Teacher's lawsuit highlights problem

Proud. That's how I feel about Jeanette Runge, the fired teacher who is filing a lawsuit against District 300 for not following the behavior intervention plan for students who are overly disruptive in the classroom (Oct. 24). I'm an experienced teacher who once had eight behavior disordered students in a general education class of 25, and the administration smugly sat back silently and amusingly watched chaos erupt in my class day after day. I was actually asked by an administrator, 'Were they really fighting or just play fighting?"

I agree with the policy that students should be educated in the least restrictive environment, but when students engage in screaming, spitting, fighting, jumping on desks, slamming doors, running around the classroom at full speed, chest bumping each other, tearing up office referrals and other outrageous behaviors something must and can be done to relocate those offenders to a more appropriate classroom environment. It can be done when administrators take it seriously.

I don't know how bad Ms. Runge's situation is, but I doubt she'd retain an attorney if things weren't out of control. Administrators need to remember what is was like to be in the trenches and respond to teachers' complaints with compassion, empathy and urgency. Best of luck to you Ms. Runge. I hope you win your case.

Valerie Goranson

Libertyville