I had a chance conversation with a criminal defense lawyer today. At one point the conversation drifted into the place where our professions intersect. He didn’t know about behavior management programs in elementary schools where children are not allowed to walk in hallways with free swinging arms and hands but instead “hips and lips,” or folded in front of their chests or the one that is hardest for me to let go…….hands behind their backs truly like handcuffed prisoners walking in a line.
I want to believe that there is a point in sharing these disturbing images and stories with as many people as we can. Perhaps then they will not be satisfied when politicians talk about funding schools without talking about what those funds will support.
We also need to share the inspiring beautiful opportunities we see in school so people can hear what is possible to do instead of treating children like prisoners.