The idea of corporal punishment in schools drives me totally insane. The idea of having teachers discipline kids by spanking them or rapping their knuckles with a ruler seems contrary to the important life lessons that we expect teachers to impart on our children. Sure, I know teaching is a rough job. My mom was a public school teacher for 20 years and she'd often share with me her frustrations in dealing with kids who were disruptively rowdy in her classes.
However, Maria Pantalone, a Toronto high school principal, seems to have gone a little overboard. According to news reports, Pantalone confessed to throwing human poop at a 12-year-old boy. Not only that but it seems that the court is ruling that she can get her job back! The circumstances of the incident have been sealed by the court because the victim is a minor. But in the principal's defense, the judge seems to think the circumstances were exceptional, and according to Pantalone, "I couldn't take it anymore. It was total, total frustration."
Yeah, I get it. Some kid was a brat and you lost your shit. Then, you threw it at him. But does that mean you deserve to get your job back? I don't think so. Do you?
