Entries are not classic blog posts but updated to follow the cases as they proceed through the criminal court system. This format provides latest information for those who follow a particular case and also serves to illustrate the lengthy process that leads many to believe that most allegations of misconduct amount to false charges. That may be a comforting myth to educators, but it is not supported by public record.
DATES
Dates given are publication dates of the news item. When the link no longer works, you are encouraged to visit the news source archives.
CATEGORIES
In the coach or band category, we only label when it is apparent the teacher or coach was involved with the student through the role as coach or band instructor. Sometimes it is impossible to determine from the online stories. Nevertheless, we track as a study, not because we dislike band teachers or coaches.
We do not usually follow stories about coaches accused of physical assault on players as most stories seem to be overblown and result in little or no lasting damage. Physical contact is a component of sports and emotions run high. For some unfathomable reason.
We do follow stories that involve drugs or alcohol. We do because drunk driving kills. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of 15- to 20-year-old drivers who were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2005 had been drinking. (Source: SADD - Students Against Drunk Driving)
Peer pressure is hard enough to resist without having teachers serve as role models to drink and drive or do drugs.
Other categories change as needed or where need is indicated.
COMMENTS
We welcome comments.
Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of the blog administrator.
Posts that attempt to identify victims by name or indication will be deleted.
Posts that denigrate or demean victims will be deleted.
Posts that attempt to shut down debate by threatening other posters will be deleted.
Posts that are determined to be excessive and non-productive rants will be deleted.
It happens sometimes that someone will post a comment that they later regret that self-identifies and creates discomfort. Contact us. We will delete.
Our comments at stories are usually in this color.
UPDATES
If you have an update or a correction, please e-mail us at mediaskeptic@hotmail.com
Sending links is preferable. We do not open attachments. Ever.
Posts are derived from published items found online. Sometimes news sources do not bother to follow a case beyond the initial arrest story that was based upon the press release from the police. If you find an entry that needs to be updated and no story is found online, we suggest three things:
- Contact the newspaper or news staff that published the original story.
- If you have trouble determining who you should contact, contact us. We'll help.
- Ask them to print a follow up story to set the record straight. If you need, we will help you write a request.
They owe you that much. We do, too, and we guarantee to act immediately.
SUGGESTIONS
Your suggestions are welcome. This blog wouldn't exist without readers who send us updates every day.
ADMITTED BIAS
We are unashamed supporters of the victims and their families. For one, minors lack the maturity to appreciate the consequences of their actions. That's why we have age of consent laws and limit their legal decisions. But it's also because the student who complains is excoriated by fellow students and teachers alike. That makes them double victims. When they appear in court, the defense usually victimizes them all over again in the most public forum possible - again, without the support of fellow students or teachers. It takes great courage to come forward when it would be so much easier to hide the truth.
It would take less courage for fellow teachers to come forward to voice their suspicions about their colleagues before it gets to the point of criminal conduct. That they do not do so in large numbers speaks poorly of their decency.
AND NO, WE DON'T HATE TEACHERS
Every student has a favorite teacher they remember even 60 or 70 years later. The teacher may not have been a favorite at the time, but, usually, for most of us anyway, they were the person who most believed that learning was a joy, education was a wonder and expected more of us than just about anyone else. They also asked more of themselves and did the same for us. That's the true definition of a teacher.
