going to see a lot more kids like him over the course of your career :uhoh:

5) Does this kid have a guardian, or will he act on his own behalf in the IEP? If he has a guardian, have you been in touch with him/her?

6) Be absolutely prepared for that IEP and be absolutely calm in there.


I admire you and do not envy you. I had to retire after a rather short career, but the stress and threats I got were from parents and administrators and had to do with "if you don't do what I want I'll have your license lifted" (never mind that what they wanted was ILLEGAL :banghead: )

Hang in there. I know your principal probably says this, and you're probably sick of it, but it's true...you may be the person this kid thinks about 20 years from now and says "he really got me turned around". It DOES happen. Not as often as we'd like, but it DOES happen. Maybe this one's one of those.

Springmom
 
I've worked w/ "adjudicated youts" way back in the day, and yes, you should not disregard his threats. I'm not convinced you should take them at face value, either, but you should most def not ignore them.

There's a couple of things going on here in his psyche.

He's a little boy seeking respect, and his gang affilliation is the way in which he hopes to achieve it.

He's also locking onto you as the alpha male, trying to see if he can get you to roll over and show your belly, so as to count coup and demonstrate his prowess.

Your demeanor in dealing with him is important. Strive for an unsubmissive neutral stance, what my aikido instructor called "robotface".

Do not emit any submissive behaviors, EVER, and likewise any indication of anger, but do not impose upon him behavors that demonstrate your dominance, except when they are actually necessary and appropriate. Your dominant behaviors should appear and disappear in a flash, only when needed. Everyone will know that they're there under the surface, but there usual absence allows face saving.

You are the alpha male, you are in control of the classroom, and you have nothing to prove to him, or any other child.
 
Someone's sig line comes to mind: "just a 1 1/2 inch guardrail nut looped on a piece of 550 cord. Not whiz-bang tactical, but one hit to the grape and it's coloring books for Christmas" or something to that effect.
 
worse than him attacking you in school is if he finds out where you live.
anyhoo, i'd suggest keeping an eye out to see what he does, yknow, find out if he's serious now or ju testing the waters to see what he can get away with.
also, i'd suggest learning some krave maga. it is great for learning how to pin a person without hurting them too much.
baruch t'hiyeh.
 
perhaps you myseriously get a slight leg injury needing a cane?

~tmm
 
Your demeanor in dealing with him is important. Strive for an unsubmissive neutral stance, what my aikido instructor called "robotface".
Click to expand...

This is right. I have a background with teen gang members (CA, NY and PA) and teaching adjudicated youth. The absolute worst thing you can do with this kid is show fear or submission.

During my experiences I have been told:

"I'm gonna get my whole crew after you!"

"If I ever see you on the streets you're dead!"


I know this sounds hard to believe some on the THR, but 99 percent of this was bark and empty threats. The goal of this kid is to get you to back down so he can ruin your authority over the class and act like an ass---- on a daily basis without you checking him on it.

The silver cane might be a good precaution but overall, the biggest battle is in the classroom. Don't give an inch. Don't show weakness. Don't make deals with him. In the end, defiant kids like that have a way of getting what is coming to them.

Many of the worst kids I dealt with ended up getting kicked out of the program, eventually went to prison, and some were even shot dead on the street by someone who didn't find their verbal rants amusing. :evil:

Good luck.
 
geekWithA.45 said: He's a little boy seeking respect, and his gang affilliation is the way in which he hopes to achieve it.

He's also locking onto you as the alpha male, trying to see if he can get you to roll over and show your belly, so as to count coup and demonstrate his prowess.
Click to expand...

I agree, except about the little boy part. He's 17, still a legal minor, but by all accounts a man. Plenty of men join the armed services at 17.

He's in a gang. Gang members are organized around and survive on respect. You can still be in charge, still have respect, and still give him his, too. Simply don't react to the urge to respond defensively to his challenge. If you conduct yourself as someone who knows he's in charge, and respectfully tell him you don't tolerate that behavior, that response conveys an air that doesn't permit the challenge yet doesn't escalate the situation.

If he's is in a gang, that gang has a heirarchy. It has leaders and followers. You can make an attempt to find out who his friends are, form a relationship, and ask to be made aware of real threats. When an immature man, who knows he survives on his image, is actually going to DO something, he usually talks it up first to make sure he has an audience present when he does it. That might be useful information to know . . .

Additionally, if you identify a SERIOUS THREAT. . . We all, know the police, the school, the system won't protect you. Frankly, if I knew a gang member was pissed at me, as his teacher, and I heard something like "Friday his @ss in mine . . . details. . . . blah, blah . . . be there." I'd make an effort to talk to the guy running his local gang and convince him to reign his subordinate in, or else be prepared to go recruit another to fill his shoes. He won't listen to hollow threats from anyone in the system, hell, he won't even listen to Mom. But, he will listen to his gang.
 
You don't need to arm an asshat like that with an education. Throw him to the gutter and hope he stays there.

I am all for helping those in need, but not predators or parasites. This kid sounds like a waste of good oxygen. Treat him accordingly.
 
I would take Norton's advice on this. WAY out of my area.

Not to be too paraniod but maybe a vest is in order.

Good luck with it! It's horrible that our schools have gotten this bad.
 
attitude helps

You allowed to eat at work? Pepper shaker witha mix of white and black witha lil salt is handy. Toss a lil in eyes or wrap it in a napkin/handkerchief and use it like a black jack.Good luck i don't do it for a living just volunteer at a place and some of the kids push their luck. Funny thing though some of the worst ones have turned out the best. I cheat though i talk about their mothers , not in a bad way but about that look in a moms eyes when shes disappointed ahamed or is used to wondering when her boys gonna get killed.
And its funny to see thugs cry. I also use the movie Othello with Lawrence Fishburne on em. We've gotten close to a few but that said i quit bringing em home when i had a kid. might bring some by after they get some real good time under their belts but no more "green" ones.I hada drag one kid down the stairs by his hair and give him the hard life lesson about youth and skill vs old age and treachery. After that i got less lip.And the kid i gave the lesson to is a true miracle to behold.went from being a kid with 2 kids and an accesory to murder rap at 15 to at 18 looking and more importantly acting like a marine recruiting poster.Very impressive motivated young man and has helped many other punks get right.So you never know.
 
Some additional thoughts.

I don't know if this would work at your school.

I once met one of the the guys who wrote this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Without-Locks..._bbs_sr_1/102-9463409-0556126?ie=UTF8&s=books

Long story short:

What normally happens in any sort of "reform" school or prison is that the staff forms alliances with the alpha crims, collaborating with them to a certain extent so as to keep and maintain order. The alpha crims get privileges, or the bulls look the other way on their activities, and the alpha crims keep a lid on the lesser crims.

Needless to say, this does not contribute to any sort of reform of the incarcerated individual, who continues to engage in the behaviors that are normative for criminal culture, and in fact allows the criminal culture to proliferate in the facility.

What they ended up doing @ Glen Mills was eliminate entirely the criminal culture as the normative culture, substituting instead a normative culture that was closer to baseline, and certainly more adaptive to "polite" society.

They key to making it work and keeping the reaction self sustaining was to get the students themselves to do most of the work.

A quick example of how it worked:

The student arrives, and usually starts going through all the chest thumping excercises, but is quickly confronted by another student.

"We don't do that around here." or perhaps, "Around here, we tuck in our shirts." or, "Around here, we wear our caps on straight".

At that point, the newbie will resist in some fashion, and find himself immediately swarmed by the rest of the students.

There's 4 key rules:

* All innapropriate behavior is immediately confronted by anyone whoe sees it. (Failing to confront is grounds for....being confronted)

* When one is confronted, one must _accept_ the confrontation silently.

* All confrontations are supported by everyone else in the area.

* To redress abusive confrontations, limit the use of confrontation as a tool for dominance and mind games, there is a group meeting every evening where anyone who feels they have been confronted unfairly can challenge their confronter, with the group serving as the jury, and if necessary, confronting the abuser.

The system, when properly implemented, works like a charm.
 
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