Not by an eight-year-old.

I may seem harsh in my reaction, but if I would not tolerate it from a grown man, I will not tolerate it from a young boy who has had repeated offenses and knows right from wrong.

I thought I had heard it all, but that was incorrect when on Thursday M decided to tell K a highly derogatory comment about my chest. Not only did he say it within my earshot, but he said it to another student who instantly recognized the inappropriateness and now has that disgusting phrase in his head.

This is not the first time M has given sexually-inappropriate comments. The first time he did so, it was directed to some of my little girls (there were only 4 of them, BACK OFF!). I brought his mother in for a conference to discuss this and said if it happens again, he will be written up and dealt with by the principal. It is not tolerated nor is it acceptable in any way.

He lied to me when I approached him. I was angry and felt very uncomfortable that a child would have the audacity to say something so vulgar to his TEACHER, an ADULT, and a WOMAN. It is an issue I do not take lightly, especially with someone who has said things before. I was angry before-- you are dealing with little girls' self esteems. By age eight, they have already been subjected to rude, nasty comments about their bodies. UNACCEPTABLE.

Girls already struggle with image, self-consciousness, and body security as they grow up. They do not need vapid-minded little boys treating them like sexual objects. I may be taking it to the extreme here since I'm glossing over this detail, but there a lot more other details that relate to this story, but do not pertain, so I won't go into them.

I became angry again because apparently the proverbial "smack on the hand" did NOTHING for him. He still thought it okay to say whatever he's heard before. At age eight, children know right from wrong very well. Now, if he were at all persuaded to say something like that, that's an entirely different issue. He was not, therefore, he acted on his own accord to get a rise out of his classmates.

M was written up to the office and brought BACK to my classroom. I was so peeved by this point because it made me so uncomfortable, thinking, "If he said it to me, what else will he say to my girls?" People will think what they want to think, no matter how inappropriate. But if something is uttered into the world and affects another human being in such a negative way, then it needs to be addressed and reprimanded.

I woke up the next morning still pretty angry and upset that I had to deal with this again. I felt bad for Mr. R because my entire morning commute phone conversation consisted of my venting and ranting about the lack of parenting today. (Thank you, Mr. R, for just being you. I don't know how you put up with my crankiness and soapbox moments.) My blood pressure was up, emotions were high. When I got to school, Mrs. MS and Ms. R immediately commanded I talk to the assistant principal about the problem.

Well, I did, but ended up speaking to the principal instead. At first, it was rocky. Again, high emotions and frustration. Point blank-- I did not feel comfortable with M in my room, and I don't want that to get me to the point of being unprofessional. I should not have to tolerate harassment of any kind. What kind of message does that send to children? If students have a right to be comfortable and safe, then so do teachers (according to our school guidance counselor). It was the first time I stood up for myself in front of my principal. I choose my battles wisely. When I get fired up and on my justice box, I want to be heard.

She didn't realize this wasn't his first offense. After that, she showed me the student code of conduct. Apparently, under that code, he should have been suspended for three days. That did not happen.

So what did? M was moved out of my classroom, effective immediately.

Was I surprised? Yes. Was I disappointed? No. Will this solve all problems? I desperately hope so. I hope this was a wakeup call for M's parents and a huge lesson for M.

I have a bit more respect and understanding for my principal from all of this. She took my concerns seriously and respected my thoughts and rights. I deeply appreciated that. A burden was lifted.

Most kids are empathetic... when I arrived back to my classroom, they knew I had been crying. E came up to me, hugged me, and rambled on, "Miss F, how was your last weekend??" Yes, it is Friday and the next day is Saturday. It touched my heart. One rotten apple does not mean the whole barrel has rotted.

Someone kept reminding me all day today the precious moments of childhood innocence. From finding "clues" at recess to teaching their friends yoga moves, I needed that breath of fresh air. I needed the reminder that there still is hope in the future generation.

-- Miss Chelsea