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  #1  
Old Apr 21, 2016, 08:55 AM
rdgrad15 rdgrad15 is offline
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I am currently a substitute paraprofessional for students K-12. I like it but it is not something I will do forever. My main career goal is academic support counseling at the college level.

Now I know, unfortunately in today's world there are a lot of goofy dirtbags that like to pray on other people, especially children. Due to this, I hear that sometimes people can be falsely accused of preying on someone due to it being some accident or a disgruntled coworker, parent, or even a student.

I have this fear that it could happen to me. I am very careful with my surroundings and do not touch students in any way unless instructed by the teacher and even then, only keep it to hand touching only. Am I being too paranoid or am I doing the right thing by being extra cautious? I prefer older students but in order to have more availability and more chances to get a job, I will accept openings at elementary schools too.

Just wondered if I am doing the right thing or if I am being too paranoid. This is not a permenant job, just something to get experience. I blame the perverts that actually caused problems and forced society to become very rigid on how adults handle students, especially at the elementary level.

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  #2  
Old Apr 21, 2016, 11:57 AM
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Nike007 Nike007 is offline
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Hello. I know how difficult the whole physical contact is with students. I'm a not a teacher, but a student. I know that some people complain. For me, physical contact is how I express love and happiness and joy. It would be better to ask on a case by case basic, but schools usually have policies on what you can and can't do. I did get a teacher in trouble because she was giving me a hug when I was having a panic attack. She was told she can't do that. But when I'm happy, I give her high fives, which are okay. She pats people on the shoulder too. It depends on your comfort zone and students. I don't think you will be accused of something you didn't do. I know some people are idiots and accuse other people, but I wouldn't worry about it. The only person would be your boss that would most likely say something if something did happen, not a parent unless it's for younger kids. Anyways, hope this helps .

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Thanks for this!
rdgrad15
  #3  
Old Apr 21, 2016, 01:04 PM
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Skeezyks Skeezyks is offline
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Hello rdgrad15: Isn't it sad that this is what our world has come to??? No, you're not being too paranoid. One must be extremely cautious nowadays, in the Skeezyks' opinion. Every day there are more-&-more stories in the newspapers & on TV about people who are being accused of some heinous crime. Sometimes the incidents supposedly occurred decades ago. There's absolutely no way to defend oneself against such accusations. And once the accusation has been made, the accused is automatically presumed guilty... period... no reprieve... The state I live in seems to be particularly rife with this sort of things nowadays. I wouldn't want to be within throwing distance of any person who is considered to be vulnerable. It's unfortunate. But that's the reality today...
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Thanks for this!
rdgrad15
  #4  
Old Apr 23, 2016, 10:10 AM
justafriend306
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I completely understand this. I know several male teachers. They feel they are under extra scrutiny owing to their gender and are always vigilant about watching their behaviour less they might be accused of something. Like accidentally brushing against a student will cause some parent to jump to a nasty conclusion. They tell me too that it isn't just the innuendo they are feaarful of but even such things as discipling a student or giving out a poor grade.
Thanks for this!
rdgrad15
  #5  
Old Apr 24, 2016, 08:55 PM
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Ladycakes Ladycakes is offline
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Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Australia
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It's unlikely to happen but it is good to be wary. If it will help, you could keep notes of anything that might be misunderstood and make sure not to be alone with individual students. Like if you have problems with a particular student and need to discipline them, take notes in a journal about the day and time and the incident and make sure to have someone else in the room if you do need to talk one on one.

It's more likely that your anxiety is causing this worry, so be mindful not to go too far in avoiding any 'untoward' behaviour as it may start to take over and inhibit your ability to teach properly.

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Thanks for this!
rdgrad15
  #6  
Old Jun 21, 2016, 11:53 AM
rdgrad15 rdgrad15 is offline
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Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nike007 View Post
Hello. I know how difficult the whole physical contact is with students. I'm a not a teacher, but a student. I know that some people complain. For me, physical contact is how I express love and happiness and joy. It would be better to ask on a case by case basic, but schools usually have policies on what you can and can't do. I did get a teacher in trouble because she was giving me a hug when I was having a panic attack. She was told she can't do that. But when I'm happy, I give her high fives, which are okay. She pats people on the shoulder too. It depends on your comfort zone and students. I don't think you will be accused of something you didn't do. I know some people are idiots and accuse other people, but I wouldn't worry about it. The only person would be your boss that would most likely say something if something did happen, not a parent unless it's for younger kids. Anyways, hope this helps .

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg
Thank you for your imput. Yeah I can understand why it would not be a good idea to hug a student who is having a panic attack. Had I been there, I would have asked if you were okay, and maybe walk to to the nurse or counseling office if necessary. But I would not have given you, or anyone else in that situation, a hug. It would just make it worse. And yeah, it makes sense that it isn't too common that false accusations happen. I am just simply extra cautious.

And in terms of touching, yeah I only go as far as hand touching. Like handshakes, high fives, even a couple fist bumps a couple times. All depends on the student. And only in one case, with teacher permission and instruction, I had to guide a student by the shoulders down the hall due to bad balance. And helped a student transfer from one wheelchair to another with another teacher assisting. Thanks for your input.
  #7  
Old Jun 21, 2016, 11:55 AM
rdgrad15 rdgrad15 is offline
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Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeezyks View Post
Hello rdgrad15: Isn't it sad that this is what our world has come to??? No, you're not being too paranoid. One must be extremely cautious nowadays, in the Skeezyks' opinion. Every day there are more-&-more stories in the newspapers & on TV about people who are being accused of some heinous crime. Sometimes the incidents supposedly occurred decades ago. There's absolutely no way to defend oneself against such accusations. And once the accusation has been made, the accused is automatically presumed guilty... period... no reprieve... The state I live in seems to be particularly rife with this sort of things nowadays. I wouldn't want to be within throwing distance of any person who is considered to be vulnerable. It's unfortunate. But that's the reality today...
Yep I totally agree with you, must be very careful.
  #8  
Old Jun 21, 2016, 11:57 AM
rdgrad15 rdgrad15 is offline
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Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justafriend306 View Post
I completely understand this. I know several male teachers. They feel they are under extra scrutiny owing to their gender and are always vigilant about watching their behaviour less they might be accused of something. Like accidentally brushing against a student will cause some parent to jump to a nasty conclusion. They tell me too that it isn't just the innuendo they are feaarful of but even such things as discipling a student or giving out a poor grade.
I agree, I am very cautious with not just the touching part, but correcting students that may be misbehaving since I feel like others may find it out of line or unnecessary.
  #9  
Old Jun 21, 2016, 11:58 AM
rdgrad15 rdgrad15 is offline
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Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladycakes View Post
It's unlikely to happen but it is good to be wary. If it will help, you could keep notes of anything that might be misunderstood and make sure not to be alone with individual students. Like if you have problems with a particular student and need to discipline them, take notes in a journal about the day and time and the incident and make sure to have someone else in the room if you do need to talk one on one.

It's more likely that your anxiety is causing this worry, so be mindful not to go too far in avoiding any 'untoward' behaviour as it may start to take over and inhibit your ability to teach properly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That is a good idea, I should do that. Yes I am careful to not get too paranoid, but yeah I am still wary though.
  #10  
Old Jun 22, 2016, 01:42 PM
StephenWW StephenWW is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2016
Location: United States
Posts: 3
I think that as long as you interact normally with the students and don't do anything out of the ordinary you should be fine. Just take a calm and collected approach to it. Some people over react to teachers interaction with students, but as long as you don't give them any legitimate reason to suspect you it should be ok. Take the mental stance that you haven't done anything wrong and that its silly for them to think otherwise.
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