I don’t even give players rides. No exceptions. I tell parents that too. That rule goes back to youth coaching and I stick to it still.
At my last school, I coached 8th grade girls basketball. There were 2 coaches that were equally paid. The girl that coached with me knew absolutely nothing about basketball to the point where she didn't even do anything at practice. The only reason she was there was to be the female and I was perfectly fine with that. Basically, her job was to cover my ass.
Our has that as our policy, no questions asked. In the last 10 years or so, I've had 2 players that live next door to me and 2 that live across the street from me. 2 more 2 houses down the street. The school says that I am absolutely not allowed to give them rides home (our diamond is in a different town as our HS).
Solid.
It’s not even a school policy where I’m at. It’s my deal. I try to leave no grey areas open whatsoever.
Totally agree. Like having a girl coming in my classroom to get math help. I have a table set up close to the door and prop the door open. That's the one that scares me. Too late in my career to have to deal with any of that bull shit.
Absolutely. As a teacher I wouldn't want to be caught being alone with any kid anymore. All they have to do is allege and make up something. And if they can get any time alone with you with no witnesses turning it into a he said/she said it doesn't even matter if they recant the story later. The damage will be done. I remember a teacher in Pleasantville yrs ago that had exactly that happen. I can't remember how many yrs later it was she ended up recanting her story but guy was 100% innocent. But lost his job and reputation. I don't need to tell you guys how in small town Iowa that 2nd part is the kicker. There's no making that right or getting that back.
I clipped my thoughts a bit...but WTF?
Totally agree. The school is just following suit with the Ankenys of the world that may need this kind of things because so many of the parents were born with silver spoons shoved up their asses and are looking for a reason to get a teacher/coach that gave Aiden a bad grade or didn't play him enough or at the right position. 4 of these 6 kids I mentioned babysat my kids at some point. I coached with a parent of another kid and I work with a parent of the last kid. I guarantee there would be no problems at all.
Yes, I grew up in a small town, and there is some shunning that goes on, similar to an Amish community. Maybe not to that religious extreme but once one's reputation is damaged and someone wears a scarlet letter, they're screwed and might as well move somewhere different and hope whatever doesn't follow them.
Yeah he ended up going to Newton to try and start new. But he couldn't keep teaching. I think he went to Pella to work after all that.
Yep, about the time Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin were abducted. Completely put the fright of fear in the parents and kids of that time. This was something we really haven't had to deal with up to that point. The x-raying Halloween candy came not much after that, as you point out.
