Rough Waters [Teaching Commentary]

Rough Waters

“In the fight between you and the world, back the world.”
-Frank Zappa

During the course of a school trip that occurred in the final weeks of school, an elementary student Nicole Suriel lost her life by drowning.   As more and more news coverage was generated, the city of New York hired an investigator to determine what went wrong.

However, as more “in-depth” news coverage continued, I began to notice that the news coverage  and subsequent  reports from the official “Investigation” seemingly became fairly pointed towards finding a scapegoat to blame instead of finding ways to avoid this accident.

Ultimately, the findings followed the typical outcome that one would expect- the teacher (Erin Bailey) was fired. Other fallout included demotion of an assistant principal and probation for school principal Jose Maldonaldo.

This was a situation that was going to be resolved in a bloody sort of way for all the educational professionals involved, especially Ms. Bailey.   Any field trip is a potential risk for disaster.  Hell, it doesn’t even have to be a field trip; any time that you take children out of the classroom and into the view of the outside world such as during recess, or gym class in the park (for example) you expose yourself to scrutiny.  There have been many of times when I’ve lined up my students to go to lunch or to an assembly and we’ve sat there in the doorway while other classes drifted passed or the event has started because well….well I don’t think that their conduct would reflect well on them or on my standards of discipline.

As I read through the news stories, I find it curious that Ms. Bailey has never been quoted nor does she have an official statement.  I think it’s unfair the way she has been (mis)characterized in the media.  Does it really matter that she was a first year teacher?  No.  Perhaps that means to some a lack of competence due to the lack of years experience except the things that I have read shows that she tried to cover her bases.   Case in point, though it appears that Nicole did not have a signed permission slip, Mr. Suriel  (her father) was obviously contacted by the school and gave express verbal consent.  Which in itself might have been a little bit of an ordeal, considering that in each interview Nicole’s parents spoke through an interpreter.

Secondly,  Ms. Bailey had the appropriate teacher to student ratio for a field trip.  On the same  official level is that the AP Mr. Stillman stayed behind to pitch in on some end of year administrative duties which could have resulted in the school missing out on $30,000 for school supplies.

Next, blah blah blah.  There are a lot of excuses.  My opinion of what went wrong is probably kind of harsh to. Simplistic, but harsh.  Water + Students who can’t swim = Simplest Equation for an Accident. In the building or out the build. I also have an opinion about elementary/middle school kids that is even worse.  They really should be seen/not heard unless during times when they expressly permitted.  During the portion of class when I’m tossing information out, and reaching out to students of different levels of comprehension in one class, off-handed comments or even unsolicited questions can really throw off all the pacing.  I’ve become quite found of telling the kids – “Raise your hand if you’re going to talk to me.”  Think it might be teaching at a Catholic school that set me up in that way.

I think that the outcome of this field trip was quite sad but not necessarily equal to the level of tragedy.  I suppose Ms. Bailey made errors, but I can’t place myself in her shoes.  I don’t want to feel anything that she felt.  Too many times I’ve jokingly said to myself, “Thank God…None of my kids died today.”  Which really isn’t funny in light of this situation, but I’m still lucky enough to joke about it.  Honestly, I just feel that it’s not fair to lob all the fault on the school.  Several days later, other incidents occurred with adults on the same beach.  Nicole’s parents allowed her to go to the beach, any beach, even though they knew she couldn’t swim.  Ms. Bailey probably should have looked at the percentage of people (adults and children) with aquatic skills on the trip and maybe had gone to the park or something.  Everyone bit off more than they thought they could chew, and what happened next was sadly logical.

Chester Kent
7-18-10
Originally posted on [www.GetintheRye.com]

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