Broken Boundaries: An Elementary Investigation

When we drop our children off to school, watch them step onto the bus in the morning, or watch them walk out the door, we expect their day to consist of learning, educational support, class changes, pleasant social interactions, and minimal conflict. No matter the grade, there’s a level of reasonable understanding that differences can arise between individuals in an educational setting. However, we trust that our trained and dedicated staff members have the tools and experience needed to remedy and/or improve the situations. And in the event that unfortunate disagreements that involve our children occur, we expect to hear not only our children’s account of what transpired, but that of the school staff as well.

Earlier this week I received disappointing news that a tenured staff member in my school district of Montclair, NJ, was placed on leave. The most heart-breaking part of the story was that the suspension was allegedly due to what appeared to be a physical altercation with an elementary student. It is also alleged that the incident was witnessed by other staff members, one of whom immediately notified the building administration of what was taking place.

According to those with close ties to the situation, proper protocols were followed by the building administration. I was told that there was an immediate assessment of the environment, contact with the parents of the student involved, and communication with individuals that were witness to and/or in the vicinity of the altercation. I was also informed that the school’s administration immediately contacted the interim superintendent, as well as the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Reports to the DCP&P appear to automatically warrant involvement of the Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit; the child protective service unit that investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect in out-of-home settings such as foster homes, residential centers, schools, detention centers, etc.

If I haven’t officially met or gotten to know someone, I avoid forming an opinion about who they are as an individual. I interview witnesses and take statements from those that may know the subject personally. But my true understanding of who they are (to me) cannot be established. I had not directly connected with the staff member that was suspended, but I could only conclude that an attack (especially of this magnitude) was very much unexpected.
Allegedly admitting to some of what was reported by witnesses, I was informed that the staff member was placed on suspension pending investigation.

Confidential sources described the now suspended staff member as dedicated, energetic, mellow and passionate about their craft, career, and community. They were also described to be a bit withdrawn when outside of their usual teaching environment, and a bit ‘high-strung’ in stressful situations. I have not, and cannot confirm any of these characteristics. Reviewing the public profiles of this staff member (including social media) the personas appeared quite different to me.

Having the opportunity to observe and experience the responsibilities of an educator, I know the tremendous amount of stress they can be under at times. They can be bombarded with a daily dose of things such as different personalities, changing adolescent hormones, behavior issues, occasional disrespect, and emotional support situations. Staff members also have administrative duties and deadlines, as well as reviews for their own milestones. And as mentioned, these are only of few examples of what can be experienced on a day-to day basis. We also must factor in the personal life stressors that no one besides the individual, experiences outside of the educational setting. But no matter how tough a situation, and no matter what may have transpired prior to or following their time within the school building, there is never an excuse for any adult to attack a student in any manner. Walk away, call for relief, do whatever you have to do to excuse yourself from the room and remove yourself from the environment and situation. Otherwise, you can completely destroy not only your dedicated career and any accolades you may have received, but your credibility can also go right out the window.

It can possibly take at least 2 months for an Instructional Abuse Investigation Unit to complete its review. While there are other safety and support services in place for the family involved and those that were witness to the incident, this is an opportunity for the district to take a closer look at what, if anything, was missed here. Could this have been prevented? Were there signs? Was anyone too afraid of retaliation to report those signs? Is there a counseling buffer for educational staff; support between the building administrator and the district’s HR Department. What can we, as a community, do to support our students that may feel disconnected or isolated, and our staff that could be enduring too much. Where is the balance? What are the eggshells? What is the safe space?

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