This story was disgusting on so many levels. A Kindergarten teacher in Yakima Washington sent home a care package in one of her student's backpacks. And what was that care package, none other than a clear plastic bag with a piece of fecal matter wrapped in a brown paper towel, and a note attached that read, "This little turd was on the floor in my room."

I am growing more and more disgusted with adults who work with children, or have children, and act even more childish than they do. I have worked with children for many years of my adult life, some of those with preschool and elementary aged students, and I can understand how disgusted the teacher would be with a "turd" being found on the floor of a classroom. Student's accidents unfortunately happen, and they are disgusting and some of the worst moments to have to deal with, especially when they are repeating and the parent doesn't seem to be doing anything to help curb them. This seems to be a piece of the story of what went down at this Washington Kindergarten, as the student had some accidents in the past, and the teacher was angry about having to deal with them. After a phone call to the parent didn't curb them completely (this is wishful thinking), the teacher let her anger drive her to do something stupid.

I am by no means giving this teacher a pass, simply sharing her frustration. But working with children requires great responsibility and the ability to control your emotions and reactions, and this teacher failed miserably. Understandably there are moments when emotions or disgust can take over, but these are the moments when you have the greatest opportunity to demonstrate maturity and growth, and not the lowest of childish behavior. The teacher hasn't apologized, possibly out of embarrassment, though I can only hope that the ramifications are serious. This is beyond just vile behavior, this is a health issue and a lens into this teacher's mind to show that something definitely isn't right up there. The parents of the student have requested that their child be placed in another teacher's class for the remainder of the school year, I would imagine that a new teacher will be taking over very quickly if the school is smart. I view working with children as an honor and a great responsibility, and I look back often of how lucky I was to be a part of so many kids lives. I think that all of those who are in these shoes need to step back often and try to look back from this perspective, it easily covers up the difficulties and frustrations. And I hope for that student that he encounters a much more mature teacher the rest of the year, so that growth can happen for him too.

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