Teachers quit teaching because of student behavior problems and other reasons. I served as a behavior specialist for the schools. There were just two for 40,000 students. Great idea to have someone trained in behavior management. Classroom teachers have just one class in undergraduate studies. Having someone close with extensive experience would eliminate many school discipline issues. They must, though, be in every school and especially the elementary schools..
Most discipline problems are boys. Most teachers are women and are alone in that classroom dealing with the behavior problems daily. I was present a few times when a teacher cried and said, "I cannot do this anymore."
A Harvard professor once remarked in some class I was taking that the child brings home with him to school. That includes the neighborhoods and the community away from the school. The school is charged to educate. Schools have an awesome responsibility to serve as the change agent for any community.
What does the teacher do with a boy that has been acting out daily? He is not happy. The teacher surely is not. Maybe he is not able to keep up with the rest of the class. Maybe he feels that nobody likes him. Try this and be surprised: "I would like to share with the class today that we are going to have a dress rehearsal for a birthday party for ........." Each student would be asked to pick three classmates and only three and must be from the class. What is revealed is who is in and who is not. Very revealing and very informative. The child often feels that he does not belong. Behavioral issues can be dealt with if data supports and intervention are tried.
Every elementary school in the HCDE schools needs a full time behavior person. This person must be highly experienced. Having this skilled person in the building in and out of the classrooms would reduce behavior problems and foster happier students and teachers. Maybe that teacher, if could be found, could be male?
Robert Brooks