Voice of the People 3/07/14

We ask too much
of teachers today
Regarding the Feb. 28 story, "Mullica teacher's fate likely up to arbitrator":
Whatever the two children in the classroom restroom were doing - "playing doctor" would be expected of that age bracket - this story demonstrates two problems.

First, teachers in this day and age are given less support in the classroom than in previous times. They must teach larger classes and are required to administer too much testing.
Second, children do not have the fear (or respect) of authority figures that former generations had. Many children today bring family or social problems to school with them and the educational system is put upon to address them. Add to that, the incredible daily media world of distortion and negative attitudes that victimize our children if they are not well supervised. Demanding work obligations on parents, often in one-parent homes, also limit time with their children, affecting their school performance.
BETTY CANDERAN
Cape May Court House
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/more-voice-of-the-people-march/article_79cdcf89-43f4-55e0-9fff-ba9e46414a90.html