Jake LaMatta May Return - A Little Movie Trivia

I received some disturbing news on Monday April 28th.  I was informed that a former scholar that I will call Jake LaMatta may be returning to our classroom.  My immediate reaction was not good as this scholar has the potential to really increase the volatility level in the classroom.  I mentioned to BaseG that the history between Jake LaMatta and one of our current students is not good.  His response was yes I'm aware of that and like you I'm not really happy with this decision.  He went on to say imagine what will happen when our newest scholar decides to push Jake LaMatta's hot button and I'm thinking there will be an eruption with the potential for injury.  

Here is the part of the story that really raises my blood pressure.  Jake LaMatta is being transferred to our school because his current teaching team cannot handle him.  Great!  They fail to do their job so we get a new scholar with a history of very serious anger control issues.  So serious that if he is at risk of hurting other scholars I may have to forceably subdue him and in doing so put myself at risk of getting injured.  There are thirty school days remaining and we just started round two of ISTEP testing.  BaseG does not deserve having this happen to him.  I don't deserve to have this happen to me.

I hope you noticed that I stated the current teaching team failed to do their job.  I will give you an overview of how a special education classroom for scholars with emotional disabilities is staffed.  So you are aware I'm not certain about how this other school is staffed so I'm making the assumption that it is similar to ours.  There is a teacher and an instructional assistant in the classroom.  There is a person in charge of the in-school suspension room that can lend support to the teacher.  There is a behavioral specialist that supports the teacher.  In worse case scenarios there is a Crisis Team that may have up to three people on it that can support the teacher.  In all we could be talking about six or seven adults that are responsible for maintaining control of one fourth grader.  It is apparent, with Jake LaMatta moving to our school, that this team failed to do their job.  As a result of their failure they get rewarded with a lighter scholar load.  

One of the topics discussed regularly in our classroom is feelings.  At every group session the scholars are asked how are you feeling today.  If I was asked right now how I'm feeling I'd say ANGRY!

What to do?  What to do?  I guess I need to do what I always told my daughter to do when she had to make big decisions.  Make a list of the good points and bad points then compare the two lists and make a decision.  I've started that list.