Classroom disruption #FlashbackFriday
Good morning, kittens & dawgs! It’s Friday with the weekend kicking off soon. This morning, I’m thinking back on a simple time, school days past.
My mother-in-law was a real school teacher. We had fun goofing off for this picture. You know, I went to school during a time when it wasn’t uncommon for kids who acted out in class got a paddling and when that kid got home they generally got another whipping.
This made me think of the first time I got a spanking in school. I was in first grade. I remember being terribly upset and at my desk. My anger boiled out and I began marking on my desk in a frenzy. That’s when I felt a hand pull me out of my seat by my collar and laid the wrath of the board to my backside. OWEEE, the snap of that paddle burned my bottom with each blow that meant my skin. I don’t recall how many whacks she gave me. Teary eyed and trembling, I slumped to my desk to bury my face in my arms on my desk in shame. Today, I recall the smell of the pencil lead etched in the wood grain. If humiliation and injury weren’t enough, my teacher imposed further punishment. I had to stay in at recess to wash down every desk in the room. After that, Mrs. C. terrified me and I was certain she hated me. Maybe, she hated all children. That’s the things that went through my head. I’m sure I got a spanking when I got home because that’s just the way things went.
Another time I got a paddling was several years later. I was in junior high school. It was after school, I think and we were waiting for the school bus. My best friend and I ran out the building and straight into the principle. Mind you, we weren’t allowed to run in the halls and we were still on school property when we got caught breaking the rules. Mr. W marched us to his office and gave us each a single sharp slap of the board across the seat. With nervous, sheepish grins we exited his office and out of earshot, we did what any juvenile girl would do to mask the embarrassment, we laughed. I went home told mom about the incident, expecting she’d use a switch on my legs, but she didn’t. I guess she felt it was a misdemeanor and it did not call for extra punishment.
In between these paddlings, I’m sure I got another one or two which escapes my mind. I got into plenty of trouble for talking too much in class and doing silly stupid things that kids do, which didn’t result in a spanking but it’s funny the way society sees tanning a kids’ hid in schools today. Harsh punishment is needed to keep the wayward few in line and a stiff board across the bottom might be the answer to keeping the disruption in the classroom down.
Did your school have a paddling policy?
Where you ever paddled?
Thanks for sharing my memories with Flashback Friday. I hope you’ll stop by for tomorrow to listen to my weekend tunes on Saturday Songsuasaion!
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9 Comments
XmasDolly
I went to Catholic school, but believe me the nuns believed in punishment. I remember one to getting smacked over the knuckles with a ruler, and many times in the corner for talking too much. As far as getting a spanking I do remember one my dad gave me, but that’s because I was hysterical. I had a ring on my finger I couldn’t get off and my finger was turning blue I threw a hissy fit and dad paddled me and pulled the ring apart and it was off. I never was spanked before that and it shocked me that he did. I agree with you I think kids do need spankings, but nowadays they don’t get it because everyone is afraid to go to jail. It don’t make sense to me that’s for sure. Have a great weekend my friend. Sorry I’m so late I was just sleeping most of the day…
Arlee Bird
I was a bit shocked to encounter paddling in school when I moved from San Diego, CA to Indiana when I was entering junior high. I was terrified of the prospect of getting a paddling. I found the punishment to be the norm as well when I moved to Maryville, TN. For some guys it was like a badge of honor to get swats with a paddle. Not for me. Never got a paddling once.
When I was visiting Maryville in November I went to take my wife to visit Sam Houston Schoolhouse. I was so disappointed that they were closed. Maybe they were on a special schedule for Thanksgiving week. Well, it’s a beautiful drive out in that part of Blount County.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Cathy Kennedy
You must have been a good boy to never got a paddling. Maybe next time you’re this way, you guys can visit Sam Houston Schoolhouse. DH & I revisited it last spring. It was a lot of fun.
dcrelief
Oh yes, acting up at the pencil sharpener one day… never forget it. Teacher popped me three times with her hand on my butt. I still have the piece of pencil lead in my elbow, from where my opponent got me.
Ironically, years later I was teaching and realized a teacher had gotten out of hand while disciplining a child. Had to step between her paddle and this young boy. Needless to say this is the reason paddling is gone. We’re human, and some allow their life problems to “come to school” with them. She didn’t leave hers at the door that day and it cost her, the child, and I was certainly changed as well. I had never paddled a child and that pretty much sealed it for me.
Greta topic, Cathy. Thanks for visiting my space today! (smile)
Cathy Kennedy
It’s easy to step over the line and honestly Mrs. C fell into that category a few times. I’m not saying with me, but I remember a year or two later I witnessed first hand very abusive treatment of another student. The kid was a bit troubled granted, but she totally wigged out. I don’t know, if she was called on it or not. I remember just sitting in my seat horrified. I think I was in grade 3. I attended a small school where duo grades shared the same teacher. Gosh, that kinda makes me old sounding! I’m really a spring chicken NOT. Okay, I’m not pushing up daisies just yet. lol
Noah Weiss
I’ve never been subjected to corporal punishment in school, but when I was young, I occasionally got spanked by Dad. To think that if that happened in today’s society, the teacher would probably be fired on the spot for child abuse.
Cathy Kennedy
Oh you know it. I’m not sure how I feel today about kids being spanked in school because people are different ~ quick to anger and reacting on it. Too many step over the line due to their poor judgement. Of course, a lot of parents aren’t spanking kids, either. So, a generation of kids are being spared the rod and we know the Bible says about that…it spoils the child. So, we are going to see kids growing up with some serious behavior problems. There are ready too many rude and mean people in society now. I shutter to think what it’s going to be like in 10 or 20 years. A good old fashion whipping has merit and builds character. Thanks for stopping by, Noah!
mariodacat
Mario’s m here: I am older than dirt and ever went to a school where they spanked students. In fact it was against the law. I think they did that in some of the paroical schools but not in public schools. How very embarrissing for you.
Cathy Kennedy
Yeah, but it sure taught me to not act out in a poor manner again. lol I wasn’t scared for life over the incident and while I certainly needed a paddling I questioned how this teacher handled the situation. Thanks for stopping by!