Teacher on paid leave after unusual student punishment

parents: read this and you might think twice before stomping off to complain about your child's teacher - http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html

The parents who complained about how their kids were punished at school need some good discipline themselves! There are ALWAYS consequences for bad behavior. Mr. Martinez should be commended for doing what is lacking in these student's lives. It is unfortunate, but, these kids are in for a tough life.

The students were disrespectful to a sub. The teacher established that their behavior was unacceptable and had consequences. Did he deny restroom passes? Did he slap kids around? No, he removed a privilege. Now the kids have learned they can remove a perfectly good teacher because somebody can't accept consequences for poor behavior. Nice going parents. You've proved that your proud parenting has brought your child new power. Good luck with that. You will reap what you have sowed. Wait til the high school years. What high school does this one feed? Hang on.

Just because you let your child run the household doesn't make them entitled to run to classroom. When I read post about Mr. Martinez as an amazing, caring teacher I can't help but question why he is suspended. What harm did he really cause? Shouldn't the parent instead of being outraged by the actions of the teacher be outraged by the behavior of their child? Before you point fingers make sure your hands are clean. To that parent maybe you should care more about how your child conducts themself in the classroom so you do have to worry about how they will be punished.

ginnny: in 1964 when I was in 4th grade they still paddled. I got a few swats, that I deserved, and that put the fear of God in me and I never broke the same rule twice. The only problem now is that if paddling was still allowed it could be abused..but back then you got it when you deserved it and not when you behaved. I'm not talking about minor offenses, I threw a water balloon at the chalkboard and soaked the teacher's desk. How I thought I would ever get away with it..

Observation: 17 comments and 17 in support of Mr. Martinez. Not a single dissenter. Shouldn't that tell the district something? That maybe they overreacted? Yeah, not all of us know the inner workings of the district policies, but we are regular people with common sense.

Andy note Mr. Martinez is an amazing teacher.  I've known him for 7 years and have witnessed nothing but love, dedication, and hard work for his students.  He is professional, skilled, and expects the very best from his students.  Many teachers will understand the frustration of having their hands tied when it comes to discipline in the classroom.  The teachers are becoming more and more afraid of crossing legal lines, while students are going out of control and learning halts in the class.  If parents and students were held responsible to the district's level of discipline, like Mr. Martinez, then our school's population would be sent home, learning would flourish, and teachers would be less stressed! 

For the record, it is not the school's principal that makes the decision to suspend a teacher. The principal is at the will of the District Administration. It is the Districts responsibility to step up and support their teachers, especially those as talented as Mr. Martinez. As the principal of Sequoia, Mr. Luis Rodriguez, visits classrooms daily and he is an excellent administrator. However, children ALWAYS behave when the principal walks in regardless if it's the regular teacher or a sub. The children were expected to behave in their teacher's absence. They chose to act up instead. Mr. Martinez has high expectations for every child in his class. This was meant to be a lesson about respect, plain and simple. If my child came home and said he misbehaved and had to stand, I would say "good, then behave next time. ". In the meantime, valuable learning is being lost by Mr. Martinez's absence. I say let's get back to the business of learning and stop wasting everyone's time. Sequoia is a wonderful school with wonderful kids, talented teachers, and caring administrators. If one cranky parent isn't happy there, please go somewhere else. We happen to love our school!!!

As a teacher, I have had "that" parent before. Someone close to the complaining parent should tell them that they'll reap what they sow. Want to be a chaperone on the field trip? Nope. Want to come in and observe? Sorry, not without representation present. Haven't these kids and their parents spent time in line at Disneyland? No complaints there, I bet! Mr. Martinez is not just outstanding but exceptional. He is exactly the type of teacher they need at that school. Those parents who complained...well...maybe they should hit the road!

I want to cry! I have sooo much support and respect for this SPECTACULAR teacher!I requested him for my daughter in 3rd grade and she has him for GATE(which he volunteers) and he is tHE BEST TEACHER!! Even after knowing this i WILL still ask for him when my 3 other children get to 3re grade! I agree with what he said...teachers teach!! EVERYTHING!! Our kids spend more time with them then us and we need them to teach our future!! if they dont have discipline and respect what will happen later in their life!? Like one of the comments said these parents probably let their children run all over them!! My child would be scared to tell me they were punished because of the fact she didnt listen in school...and shes correct because i would say well if you didnt listen thats what you deserve! i can only pray now that he returns...he did not touch the kids so why dont all these parents go after the real teachers who hurt our children? Not the ones who try and teach on their low paying not enough salary!! GOOD JOB MR MARTINEZ!!! We and the kids STAND BEHIND YOU!!!