A now-former employee at a Michigan middle school allegedly choked a 14-year-old student with a shirt, in an incident captured on surveillance footage.
The teen’s parents are calling for charges against the now-former coach.
My small school district typically only allows teachers to coach, but it’s a huge burden on teachers. We want the kids to have access to sports and clubs, but golly, please just do a background check on and/or train a community member who actually WANTS to coach.
Note they keep saying the coach was an “employee” and not a teacher.
I don’t think they even allowed that when I was in middle school in the late 80s. All the coaches were also teachers.
the school district is distancing itself from the coach.
I’m sure they are, but I’m also betting this coach had absolutely no formal instruction on working with children.
Bet there been other reports of this guys aggressive behavior and hopefully others will feel safe coming forward.
My small school district typically only allows teachers to coach, but it’s a huge burden on teachers. We want the kids to have access to sports and clubs, but golly, please just do a background check on and/or train a community member who actually WANTS to coach.
I’d go with that. Background check and training at minimum should be required.