Repug Mitch McConnell's Daughter abuses Kids as Teacher

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=152199&category=STATE&BCCode=&newsdate=7/17/2003

Tucked away in a verdant corner of Columbia County, Hawthorne Valley School appears to offer a kinder, gentler way of teaching.
Parents praise what they call its unique child-centered approach, which is part New Age and part throwback to the way things were a century ago. An organic farm across the road serves as a summer camp for students in affiliated schools.

The first sign of trouble came last year when one couple learned their daughter had been strapped into her chair with a leather belt.

Since then, more than a dozen parents have removed their elementary school youngsters amid complaints about disciplinary tactics by one of the teachers at Hawthorne Valley. Punishment included tying the hands of students and taping their mouths shut if they misbehaved.

The teacher who doled it out, Claire McConnell, apologized, saying in a June 24 letter, "I am sorry for my disciplinary misjudgment, very sorry. ... I request your forgiveness."

[maveric]

1. She should be prosecuted for those actions.

If I were a parent of one of her students I would be screaming to a DA about this.
Isnt this a violation of ones civil rights?
They may be able to take civil action as well.

[roguevalley]

2. Its a violation of the law.

Assault and battery. I would not only file a criminal
complaint against her and them for allowing her to do
this but I would sue them both.

RV, a teacher for 26 years (and librarian in a school)
Teachers are quasi-officers of the court and are bound
to report child abuse. She's screwed if they pursue it.

[fairfaxvadem]

3. ah, family values...

And beyond the disciplinarian part of the story is that bit at the bottom about the outbreak of whooping cough and some parents objecting to vaccinations, etc.

Yes, I've heard the arguments about the connection to autism but I'm still all for childhood vaccinations.

But back to Ms. McConnell: i wonder what her own experiences with discipline were that she would find such behaviour acceptable?

[LynneSin]

4. This is APPALLING

And she should be taken to court for the cruel behavior she has done. Saying that she is a "young teacher" is about as bad as an excuse as "George Tenet did it".

"She's a young teacher, a learning teacher," Maynard said. Maynard referred further questions to a letter promising parents that "errors in disciplinary action would not be repeated."

Corporal punishment is forbidden in public schools, but the "law is silent" on the matter of private schools, said Bill Hirschen, a state Education Department spokesman.

Personally, I don't care if it's public OR private school. Strapping children to chairs? Putting tape on their mouths (I wonder if it was duct tape?).

Someone send this article to [e-mail] and put "conservative idiot" in the title!!!

[revcarol]

5. Pay $8,000 to be abused.

That mentor sure didn't do her job.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

6. maybe she's just doing what

daddy did to her.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

7. maybe she's just doing what

daddy did to her.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

8. maybe she's just doing what

daddy did to her.

[NicoleM]

9. Apparently I went to college with her.

I have no recollection of her, but I did meet her sister a couple of times (her sister was friends with my best friend). She (the sister) was very cool and totally not a Republican. Every time I see Mitch on the TV, I wonder how he managed to produce a cool kid. I guess it happens.

I think there's a point in there somewhere. Maybe it's that there are McConnells out there who don't suck.