Cop Out

(In the span of writing this … all 4 periods..  there were two confrontations in the tense over crowded hallway I am writing about)

I was thinking about what to write next , whatmy next "life changing" post would be, and then it hit me.. or rather they hit me…the words uttered almost daily from my colleagues as they walk into the office

 “Did you hear/see that? That is why we need to have our cop out there in that hallway”

Soo..Let’s be clear, this is not a cop out – This is an explanation for why we need to have our cop out.

The hallways can be a scary place. Not because of what DOES happen but because of what CAN happen. Breaking up fights is a common occurrence. The fight itself is not usually the issue… so two ill-tempered boys or a couple scorned teenaged girls get into it..that’s on them. The issue is attention that the fight gets because the attention is essentially what fuels it. Students fill out into the hallways watching intently, yelling for their alliances, and recording the fight to show people they were there in this epic moment in which they probably consider a boring bland grey school day. 

Now ..with all eyes on the fight,..as a student..not only do YOU know that you didn’t win the fight that you may have started but, your classmates know, your crush knows, your friends know, your enemies know, and with the addition of the ever powerful social media presence, the whole world knows.

( Please do not think that I truly believe the next comparison.. ONLY in that the social aspect is similar)

Highschool is a one of kind social environment which has only been magnified by the prevalence and power of social media. Highschool hallways are a hotbed of testosterone, estrogen, prejudices, loyalties, mistrust, power struggles, attention seeking outcries, and most of all… pride. Much like a prison (only in comparison by my standards.. the students would tell you otherwise) you have social circles packed very close together in an arena that not only promotes, but preys on the “don’t back down” mentality because god forbid you don’t appear as the top dog on the food chain.

As a teacher… speaking for teachers.. we sometimes add to the problem in that we don’t always stop the behavior that should be stopped. I will admit to having a part in that. This isn’t because I am too lazy… this isn’t because I don’t care… this isn’t a cop out. 

The simple truth , as I talk to more and more teachers, is that we are scared.

People in large groups are uncontrollable ( refer to resent riots in the media )  and in any given passing period the students outnumber us 50 to 1 if not more. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a nerve racking encounter to tell a group of students to stop a behavior. The fear here, as I stated before, is the fear of the unknown.  To walk up to a guy or girl in the middle of 20 person crowd and demand them to stop is asking for a confrontation.  

So, to begin with.. you have to decide that you are willing to single out one student, and confront a group. Then, you need to decide that you are ready for the worst. At minimum, it goes off without a hitch and they stop and move on. On average, you will probably get a few cusses and some comments from the crowd. What you need to be ready for those is the all-out repulse by the individual and the group… The “F*** You’s”  …the “ What the f*** are you gonna do’s” .. The “ get the f*** out of here’s” that even the kindest teachers are met with.

What do you do from there? Your animal instinct tells you to revert back to your HS self and throw gas on this fire that you have knowingly started while the adult and educator in you would like to solves this by talking it over and getting everyone to realize that complying IS actually the best idea. Without support from above and the much needed… immediate …help of your colleagues, there is only one solution..

You guessed it.. it is to have the cop out. It may scare the parents.. it may cause unfavorable dialog in the media.. but as a teacher.. I feel safe knowing that if the crowd EVEN THINKS FOR A SECOND that they have the power.. I have the cop out to assure them that they do not.