Memoirs from an Elementary School Assistant Principal in South Carolina…
Educators are often the first adults to see and report child abuse. We interact with children daily and see signs of abuse and or neglect.
As a teacher and school administrator, I have experienced many instances of child abuse that I have reported to the Department of Social Services.
As a young teacher, I vividly remember an incident that changed my entire perspective of what children live with in troubled homes and how important the teacher / student relationship to helping at risk children live safer and happier lives.
A sweet and gentle student began to act aggressively and increasingly unable to focus in the classroom. He became impulsive and showed intense anxiety as the school day ended.
These behaviors prompted me to talk with him about the events in his life that were upsetting him. He trusted me enough to share that he and his mother were experiencing abuse in the home.
As a mandated reporter of child abuse, it was my legal duty to report the incident to Child Protective Services.
The Department of Social Services investigated the allegations and removed the child and his mother from the home. Our school community was able to work closely with the Department of Social Services to raise money for the family to provide housing assistance until they were able to get on their feet and change the abusive living arrangement. Our district also provided free counseling services for the family to help them heal mentally.
By the end of the school year, the child and his mom found a permanent home, and I could see him slowly regain the confidence he once had.
With the support provided to his family, he was able to bounce back and be the vibrant young man he was at the beginning of the school year.
Having a meaningful relationship with the boy gave me the insight to know that something was wrong and allowed me to gain the student’s trust to talk truthfully about what was going on at home.
Our students are fortunate to be in a district that prides itself on supporting the children not just at school but at home as well.
COVID restrictions have locked many more students into toxic homes and made it much harder for teachers to have the relationships necessary to have meaningful conversations and provide help to end the abuse.
For many children being able to attend school physically is their only reprieve from an abusive home life and only chance to confide in an adult that can provide a path to safety.
KARA reports on the issues of child abuse.
This article gathered by Capella University Student Volunteer Writer Researcher
All Adults Are The Protectors of All Children
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