NY educators plead not guilty
June 13, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The four educators in a public school autism program, the Bridge Program at Mahopac Falls Elementary School in New York, have pleaded not guilty to all counts of child endangerment, the June 13th Hudson News resports. Back in April, the teacher, Tammy Card; aides Joseph Levy and Lorrie Reynolds; and a speech teacher, Joyce Spiegel were removed from the program; on May 5th, the four were arrested. Allegations against them include ” using degrading nicknames for children, leaving screaming children alone in the bathroom with the door closed and engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct in front of the children.” Other aides who worked in the classroom were also removed from the classroom and suspended without pay while police investigated; these four aides have now filed a lawsuit against the district. At court last night, supporters rallied around the four accused.
The Bridge Program serves special needs and autistic students ages 5-7.
What kind of misunderstandings and miscommunications occurred that the teachers, aides, therapists, school district, parents, and (most of all) the students face such a situation has ensued? What kinds of training and supervision might not have been put in place by the school district?
I think I would need a lot more information before I could even form an opinion of the matter. The way media present cases is frustrating, because the editor takes a certain stand and paints the entire case according to that opinion; and I have found it often turns out to be a whole different situation in reality. Being accused- even being arrested- does not make one guilty.
I can say that if abuse was so endemic in this system as to require the suspensions of 8 people (4 charged and 4 apparently suing the district- were there more?), then there is a far more major problem going on than just a few bad apples. One the other hand, if there was NOT endemic abuse, then there is something else majorly wrong in which 8 people can be accused of abuse when trying their best to deal with the special needs of students.
To make assumptions either way, however, would show a lack of respect for any and all parties involved. We simply don’t have enough information to know what on earth is going on here. We can just say- there is something very wrong here.
I think the time has come to call for video cameras in our school classrooms.
It’s a radical idea, but if done properly could provide neutral observers of all behaviors that led up to accusations being made, without turning every classroom into potential material for YouTube sites.
Two-way mirrors are another good idea. One of the schools in my town (for kids with all types of developmental delays) is in a large research university. They have the 2-ways with microphones stationed throughout the room so that psych or education majors (or grad students) can readily observe the kids and the education methods used. It also serves the purpose of keeping the teachers in check because you never know who’s watching and listening. Many times I’ve wished Lola’s school had them, so I could observe her without her seeing me (and wanting me to take her home)!
Charlie’s private school had one of these—-it was great for observations (now it’s unavoidable that he see Jim and me when we come to visit; he has gotten better with the transition with us coming and going, but it is not easy).
The mirrors are a good idea, too, but leave it open for the schools to have the appearance of having total transparency of their teaching methods while still allowing “bad behavior” during times when they knew that there would not be anyone watching.