The end of the school year is here, with teachers rejoicing at the freedom summer vacation will bring. What could be better than ten weeks of unlimited rest, relaxation and maybe kicking back with a few cold ones?
Unfortunately, a few bad apples are spoiling the fun for the rest of the class, as headlines about allegedly drunk teachers continue to create a stir for parents, school administrators and the children who witness these events.
Drunk teachers are teaching our kids, and the rest of us, the wrong lessons:
- An Ohio teacher was arrested for disorderly conduct after showing up to work, seemingly drunk.
- A new middle school teacher in Florida came to work, allegedly intoxicated.
- In Arkansas, a high school history teacher was suspected of drinking on the job and quickly arrested.
- This Virginia teacher may face a DUI charge and an ignition interlock requirement if found guilty of drinking and driving on her way to school.
Teachers can face additional problems if they are convicted of DUI or other crimes, especially when the incidents occur in schools. Many schools have ethics or morality clauses in teachers’ contracts that will cause a teacher’s termination, after which it may be more difficult to find another teaching job.
We like to remind everyone of the choices they can make when drinking, like finding a safe ride home. However, these headlines show that sometimes there may be more at play than just bad judgment after a few hours at a bar or pub. Teaching isn’t an easy job, and while these examples are clearly not the norm, it may be time for all of us to keep in mind the dangers of drinking on the job. Teachers may not be operating heavy machinery or performing surgery, but drunk teachers definitely have their own role in our lives and in the lives of our children.
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